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| '''Anita Kerr''' (born '''Anita Jean Grilli''' on ], ], in ]) is an ] ], ], ], ], ], and ]. She recorded and performed successfully with her vocal harmony groups in ], ], and ]. | '''Anita Kerr''' (born '''Anita Jean Grilli''' on ], ], in ]) is an ] ], ], ], ], ], and ]. She recorded and performed successfully with her vocal harmony groups in ], ], and ]. | ||
| ==Career== | |||
| ===Nashville=== | |||
| In 1948, shortly after moving from ] to ], Kerr organized a vocal quintet whose performances attracted the attention of a ] radio program director. He hired Kerr to become leader of and arranger for an octet choir on the radio station's "Sunday Down South" broadcasts. Joining her were singers Carl Garvin, Jim Hall, Doug Kirkham, Mary Ellen Puckett, Evelyn Wilson, Mildred Kirkham, and Don Fotrell. The group's first recording session was with ], and their collaboration resulted in a #16 hit on ]'s Pop chart in 1950: ''Our Lady of Fatima.'' The following year, producer ] signed them to record for ]. Their talents in demand, Anita's group continued to sing backup for other ] artists in ], including ], ], and ]. The group's recording sessions—initially averaging two per week—increased to eight sessions weekly by 1955.<ref name="one">, a Few Notes</ref> | |||
| In 1956, Anita Kerr's singers won a contest on the "]'s Talent Scouts" national television program. Now a quartet, the group traveled to ] two weeks out of every six to appear with ] on his daily television and radio broadcasts. A few years later, Kerr and her singers performed five times a week with ] on his national radio program at ]. The quartet's roster at this time featured, definitively, tenor Gil Wright, baritone Louis Nunley, alto Dottie Dilliard, and Kerr herself as both soprano and arranger. Demand for the group's talents exploded. Singers and arranger soon began contributing to between twelve and eighteen recording sessions weekly.<ref name="one"/> Having previously backed ], ], and ] on ] radio transcription sessions, the Anita Kerr Singers were invited to record their own songs for ]. Between 1959 and 1963, the group waxed sixty ] tracks. In 1960, as "The Little Dippers," the group recorded a hit single--''Forever''--for the University label. Crediting herself as "Anita & Th' So-And-So's," Kerr multi-tracked her own voice to record the song ''Joey Baby'', another hit in 1961. | |||
| The Anita Kerr Singers signed with ] in 1961. Their first album for the label--'''''From Nashville...The Hit Sound'''''--showcases what writer Dave Samuelson calls Kerr's distinctive contribution to "]'s evolution from ] and Western swing into a more mainstream, uptown sound." Subsequent ] ] extended the quartet's repertoire as they explored the ] songs of ] and the sweet and ] compositions of ]. The group's 1965 album '''''We Dig Mancini''''' won a ] for Best Performance by a Vocal Group. In addition to recording as themselves, the Singers continued to perform as backup singers in ]. Using Kerr's arrangements, they can be heard on songs by ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and many other artists.<ref name="two">http://www.anitakerr.com/</ref> Under her ] contract, Kerr also arranged and produced a series of albums for The Living Voices on the ] budget label. | |||
| In 1964, together with ] and ], the Anita Kerr Singers toured ]. ], ], please access the first External Link below.] | |||
| ===Los Angeles=== | |||
| In 1965, disbanding the Nashville version of her Anita Kerr Singers, Kerr relocated to ] "to do more orchestral writing and music that was not just country."<ref name="one"/> Now under contract to ], Kerr formed a ] version of the Anita Kerr Singers, which, for the next five years, would include the following personnel: alto B.J Baker or Jackie Ward, tenor Gene Merlino or Bill Cole, baritone Bill Lee, bass Bob Tebow, and Kerr herself as soprano and arranger. The half dozen albums recorded by the Singers for ] included a ] of the song ] by ], and one of the ]s was exclusively devoted to the songs of composer ]. Disguising the group as The Mexicali Singers, Kerr also recorded a trio of ]-flavored albums with musical arrangements reminiscent of the ] sound. ] Anita Kerr Singers, please access the second External Link below.] | |||
| In the 1960s, Kerr composed and recorded numerous ]s for use by various American ] stations, including: ]'s KMPC AM-710 in ], ]; WLS AM-890 in ], ]; and WGH AM-1310 in ], ]. | |||
| In early 1967, Kerr signed on as choral director for the first season of ''] Comedy Hour''. She also conducted the choir and orchestra during the sessions for '''''It's Real''''', a 1967 ] ] by singer ]. | |||
