Three X Sisters
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The Three X Sisters were an American all-girl harmony singing trio initially known as The Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. They were on stage singing together in New York City, on Broadway, as early as 1922 and formed their trio in 1924, which was composed of Pearl Santos (née Hamilton) and Violet Hamilton from
Cumberland, Maryland Cumberland is a U.S. city in and the county seat of Allegany County, Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its s ...
, and Jessie Fordyce from
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. They were known on NBC radio as "radio's foremost harmony trio."


History and career

Pearl and Violet's family had been in Cumberland for nearly a century, by the early 1910s. Their European heritage settling from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York. Part of their
Creek people The Muscogee, also known as the Mvskoke, Muscogee Creek, and the Muscogee Creek Confederacy ( in the Muscogee language), are a group of related indigenous (Native American) peoples of the Southeastern WoodlandsAllegheny Mountains The Allegheny Mountain Range (; also spelled Alleghany or Allegany), informally the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the Eastern United States and Canada and posed a significant barrier to land travel in less devel ...
area for a very long time. Pearl and Vi had individually sung in Cumberland, Maryland, theaters and won prizes for their song competition accomplishments. The Hamilton Sisters found their harmony singing blend in Cumberland. Jessie performed alongside Arthur Yule, her father. The Yule family immigrated from
Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...
. Jessie grew up partly in Brooklyn, NY, and on vaudeville stages in the United States. She was on the
Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...
, New York,
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
circuit and beyond; as a young child star, "Baby Helen", her stepping-stone success through songs and vocal imitations had impressed the masses. They were all fairly well known in their theater venues by 1914. Pearl Hamilton began her career on Broadway as early as 1917. Her roommate during this era was Joan Page, another 'Stars of the Future' entertainer/singer. The average salary in 1919 was $22.00 per week for the All Jazz Revue "chorus girls." Pearl started out as a soft shoe (ballet style) and high-kick dancer, and received positive dance reviews. The Hamiltons began their professional singing careers in harmony at the Haymarket Theatre in
Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...
, Illinois. Pearl watched a live performance of the
Original Dixieland Jass Band The Original Dixieland Jass Band (ODJB) was a Dixieland jazz band that made the first jazz recordings in early 1917. Their "Livery Stable Blues" became the first jazz record ever issued. The group composed and recorded many jazz standards, the m ...
in the
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, New York scene, after her arrival to Broadway stages. Which was an early New York music inspiration. Some walk-on or cameo parts in
silent films A silent film is a film with no synchronized recorded sound (or more generally, no audible dialogue). Though silent films convey narrative and emotion visually, various plot elements (such as a setting or era) or key lines of dialogue may, whe ...
with
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showed their dancing talents. On December 30, 1920, at the Star Theater in New York City, Pearl's musicianship and piano styles were paired alongside a jazz band which included the Morette Sisters who were duet singers they played the violin and trombone, and Stanely played the coronet. Violet had been chosen in 1926 by Paramount, exclusively, for a scene of her
Charleston dance The Charleston is a dance named after the harbor city of Charleston, South Carolina. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson, which ...
moves. Later references to this accompanied their radio singing career. In 1920, Pearl and Violet (Hamiltons), were also part of the vocal chorus. A later addition was friend Jessie (Yule) Fordyce with the 'All Jazz Revue' showcase. Pearl and Violet started entertaining with the 'All Jazz Review', their first known performance, sponsored by Irons & Clamage and the Swear Club (a women's club) was reviewed by The Billboard on January 10, 1920. Pearl, "a tall, willowy girl, Is a dancing wonder" as her artistry in dance had become well known. The trio started out on
Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...
and in
vaudeville Vaudeville (; ) is a theatrical genre of variety entertainment born in France at the end of the 19th century. A vaudeville was originally a comedy without psychological or moral intentions, based on a comical situation: a dramatic composition ...
, with Helen Kane Schroeder, the original Boop-boop-a-Doop Girl. The trio did various song and dance acts, eventually settling for
close harmony A chord is in close harmony (also called close position or close structure) if its notes are arranged within a narrow range, usually with no more than an octave between the top and bottom notes. In contrast, a chord is in open harmony (also c ...
, which was associated with three-part harmony singing. The Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce earliest known performance together (as a trio team) was at B.F. Keiths Theater in Syracuse, New York, on May 13, 1923. In 1924, they also toured in vaudeville, with Helen Schroeder and Anna Mae Wong. Pearl's harmony trio had the musicianship of the Raymond Fagan Orchestra (a band with no known recordings); a band compared to Paul Whiteman or the Vincent Lopez Orchestras. Pearl Hamilton met Ed Santos, who played trumpet with Fagan's band, and a year later they married in
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. During early July 1925, the Hamilton Sisters and Jessie Fordyce were singing at the Eighty-First Street Theatre. In 1926, the trio toured with another popular all-girl act, Jerry and her Baby Grands, appearing together at the Palace Theater in New York. They also toured together in Canada.


