# The Bell Sisters

> The Life and Career of Cynthia and Kay Strother


## Posts

- [Hello world!](https://bellsisters.com/hello-world/): Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

## Pages

- [Sources](https://bellsisters.com/sources-2/)
- [Article Text](https://bellsisters.com/article-text/): LONG BEACH PRESS-TELEGRAMSeptember 22, 1951 She Plays Piano, Too!Beach Singer, Composer Making ‘Name’ Via Video SEAL BEACH, Sept. 22. For the entertainment of herself and her family, blonde, charming Miss Cynthia Strother, 16, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Rex Strother, 232 Fifth St., composes her own songs–then employs her voice and keyboard skill to perform them. Cynthia’s Huntington Beach Union High School classmates joined her family in persuading her to audition for a place on Peter Potter’s televised “Search for a Song” program. Much to her amazement, Cynthia is now booked for three featured appearances playing and singing her […]
- [Hear the Bells](https://bellsisters.com/hear-the-bells/): All selections are in mono MP3 format. CRUISIN’ DOWN THE RIVER — Bell Sisters perform “Father Dear Father” in the film “Cruisin’ Down the River” (includes brief banter between Kay and Dick Haymes).THOSE REDHEADS FROM SEATTLE — Bell Sisters perform “Take Back Your Gold” in the film “Those Redheads from Seattle” (grown-up male voice during intro belongs to Guy Mitchell)LES BROWN GOES TO TOWN — 3-1/2 minute excerpt includes introduction by Jack Smith. Bell Sisters perform “Bermuda” and “Crazy Drink.” BERMUDA — Original demo of Bell Sisters recorded for RCA, dated 10/31/1951, with piano.LATIN LOUIE — Bell Sisters and small combo.HOPE I – HOPE I […]
- [See the Bells](https://bellsisters.com/see-the-bells/): Bell Sisters with Dick Haymes on set of “Cruisin’ Down the River”Bell Sisters performing “Take Back Your Gold” in “Those Redheads from Seattle”Bell Sisters with Rhonda Fleming and Teresa Brewer Waiting in the Yukon Cold in “Those Redheads from Seattle”Agnes Moorehead and her four “daughters” from “Those Redheads from Seattle”Cynthia in dance number with Teresa Brewer and Rhonda Fleming from “Those Redheads from Seattle” (Color)Publicity still of Cynthia and Guy Mitchell from “Those Redheads from Seattle” Bell Sisters perform “Take Back Your Gold” (Color) in “Those Redheads from Seattle” (video capture)Bells perform “Crazy Drink” in the 1955 “Les Brown Goes to Town” short (video capture)Spanish-language poster for “Those Redheads from Seattle” Young, obviously scared Bell Sisters […]
- [About This Site](https://bellsisters.com/about-this-site/): This is the official web site of The Bell Sisters, and it has enjoyed their blessing and bemused assistance. I am their nephew and, all family bias aside, I have always enjoyed their music. In this site, I have gathered all the tidbits the family had squirreled away – photos, recordings, newspaper clippings, personal notes – so that anyone who remembered or knew the Bell Sisters might find more information. Those who have visited the site have contributed even more (see their words and photos on our “Memories” page). I grew up listening to my famous aunts singing with their […]
- [Sources](https://bellsisters.com/sources/)
- [Lyrics](https://bellsisters.com/lyrics/): (Now and Then There’s) A Fool Such as I (Bill Trader) Pardon me, if I’m sentimentalWhen we say goodbyeDon’t be angry with meShould I cry When you’re goneYet I’ll dream a little dream as years go byNow and thenThere’s a fool such as I Now and thenThere’s a foolSuch as I am over youYou taught me howTo love and nowYou say that we are through I’m a foolBut I’ll love you dear until the day I dieNow and thenThere’s a fool such as I Now and thenThere’s a foolSuch as I am over youYou taught me howTo love and nowYou […]
