Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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KERR, Anita

(b 31 Anita Jean Grilli, Oct. '27, Memphis TN) Singer, pianist, record producer, leader of Anita Kerr Singers, other vocal groups. Began as a child on her mother's Memphis radio show, later led trio in high school. Formed Singers '49, began with radio and session work, signed to Decca '51 and made singles and albums. Appeared on Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts (CBS-TV '56), Jubilee USA (ABC '60). Important contribution to Nashville sound, appearing on records by Jim Reeves, the Browns, Red Foley, etc. Anita Kerr Quartet with Gil Wright (tenor), Dottie Dillard (alto), Louis Nunley (baritone) was the one of the busiest vocal groups in Nashville. As Anita & Th' So-And- So's had minor pop hit "Joey Baby' on RCA '62. Began doing orchestral arrangements for RCA and became one of the first women to produce country records (Skeeter Davis LP The End Of the World). Moved to California '67, had minor chart LPs on Dot '69: The Anita Kerr Singers Reflect On The Music Of Burt Bacharach & Hal David and Velvet Voices And Bold Brass. Signed to WB, wrote instrumental music as the Sebastian Strings for the maudlin narration of "poet' Rod McKuen. Worked on TV and film music and formed the Mexicali Singers. Moved to Switzerland mid-'70s (her husband's country) to write film music; back to Memphis early '80s. Albums incl. Voices In Hi-Fi '58 on Decca; Georgia On My Mind, We Dig Mancini, Slightly Baroque '65-7 all on RCA; It's Anita Kerr Country '76 on Dot, I Sang With Jim Reeves '78 on Philips.