1927

The Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce gained enough success to tour abroad. After they departed from the "Stars of the Future" entertainment showcase in the spring of 1927, their management, fronted by Ed Wolfe, had them tour Europe and the
United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...
. They departed by airplane at a Long Island airport with the American portion of New York's
Savoy Orpheans The Savoy Orpheans is a British dance band currently led by Alex Mendham. They were resident at the Savoy Hotel, London. The band was formed by Debroy Somers, an ex-army bandmaster, in 1923. Both the Orpheans and the Savoy Havana Band were und ...
musical unit during the week of May 23, 1927. In the UK, they met up with American songwriters
Richard Rodgers Richard Charles Rodgers (June 28, 1902 – December 30, 1979) was an American Musical composition, composer who worked primarily in musical theater. With 43 Broadway musicals and over 900 songs to his credit, Rodgers was one of the most ...
and
Lorenz Hart Lorenz Milton Hart (May 2, 1895 – November 22, 1943) was an American lyricist and half of the Broadway songwriting team Rodgers and Hart. Some of his more famous lyrics include " Blue Moon", " The Lady Is a Tramp", "Manhattan", "Bewitched, Both ...
. They also spent time in the recording studio with
Bert Ambrose Benjamin Baruch Ambrose (11 September 1896 – 11 June 1971), known professionally as Ambrose or Bert Ambrose, was an English bandleader and violinist. Ambrose became the leader of a highly acclaimed British dance band, ''Bert Ambrose & His Orc ...
, a British bandleader, musical director Caroll Gibbons, and violinist/director Reg Batton. They toured with the New York engagement and appeared on London and
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stages. Played the
London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in the famous area of Soho. The theatre holds 2,286 seats. Of the roster of stars who have played there, many have televised performances. Between 1955 an ...
,
Alhambra Theatre of Variety The Alhambra was a popular theatre and music hall located on the east side of Leicester Square, in the West End of London. It was built originally as the Royal Panopticon of Science and Arts opening on 18 March 1854. It was closed after two yea ...
, and Plaza. Made a big splash in the theater production Blue Skies. On October 27, 1927,
Harry Plunket Greene Harry Plunket Greene (24 June 1865 – 19 August 1936) was an Irish baritone who was most famous in the formal concert and oratorio repertoire. He wrote and lectured on his art, and was active in the field of musical competitions and examinations ...
, Irish baritone tenor, wrote of the trio after an England performance: "The Hamilton Sisters & Fordyce are just A1 as they are. I wouldn't interfere with them for anything. It's just perfect in its way. I do trust they leave things alone, not try to change." That November, the trio teamed up with
Billy Mayerl William Joseph Mayerl (31 May 1902 – 25 March 1959) was an English pianist and composer who built a career in music hall and musical theatre and became an acknowledged master of light music. Best known for his syncopated novelty piano solos, ...
, pianist, to do close harmonizing on "Who You, That's Who?", and "Zulu Wail". Their first on-air radio broadcasts were in England on the
BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC #REDIRECT BBC Here i going to introduce about the best teacher of my life b BALAJI sir. He is the precious gift that I got befor 2yrs . How has helped and thought all the concept and made my success in the 10th board ex ...
. The trios' first return to America; departed England on December 10 for Paris. They sailed from Cherbourg, France (New York, Passenger Lists) on the U.S.S. Leviathan on Dec. 15, 1927 for New York City. Reports also show a two year radio contract signed with the BBC, tours with the
Savoy Havana Band The Savoy Havana Band was a British dance band of the 1920s. It was resident at the Savoy Hotel, London, between 1921 and 1927. History The band was formed by the American saxophonist Bert Ralton (''aka'' Bert Louis Ralton; ''né'' Albert Lewis R ...
to European clubs in Paris, Vienna, Berlin, Monte Carlo, and at the 'Kit Kat Club' in 1928.


