Jean Valli
"Texas" Jean Valli was a hillbilly music singer.[1] Born Gina Rozanna Vadala in 1926,[1] she was raised in Carbondale, Pennsylvania and started playing country-western music and yodeling at age 9 with her own radio show at age 13.[2] By age 17, she was not only an entertainer but also a promoter recruiting top country music stars to shows she promoted.[2] After high school she moved to Syracuse, New York where she got a job performing on country station WOLS. She later toured New York State including with country singer Hank Williams Sr.[3]
In the early 1950s she performed with the Milton Berle when he hired her for his Kentucky Mountaineering Act, touring with him in the summer and playing clubs in Las Vegas,[2] as well as being featured on Berle's TV show for five years.[4] She played bass fiddle and guitar and wrote country songs,[5] and was considered one of the top female yodelers.[4] Also, she was known to be able to impersonate other artists such as Lefty Frizzell, Kitty Wells, and Wanda Jackson.[2] In 1970, she toured with Grand Ole Opry type country music shows and fairs.[6] She was an active performer around the same time as June Valli, which caused some mix-ups.[7]
Jean Valli befriended a young Francesco Stephen Castelluccio, who later took his stage name Frankie Valli from her.[5][8] He said she took him under her wing and introduced him to people in the music business.[3]
Discography
[edit]- 1968 Since You've Been Gone (Country Bell 71272)[9] (ABC 11448)[better source needed]
- 1974 The World's About To Lose (It's Biggest Fool) (Stop ST-154)
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Texas Jean Valli". www.hillbilly-music.com. December 18, 2023 [December 18, 2006].
- ^ a b c d "Jean Valli to perform at Chautauqua Fair". Warren Times-Mirror and Observer. July 18, 1970 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b McAuliffe, Josh (July 9, 2006). "Digging Up Country Roots: Former Carbondale Resident's Career was Medley of Love for the Music". The Scranton Times-Tribune. p. F1 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Country western entertainers from 'Grand Ole Opry' to perform at Fair". Montana: Lewistown Daily News. June 17, 1970 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Herbert, Geoff (20 June 2014). "Long before 'Jersey Boys,' Frankie Valli stole his name from a Syracuse hillbilly singer". www.syracuse.com. The Post-Standard. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
- ^ "Jean Valli Due At Wayne Fair". The Scrantonian Tribune. July 19, 1970 – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Robinson, Barry (June 16, 1964). "Show Notes: Night Life". Asbury Park Press – via newspapers.com.
- ^ Reynolds, Robert (7 July 2018). The Music of the 4 Seasons Featuring Frankie Valli. Lulu.com. ISBN 978-1-387-92709-8 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Jean Valli". 45cat. Retrieved 2024-12-14.
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