Moonmaids (vocal group)
| Industry | Music |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1943 |
| Founder | University of North Texas collegiate act "North Texas Swingtet" |
| Defunct | 1952 |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Jazz and popular music performances and recordings |
The Moonmaids—also occasionally referred to as the Moon Maids—were a female vocal group specializing in jazz and popular music from the United States. Their origins trace back to 1943 at the University of North Texas, where they initially performed as a collegiate act called the "North Texas Swingtet." They built a local following through appearances alongside the Aces of Collegeland. In 1946, Vaughn Monroe recruited and rebranded them as "The Moonmaids," introducing them with his orchestra on April 11 at Loews Theater in Washington, D.C.. The ensemble rapidly rose to national prominence by performing and recording with the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra under the RCA Victor label. Within just four months, they graced the cover of Down Beat magazine (August 26, 1946) and were profiled in Radio Mirror (January 1947). Although the lineup experienced some changes, the group remained affiliated with Monroe from 1946 until 1952.
Members
| Original members
| |
| Katie Myatt 1943–1947 |
Verda Kathryne Myatt, known as Katie Myatt (1926–1965), contributed vocals during the first fifteen months performing with Monroe’s orchestra. She later returned to complete her studies at North Texas after marrying Moddie Eugene Smith. The couple had two children. |
| Hilda Tinker Cunningham 1943–19?? |
Hilda Grace Tinker Cunningham (born 1928) wed Bill Rautenberg in 1951. |
| Arline (Arlene) Truax 1943–19?? |
Arline Truax (1927–1985) departed the group upon marrying James Rex Meek. Her father, Glen Truax, was a distinguished music educator affiliated with North Texas. |
| Mary Jo Thomas 1943–19?? |
Mary Joe Thomas (1927–2022) married vocalist Harrold Curtis Grogan in 1951. |
| Subsequent members
| |
| Maree Lee 1947–1952 |
Maree Lee (née Ahn; 1924–2016) joined following her tenure with ensembles led by Horace Heidt and Ted Lewis. She expanded the Moonmaids into a five-member group and served as Monroe’s primary vocalist before leaving in 1952 to marry. |
| June Hiett 19??–19?? |
Dorothy June Hiett (1925–2019), known professionally as June Hiett, married Ed Bratone—a violinist in Monroe’s orchestra—in 1951. |
| Lois Wilber 19??–1953 |
Lois Marguerite Wilber (1928–2014), originally from Minneapolis, was part of the group for several years. In 1952, she married Ernie Johnson, who was pianist and arranger for Vaughn Monroe’s orchestra. |
Selected discography
Eddie South
- The Eddie South Trio alongside Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra, AB Fable Records (E)ABCD1-009 (CD) (2005)
- Trio members: Hank Jones on piano, Eddie South playing violin, and Leonard Gaskin on bass
- Orchestra features Frank L. Ryerson as trumpeter and arranger, guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli, and vocalist Vaughn Monroe
- Moonmaids vocalists include Kathryn Katie Myatt, Hilda Tinker Cunningham, Arlene Truax, Mary Joe Thomas, and Mary Lee
- Recorded live during The Vaughn Monroe Show at WCBS CBS, New York, dated January 11, 1947
- Daphne
- I Can't Believe That You're In Love With Me, performed by Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra with the Moonmaids
Vaughn Monroe and The Moon Maids
- 20-1920-A: "Just The Other Day," composed by Austem Croon-Johnson and Redd Evans, released on RCA Victor (78 rpm) in 1946
- 20-1920-B: "When The Angelus Is Ringing," written by Joe Young & Bert Grant
- 20-1892-A: "Who Told You That Lie?" penned by Jack Segal, Eddie Cantor, and Bee Walker, issued by RCA Victor in 1946
- 20-1892-B: "It's My Lazy Day," authored by Smiley Burnette
- 20–2294–A: "I Wish I Didn't Love You So," released under RCA Victor (78 rpm)
- 20–2294–B: "Tallahassee"
- 20–2361–A: "You Do," published by RCA Victor
- 20–2361–B: "Kokomo, Indiana"
- 20–2523–A: "How Soon (Will I Be Seeing You)?," distributed through RCA Victor
- 20–2523–B: "True"
- 20–2573–A: "Passing Fancy," under the label of RCA Victor
- 20–2671–B: "Someone Cares," issued by RCA Victor in 1947
- 20–2712–B: "Completely Yours," from RCA Victor catalog number 12S1 (1947)
- 20–2748–A: "It's The Sentimental Thing To Do," released via RCA Victor
- 20–2748–B: "Like We Used To Do"
- 20–2811–A: "What Do I Have To Do (To Make You Love Me)?," recorded for RCA Victor
- 20–2811–B: "A Little Imagination (It Only Takes)"
- 20-3606-A: "So This Is Love" ("The Cinderella Waltz"), lyrics by Mack David, Al Hoffman, and Jerry Livingston, released in 1949
- 20-3606-B: "There's No One Here But Me," under the label of RCA Victor
- 20-3942-A: "A Marshmallow World," published by RCA Victor in 1950
- 20-3942-B: "Snowy White Snow And Jingle Bells"
Filmography
- Carnegie Hall (1947)
- The Moonmaids appeared alongside the Vaughn Monroe Orchestra in this film, featuring vocalists Mary Jo Thomas, Tinker Cunningham, Arline Truax, Katie Myatt, and Maree Lee.