Broadway to American radio

When the popularity of the vaudeville showcase ''Playtime'' had become a real success, it attracted the attention of Broadway with ''Rain or Shine'' in early 1928. Jessie had the idea for ''Playtime''. Tom Howard was the writer. The routine they did placed their on-stage performance alongside Joe Cook, comedian. The Hamiltons and Fordyce were so well received that the ''Playtime'' showcase was recommended to run on its own merit. The group's radio success started when the trio appeared in publicity photographs wearing eye masks, and capitalized on the new popularity of radio. Pearl needed to make a choice between investing in records, or concentrate on radio work. She chose to tour the US extensively, and sign with such sponsors as Ford, Chase and Sanborn, Best Foods, Tydol, Babbo, and others to pursue the radio career for her trio. A
CBS Radio CBS Radio was a radio broadcasting company and radio network operator owned by CBS Corporation and founded in 1928, with consolidated radio station groups owned by CBS and Westinghouse Broadcasting/Group W since the 1920s, and Infinity Broadc ...
sponsor hired them, and they took a new stage name, "The Three X Sisters". In 1932, they were featured alongside other harmony trios in the November issue of Radio Digest Magazine. From October to December on the WABC-CBS radio program, you'd find this scenario, with the Three X Sisters at the 7:30pm time, followed by Connie Boswell at 7:45pm. They were also with
ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script known as the alphabet. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Broadcasting * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial U.S. TV broadcaster ** Disney–ABC Television ...
radio doing some cartoon scenario songs, appeared on the
Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie, and early television audiences, ...
Show, harmonized the song "Those Eddie Cantor Eyes". Some radio transcribed tunes which they sang to identify the 1930s era in rhythm and the blues are "Old Clothes", "Good Times Coming", and "Still No Luck With You". Pearl's piano playing was crafted exclusively on their Musical Grocery Store radio tenure, alongside the Harry Salter Orchestra. By 1934 they were guests on ''The Nick Kenny Radio Hour'' and were performers/singers in part of the
Nick Kenny (poet) Nicholas Aloysius Kenny (February 3, 1895 in Astoria, New York - December 1, 1975 in Sarasota, Florida) was a syndicated newspaper columnist, a song lyricist and a poet who wrote light verse in the Edgar Guest tradition. Biography Born in Queen ...
scripted "Radio Scandals". They also introduced animation soundtrack songs over on-air radio broadcasts. They attributed voice-work for the popular Max Fleischer Cartoons synched with their early radio-work, and by 1933 they had a regular time-slot with
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. They continued on the airwaves until 1938, and were still popular at the
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in Illinois, Palace Theater in NYC, and the Stanley Theater (now
Benedum Center The Benedum Center for the Performing Arts (formerly the Stanley Theatre) is a theater and concert hall located at 237 7th Street in the Cultural District of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Designed by the Philadelphia architectural firm Hoffman-He ...
) in Pennsylvania on the same playbill as
The Three Stooges The Three Stooges were an American vaudeville and comedy team active from 1922 until 1970, best remembered for their 190 short subject films by Columbia Pictures. Their hallmark styles were physical farce and slapstick. Six Stooges appeared ...
. Entertainment news columnists found amusement in the name recognition.


Recordings and movie shorts in the 1930s

When a combined recording count is made, from 1927-1933 this trio had made 15 known professional song recordings (if song medleys are added then it's closer to 20). Most of those have been on records. This does not account for the Fleischer cartoon soundtracks. Additionally, their best known filmed song routine was completed with Paramount Pictures in 1935 with "Rex and His Soundeffects." Numerous transcribed recordings had been made on commercial 16 inch disks, or for hire by Tin Pan Alley recording studios onto 10" disks, years 1933-38; between 100-200, 3 song sets or medley's were transcribed, although, results of low cost recorded efforts which have damaged, deteriorated, and effected the recordings by age and time. Additional recordings in 1937, and 1940-42 exist on the NBC "Behind the Mike" program, Fleischer Studio soundtracks, and demo recordings. Modern day UK-based harmony trio, The Haywood Sisters, have recorded and perform "Rex and His Sound Effects" and are working on recording more of the Three X Sisters' music for modern audiences. In 1932, the Three X Sisters were part of the CBS Tydol Jubilee Show and toured for a while with one of the hottest dance bands in the country, Paul Specht and His Orchestra, which was also popular with the college audience. In July they teamed up with
Eddy Duchin Edwin Frank Duchin (April 1, 1909 – February 9, 1951), commonly known as Eddy Duchin or alternatively Eddie Duchin, was an American jazz pianist and bandleader during the 1930s and 1940s. Early career Duchin was born on April 1, 1909 in Cambri ...
and released at least one tune, "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By", as the Hamilton Sisters. In October of the same year, the sisters recorded several songs with the band of
Isham Jones Isham Edgar Jones (January 31, 1894 – October 19, 1956) was an American bandleader, saxophonist, bassist and songwriter. Career Jones was born in Coalton, Ohio, United States, to a musical and mining family. His father, Richard Isham Jones ...
– another popular CBS artist – and two songs were recorded for
RCA Victor RCA Records is an American record label currently owned by Sony Music Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America. It is one of Sony Music's four flagship labels, alongside RCA's former long-time rival Columbia Records; also Aris ...
. Jones experimented with arrangements that had an early
Swing era The swing era (also frequently referred to as the big band era) was the period (1933–1947) when big band swing music was the most popular music in the United States. Though this was its most popular period, the music had actually been aroun ...
bounce. The 1932 Victor- Isham Jones band segments were filmed in its unique character. Pearl, Vi, and Jessie decided to give up their weekends to do movie shorts. ''The Audition'', 1932, featured a few acts, including the trio backed by the jazz guitarist
Eddie Lang Eddie Lang (born Salvatore Massaro, October 25, 1902 – March 26, 1933) was an American musician who is credited as the father of jazz guitar. During the 1920s, he gave the guitar a prominence it previously lacked as a solo instrument, as p ...
(heard but not seen in film). This is the same time frame that
Annette Hanshaw Catherine Annette Hanshaw (October 18, 1901 – March 13, 1985) was an American Jazz Age singer. She was one of the most popular radio stars of the late 1920s and early 1930s. Over four million of her records had been sold by 1934. In her ten-y ...
had teamed with the jazz guitarist too. Lang guitar plucked his way along to "Here Comes The Showboat", as the trio sang, and it remained a popular short into 1933. Later in 1933, the trio was at the Coolidge memorial service - Washington Cathedral - "Three X Sisters" were part of the memorial service entertainment. Pearl started to use recording services at this time to preserve some of their radio performances. Teamed up with Mary Small on some of the "Little Miss Babo Surprise Party" in 1934. In 1935 the trio was teamed up with the Paramount Studio Orchestra which included another featured guitarist (with camera close-up's) on the ''Excuse My Gloves'' also known as ''Pardon My Glove'' movie short - the Three X Sisters sang amazingly to "Rex and His Sound Effects." It was reviewed with Ted Huseing, announcer, as one of the "outstanding" short features during the summer of 1935. The vocals and harmony are wonderful - the music sounds very Sweet and Swing era oriented.


