Rita Faye Born:  November 5, 1944 WGWD Midway Jamboree

About The Artist Rita Faye is the daughter of musical parents, Smiley and Kitty (Carson) Wilson. She was born in the town of Whitesboro, Texas. At that time, her mom and dad were performers on KRVV in Sherman, Texas. She probably made one of the earliest radio appearances one can make when her parents had her appear on the air when she was just three weeks old. Later on, her parents happened to be working with the Martha Carson troupe at WSM in Nashville, Tennessee. When Ms. Carson had heard Rita Faye, she got the attention of Fred Rose, who in turn contacted Frank Walker at MGM Records. Her first record was "Wait A Little Longer" b/w "Rock City Boogie". She then went on to make guest appearances on the stage of WSM's Grand Ole Opry and the "Sunday Down South" programs. By the end of 1953, she was making regular appearances every Saturday night on the "Midway Jamboree" that was broadcast over radio station WGAD in Gadsden, Alabama, keeping in mind she was only nine years old or so at that time. In the early 1960s, Rita was a 17-year old recording artist for Capitol. Credits & Sources Country Song Roundup No. 27; December 1953; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT

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Recordings (78rpm/45rpm)   MGM Rec. No. Side Song Title   11867 A There Really Is a Santa Claus   11867 B I Want Santa Claus For Christmas   X1120 I Fell Out Of A Christmas Tree   X1120 There Really Is A Santa Claus   X1120 I Want Santa Claus For Christmas   X1120 The Miracle Of Christmas