| In 1967, Kerr, collaborating with poet ], composed, arranged, and conducted music for an instrumental/spoken-word album called '''''The Sea'''''. Credited as a San Sebastian Strings release, the best-selling ]--co-produced by Kerr and ]--was the first of a dozen San Sebastian Strings albums featuring Kerr's music, ]'s words, and specific themes about nature and love. | |||
| The Anita Kerr Singers also recorded a pair of albums for ], one of which paid tribute to their association with ] singer ]--'''''I Sang With Jim Reeves'''''. | |||
| In 1969, Kerr signed with ]. '''''The Anita Kerr Singers Reflect on the Hits of ] & ]''''' was the group's first and ] album for Dot. The Anita Kerr Singers also recorded a pair of ] ] ]. In the late 1960s, Kerr not only recorded and performed with her own group, but she also arranged and produced records for other unique artists, including the Mystic Monks, Les Tres Guitars, and Teresa. Kerr's 1970 Dot album '''''Touchlove''''' was the first ] to showcase her skills as a ]. | |||
| ===Europe=== | |||
| Kerr moved to ] in 1970. Her recording sessions held in ], she launched The Anita Kerr Singers anew with ] talent: Anne Simmons, Alan Lynton, and Danny Street. In 1971, the Singers recorded the ] '''''A Tribute to ]'''''. That same year, Kerr wrote original music and lyrics for the ] album '''''A Christmas Story''''', and she felt privileged to conduct the ] during the recording sessions <ref name="three">http://www.anitakerr.com/content/gallery_content/gallery_euro/euro_dd.html</ref> | |||
| In 1972, Kerr wrote—and ] Music published—a 103-page book (accompanied by five 45rpm records) called '''VOICES. With Complete Recorded Examples'''. That same year, the Anita Kerr Singers recorded two ]s for ] and Kerr scored and conducted original music for the motion picture soundtrack to '''''Limbo''''',<ref name="four">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0068860/</ref> a drama starring ]. During the early 1970s, Kerr also made numerous personal appearances on television in ]. | |||
| In 1974, Kerr began a five-year professional relationship with ]. In addition to recording four gospel albums with the Singers, Kerr arranged and produced a series of ''Hallelujah...'' instrumental albums for ]. She received ] nominations twice for her ] inspirational recordings. | |||
| During these years, Kerr also wrote choral and instrumental arrangements for ], the world's largest music print publisher. | |||
| In 1975, Anita Kerr received a special ] Award saluting " lady of class and a first-class musician for her significant contributions to the birth and development of the ]."<ref name="five">http://www.anitakerr.com/content/timeline_content/timeline_body_mile.html</ref> | |||
| Between 1977 and 1988, Kerr continued to perform and record for a variety of ]s. The following ]s distinguish her work from this period: '''''Anita Kerr Performs Wonders'''''--as a singer/arranger; '''''The Sound of Warm'''''--as a pianist/arranger; and '''''In The Soul'''''--as a composer/arranger. | |||
| In 1985, Kerr conducted her own composition of ''Piano, Piano'' as the Swiss entry for the ] in ]. | |||
| In 1992, Kerr received a ] Governors Award " recognition of outstanding contribution to American Music."<ref name="five"/> | |||
| ==Discography== | |||
| ===Singles=== | |||
| :*''Borrowed Angel/My Evening Prayer'' | |||
| :*''Have Faith/Pray'' | |||
| :*''Road Up Ahead/God Has Been Good To Me'' | |||
| :*''One Hour Ahead'' (with ])''/This Time Tomorrow'' (with ]) | |||
| :*''Church In The Wildwood'' (with Marie Knight)''/He's My Light'' (with Marie Knight) | |||
| :*''Promise And A Prayer/My Grandmother's Place'' | |||
| :*''Brighten The Corner Where You Are'' (with ])''/Great White Bird'' (with ]) | |||
| :*''Don't Turn Around'' (with Sunshine Sue)''/Over The Valley'' (with Sunshine Sue) | |||
| :*''Vision Of The Blessed Mother/God Is Everywhere'' | |||
| :*''After You/Not Mine'' | |||
| :*''In The Middle Of An Island/For You'' | |||
| :*''Keep Your Belt Buttoned Up Baby/Give In Give In (Steig in das Traumboot)'' | |||
| :*''My Love Is A Kitten/Strange Little Melody'' | |||
| :*''For You For Me Forevermore/Why Can't This Night Go On'' | |||
| :*''So-And-So's Tell Tale/To Each His Own'' | |||
| :*''Waitin' For The Evening Train'' (with ])''/Guitar Country'' (with ]) | |||
| :*''Copper Kettle/Summer Green And Winter White'' | |||
| :*''A Man And A Woman/Just Say Goodbye'' | |||
| :*''One In A Row/Ever Constant Sea'' | |||
| :*''I Can't Help Remembering/For Burt'' | |||