Harmony trio broadcast over 1930s radio

The early 1930s saw the radio departures of the
Boswell Sisters The Boswell Sisters were an American close harmony singing trio of the jazz and swing eras, consisting of three sisters: Martha Boswell (June 9, 1905 – July 2, 1958), Connie Boswell (later spelled "Connee", December 3, 1907 – October 11, ...
,
Brox Sisters The Brox Sisters were an American trio of singing sisters, enjoying their greatest popularity in the 1920s and early 1930s. Early life The sisters were Lorayne (born Eunice, November 11, 1901 – June 14, 1993), Bobbe (born Josephine, Novembe ...
, and Pickens Sisters. During 1932, the Three X Sisters were top harmonizers on the radio. They had become Columbia networks' radio artists. During the summer/fall 1932, the " X Sisters" were signed with Tidewater and the
Freddie Rich Frederic Efrem Rich (January 31, 1898 – September 8, 1956) was a Polish-born American bandleader and composer who was active from the 1920s to the 1950s. Among the musicians in his band were the Dorsey Brothers, Joe Venuti, Bunny Berigan, and ...
Orchestra for three times a week with CBS, and continued with Paul Specht on other nightly radio programs throughout that year. The trio signed their first "Artist Bureau" radio contract with N.B.C. Monday, February 13, was their first song assignment at 6:30 over the
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network. A Competition was formed between the Three X Sisters and the Do-Re-Mi's, both the tops of their singing game in February 1933. Broadcasting management had the lady harmonists (individually) sing with musical accompaniment perform at different locations, and have it all brought together over a radio broadcast by the station radio swithchboard team. After the trio and Specht departed their ''Tidewater Oil Show'' (Tydol), they found a new nich with the ''Eddie Cantor Show'' (Chase and Sanborn Show) in 1933, as well as, in May with the ''Musical Grocery Store Program'' (Best Foods - sponsor for Hellman's Mayonnaise) were also doing harmonies with Tom Howard and the Rythmn Boys. They were one of a few guest spot singers on the
Lum and Abner ''Lum and Abner'' was an American network radio comedy program created by Chester Lauck and Norris Goff that was aired from 1931 to 1954. Modeled on life in the small town of Waters, Arkansas, near where Lauck and Goff grew up, the show proved i ...
show during May-Dec1933. In 1934, they had many guest spot appearances alongside
Mary Small Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...
on her ''Little Miss Bab-O Program'' (Babbitt Company—a detergent soap company). On Sunday April 8, 1934 the trio shared the guest spot on the Bab-O show with Mario Cozzi, a New York baritone singer on WEAF. Cozzi recorded for Victor records, and had completed work at the New York Studio no. 2, in late February. Their harmonies continued and by 1935, they renewed their radio contract with NBC for 26 weeks. They were well known at the WJZ and WEAF (
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) microphone. Radio had the Three X Sisters in a prominent spot as of 1933, and they were at the "Theatre Circuit" microphone at the Waldorf Astoria from 1933 to 1935.
Eddie Duchin Edwin Frank Duchin (April 1, 1909 – February 9, 1951), commonly known as Eddy Duchin or alternatively Eddie Duchin, was an American jazz pianist and bandleader during the 1930s and 1940s. Early career Duchin was born on April 1, 1909 in Cambri ...
and Emil Coleman Orchestra's were at most of those events. Many Three X Sisters songs were featured during 1934, as well as in April and July during guest appearances on ''Little Miss'' ''Bab-O's Surprise Party'' with
Mary Small Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...
and (William) Bill Wirges and His Orchestra. In August 1934, the X's (were also Bab-O's guests) - then Mary Small,
Jimmy Wallington Jimmy Wallington was an American radio personality. After playing small roles in a few Hollywood films, he was the announcer for several popular radio shows in the 1940s and 1950s. For his work on radio, Wallington has a star on the Hollywood Wa ...
, and other NBC personalities were performing at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ. In mid-February 1935, they were touring Chicago and broadcast over WJZ on Monday and Wednesday, until their arrival back in New York after March 2, as
1935 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1935. Specific locations * 1935 in British music * 1935 in Norwegian music Specific genres * 1935 in country music * 1935 in jazz Events *February 26 – Georges Bizet's S ...
also proved to be a popular time for them. Made an appearance on the 'One Night Stand' broadcast on CBS singing a novelty "Three Little Pigs Are Porkchops Now." A big comedy inspired, radio audience appreciation song. Then an octet had been formed for the 'Rythmn Octette' program heard on WEAF-NBC at 7:30pm time slot. It paired the X Sisters, Three Scamps,
Morton Gould Morton Gould (December 10, 1913February 21, 1996) was an American composer, conductor, arranger, and pianist. Biography Morton Gould was born in Richmond Hill, New York, United States. He was recognized early as a child prodigy with abilities ...
and Bert Shefster, pianists, for Friday night broadcasts. Early November 1935, the trio headlined a big gala variety stage-show at the
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. Despite the forever present 1930s
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the trio got plenty of radio work. After only three weeks on the radio in America they were hired for movie shorts ''Radio Guide'' magazine ran a full page story about Mary Small, radio singer, and Small said about her singing career ... "There are three lovely ladies to whom I owe a great deal. They are Vi and Pearl Hamilton, and Jessie Fordyce, whom you hear on the radio as the Three X Sisters. It was they who heard me in Baltimore when I was eleven years old and really got me started." (October 5, 1935) Mary was a fan of the Three X Sisters before she became a radio singer. Their radio popularity continued in 1936, while they shared the stage with the New Zeigfield Follies, Oliver Wakefield, ''monologist'', as the Three X Sisters had also featured an advanced publisher's desk song the "Last Round Up", another of Billy Hill's popular tunes. In 1937, they remained well known in the songwriters' publishing world, especially that of Shapiro, and Bernstein Music Publishers on Broadway with
Tin Pan Alley Tin Pan Alley was a collection of music publishers and songwriters in New York City that dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It originally referred to a specific place: West 28th Street ...
, sheet music from publishers had an appreciation for their NBC microphone. More radio recordings had been made of their song journey, and some with the Harry Smith Recording Studio in New York. Rumors about their radio departure reached the entertainment pages early in the year, however, not before the songbirds put together some of the best blues styled harmonies. They were sought for sheet-music songs but also for advanced song material for soundtracks from Hollywood movies. Some of these radio songs (mechanically transcribed onto 78 rpm recorded discs) were "It Looks Like Rain In Cherry Blossom Lane" and "Would You?" (on air advertisement for the motion picture, ''San Francisco''). "We sell songs on the air...," quoted from Pearl, which affirmed the Three X Sisters radio notoriety.


