Lorrie Collins - 2000 |
Many folks now may not be aware of the popularity of this duo during their heyday.
The Collins Kids - 1958 |
The duo was discovered by Leon Leon McAuliffe, the steel guitarist of the Bob Wills band when they were playing music in a Tulsa Oklahoma ballroom. She was 12 and her brother Larry was 10 years old.
Lorrie Collins "In My Teens" |
Lorrie, whose actual name was Lawercine, had begun at age 8 appearing in and winning talent shows. Her father was a dairy farmer and crane operator, while her mother was an amateur singer, and mandolin player. After hearing the kids,
The Collins Kids Town Hall Party |
McAuliffe urged the family to move to southern California. Their act consisted of Lorrie, singing and playing guitar, and looking gorgeous, while her little brother played amazing guitar breaks, and danced around the stage. Both wore customized Western clothing.
Larry Collins - Joe Maphis |
Larry and Lorrie with Moseley guitars |
Lorrie played a Martin D-28 guitar, that had been re imagined by Moseley, by replacing the neck with one of his custom-made creations that had a six-on-a-side headstock.
Lorrie's Mosrite/Martin |
Though she was just a youngster at the time, hear voice was amazing. Lorrie was right up there with Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee and Patsy Cline.
The Collins Kids - Town Hall Party |
Back in that era, California had experienced an influx of workers migrating from the southern states, Texas, and even Detroit, in search of work in the newer factories. They brought with them their love of Country Music.
Locally produced black and white television shows picked up on this, and the performers became stars.
Ricky Nelson & Lorrie Collins |
Ricky Nelson & Lorrie Collins |
When Ozzie discovered Ricky had a great singing voice, he talent was put on display. Ricky Nelson met Lorrie on the set, and eventually dated her. She was asked to appear on two episodes, and played identical twin sisters.
The Collins Kids |
When Lorrie was 17 and the Collin's Kids were on a road show with Johnny Cash, she met and eloped with Stu Carnall, Cash's manager.
In 1961 she gave birth to her first child, and decided to quit the music business.
Lorrie and Larry - 2006 |
Larry pursued a career as a songwriter, and scored a hit with the song, Delta Dawn. The Collin's Kids eventually reunited in 1993 for a performance at a rock-a-billy festival in England, and continued to perform right up until Lorrie's death.
Her brother Larry recalls “We grew up with Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Carl Perkins,” Larry Collins told The Post. “Everybody that came to California when they first started did ‘Town Hall Party.’ All those acts, Lorrie and I got to meet them, know them, travel with them, work with them.” “Lorrie and I had the luckiest childhoods of anyone that you can imagine.”
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