| :*''Smile You Save For Strangers/In The Morning'' | |||
| :*''No Salt On Her Tail/All This'' | |||
| :*''One Day/One Up On Me'' | |||
| :*''Wine In The Wind/Happiness'' | |||
| :*'']/A House Is Not A Home'' | |||
| :*''Lalena/Suppose'' | |||
| :*'']/You And I'' | |||
| :*''Coco/Money Rings Out Like Freedom'' | |||
| :*''Eli's Coming/]'' | |||
| :*''Shine Shine/Medley'' | |||
| :*''Angels We Have Heard On High/]'' | |||
| :*''Mary Kaye's Theme/Where Do I Go From Here'' | |||
| :*''At Seventeen/Masterpiece'' | |||
| ===Albums with the Anita Kerr Singers=== | |||
| :*'''''On This Holy Night''''' | |||
| :*'''''Velvet Voices Through the Night''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartet with Strings | |||
| :*'''''Four Voices in Hi-Fi''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''For You, For Me, Forevermore''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartette | |||
| :*'''''From Nashville...The Hit Sound''''' | |||
| :*'''''Vocal Stylings of "The Genius" in Harmony''''' featuring the songs and hits of ] | |||
| :*'''''Tender Words''''' | |||
| :*'''''Mellow Moods of Love''''' | |||
| :*'''''We Dig ]''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''A Sunday Serenade''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''And Now...The Anita Kerr Orchestra!''''' | |||
| :*'''''Slightly Baroque''''' | |||
| :*'''''] Turns Us On!''''' | |||
| :*''''']''''' | |||
| :*'''''My Coloring Book''''' | |||
| :*'''''I Sang With ]''''' | |||
| :*'''''Sounds''''' | |||
| :*''''']''''' --reissue of Anita's ''Vocal Stylings of "The Genius" in Harmony'' ] | |||
| :*'''''Till the End of Time''''' --reissue of Anita's ''For You, For Me, Forevermore'' ] | |||
| :*'''''The Anita Kerr Singers Reflect on the Hits of ] & ]''''' | |||
| :*'''''Velvet Voices and Bold Brass''''' | |||
| :*'''''Spend This Holiday With Me''''' | |||
| :*'''''It's Anita Kerr Country''''' | |||
| :*'''''Anita Kerr '70''''' | |||
| :*'''''Christmas with Anita Kerr''''' | |||
| :*'''''Daytime Nighttime''''' | |||
| :*'''''A Tribute to ]''''' | |||
| :*'''''Grow to Know Me''''' | |||
| :*'''''A Christmas Story''''' with The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra | |||
| :*''''']''''' | |||
| :*''''']''''' | |||
| :*'''''Gentle as Morning''''' | |||
| :*'''''Walk a Little Slower''''' | |||
| :*'''''Precious Memories''''' | |||
| :*'''''Thank You, Lord''''' | |||
| ===Various Releases=== | |||
| ====Living Voices LPs==== | |||
| Arranged and produced by Anita Kerr. | |||
| :*'''''Living Voices Sing Irish Songs''''' | |||
| :*'''''Living Voices Sing ] and Other Great Duets and Love Songs''''' | |||
| :*'''''Living Voices Sing ] and Other Hits''''' | |||
| :*'''''Living Voices Sing ] and Other Beautiful Songs''''' | |||
| :*'''''Living Voices Sing ] Favorites''''' | |||
| :*'''''Come To The Fair with the Living Voices''''' | |||
| :*'''''I Don't Hurt Anymore and Other Country Favorites''''' | |||
| :*'''''Music from ]'''''<ref name="six">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0058331/</ref> | |||
| :*''''']''''' | |||
| :*'''''Positively 4th Street and Other Message Folk Songs''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Living Voices Sing the Music from the Motion Picture ]'''''<ref name="seven">http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060983/</ref> | |||
| ====The Mexicali Singers LPs==== | |||
| Featuring The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''The Mexicali Singers''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Further Adventures of the Mexicali Singers''''' | |||
| :*''''''The Mexicali Singers Ride Again''''' | |||
| ====The San Sebastian Strings LPs==== | |||
| Music and arrangements by Anita Kerr. | |||
| Words by ]. | |||
| Co-produced by Anita Kerr and ]. | |||
| :*'''''The Sea''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Earth''''' | |||
| :*''''']''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Sea/The Earth/The Sky''''' | |||
| :*'''''Home to the Sea''''' | |||
| :*'''''For Lovers''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Complete Sea''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Soft Sea''''' | |||
| :*'''''Winter''''' | |||
| :*'''''Spring''''' | |||
| :*'''''Summer''''' | |||
| :*'''''Autumn''''' | |||
| :*'''''The Seasons''''' | |||
| :*'''''Bouquet: The Best of the San Sebastian Strings''''' | |||
| :*'''''With Love''''' | |||
| ====Miscellaneous==== | |||