Broadway styles changed

After their radio success in 1937, the trio started to record demo records with a variety of musicians. It might be considered the Pearl B. Santos All Star Band, during 1938 at the Columbia Recording Studio's. Although, a year or so later, Pearl had some members of the Dorsey Brothers Orchestra, and others in her band with Mary Small. It truly was a mystery band. Popular as ever in 1938, headliners at the Big Vaudeville houses at the Palace in NYC, Chicago Theater, Stanley in Philadelphia, and Buffalo, NY. After all of that, they left us with one WNEW radio recording of "Why'd You Make Me?" Pearl's songwriting authorship, and piano melodies (which had been heard on some radio programs for many years) had now peeked to their new medium. As well as, some public appearances with Henry Armetta and the Three Stooges. And continued with Fleisher Paramount Studio performances. In 1939, the Three X Sisters teamed up with such musical act's, in March with
Rita Rio Dona Drake (born Eunice Westmoreland; November 15, 1914 – June 20, 1989) was an American singer, dancer and film actress in the 1930s and 1940s. Drake was mixed race by ancestry. She often presented herself as Mexican and went by the names ...
in a "new Swing Review", Gerald Griffin with a collaborative song "Jive Rumba", and by the end of the year, again with Mary Small. On September 29, 1940, over the NBC (Blue Network), Graham McNamee, on ''Behind the Mike'', described to the
Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and Theater (structure), theater at 1260 Sixth Avenue (Manhattan), Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplac ...
studio audience how "radio's most popular harmony trio" had discovered the singing talents of Mary Small. Pearl, Vi, and Jessie talk with Graham and Ed Wolf about Mary's wonderful voice. A Three X Sisters reunion took place January 26, 1941 on NBC radio with
Graham McNamee Thomas Graham McNamee (July 10, 1888 – May 9, 1942) was an American radio broadcaster, the medium's most recognized national personality in its first international decade. He originated play-by-play sports broadcasting for which he was awa ...
on his ''
Behind the Mike Behind may refer to: * ''Behind'' (album), a 1992 album by Superior * Behind (Australian rules football), a method of scoring in Australian rules football, awarding one point * "Behind" (song), a 2008 single by Flanders * Behind, a slang term fo ...
'' program (this can be listened to online), where it reintroduced their harmony singing. The group also introduced on this program an English version of the Latin-style song "Frenesi", which was their last recorded radio song appearance. In 1940, Pearl's written composition and Mary's singing collaborated on a '78 recorded demo of 'Smile American Smile.' In March 1941, the song was featured on the Morely's "On Page Two" script programs on local Brooklyn, New York WBBC and WEVD stations. Jessie also joined the cast of The 'Oneill's radio show, as Ginger Raymond. Later, in 1943 or 1944, tweaking her composition, they attended some
USO The United Service Organizations Inc. (USO) is an American nonprofit-charitable corporation that provides live entertainment, such as comedians, actors and musicians, social facilities, and other programs to members of the United States Armed F ...
benefit concerts. Their harmony trio did some song jingles for the Carr Buscuit Co. in Pennsylvania. Jessie became Cookie Carr, the character for the jingle; also sang duets (live on stage) with Artie Dunn, of the Three Suns. Individually, the " X Sisters" stepped out and performed solo engagements. Pearl and Mary Small performed at one event with Pearl's songwriting, piano, and big-band style arrangement, as Mary sang the song "Smile America Smile". Pearl then assembled shows which featured her penned compositions. In 2020, their Centennial Celebration of Songs had been underway, which featured the best of their harmony voices. Also, a re-recording effort of Pearl's original songs (on 33 LP Records) from the late 1930s-early 40s, and early 1950s.


