Carolina Cotton

By 1950, the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell a second film with Arnold, "Hoedown" (Jock Mahoney). A new recording contract with MGM Records produced several memorable songs, including "I Betcha I Getcha", "You're Gettin' a Good Girl" and the spectacular yodeling tune, "Nola". Plans were made for Carolina's own TV Western adventure series, "Queen of the Range". Unfortunately, it never materialized. By December, she was on her way overseas, to entertain at military bases in Europe. This was the first of many such tours, mostly with the USO, to Korea and the Far East. In Germany, Carolina received the title "Deputy Provost Marshal"...the only citizen to receive such an award.

Carolina made a wide variety of personal appearances over the years, including the Out Of This World Series (celebrity baseball game), St Mary's All Western Days fiestas in San Diego, the All-Palomino Horse Show in Ohio, the Helldorado celebrations in Nevada, and the Sheriff's Annual Rodeos at the LA Coliseum. One of her most unusual feats was in December 1951, when she helped place a real "pole" at the North Pole. As a publicity stunt for Alaskan Airlines, the candy striped pole was filled with letters to Santa Claus, and was to be flown over the North Pole, and dropped by Carolina and Alaskan DJ North Pole Nellie. A huge celebration was held in Fairbanks, but at the last minute, Carolina and Nellie were barred from the flight, as the crew had to refuel at a restricted all-male military base. As a tribute to the 2 girls who couldn't attend the historic event, the crew on the plane yodeled, as they dropped the Pole into position.

The Yodeling Blonde Bombshell recorded 4 more MGM songs in '51, with Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys: "You Always Keep Me in Hot Water", "Cause I'm In Love", "I'm All Alone" and a remake of her song "Three Miles South of Cash". She also guested on Hedda Hopper's radio program, among others.



Carolina co-starred in 3 films in 1952, coming into her own as a leading lady. In "Apache Country", she worked with Gene Autry and Pat Buttram, playing an adventurous cowgirl, much like the role she would have played in "Queen of the Range". She made another movie with Jock Mahoney, "Rough Tough West" (also featuring her long-time friend Smiley Burnette). Her final film was the Autry picture "Blue Canadian Rockies", playing opposite Gail Davis. This was also the year she made her last recordings for MGM, which included Yodel Yodel Yodel, from "Rockies".

Carolina continued her many personal appearances. She took over Doye O'Dell's kiddie amusement park in Compton, and renamed it "Carolina Cotton's Tiny Town". While on a USO return visit to Korea, Carolina was honored to have a tank named after her: Miss Carolina--The Cotton Special.

Between 1953-55, Carolina was still doing guest spots on radio and television. The AFRS aired "Carolina Cotton Calls", heard by Armed Forces personnel worldwide. She continued making guest appearances at rodeos and special events. And she made one last tour overseas in June 1956, to Johannesburg South Africa, to visit hospitals of children with cerebral palsy. It was then that Carolina told herself that if she ever left Show Biz, she would become involved in helping those with disabilities.

By the mid '50s, Western Swing and B Movies started becoming more and more of a thing of the past. In August 1956, Carolina had married Bill Ates, nephew of the character actor Roscoe Ates, with whom she did many shows over the years. She began concentrating on her home life and family, and had 2 children: son William, and daughter Sharon. But the marriage didn't endure into the 1960s, as Carolina and Bill divorced. Carolina remembered her promise to help disabled children ... she became a teacher, and earned her Masters degree in Special Education, as well as traditional education.\

Over the years, Miss Cotton taught at different schools. She moved to Bakersfield CA in the early 1970s, where she taught for many years at Mt Vernon Elementary School. Always the type to be "on the go", she took on another job at a local department store (Brocks, later renamed Gottschalks). After her kids were grown, Carolina began showing up at jam sessions at Bakersfield's local Grange Hall, making music with some of the pioneers of the Bakersfield Sound of country music, including Bill Woods.

Beginning in 1984, Carolina Cotton was a favorite Guest Speaker at several Western Film Festivals, most notably in Charlotte NC, Memphis TN and Little Rock AR. She enjoyed reminiscing with her friends from the good ol' days of Show Biz, and loved connecting with fans old and new.

Sadly, in 1994, Carolina was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer. In spite of enduring treatments, she carried on with a smile, and the same enthusiasm she was known for. She continued teaching and working at the department store, attended a Film Festival or two, and managed to enjoy summer visits to Europe. She retired from teaching in March 1997, and entered the hospital in April, where she passed away the morning of June 10th, 1997.

