Can *you* answer this?

“To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?” ~Katherine Graham

The 50s Version of American Idol - and my Quest

My sister Margaretann was the female lead singer in the 50s of the group called "The Markeeds".  As many of you know, these groups were "the thing" back then.  Margaret (or Marg as I called her) had a great voice and had a basically low-key type of personality in her normal life.  However, when she sang, she sang with confidence.  Our cousin Frank (to the left of Margaret), the "father" person mentioned in the caption, also offered his vocals and played the piano for the group on occasion.  They played in various clubs throughout New Jersey. 

They won several talent contests with Margaret as the lead singer, and one in particular landed them a guest spot on "The Original Ted Mack Amateur Hour" show.  This show was the 50s equivalent of today's "American Idol."  I can't imagine her excitement back then, and then the adventure of shopping for something to wear!
I craved some sort of remembrance of those days, at least vocally.  I knew they recorded several songs.  Since her early demise in 2006, nobody could come up with any of the tapes/reels from back in the day.  Sad, isn't it?  It took me several months of research and emailing back and forth with a man associated with the archives of the show.  Between Frank, myself and the archive specialist, and much to my great joy, we managed to locate the video of that particular show.  This is what I received:

The caption read:  "My Father at 18 years old on the Ted Mack Amateur Hour 08-23-1958 The Markeeds"



You might ask why I am bringing this out at this point in time.  It's not a special anniversary or anything.  I am, myself, a singer and heading to competition with my chorus in Philadelphia the end of March.  I get misty when I think of how happy and proud she was to hear I had been voted in as a member of Hickory Tree Chorus back in 1994.  There's a special song in our repertoire called "It's Your Song".  Every time I sing it, she is in my thoughts.  I must admit, the first 100 times I sang the song, it was difficult to get through.  But I am proud to follow in her footsteps.  A little side note:  every year HTC returns home with a medal...for the past 17 years that I have been a member. 

hickorytreechorus.org

With a loving heart, great pride, and missing my sister....

Ginny G. De Mario

On Angels Magazine: Margaret's Angels

From there, select "Entrant's Websites!"

Then select Link to Artist's Websites

Then Find:  "Ginnyza10r" or "DeMario"

"Angels Watching Over Margaretann"

Another Quote - may be heard from anyone's own lips

"Everyone is special in his or her own way."  - Every One, Every Person, Every Single Human Being, Ginny De Mario