I've been to Rexburg, Idaho. Little did I know, I was in the famous Karen Chandler's home town! That doesn't mean I know anything about her, but Rexburg is on highway 20 between Idaho Falls and Yellowstone Natl Park, so let's just assume for vacations, the Chandlers loaded up the family station wagon, or perhaps Model T, and headed to Yellowstone. Aside from that, Rexburg is pretty uninteresting, so let's also assume that Karen's interest in music stemmed from the boredom she faced living in Rexburg, Idaho.    

This from JCMarion's website "The Interlude Era" - if you want to know more please e-mail me at

m_narunsky@hotmail.com


Karen Chandler ©2002JCMarion

Karen Chandler was born in Rexburg, Ohio, and got her first big exposure in music while she was at Brigham Young University. She first received recognition under the name Eve Young with the Benny Goodman Orchestra. Her first appearance was on July 8, 1946 on a Goodman radio show singing "I Don't Know Why". On subsequent radio broadcasts, Eve Young continued to perform vocals with the entire band and the Goodman sextet. Her first appearance on record was on August 7 of that year singing "For You, For Me, For Evermore" on Columbia #36736. The flip side was "A Kiss In The Night" with vocal by Art Lund. She continued doing radio with Goodman such as "Magic Carpet Ride" for the Armed Forces Radio Service, and did an unissued test pressing of the tune "That's The Beginning Of The End" on October 15. On October 22 of 1946 Eve Young did the vocals on both sides of Columbia #37207 - "Man Here Plays Fine Piano" and "A Gal In Calico". Continuing with regular programs and "One Night Stand" broadcasts for the AFRS during the rest of the year. By New Years day 1947, Eve Young had been replaced in the Benny Goodman band by Jeanne McKeon.


In late 1947 Eve Young was signed to RCA Victor Records, but it wasn't until late on in the year 1948 that she finally found some success. It came with a bit of musical nonsense from the 1948 film "A Date With Judy" which starred Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Powell. Carmen Miranda and Xavier Cugat's Orch. did the tune "Cuanto La Gusta" which Eve Young recorded with The Drugstore Cowboys on RCA #3077. The record made the best sellers list in the top 30, and was followed by "My Darling My Darling" on #3187 on a duet with one of the Drugstore Cowboys from the previous release named Jack Lathrop. The song from the Broadway show "Where's Charley?" did a bit better than her previous release for RCA. Further RCA releases by Young included "Laughing Boy" / "I Can't Think Of A Thing To Do" on #3335, and "It's Me" and "Cabaret" on #3412 did not sell and so Eve Young was let go by RCA and faded from view.


Fast forward to the year of 1952, and Eve Young had re-invented herself with a new name - Karen Chandler, a new record label - Coral Records, and a new husband - Jack Pleis, who was also the main arranger and conductor for the Coral label. As legend has it, she was heard by Jerry Lewis doing an audition for a television show, and was steered to Coral. The first recording by this new team turned out to be one to remember. "Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me" on Coral #60831 (the flip side was "One Dream") was an immediate hit and soon spread across the country as a top seller. During late 1952 and early 1953, the record was a mainstay on the best seller charts for over five months, sold a million copies, and reached number 5 in the country. This huge hit was followed by a forgettable effort in "I Hear The Music Now" and "The Old Sewing Machine" on #60911, but in the spring of 1953 "Goodbye Charlie, Goodbye" on #60958 (the flip was "I'd Love To Fall Asleep") which reached into the top 30 best sellers.


For the rest of the year of 1953 however, Karen Chandler came up empty. "Rosebud" / "I Wouldn't Want It Any Other Way" on #60995, and "Transfer" and "Madonna" on Coral #61034, were both non sellers. "Why?" on #61088 with "Flash In The Blue" got into the top 25 in early 1954. Following this release, "Positively No Dancing" and "Hit The Target" on #61137, and "Why Didn't You Tell Me?" and "Out In The Middle Of The Night" on #61181, both were unsuccessful. Soon the rock years were about us and Karen Chandler had experienced her day in the spotlight of the pop music world of post war America.


Regards, Mel    

Saw your post about "I Remember Dear". One of the song writers, Sam Lembo, is still alive and living in Brooksville, FL. He wrote several minor hits in the 50's.    

I found this post when looking for info on my great Aunt Eva also known as Karen Chandler. She was a beautiful woman from a musical family. Her biggest hit was "Hold me, thrill me, kiss me" a song that was later recorded by Mel Harris ( I think!? I was born in the 80's so I'm not as adept with songs of the fifties). I remember listening to she and my Grandma sing everytime they got together. Aunt Eva passed away today, I googled her to show my 7 year old her picture and to listen to her songs. That's how I found your "half assed post" I wanted to let you know I enjoyed it! Also if you ever want to part with her record I would love to purchase it! She's my only 'famous' relative :)
Thanks again!
Genevieve
Tommygenty@aol.com    

Tune Weavers - I Remember Dear - Casa Grande 4038 (circa 1957) is the same song.