- [Memories](https://bellsisters.com/memories/): If you knew the Bell Sisters when they were growing up, or have a memory of working with the Bell Sisters or seeing them perform, and you would like to share those memories, please contact me at rex@bellsisters.com Diana Campbell I started looking for information on the Bell Sisters because of my deep love of their voices and music. I discovered your wonderful website and discovered things about the duo I don’t remember knowing. I am almost 70 and I too lived in Seal Beach, in a trailer park. I still resent the term “trailer trash” to this day because of […]
- [Kay Bell (Solo)](https://bellsisters.com/kay-bell-solo/): AppearanceLIDO BALLROOM – Long Beach, California  IMAGE Kay sang with band on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Was paid $10 for four-hour shift. RadioMISS ABSENTEE BALLOTArmed Forces Radio & Television ServiceRecorded series of radio announcements from “Miss Absentee Ballot” (Kay) reminding the troops overseas to absentee vote in the November presidential election. Kay was paid $32.50 per 5 minute recording. RadioCOMPASS-5Armed Forces Radio & Television Service; written by Ross VincentHosted by Elmer Peterson and Kay BellRecorded 72 five-minute programs offering social studies travelogue of NATO countries for broadcast overseas (NATO and SEATO propaganda). Kay was again paid $32.50 per 5 minute […]
- [In Print](https://bellsisters.com/articles/): Long Beach Press-Telegram, Seal Beach, California [IMAGE]  [TEXT]Title: She Plays Piano Too!: Beach Singer, Composer Making ‘Name’ Via VideoText, one photograph Post and Wave, Seal Beach, California [TEXT]Title: Bell Sisters Prepare for TV Shows; “Bermuda” Top Tune in So. Calif.Text, one photograph Down Beat, Chicago, Illinois, vol. 19, p. 13 [TEXT](Under Los Angeles News)Title: THE HOLLYWOOD BEAT: Two Coast Kids, 16 and 11, May Click on 1st RecordBy Hal HollyText, one photograph Newsweek, p. 90 [TEXT]Title: Bermuda BellesText, one photograph The Courier-Journal Magazine, Kentucky, pp. 6-7 [TEXT]Title: RHYTHM vs. ‘RITHMETIC: The Bell Sisters from Kentucky, whose “Bermuda” song made them suddenly popular, have had to turn down several guest […]
- [Live Appearances](https://bellsisters.com/appearances/): Long Beach, CaliforniaYMCA Armed Services ClubCynthia performed solo. Bellflower, California (Hall at 9841 Beverly)  [TEXT]Eagle’s Aerie and Ladies Auxiliary Damon Runyon Cancer Fund danceCynthia headlined the program. Music was also provided by Chapman’s Eagle Rhythm Boys.Source: Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram, October 16, 1951, Page 1 Long Beach, CaliforniaMarch of Dimes Benefit Dance, Town HallSponsored by Tau Epsilon Rho, Long Beach State College Fraternity. Also appearing is Jim Orange and His OrchestraAdmission is contribution of 15 or more dimes to the polio campaign fund. Westminster, CaliforniaWestminster Chamber of Commerce Meeting (at Westminster Fire Hall)Bell Sisters will sing as entertainment at Chamber […]
- [More About Recordings](https://bellsisters.com/more-about-recordings/): BERMUDA (Cynthia Strother) / Matrix: E1-VB-3860  JUNE NIGHT (Cliff Friend, Abel Baer) / Matrix: E1-VB-3861USA: RCA 47-4422 (45 rpm), 20-4422 (78 rpm)Recording Date: November 12, 1951, 8:00 p.m. to 12 midnight [ BACK TO RECORDINGS ] WHEEL OF FORTUNE (Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) / Matrix: E2-VB-5229  THE POOR WHIP-POOR-WILL (MOVE OVER, MOVE OVER) (Jimmy Kennedy, Nat Simon) / Matrix: E2-VB-5228USA: RCA 47-4520 (45 rpm), 20-4520 (78 rpm)Recording Date: January 24, 1952, 8:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. [ BACK TO RECORDINGS ] HAMBONE (Red Saunders, Leon Washington) / Matrix: E2-VB-5274 Bell Sisters With Phil HarrisUSA: RCA 47-4584 (45 rpm), 20-4584 (78 rpm)Recording Date: February 17, 1952, 7:00 p.m. […]
