Few stars shine as brightly as the wonderful Dinah Shore, who was born Frances Rose Shore on February 29, 1916, in Winchester, Tennessee, which makes her one the few babies (less than 0.07%) to be born on a leap day. Dinah's journey to stardom began in her college years at Vanderbilt University, where she started singing on Nashville's WSM radio. After graduating, she moved to New York City to pursue her dream of becoming a professional singer, and it was shortly after her rival that she acquired her new name.

While auditioning for radio stations and orchestras in The Big Apple, she often sang the popular song "Dinah" during her auditions. One day, a disc jockey named Martin Block couldn't remember her name during an audition. He referred to her as "that Dinah girl" because of the song she frequently performed. The nickname "Dinah" stuck, and she adopted it as her professional stage name.

Dinah's big break came in 1940 when she landed a spot on Eddie Cantor's radio show. This pivotal moment in her career was recently featured in an episode of "Recollections,", which I added to the RUSC Member's area today.

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Towards the start of the show the host plays a clip from Dinah's debut on the Eddie Cantor Show, giving listeners a chance to hear the young singer's voice, still tinged with her sweet Southern accent.

In the clip, we hear Dinah perform "Yes, My Darling Daughter," a song that showcases her playful side and her ability to infuse personality into her performances. The banter between Dinah and Eddie Cantor demonstrates her quick wit and charm, qualities that would serve her well throughout her career.

This appearance on the Eddie Cantor Show marked the beginning of Dinah's rise to fame. Her unique voice and engaging personality quickly made her a favorite among radio listeners, and she soon became a regular on the show.

Following her success on the Eddie Cantor Show, Dinah's career in radio flourished. She became a regular on NBC's "Chamber Music Society of Lower Basin Street," a program that blended classical music with jazz and blues. Her performances on this show further cemented her reputation as a versatile and talented vocalist.

In 1943, Dinah got her own radio program, "Call to Music," which later evolved into "The Dinah Shore Show." This program ran for 12 years and helped establish Dinah as one of the premier entertainers of her time. During World War II, she was also a favorite among American troops, frequently performing for them and boosting morale with her upbeat songs and warm personality.

As radio began to give way to television in the 1950s, Dinah made a seamless transition to the new medium, and became one of the first female hosts to have her own variety show, "The Dinah Shore Chevy Show," which ran from 1956 to 1963. The show was a huge success, featuring Dinah's musical performances alongside comedy sketches and guest appearances by other stars of the day.

Dinah's television career continued to flourish throughout the 1970s and 1980s with shows like "Dinah's Place" and "Dinah and Friends." Her warm, approachable demeanor made her a natural host, and she became known for her ability to put her guests at ease, resulting in engaging and often revealing interviews.

Throughout her career, Dinah recorded numerous hit songs. Some of her most popular recordings include "Blues in the Night," "I'll Walk Alone," "The Anniversary Song," and "Buttons and Bows." She was known for her ability to interpret a wide range of musical styles, from pop and jazz to country and western.

My favorite Dinah Shore album is Dinah Sings, Previn Plays. It is real gem and includes standards by the Gershwins, Rodgers & Hart and others. It isn't necessarily the upbeat TV personality that people had grown to expect. It's much more of a mature, reflective, classy album, and well worth hunting down.

Dinah's personal life was as colorful as her professional one. She was married twice, first to actor George Montgomery from 1943 to 1962, with whom she adopted two children. Her second marriage was to Maurice Fabian Smith from 1963 to 1964.

Beyond her entertainment career, Dinah was known for her philanthropic work. She was a longtime supporter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and established the Dinah Shore Fund for research into ovarian and breast cancer.

Dinah Shore passed away on February 24, 1994, just five days shy of her 78th birthday. Her death from ovarian cancer came as a shock to many of her fans, who had come to see her as an enduring symbol of American entertainment, and one of those personalities you just expected to live forever.

The "Recollections" Radio Show: A Trip Down Memory Lane

The "Recollections" radio show, which featured the clip of Dinah's debut on the Eddie Cantor Show, is a testament to the lasting impact of radio's golden age. Hosted by Ed Herlihy, the show delves into NBC's vast library of sound to bring listeners memorable moments from radio's past.

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In addition to Dinah Shore, the episode featured other notable performances, including Charles Laughton's famous "toast to women" speech from the movie "Rembrandt," a performance by Wynn Murray from the musical "Babes in Arms," and a rendition of "The Desert Song" by John Boles. The show also included a poignant reminder of the passing of sports legend Babe Didrikson Zaharias, highlighting her remarkable athletic achievements before she took up golf.

The inclusion of these diverse performances alongside Dinah's early radio appearance serves to contextualize her career within the broader landscape of entertainment in the mid-20th century. It reminds us of the rich tapestry of talent that defined this era and the enduring appeal of these performances decades later.

Happy listening,