[THIS CD IS A NEW VERSION OF THE 2002 "MADE IN AMERICA" CD with 8 re-recorded tracks, two new vocalists, one NEWLY DISCOVERED song, and added violin, clarinet and ukulele.]
MADE IN AMERICA - VAUDEVILLE SONGS is a tribute to the thousands who traveled the vaudeville circuit of America from the 1880s through the early 1930s. In particular, one family by the Gumm, performed on the boards, the youngest of which became known as the world's greatest entertainer, Judy Garland.
THE STORY:
In 1895, Frank Gumm was singing popular songs of the day in Murfreesboro, TN (And the Band Played On). Soon he left Tennessee to perform in vaudeville (By the Light of the Silvery Moon). Arriving in Michigan, he met a pretty young woman named Ethel Milne and fell in love (Dream Girl). After getting married, the couple formed their own vaudeville act, (Made In America; Mary, You're A Little Bit Old Fashioned and Alexanders Ragtime Band). Before long, Frank and Ethel had settled down in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and had two little girls who performed on stage as well (I Never Had A Mammy). In 1922, the youngest, Frances was born. By the age of two and a half, she was insistent on singing too! (Tie Me To Your Apron Strings Again). Judy's mother Ethel, trained the girls and they had their own singing/dance act as the Gumm Sisters. (When My Sugar Walks Down the Street). At night, Frank Gumm would sing to the girls before they went to sleep (Danny Boy, Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen). The Gumm family moved to California in 1926, and on the way Ethel performed a song on stage which always made Baby (Judy) cry, called "I've Been Saving For a Rainy Day." The Gumms had one favorite song that every one of them performed at one time or another (Carolina in the Morning).
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During the time the album was recorded, the cast was asked to perform in some original vaudeville houses:
THE CAST:
BRIAN DE LORENZO hails from Boston. With his wonderful tenor voice, Brian takes the lead in the "Made In America" vaudeville recording. Winner of Talent America's 2001 Performer of the Year Award. Brian has appeared in Boston's A Christmas Carol, with Judy Kuhn in The Bakers's Wife and is well-known in by New York and Boston's cabaret circuit.
JENNIFER ACKERMAN has worked in theatres from Oregon to New York. Jennifer's beautiful voice is not one soon forgotten. She has worked in opera, concerts and musical theatre. Jennifer appeared in with the Made In America - Vaudeville Songs show in New York and New Jersey for over two years.
ERIN ROMERO is an actress-singer who has performed from New York City to Nebraska. Erin has appeared in A Christmas Carol at the Fulton Opera House in Pennsylvania and Danton's Death in NYC and at Disney World in Japan. Erin's special flair brings a real sense of the old vaudeville performance.
Laura Oseland, (age 12 in this recording,) is an experienced actress/singer. She appeared in the lead musical roles:"Heidi" & "Alice In Wonderland" Allegro Productions). She also worked at the Paper Mill Playhouse ("Gypsy")and won the Toby Award 2000 for Rising Star Actress.
Ashley Birmingham - (age 9 in this recording) is an actress-singer. She has worked both off-Broadway in "The People Garden", at the Walnut Theatre in Philadelphia ("Annie"). and is well=known in southern New Jersey for her singing at many events.
Sofie Zamchick - (age 8 in this recording) has worked doing voice-overs for many years, including work for Nickelodeon. Sofie worked with the Made In America cast in shows and has most recently worked on some up and coming films.
Mark Hartman (musical director/piano) is a distinguished musical director, conductor, arranger and pianist with numerous recording credits. He has worked both on Broadway for Avenue Q, Miss Saigon and 1776 and off-Broadway for The Fantasticks, The Hostage and The Streets of New York. In cabaret, Mark has worked with some of the finest artists, including Natalie Douglas, Baby Jane Dexter, and Philip Officer. Mark is the recipient of two MAC Awards and the 2001 Backstage Bistro Award for Music Direction.
Sue Maskaleris (piano) better known as an award-winning jazz pianist, singer, composer-lyricist and arranger, her new CD "Unbreakable Heart" (Jazilian Records) features Eddie Gomez, Lenny White, Mark Murphy and other jazz legends.
Antoine Silverman (violin) plays both on Broadway and for classical concerts.
Sue Terry (clarinet) is a respected jazz saxaphone player in NYC.
Klea Blackhurst (ukulele) is know for her work in NYC cabaret and has a tribute album to Ethel Merman, Everything That Traffic Will Allow.
Makalina (ukulele) has worked on Broadway as a performer and plays classic Hawaiian ukulele.
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