THE MODERNAIRES, now celebrating over 78 years in show business, had their beginnings as a trio in Buffalo, New York, in 1935. Their first “gig” was with the Ted Fito Rio Orchestra. The boys, Hal Dickinson, Chuck Goldstein, and Bill Conway were called Don Juan-Two-and-Three. Soon after that they joined the Ozzie Nelson Band and became known as The Three Wizards of Ozzie. Next came a stint with Fred Waring, where they recruited Ralph Brewster, and The Modernaires were finally a reality.
Paul Whiteman beckoned, and in 1937 they joined his famous organization. THE MODS, were featured on the Maestro’s weekly radio show, and recorded many of the popular songs of that era, some with Jack Teagarden....
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THE MODERNAIRES, now celebrating over 78 years in show business, had their beginnings as a trio in Buffalo, New York, in 1935. Their first “gig” was with the Ted Fito Rio Orchestra. The boys, Hal Dickinson, Chuck Goldstein, and Bill Conway were called Don Juan-Two-and-Three. Soon after that they joined the Ozzie Nelson Band and became known as The Three Wizards of Ozzie. Next came a stint with Fred Waring, where they recruited Ralph Brewster, and The Modernaires were finally a reality.
Paul Whiteman beckoned, and in 1937 they joined his famous organization. THE MODS, were featured on the Maestro’s weekly radio show, and recorded many of the popular songs of that era, some with Jack Teagarden.
Their biggest break came in 1939 when the great Glenn Miller “borrowed” to record a tune called “Make Believe Ballroom Time,” sequel to the original “Make Believe Ballroom,” which they had recorded earlier for Martin Block’s Big Band Show of the same name, on W.N.E.W. in New York. Glenn Miller was sold, and soon after, THE MODERNAIRES became an important part of the most popular big band of all time. When PAULA KELLY (Mrs. Hal Dickinson), joined the Miller band as a solo artist and recorded with THE MODS, it was the beginning of a group that is still popular today.
Listen to the recordings of “JUKE BOX SATURDAY NIGHT,” “CHATTANOOGA CHOO CHOO,” “ELMER’S TUNE”, “KALAMAZOO,” “MOONLIGHT COCKTAILS,” and countless other hits featuring THE MODS, it becomes quite clear that THE MODERNAIRES were way ahead of their time in both harmony and style. They continue to perform many of those timeless Miller hits, as well as lending their own unique touch to many of today’s contemporary tunes with happy results. Since joining Glenn Miller in 1939, THE MODERNAIRES have traveled the world many times over.
Meet the members of our musical family:
JULIE (Juliann) DICKINSON………. who is the youngest of the three daughters of The Modernaire’s Paula Kelly and Hal Dickinson, has taken over as the lead singer in the group. Julie made her singing debut at the age of 3 with her two sisters, Paula and Martha, on “The Bob Crosby Show.” She worked with her mother as a duo and made many commercials. Grounded in singing with her church choir and school music experiences, she was the “Singer of the Year” at her high school in 1965. Julie was the lead singer for the three “Kelly Sisters,” who recorded for the Coed label when they were teens, made appearances on “The Dean Martin Show,” and performed on the 60’s TV shows, “Hullabaloo” and “Ninth Street West.” The Kelly Sisters have performed in Las Vegas with Liberace and Johnny Sea. The made several recordings with their parents including the love theme from “The Mod Squad.” Julie sang extensively at various venues around the country with John Scott, the son of former and longtime Modernaire, Fran Scott. The duo “John and Julie” sang together for 10 years and still sing together for special occasions today. Upon the untimely death of both her sisters, Martha and Paula, Julie has stepped into the lead position to carry this wonderful family legacy.
JOE CROYLE ………..professional career started at age 16. Selected out of 3500 teenagers to sing with “The Young Americans”, he appeared on major television shows and toured internationally. Joe was invited to appear in Ann-Margaret’s act as a featured singer and dancer. Two years later, he was selected for Peter Marshall’s group “Chapter Five”. Joe traveled with the act for eight years, appearing in major U.S. cities, on television including a command performance for President Carter at the White House. Joe has also worked with Mama Cass Elliott at the London Palladium before her untimely passing. Joe is married to famous celebrity photographer, Mary Ann Halprin based in Los Angeles. Her “Fearless Women” photo essay books are known worldwide.
JIM STEPHENS………. has been involved in music since he was a teenager. A Los Angeles native, he appeared on the music scene as a member of the world famous “Safaris.” In 1060 he was the lead singer on their hit single, “Image of a Girl,” which sold over a million records, and is in “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.” Jim was also a member of the popular 40’s group “The Merry Macs,” in the early 60’s. He recently appeared on “Doo-Woo-Love Songs,” a TV special on PBS as a featured artist singing his famous “Image of a Girl.” Jim has performed with “The Late Nite Big Band” for the past few years in Southern California and loves that “Big Band sound” and great vocal harmonies His high energy and love of our music only enhances and brings a great balance to our group.
GINGER BERGLUND………. has carried on the legacy of Anita O’day and June Christy with the “Stan Kenton Alumni Band. A native of Pasadena, California, she recorded for the “Tonight Show” host Steve Allen, with the pianist, Paul Smith, sung duets with Kenny Rankin, and worked with Flora Purin (jazz singer.) Her first professional gig was for Gov. Ronald Reagan’s Gubernatorial Ball at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles when she was just a teenager. Her husband is Scott Whitfield, an award winning trombonist extraordinaire and renowned arranger. Scott is also our new Musical Director. To have this couple in our family is truly a blessing.
SCOTT WHITFIELD………. is the newest member to our Modernaire’s family. Scott is internationally recognized for his work with many contemporary big bands including Toshiko Akiyoshi, Johnny Mandell, Bob Florence, and the Clare Fischer Big Band, as well as his own Scott Whitfield Jazz Orchestra. In 1993, Scott became a member of the Nat Adderley Sextet. Their engagements at New York’s Sweet Basil led to fruitful associations with Nnenna Freelon, Frank Weiss, Lionel Hampton, Wayne Andre, and many others. Whitfield served on the jazz faculty at Rutgers University from 1998 to 2002. Scott and his lovely wife Ginger also celebrate the art of duet in an act known as “Ginger and Scott.” The have received rave reviews for their new CD, “Dreamsville”.
The Modernaires were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pennsylvania, in 1999.
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