- [Recordings](https://bellsisters.com/recordings/): RCA Recording Sheets in PDF Format BERMUDA (Cynthia Strother) LYRICJUNE NIGHT (Cliff Friend, Abel Baer) LYRICwith Henri Rene and his OrchestraRCA 47-4422 / 45 rpm; RCA 20-4422 / 78 rpm [ TOO MANY MORE DETAILS! ] / [ BERMUDA ISLAND online! ] THE POOR WHIP-POOR-WILL (Move Over, Move Over) (Jimmy Kennedy, Nat Simon) LYRICWHEEL OF FORTUNE (Bennie Benjamin, George David Weiss) LYRICwith Henri Rene and his OrchestraRCA 47-4520 / 45 rpm; RCA 20-4520 / 78 rpm [ TOO MANY MORE DETAILS! ]  HAMBONE (Red Saunders, Leon Washington) LYRICMAMA’S ON THE WARPATH (Walter O’Keefe, Irv Orton)Hambone with Phil Harris and the Bell Sisterswith Henri Rene and his OrchestraRCA 47-4584 / 45 rpm; RCA […]
- [Radio](https://bellsisters.com/radio/): Bing Crosby Show (CBS, Sponsor: Chesterfield Cigarettes) [PDF OF SCRIPT]Recorded February 13, 1952 at ABC Studios, Hollywood, Californiaalso featuring Jud Conlon’s RhythmairesBell Sisters perform “Bermuda,” and then sing “June Night” with Bing Crosby. LP Release: The Bells’ performance with Bing on “June Night” was once released on All Star Products LP2000 – “Bing Crosby’s All Star Chesterfield Show.” Girl Scouts Annual Jamboree (NBC, 1:30-2:00 p.m.)The 40th anniversary of the Girl Scouts is celebrated with Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Jack Smith, Debbie Reynolds, Robert Young, The Bell Sisters and announcer Ken Carpenter Desmond-Hammond Radio Show Bob Hope Show (NBC, Sponsor: Chesterfield Cigarettes)also featuring Gracie Allen […]
- [Television](https://bellsisters.com/television/): Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”Sang “The Waiting Song (My Johnny)”. Was accepted and given show date of September 26. Local Show Goes National: Peter Potter’s show went national from September 13, 1953 to March 28, 1954 on ABC. It was called “Jukebox Jury” for one month and then was renamed “The Peter Potter Show.” Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”Sang “Bermuda.” Was not accepted; Peter Potter liked the tune, but felt the original lyrics were “too depressing.” Auditioned for Peter Potter’s “Search for a Song”Sang revised “Bermuda” and “Little Boy Bullfighter (El Nino Torreador)”. Was accepted and given show […]
- [Film](https://bellsisters.com/film/): Family Home MoviesBehind the scenes footage shot by father Eugene Strother at home and on the road with the Bell Sisters.Features Bells seaside, pool-side, with other acts, on stage, at fairs, before the cameras, signing autographs, etc. Audio portion is piano demo by Cynthia Strother. “Cruisin’ Down the River” IMAGEColumbia Pictures Corp., Musical, 79 min., Color 35mmStarring: Dick Haymes, Audrey Totter, Cecil Kelloway, Connie Russell, Billy Daniels, The Bell SistersBell Sisters appear as part of a group of high school students (Audrey Totter is their teacher) who help paint and restore river boat; they perform “Father Dear Father” Foreign Release: The […]
- [The Story](https://bellsisters.com/): Not so very long agoAbout six months, I thinkThe only singing that we didWas singing by the sink — (I’ve got spurs that jingle, jangle, jingle) When it came to musicWhat we did was wrongBut just like happy sistersWe always got along. Father said, Quit making so much noiseMother said, Go out and play with the boysAnd our faces would be redIf we told you what the neighbors said And then one dayOne lucky dayWe met a manCalled Henri Rene’ — from the Bell Sisters’ original stage act (written by Ray Gilbert) The Bell Sisters (Cynthia Strother, 16, and Kay Strother, […]


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