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SHIRLEY began her career as a child; singing on amateur radio and progressing to her own CBS radio show.
" When I was 10, I was discovered by Ida Koverman Excutive Assistant to Louis B. Mayer and very powerful at MGM during the grand days of the Hollywood Musicals.
I auditioned for L.B. Mayer and was put under contract.
When the contract kids finished work for the day, we would wait by the front gate for a ride.
I lived off Culver Boulevard, not to far from the studio. I would get rides home from the stars - Fred Astaire, Clark Gable, Jimmy Stewart or others; if they were going in my direction. - It was wonderful. "
Shirley met some of the most famous members of the entertainment community and it was a fairy-tale world.
(SAG, AFTRA, AGVA)
Palm Springs CA
TRAINING
13 years of opera; begun at age nine in Los Angeles.
As an MGM Contract Player I was educated 'On the lot' at MGM. Training was in Voice, Music, Dancing & Acting along with normal Grade School & High School curriculum.
Further:
William and Mary Collage, Virginia
College of the Desert - Musical ComedyTHEATER"Butterflies Are Free" Mrs. Baker (Mother) Abby Theater, Orlando FL
"The Boyfriend" Madam Dubonnet Barn Dinner Theater, Richmond, Va.
"Fabulous Palm Springs Follies" Featured Singer Three Seasons (1991-1995)
Fantasy Springs "Festival" Featured Singer 2 Seasons (1995-1996)
"Palm Springs Confidential" John Aylsworth, Writer Bill Marx, MusicDerick Lewis “Musical Chairs” Six Appearances Anita Rufus, Producer
- "Say Yes."
- * “The Best is Yet to Come”
- * “An Special Affair with Shirley Claire”
- * "I Can't Say No"
- * “The Best is Yet to Come”
- Hair: Silver Blonde
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 124 lbs
Born: San Antonio, TX- Residence: Palm Springs
ORCHESTRA ARRANGERS ACCOMPANIST Wayne Abravanel
Murray Arnold
Hal Blaine
Jack Costanza
Jimmy Diamond
Jack Fina
Kellie Greene
Ray Hackett
Derrick Lewis
Stan Miller
Frank Ortega
Al Wallace
VOICE OVERS & COMMERCIALS
Radio and Television.
From 1993 to Present (List upon request)
RADIO
KNX/CBS
"Inglewood Concert Hours"
WKBY (independent) "The Shirley Claire Show"
Radio Commercials from 1993 to Present
ORCHESTRA
"The Remotes"
Jack Fina, Balinese Room, Galveston TX
RECORDS
Big Ben & Get A Kick Out Of You
with Al Kaye Trio
Kiss Me Honey, Kiss Mewith the Al Wallace Orchestra
TELEVISION
"Les Malloy Show:" KGO-ABC San Francisco, CA
"Shirley Claire Show," KGO-ABC San Francisco, CA
"The Don Serwood Show" KSFO San Francisco CA
All networks guest spots. San Francisco, CA
"PS, I Love You"
"False Arrest"
NBC Pilot “Spunky Ladies”
“Rock of Love” w/ Bret Michaels 3 / 2008Entertainment Weekly 5/03 TRY OUTS FOR NBC's reality special ''Second Chance: America's Most Talented Senior' 75-year-old Shirley Claire claims, ''I was a soprano with a five-octave range, and I've got about five notes left,'' she nails ''I'm Gonna Live Till I Die'' and celebrates her callback by rolling on the floor.
FILM
"The Music Man" - Amy Dakin. (Run of the Film Contract)
Photos from Music Man"Bugsy''
"Ruby"MODEL
Joseph Magnin, San Francisco., CA
Lord & Taylor, Atlanta, Ga.
Macy’s, San Francisco, CA
Lily Rubin, Dallas TX
Nancy Whitlock Productions, Palm Springs, CASHOWGIRL / ENTERTAINER
Earl Carroll Theater, Hollywood. (Click)
The Cover Girls: Charley O’Curran, ChoreographerBimbo's 365, San Francisco CA
USO: George Morrow, Choreographer
House of Harris: Sally Wickmam, Jean Devlin, Choreographers
Riverside Hotel, Reno NV: George Morrow, Choreographer
Plaza Theater - The Palm Springs Follies Andre Tayer, Choreographer
Fantasy Springs Casino, Indio CA: Shea New, Choreographer
Various Shows: Jack Moore, Choreographer
MUSICAL CHAIRS Inka Dink A Doo
One Woman Shows:
"The Best Is Yet To Come."
"An Affair with Shirley Caire."
"I Can't Say Now."
"Say Yes"
Producers: Irwin Rubinsky
Greg PurdyTOURS
Three independent tours to the Far East. Played every major club in the Orient.
The Cover Girls Night Club Act
The Jack Ross ShowMatson Line Cruse Ships
Opened for: Hoagy Carmichael, Forrest Tucker, Billy DeWolfe, Linda Darnell, Herb Jefferies, Marie McDonald, Charlie Boyer and the Extroverts as well as others.CLUBS
Western Hotel Circuit,
Holiday Inn Circuit.
Nevada CasinosJack Ross Show - 32 weeks a year for 6 years at the Riviera, Las Vegas; Harrah's, Lake Tahoe and Reno.
Cabana Hotel, Palo Alto CA LIFE Magazine Photo
Ciro's, Garden of Allah, Dino's Lodge, Melody Room. Additional list on request.