| :*'''''Near the Cross: Sacred Songs sung by Jimmie Davis''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''Hymn Time''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''The Door Is Always Open''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''He Walks With Thee''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''Hail Him With A Song''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''The Versatile Burl Ives!''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''The Scene Changes''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''Southland Favorites''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''George Beverly Shea Sings Southland Songs That Life the Heart''''' by ] as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''It's Real''''' by ] chorus and orchestra conducted by Anita Kerr | |||
| :*'''''Amazing Grace''''' by ] --reissue of Jimmie's ''Hail Him With A Song'' ] with two songs omitted | |||
| :*'''''Closing the Gap''''' by the Mystic Monks Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Yestergroovin'''''' by Les Tres Guitars Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Anita Kerr Presents Teresa''''' Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Touchlove''''' Anita Kerr as pianist/arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''In My Father's House''''' by ] --reissue of Jimmie's ''The Door Is Always Open'' ] with two songs omitted | |||
| :*'''''I Believe''''' by ] --reissue of Red's ''He Walks With Thee'' ] with two songs omitted | |||
| :*'''''Hallelujah Brass''''' Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Hymns''''' Anita Kerr and Kurt Kaiser | |||
| :*'''''Hallelujah Guitars''''' Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Hallelujah Woodwinds''''' Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Anita Kerr and the French Connection''''' Anita Kerr as pianist/arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''The Sound of Warm''''' Anita Kerr as pianist/arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Hallelujah Voices''''' Anita Kerr as arranger/producer | |||
| :*'''''Anita Kerr Performs Wonders''''' Anita Kerr performs the songs of ] | |||
| :*'''''Together''''' Anita Kerr, Harry van Hoof, and Pieter van Vollenhoven | |||
| :*'''''In The Soul''''' Anita Kerr performs original music around the poetry of ] | |||
| :*'''''Music is her Name''''' --compilation of songs reissued from Anita's '']'' and '']'' ]s, respectively | |||
| :*'''''Anita Kerr's Christmas Story: The Angel in the Faded Blue Jeans''''' --reissue of Anita's ''A Christmas Story'' ] | |||
| :*'''''Two Classic Albums from The Anita Kerr Singers''''' --reissue of Anita's ''The Anita Kerr Singers Reflect on the Hits of ] & ]'' and ''Velvet Voices and Bold Brass'' ]s, respectively | |||
| :*'''''The Jim Reeves Radio Show: Monday, February 24, 1958''''' as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''The Jim Reeves Radio Show: February 25-28, 1958''''' as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''Mr. Guitar: The Complete Recordings 1955-1960''''' by ] --includes 20 SESAC recordings with The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''Velvet Voices''''' as The Anita Kerr Quartet | |||
| :*'''''Mansion Over The Hilltop''''' with ]; as The Anita Kerr Singers | |||
| :*'''''On This Holy Night''''' --reissue of Anita's ''On This Holy Night'' ] | |||
| ==Awards and Honors== | |||
| :*1965: The Anita Kerr Singers album '''''We Dig Mancini''''' won a ] for Best Performance by a Vocal Group. | |||
| :*1965: ]'s album '''''Southland Favorites'''''--to which The Anita Kerr Quartet contributed--won a ] for Best Gospel or Other Religious Recording (Musical). | |||
| :*1966: The Anita Kerr Singers single ''A Man and A Woman'' won a ] for Best Performance by a Vocal Group. | |||
| :*1970: The Anita Kerr Singers album '''''The Anita Kerr Singers Reflect on the Hits of Burt Bacharach & Hal David''''' won an ]. | |||
| :*1976: The Anita Kerr Singers album '''''Gentle as Morning''''' was nominated for a ] for Best Inspirational Performance. | |||
| :*1976: The Anita Kerr Singers album '''''Walk a Little Slower''''' won a ] ] for Best Gospel Record Album of the Year by a Non-Gospel Artist. | |||
| :*1977: The Anita Kerr Singers album '''''Precious Memories''''' was nominated for a ] for Best Inspirational Performance. | |||
| == References == | |||
| <references/> | |||
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Revision as of 20:59, 1 December 2009
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Anita Kerr (born Anita Jean Grilli on October 31, 1927, in Memphis, Tennessee) is an American singer, arranger, composer, conductor, pianist, and music producer. She recorded and performed successfully with her vocal harmony groups in Nashville, Los Angeles, and Europe.