The second job I had in radio was at the top rated station in the entire state of Indiana.  I was a disc jockey, not yet the journalist I would become, and the format was top-40.  One Saturday afternoon I was doing a remote broadcast from a large discount store in Indianapolis–a seedy version of WalMart which Sam Walton had not yet conceived.

image via wikipedia

This was back in the days when we played the old 45 rpm records–the seven-inch vinyls with the big hole with a hit song on Side A and a lesser known tune on Side B.  I’ve provided an example for those unfortunate few who have never heard of such.  I was rated number one in my time slot and I knew it.  When my producer said, “Allen, (my on-air name throughout my career was Allen Kent) I’m going to bring by a young lady for you to interview.”  We were only allowed to do on-the-air interviews with recording artists who were on our play list so I knew who it was.  She had a song that was number 10 on our list–number nine on Billboard Magazine’s list with a bullet which meant it was expected to climb the following week.  I didn’t think very much of the song but I said, “Bring the bimbo on.”

During a five-minute break for news my producer introduced me to her.  “Allen, I’d like you to meet Miss Tarpley.”  I played one song when the news ended then began the interview.  I learned she was 16 years old and would be appearing at the Indiana State Fair for two shows later that day.   We chatted about her career which began with her singing in church (didn’t they all?) and how much she loved the people of Indiana (they all say that, too).  She went totally ballistic when I suggested her song sounded a bit country.  “Mr. Kent,” she huffed,  “I don’t sing country.  I sing rock and roll.”  When the interview concluded I put her record on the turntable and played her song:  “I’m Sorry,” by Brenda Lee.

image via wikipedia

Brenda Mae Tarpley (Brenda Lee) was born in the charity ward of a hospital in Atlanta in 1944.  One of her early hits, “Dynamite,” led to her nickname, Little Miss Dynamite.  The “little” is from the fact that she only attained a height of 4-feet, 9-inches qualifying her as a Little Person.

“I’m Sorry” rocketed on to number one status but did something else as well.  Her recording of “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was released in 1958 and sold a paltry 5,000 records.  It did just as poorly when rereleased the following year.  However, when “I’m Sorry” hit number one it pulled her holiday tune along with it and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” would sell 5 million copies worldwide and become a holiday classic.

Lee was extremely popular in the U.K. early on.  She recorded “Let’s Jump The Broomstick” in 1961 that did well in England but did not even chart in the U.S.  Two other top ten U.K. hits were never released in her own country.  A bit of trivia:  on a tour of the U.K. in the early ’60s one of her opening acts was a group of youngsters from  Liverpool.  Yep.  An 18-year-old little girl from Georgia’s opening act was The Beatles.

Brenda Lee is a member of the Rock and Roll, Country Music, Rockabilly and Hit Parade Halls of Fame.  She has been married  to Ronnie Shacklett for 47 years.  They have two daughters and three grandkids.  She has recorded songs in four languages and continues to tour from time to time.

I chatted with Brenda Lee when she was a teenager waiting for her first number one hit.  I didn’t even get her autograph.  I’m sorry.

Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brenda_Lee