Song list

* Chimes Of Merry Christmas (Pearl B. Santos and Violet W. Hamilton) 1940 Written by Pearl & Violet while they still performed with Jessie of the Three X Sisters. Rumor say's that the trio briefly sang this during the 1940's stage holiday show's. This 78 rpm home recording features Violet on vocals and chimes, Pearl on piano and backup harmony. Matilda Bovey, Pearl and Vi's mom, plays the harp. Online song release date Dec 20, 2021. * Modern day tributes. "Rex and His Soundeffects" (aired Sept. 3, 2016 on station WERA 96.7FM at 7:30pm in Arlington,Virginia. Along with "Muddy Water", "Indian Rock and Roll", "Fond Recollections of Home", and others). * 'The Little Girl With The Big Voice' documentary about
Mary Small Mary may refer to: People * Mary (name), a feminine given name (includes a list of people with the name) Religious contexts * New Testament people named Mary, overview article linking to many of those below * Mary, mother of Jesus, also calle ...
in 2015. The Haywood Sisters in 2013, and the Choo choo Sisters in 2014, tribute songs by the Three X Sisters harmony trio. * "
My Heart Stood Still "My Heart Stood Still" is a 1927 popular song composed by Richard Rodgers, with lyrics by Lorenz Hart. It was written for the Charles Cochran revue ''One Dam' Thing after Another'', which opened at the London Pavilion on May 19, 1927. The show ...
" (R.Rodgers, L.Hart); June 1927; England.(Brunswick-105) Ambrose & His Mayfair Orch., vocals, Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * "
The Birth of the Blues "The Birth of the Blues" is a popular 1926 song composed by Ray Henderson, with lyrics by Buddy DeSylva and Lew Brown. It was used in the Broadway revue ''George White's Scandals of 1926''. It was recorded in its debut year by Paul Whiteman (with vo ...
" (DeSylva, Brown, Henderson); June 1927; England. (Brunswick-108) ''band and vocals - same as above''. * "One Summer Night" (Coslow, Spier); June 1927; England. (Brunswick-107) ''band and vocals - same as above.'' * "Possibly"; June 1927; England. (Brunswick-107) ''band and vocals - same as above.'' * " Someone to Watch Over Me"; (G. Gershwin). 1927; England. Savoy Orpheans. (HMV-B5322) vocals, Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * " Blue Room" (R. Rodgers, L. Hart); 1927; England. Recorded. Savoy Orpheans. (HMV-B5322)vocals Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * "One Summer Night" ;Savoy Orpheans (different version) (HMV-B5333). Recorded date same as above. * " The Man I Love"; 1927; England, ''stage show''. vocals, Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * "Who, You That's Who?" (Yellen-Ager) (Columbia 4698); November 1927; England. piano, Billy Meryl; vocals, Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * "Zulu Wail" (Skinner-Bibo) (Columbia 4698); November 1927; England. piano, Billy Meryl; vocals, Hamilton Sisters and Fordyce. * "The Devil Is Afraid Of Music" (W.Robison) from UK Theatrical Production 'Blue Skies' 1927. * "Here Comes the Showboat" (B.Rose, M.Pinkard);(Vitaphone-Warner Bros.); the Audition 1932; guitarist, Eddie Lang; vocals, Three X Sisters. * "The Clouds Will Soon Roll By" (Woods, Brown) ; July 1, 1932; (Columbia 2680-D) Eddie Duchin & His Central Park Casino Orchestra. vocals, Hamilton Sisters. * "Where, I Wonder, Where?" (Victor 24161) * "What Would Happen to Me if Something Happened to You?" (Victor 24162) October 13, 1932. New York Studio No.1.(RCA Victor) Isham Jones & His Orch., vocals, Three X Sisters. * "
Shuffle Off to Buffalo "Shuffle Off to Buffalo" is a song written by Al Dubin and Harry Warren and introduced in the 1933 musical film '' 42nd Street'', in which Ruby Keeler and Clarence Nordstrom sang and danced to it. Ginger Rogers, Una Merkel, and the Chorus also p ...