Carolina Cotton lives on in the legacy she left behind, and in the hearts of her fans. She is fondly remembered in her Western Swing recordings, B Western movies, radio and television shows which, luckily, still survive in one form or another. Like other Western stars of the era, Carolina's films and recordings are in the midst of restoration, much to the benefit of generations to come. Carolina Cotton's story is assured a future, as a pioneer in the Golden Age of Western Entertainment.


Posted April, 2005 - Thanks to Carolina's daughter Sharon Marie

link to the site

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/CarolinaCotton.html

These are all the known films featuring Carolina Cotton. There are many
yet-undiscovered shorts, etc in which she was featured.

Back in 1944, the Yodeling Blonde Bombshell made her music video debut with the Spade Cooley band. Here she sings "I Love to Yodel" (1944).

Carolina made several soundies with the Deuce Spriggens Orchestra, which also included The Plainsmen Trio, and Tex Atchison. Here is an excerpt from "Sioux

link to the site

http://www.carolinacotton.org/films.html

je découvre cette artiste, et ma foie pas mal .
En tout cas beau travail de recherche

The Spade Cooley Orchestra, at the Riverside Rancho, ca. 1945. L-R: Deuce Spriggens (bass), Frank Buckley (accordion), Eddie Bennett (piano), Johnny Weis (guitar), Rex Call (fiddle), Carolina Cotton, Spade Cooley, Smokey Rogers, Muddy Berry (drums), Joaquin Murphey (steel gtr), Spike Featherstone (harp), Tex Williams. Some of these talented musicians doubled on other instruments. Dude Martin and His Roundup Gang at station KYA, ca. 1942-43. L-R: Rex Gallion, Hezzy Johnson, Arvada Miller, Jerry Hutchison, Peggy "Lynne" (another vocalist?), Von Gallion, Carolina and Dude Martin. The guy in back with the bowler hat was also a member. Bandmates came and went from Martin's group, especially during the War Years.

The Deuce Spriggens Orchestra, ca. 1945, at the fabulous Santa Monica Ballroon...renamed the Western Palisades Ballroom. The nightly entertainment was broadcast on the radio program "Cavalcade of Western Music". L-R: Carolina (bass); Eddie Bennett (piano); Rex Call (fiddle); Red Fox (drummer, bkgd); Tex Atchison (fiddle); Frank "Gibby" Gibson (fiddle); Frank Buckley (accordion); Deuce, Ray "Charley" Morgan (guitar, sitting); Andy Parker (standing, gtr); Ralph Miele (steel gtr); Bud Langley (gtr, sitting); Hank Caldwell (bass). The band may have gone through as many as 3 different drummers: Red Fox, Don Piano and Tommy Mills.

Carolina with Hank Penny and his band, ca. 1946, at the infamous Riverside Rancho, "Home of Western Music". According to one ad, you could enjoy dancing to the group "every Friday, Saturday and Sunday". L-R: Eddie Bennett, Unidentified, Fred Cianci, unidentified, Ralph Miele, Doye O'Dell, Max Fidler, Bob Caudana, unidentified.

Sons (and "Daughter", center) of the Pioneers on tour, making a radio appearance at KXOX in Sweetwater, TX, 1949. The tour ran from the end of February through the beginning of April, with shows in Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

Carolina with Tommy Duncan (L) and the great Bob Wills (R). After touring together in 1947, she and Wills reunited on MGM Records in 1951. One of the 4 songs recorded was a remake of "Three Miles South Of Cash", which they also performed for a Snader Telescription.

"Look who I found!" Carolina and Redd Harper clowning for the camera, ca. 1949. Redd Harper's Hollywood Roundup was heard around the globe, on the Armed Forces Radio Service. She guest starred on several episodes. Carolina's badge seems to be from the All Western Days celebration in El Cajon, CA.

Performing at the Western Film Festival, 1986. The Tennessee Ramblers accompanied Carolina as she sang "I Love To Yodel".

Hello Birdie

pour ces magnifiques photos

De rien, en faite je cherchais une photo sur le net que j'ai chez moi mais
que je ne retrouve pas. Je me suis dis que je la trouverais peut être sur le net, mais rien et du coup je suis tombée sur celle-là, alors ... voilà !

Mais j'essayerais de retrouver celle que j'ai, dans un vieux magasine américain des années 40's !! Mais chez moi c'est le foutoir !!! :lol!: