Joan Edwards

Joan Edwards (February 13, 1919 – August 27, 1981) was an American film actress and singer-songwriter in the old-time radio era. She was perhaps best known for her work on the radio version of Your Hit Parade. She also was a vocalist for Paul Whiteman and his Orchestra.

Early years Edwards' father was Ben Edwards, a music publisher and talent agent. Music ran in her family; uncle Gus Edwards was a vaudeville entertainer, uncle Leo Edwards wrote music, and aunt Dorothy Edwards was a vocal teacher. Despite the family's show business background, she was urged to go in a different direction. In fact, Gus Edwards told her, "Stay out of show business."

As a child, Edwards had a heart murmur, and doctors advised her to start playing the piano "to keep her busy outside of school hours." She graduated from George Washington High School in Manhattan,

Beginning March 3, 1941, Edwards had her own program, Girl About Town, on CBS. The 15-minute show was broadcast Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:30 p.m. Eastern time. Although her singing was featured, she played the piano for one song in each episode.

In December 1941, Edwards was selected as the new female soloist on Your Hit Parade. Three years later, an article in Tune In magazine observed, "Joan Edwards sets something of a record, lasting through the regimes of three male singers -- Barry Wood, [Frank] Sinatra, [Lawrence] Tibbett -- in a three-year period." Her tenure on the program eventually reached five years, She was dropped from Your Hit Parade in 1947 when the sponsor, American Tobacco Company, changed format, using guest stars rather than regular soloists.

Edwards was a regular on The Danny Kaye Show and on Songs for Sale. She was also heard on George Jessel's program, Duffy's Tavern, and Swing Session,

Television Edwards had her own program, The Joan Edwards Show, on the DuMont Television Network in 1950. The 15-minute program was broadcast on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7:45 p.m. A review in the trade publication Variety called Edwards "a capable singer" with "a well-tailored presentation backed by good camera work." She also was seen in an experimental TV version of her Girl About Town radio program in 1941, The time off was reserved so that she could fly to New York City to perform on Your Hit Parade on Saturdays.

Film Edwards appeared in Hit Parade of 1947.

Composing

Edwards was co-composer of the Broadway musical Tickets, Please! (1950). She also "wrote scores for nightclub revues as well as many successful advertising jingles."

Partial discography When I Go a Dreamin''' - with Paul Whiteman, 1938 (Decca 2076) Moon Love/To You - with Paul Whiteman, 1939 (Decca 2578) My Fantasy - with Paul Whiteman, 1940 (Decca 2937) Darn It, Baby, That's Love'' - with Johnnie Johnston, 1950 (MGM 10711)