"; June 16, 1933 (scripted lyrics from broadway 42nd Street Musical); Radio Transcript Recording; vocals, Three X Sisters. * "Everybody Loves My Baby"; Oct.21,1932; CBS Radio log. * "The Night When Love Was Born"; Oct.21,1932; CBS Radio log. * "I Love To Sing At The Opera"; 1933; Radio Transcript Recording; vocals, Three X Sisters. * "Scat Song"; 1933; Soundtrack 'Sing Sisters Sing' Paramount Pictures cartoon;vocals ". * "If Mother's Could Live On Forever"; July 20, 1937 (NBC):Radio Transcript Recording (ARS). * "Marcus Park Your Carcus Somewhere Else" (satirical spinoff of Dr. Marcus Parkus from the ''Rudy Valley Show''): Radio Transcript Recording (ARS);(WEAF) July 20, 1937. * "Old Clothes"; Radio Transcript Recording (ARS); (WEAF) July 20, 1937 * "Would You?"; 1937; Radio Transcript Recording (NBC). vocals Three X Sisters. * "Why'd Ya' Make Me"; Aug. 20,1938 (WNEW). * "It Looks Like Rain In Cherry Blossom Lane"; July 20, 1937 (NBC); Radio Transcript Recording (ARS). * "Sing and Be Happy"; Aug. 17, 1937; Radio Transcript Recording. * "So Many Memories" (R.Rodgers, L.Hart); July 20, 1937; Radio Transcript Recording (included with ''Yours and Mine''). * "
This Is My Last Affair "My Last Affair" (sometimes ''This Is My Last Affair'') is a song written by Haven Johnson and introduced by Billie Haywood in the Broadway musical revue ''New Faces of 1936''. Popular recordings in 1937 were by Mildred Bailey; Teddy Wilson and His ...
" (H.Johnson); July 20, 1937; Radio Transcript Recording (NBC) (included with "Yours and Mine") vocals, Violet Wanita Hamilton * "Yours and Mine"; July 20, 1937 (NBC); Radio Transcript Recording (ARS). * "You Can't Brush Me Off" (Irving Berlin); Recorded demo 1940.vocals, Violet Wanita Hamilton. * "
Tiger Rag "Tiger Rag" is a jazz standard that was recorded and copyrighted by the Original Dixieland Jass Band in 1917. It is one of the most recorded jazz compositions. In 2003, the 1918 recording of "Tiger Rag" was entered into the U.S. Library of Cong ...
"; Radio Transcript Recording. * Good Times Coming; Radio Transcript Recording. * "
Frenesi "Frenesí" is a musical piece originally composed by Alberto Domínguez Borrás for the marimba, and adapted as a jazz standard by Leonard Whitcup and others. Background The word ''frenesí'' is Spanish for "frenzy". Artie Shaw recording ...
" (Alberto Dominguez): (English words by Ray Charles and S.K. Russell) (NBC-Behind the Mike); Jan. 26, 1941; Radio Transcript Recording. vocals, Three X Sisters. * "Maybe, I Lost Your Love? By Lovin' You So"; 1946 (Shapiro & Bernstein, publishers); Introduced by Russ Morgan and His Orchestra. Recorded demo by the Hamilton Sisters (Pearl and Vi)Dec. 11,1945. * "Muddy Water"; Recorded demo 1937. vocals, Violet Wanita Hamilton. Cartoon songs * "Barnacle Bill The Sailor"; Three X Sisters with Paul Specht & His Orchestra (WABC); November 18, 1932. * "Betty Boop" (John Green, Edward Heyman). Famous Music Corporation. (WABC); November 1932. * "Poor Robinson Caruso"; Harry Smith Recording Service, NYC; (WEAF) April 5, 1937. Musicians, Luz Brothers. vocals, Three X Sisters. * "Rex and His Soundeffects"; Paramount Pictures 'Excuse My Gloves' (also known as 'Pardon My Glove') 1935;vocals, Three X Sisters. Notable songs * "
A-Tisket, A-Tasket "A Tisket A Tasket" is a nursery rhyme first recorded in America in the late nineteenth century. It was used as the basis for a very successful and highly regarded 1938 recording by Ella Fitzgerald, composed by Fitzgerald in conjunction with Al Fe ...
", "You Too Can Be The Life Of The Party",
Alexander's Ragtime Band "Alexander's Ragtime Band" is a Tin Pan Alley song by American composer Irving Berlin released in 1911 and is often inaccurately cited as his first global hit. Despite its title, the song is a march as opposed to a rag and contains little synco ...
; performed live at the Hippodrome, Baltimore, Maryland October 30, 1938. * "Bye, Bye Baby" (R. King); (WEAF) July 20, 1937; Radio Recording Service (ARS). * "Throwing Stones At The Sun" * "The Old Spinning Wheel" * "I'm An Old Cowhand" * "Colorado Moon" * "Please, Mr. President" (WEAF);June 16, 1933. * "Sweet Georgia Brown" * "Mardi Gras", "Song of the Islands", "Mississippi Mud"; radio performance with Paul Specht & Orchestra, 7:30pm (WABC) November 18, 1932. * "
Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf? "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf?" is a popular song written by Frank Churchill with additional lyrics by Ann Ronell, which originally featured in the 1933 Disney cartoon ''Three Little Pigs'', where it was sung by Fiddler Pig and Fifer Pig (voi ...
" 1934 (Paramount Pictures) sang in conjunction with 'Radio Roundup' , part of the movie 'Six Of A Kind'


