Jackson advocate. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1939-current, 1953-08-29
Electrically
Yours

NEW 4ORk-(GLOBA
tie Leslie U. Crayne, the pretty
-year-old pint-sized songstress
of radio, television and stage fame,
has signed $4,000 contract with
MGM Records, which includes re-
cording and Hollywood motion pic
lures. The talented and sensa-
tional Leslie recorded her first four
pop" sides for MGM last week
here in New York.
Leslie was backed with a twenty
| piece orchestra, including violins,
a viola and four male voices from
the Perry Como Show, on this
MGM recording date. The little
trouper was most ably assisted by
ASCAP composer and arranger,
Fred Norman, who conducted the
orchestra and made the arrange
ments for this session.
Among the four songs Leslie re-
corded were two Christmas songs
which will be released early in No
FNiilbCl. IL 10 tI CuICLcu LildG kutSC
will become number one and num-
Der two on the Christmas "hit"
parade, knocking Il Saw Mommy
kissing Santa Claus" out of the
nations number one slot this
Christmas season. The pretty
Leslie (whO's not affected by her
fame) is already booked, during
the months of November and De-
cember on the Ed Sullivan TV
Show, Toast of the Town; Milton
Berries TV Show; Fred Aliens
Show; Olson's Dumont TV Show;
Arthur Godfrey's Show; and the
NBC Kiddie Show. So, you'll be
hearing and seeing plenty of Les
lie singing her MGM recorded
Christmas songs on television
shortly.
Little Leslie who's said to be>~
a double in looks for Lena Horne)
opened last Friday, after she did
her MGM recording session at
Harlem's Apollo Theatre. She
headlined the stage show. On the
same bill were The Orioles and
headliner Lucky Millinder and his
powerful band
After her Apollo appearance,
! Leslie invaded Philadelphia's Up
town Theatre, as the shows head
liner at $500 a week. Here, the
little song and dance lady stopped
the show cold. Adults are wild
about her, and the kids Just 90
frantic over her. After Leslie
does her television engagements
for November and December, she
Will probably record again in Jan
uary for MGM Records, doing two
songs for the Easter season. Then
IN February, the little star will
JOIN MGM recording artists Billy
Eckstine and George Shearing in
"a concert tour.
This will make clean sweep for
MGM Records, the label of major
Importance. 1t has the best policy
regarding entertainers of any ma
jor record company. MGM and its
president Frank B. Walker, believe
artists are artists, and that they
should be given an opportunity to
record in whatever field they per-
form best. Whether the artist is
Negro or white, the records all 90
on the market the same way
pop"
In view of these facts, this
writer consistently urges all Ne
groes-editors, record fans, disc
jockeys-to give MGM Records all
the attention possible, and to en-
courage their patronage. There's
no other major label that gives
the Negro artist the kind of a
break as their other artists. For
instance, of all of MGM Records
artists, Tommy Edwards is one of
the best loved by the company, and
more of MGM's money is spent on
Tommy Edwards promotion than
any other artist. After all, thew
don't have to do it. MGM Records
is a division of Loew's Inc. which
owns the Loews Theatres; WMGM
Radio Station; and MGM Hollv-
wood Studio, and MGM Records.
This makes the combine one of the
richest entertainment organizations
IN the world.
Just as Branch Hickey first gave
Jackie Robinson a break to prove
his worth, and paved the way for
other Negro baseball greats, MGM
! is giving the Negro artist chance
to prove his worth.
That is why this writer homes
little Leslie U. Crayne will>get the
play from Negroes everywhere
She's worth it. We here at GlobaI
and IN New York City are aware
OF the tremendous opportunities
that Frank Walker and MGM are
giving our Negro artists.