June Pursell

June Pursell (also known as June Purcell) was an American singer, songwriter, and actress, who also played the ukulele.[1][2][3][4] Born as Mary Pursell on December 16, 1902, in Indianapolis, Indiana,[5][6][7] she made notable contributions to the world of music and film during her career.

Photo of Pursell in 1932

Information

Pursell had no intentions of entering show business, but after her father died, she was tasked with supporting the family. Pursell then broke her arm and performed some of her earliest gigs with her arm in a sling.[8] Pursell was initially offered $150 per week to perform and later passed an audition for the KNX radio station. While her first performance was not popular with the main KNX announcer, she received a lot of fan-mail and was hired.[8]

Pursell's vocal talents gained recognition in the 1920s and 1930s. She was signed with NBC[9] and was compared to Nora Bayes.[10] She became known as "The KNX Girl" and deemed "the girl with the ballad voice".[11][12][13][14] Between 1925 and 1932, she recorded for both the Victor and Brunswick labels.[15] From 1929 to 1931 she sang and recorded with Earl Burtnett and his Los Angeles Biltmore Hotel Orchestra, and in 1932 she sang and recorded witn Jack Denny and his Waldoff-Astoria Orchestra.[16] These recordings showcased her versatile abilities as a soprano solo artist, as well as her collaborations with esteemed band leaders such as Roy Fox, Earl Burtnett, and Jack Denny.[4] June Pursell's soprano voice captivated audiences and earned her a place among the prominent singers of her time. Pursell also made notable appearances in two films: "The Hollywood Revue" in 1929 and "Viennese Nights" in 1930.[17][18][19] These appearances allowed Pursell to display her talents to a wider audience.

As a songwriter, Pursell wrote several songs including "What Good Am I Without You" and "I Couldn't Love You More If I Tried", both copyrighted in 1956.[20]

Personal life

Pursell married Thomas H. Culkin in January 1952.[21] Pursell's surname was often misspelled as "Purcell".[22]

References
  1. June Pursell and Ron Wilson Sing From Palatial Residence, Los Angeles Evening Express, 1926, retrieved March 13, 2023
  2. June Pursell Returns to City as Stage Star, The Indianapolis Times, 1934, retrieved March 13, 2023
  3. Well-Blanced Features Given, The Indianapolis News, 1934, retrieved March 13, 2023
  4. "June Pursell". Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  5. Hickman, June (1934), June Pursell to Return to City in Stage Act, The Indianapolis Times, retrieved March 13, 2023
  6. Singer Is Back In Her Home Town, The Indianapolis News, 1934, retrieved March 13, 2023
  7. "June Pursell". Discogs. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  8. Patrick, Corbin (1934), June Pursell, "Babe in Woods," Went Looking for Job With Arm in Sling, The Indianapolis Star, retrieved March 13, 2023
  9. 'Honey of the Air' to Sing For Chairty At Bohack Foundation, Times Union, 1933, retrieved March 13, 2023
  10. June Pursell To Be Heard Over NBC-KGO, HAwaii Tribune-Herald, 1932, retrieved March 13, 2023
  11. June Pursell 'KNX' Girl,' To Appear Soon in Talkie, Los Angeles Evening Express, 1929, retrieved March 13, 2023
  12. Radio Favorite, The Morning Call, 1932, retrieved March 13, 2023
  13. June Pursell To Be Feature, Los Angeles Evening Express, 1929, retrieved March 13, 2023
  14. Doran, Dorothy (1932), Manager of Dempsey Listed for Local Microphone Talk, The Akron Beacon Journal, retrieved March 13, 2023
  15. "Internet Archive: Digital Library of Free & Borrowable Books, Movies, Music & Wayback Machine". archive.org. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  16. Rust, Brian (1979). The American Dance Band Discography, 1917–1942, Volume 1 (2nd Printing). New Rochelle, New York: Arlington House. p. 217-219, 401-402. ISBN 9780786443192.
  17. "June Purcell". IMDb. Retrieved May 27, 2023.
  18. Liebman, Roy (September 2, 2010). Vitaphone Films: A Catalogue of the Features and Shorts. ISBN 9780786446971.
  19. Bradley, Edwin M. (2005). The First Hollywood Sound Shorts, 1926-1931. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 388. ISBN 9780786443192.
  20. "Unpublished Music". Catalog of Copyright Entries, Third Series. 10, Part 5B (1): 83, 663. 1956. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
  21. "June Pursell Becomes Mrs. Thomas H. Culkin", The Tribune, 1952, retrieved March 13, 2023
  22. On The Air by The Listener, The Evening Sun, 1932, retrieved March 13, 2023
  • "June Pursell". Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara.
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