Yvonne Marie Antoinette Ja Mais was 5 years old when her mother and father decided to move from Savannah, Georgia (Connie's birthplace) to Jacksonville, Florida. Her parents were experiencing problems in their marriage and the new move was to help clear the air and prepare for a new start. The time was the great depression, but Yvonne was not aware of the financial struggles of her family. She had loving aunts and uncles who helped to take care of the family and modeled a God-loving Christian lifestyle that she would never forget.
Beginning with a tryout at WJAX radio, Yvonne soon found herself busy with musical endeavors. At the age of nine she was already dancing and singing for the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs, the American Legion, and businesses like the Barnett National Bank and the Southern Pacific railroad. Her income soon supported the entire family.
Following a sickness that nearly resulted in death, Yvonne became NBC's "Baby Yvonne Marie - The Princess of the Air". She was 10 1/2 years old at the time and still recovering from her rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart. As a result, she sang from a seated position on a piano bench and became a success despite the debilitating setbacks.
At 14 years of age, Yvonne tried out for the Fred Allen radio show and won first prize and a two-week contract to appear at New York's famous Roxy Theater. While in New York, she auditioned for the "Major Bowes Original Amateur Hour". (This was the same show that launched the career of Frank Sinatra.) With sickness episodes now fading, Yvonne would eventually move to Miami and begin to sing with Charlie Barnet's Big Band and Howard Lally's big New York Band, eventually leading her to audition for MCA in New York. (She was still just 14 years old and was accompanied by her mother to every performance.) An audition with Harry James (while singing for MCA) would change her life forever. Because her name would not fit on the marquee and because "Haines" rhymes with "James", young Yvonne became "Connie Haines" - a name that she like the sound of. At the same time, Harry James was being introduced to another young unknown singer by the name of Frank Sinatra. Soon Connie - at only 16 years of age - would become a singing partner with another voice who would go on to stardom.
Life on the road was rough and, by 1940, the Harry James band was struggling financially. Frank Sinatra had left and Harry had to let Connie go. However, they both ended up with the great Tommy Dorsey band and sang to admiring fans all over the country. She performed at the Hollywood Paladium and began to appear in movies. The names of those she met, of course, were already well known - Gloria De Haven, Judy Garland, Lana Turner, Susan Haywood, David Rose, and she even began to date Jackie Cooper! By 1942, Connie had landed the vocalist's part for the popular "Abbot and Costello" radio show. She was such a hit that her 13-week contract was extended to 4 years!
In the late 40's, Connie completed three motion pictures, cut a number of new recordings, and made frequent guest appearances on radio shows that included Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Hoagy Carmichael, Skitch Henderson, Andy Russell, Jan Savitt, Kay Kyser, Jackie Gleason, Sammy Kaye, Mel Torme, Mickey Rooney, Helen Forrest, and Bing Crosby. Hollywood was her home, but she was frequently on the road and was always sure to be with her family in Jacksonville during the Christmas holiday.
- more to come -
|