References


Further reading

*
Calvin Coolidge Calvin Coolidge (born John Calvin Coolidge Jr.; ; July 4, 1872January 5, 1933) was the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929. Born in Vermont, Coolidge was a History of the Republican Party (United States), Republican lawyer ...
memorial, 1933;
Robert Trout Robert Trout (born Robert Albert Blondheim; October 15, 1909 – November 14, 2000) was an American broadcast news reporter who worked on radio before and during World War II for CBS News. He was regarded by some as the "Iron Man of Radio" for h ...
's papers. * Popular Songs Magazine; 'X Marks the Spot'. BBC, England. Leslie Green, May 1935. * Cumberland Young Ladies Successful On The London Stage. Cumberland Daily News.
Cumberland, Maryland Cumberland is a U.S. city in and the county seat of Allegany County, Maryland Maryland ( ) is a state in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. It shares borders with Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its s ...
. Sept. 28, 1927. * Fleischer Story, Leslie Cabarga: Books. Museum of Television and Radio; NBC and WJZ radio broadcasts, 1933, 1934, 1941. *
New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''the Times'', ''NYT'', or the Gray Lady) is a daily newspaper based in New York City with a worldwide readership reported in 2020 to comprise a declining 840,000 paid print subscribers, and a growing 6 million paid d ...
newspaper: Radio Listings (various) 1932–1938. * Moanin' Low: A Discography of Female Popular Vocal Recordings, 1920–1933 (Discographies) (9780313292415): Ross Laird: Books.
''Singing Sisters''
* Radio Guide; They Wouldn't Believe Me (Mary Small); Wed. Oct. 5, 1935.


External links


Myspace.com

Three X Sisters website on Angelfire
{{Authority control American girl groups American pop music groups American radio personalities American vocal groups Musical groups established in 1922 Musical groups disestablished in 1946 Vaudeville performers