This post definitely is a blast from the past! Today I thought I'd go back a few years to highlight a St Patrick's girl who really hit the "Big Time".
Many of you will be too young to remember Uncle Harry Brown but for those of us who do, we will also remember St Patrick's Girl and young singing sensation, Mary Lou Collins.
Mary Lou was born in St John's in March 1944. In 1949, at age 5, she started school at St Patrick's Convent on Deanery Avenue. Most likely, she would have been in Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class.
The following is an interesting post from Newfound Records Radio Hour, 2014. It is very informative and gives us an insight into Mary Lou's achievements.
"This St. John's girl was 'discovered' locally by Uncle Harry Brown of VOCM radio when she was just 10 years old. Soon, MARY LOU COLLINS became Newfoundland's first child recording artist (circa 1955). Within a few years, jazz legend Ralph Walker was her mentor.
Mary Lou quickly exhausted opportunities to advance her singing career in St. John's. So at 20, she hit the best supper clubs and hotels in Toronto, and throughout Canada. She sang on Canada's top TV shows - Juliette, Tommy Hunter, & Wayne & Shuster. Soon, Mary Lou hit the stage & TV screen south of the border. She sang on The Merv Griffin & Joey Bishop TV Shows, and she was paired with Red Buttons, Jack Benny, George Burns, and Bob Hope... the top entertainers in the U.S
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| The back of an album sleeve |
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| Closeup of info on album |
I can't find any information on what Mary Lou is doing these days. She had a great voice and I hope that it is still giving pleasure to audiences.
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