CLUBS IN PALM SPRINGS and the COACHELLA VALLEY
Rock Garden
Sun Lakes
Sun City
Leisure World
Spotlight 29 Casino
Fantasy Springs
Lyons English Grill
NOMINATED FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
"The Boyfriend" Madam Dubonnet in Richmond VA
NOMINATED* FOR 3 OUT OF 4 BEST ONE WOMAN SHOWS by the Desert Theater League in PS
VIDEO
Geffen Records - The Arc Angels
"Feeling Pretty Good -For The Shape I'm In"
THE COMMUNITY
Director: Variety Tent 66
Director- Auxiliary Board: Stroke Recovery Center, Palm Springs CADATA
PUTTING ON THE GLITZ
The Desert Sun. Palm Springs
Singer / dancer Shirley Claire shows off dazzlingly elaborate costumes in the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies, an all over 50 comedy, dancing and singing revue appearing at the Plaza Theater in Palm Springs - MORE
Shirley started singing in San Antonio, Texas and eventually had her own radio show.
She is an entertainer who has toured from California to Bangkok, singing in nightclubs and at the USO. in Hollywood w she appeared in places such as "Dinos Lodge" and. "Ciro's" and has performed in leading nightclubs throughout Las Vegas and the U.S.
From MGM to a show girl at The Earl Carroll Theater then back to MGM to Palm Springs. As a former Palm Springs Follies star, Shirley Claire has starred locally in her own Las Vegas type show, "Festival" at the Fantasy Springs Casino.
Her performance at Spotlight 29 Casino in "Palm Springs Confidential" received rave reviews.
Recently, she has performed solo in the desert, and has teamed up with jazz greats - Kellie Greelle, Whitey Mitchell, Jeff Stover, Bill Saeta, Michael Lowery and Tony Castro.
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SEE FASHION SHOW BELOW 
- Please allow time for the photos to load.
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Thanks to SONGSHINE, (5/2008) an Arts in Health care program at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, CA., entertainer Shirley Claire not only got her breath back and ......................... Shirley Sings - Click: It's on You Tube (5/2010)
- COACHELLA
VALLEY'S SEASONED CITIZEN
- By GREG PURDY
- Media Relations Manager - Palm Springs Follies
- By GREG PURDY
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"You know, ladies and gentlemen, they call us senior citizens, but I prefer the term seasoned citizens."
So states Shirley Claire to her cheering audience, during the recent final performance of "Festival!", her long - running Las Vegas style revue at Indio's Fantasy Springs Casino.
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"I've had two incredible, wonderful seasons with this show," states the voluptuous 68 year old desert resident.
''Festival!" was the most rewarding show of my entire career. It was an amazing ensemble of caring."
The obvious question is, "What is a lady of 'her age" doing in a show with a cast of 20 year olds? "That's a good question," giggles Shirley. "I've always told our audiences that I have clothes in my closet older than these kids ........ designer clothes, of course," she dead-pans. "But I've absolutely loved working with these beautiful, talented singers and dancers, and judging by the audience reaction, they seem to like it too!"
The axiom you're as young - as - you - feel has never been better exemplified than by this age - defying dynamo. ''When it comes right - down - to - it, chronological age is irrelevant. Attitude, exercise, diet, a reason to 'get - up' each morning are all more important than actual age. I spent three years with the Palm Springs Follies and people were always surprised at how we looked and what we did. People have the mistaken idea that at over 60, you're supposed to be in a wheelchair!"
Fourteen years ago, I had back surgery and a prognosis that she may never walk again nearly did extinguish her indomitable spirit. "I was bedridden in screaming pain 24-hours a day for over two months. I prayed for a miracle and was determined this wasn't going to get me down. I was absolutely going to beat it. It wasn't easy. The mind and prayer are powerful, though. The body does have the ability to heal itself."
"Adversity happens throughout a person's life and you just deal with it.," reiterates Shirley. ''When my first husband died, he left me with no life insurance and an infant child, so I had to go back to work singing. When my second husband died, it was 'on - the - road again.' After my third husband almost forced us into bankruptcy, while he was having an affair with another woman, I had to go to work once again - that is after I nearly killed him during the divorce!."
Shirley actually began her career at the age of 5 singing on amateur radio shows. "When I was 10, I was discovered by MGM. it was during the grand days of the Hollywood musicals.
I auditioned for L.B. Mayer and was put under contract. We went to the studio school for fours hours and then took lessons for the remainder of the day.
Rosie Rosenthal was my opera coach and Mineletha White taught classical voice, Jeanette Bates taught ballet, Kay Thompson taught popular singing and Roger Edens taught me piano, whenever he wasn't playing poker. I met some of the most famous members of the entertainment community and we really were in a fairy-tale world."
After high school, she joined the Earl Carroll Theater and became an Earl Carroll Girl. "The words, "THROUGH THESE PORTALS PASS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL GIRLS IN THE WORLD" (CLICK) were written over the front door., recalls Shirley. "I remember Mr. Carroll once sending me a note, 'Tell the girl with the piano- keyboard teeth to shut her mouth.' He didn't like us to smile and we had to cover our bodies with make-up that looked like milk of magnesia."
Click the above to see Shirley as an Earl Carroll Girl.
Later, she toured the U.S. with the Jack Fina Orchestra, the Jack Ross sextet, worked cruise ships and did numerous tours of the Orient. "I think some of the most poignant memories I have is of performing at military bases and hospitals. You never forget the sight of a man in a hospital bed with most of his body covered in napalm burns. Some experiences and sights change you forever."
What's next for Shirley? "I don't have a clue! Whenever I think my career is almost over, another opportunity comes along and I keep working. I never dreamed I'd be doing what I've been doing since moving to Palm Springs. My mama lived to 100 years, so I have good genes. One thing I am thoroughly committed to is being an advocate for people over 60. Call me a 'Maggie Kuhn' (founder of the Gray Panthers) with sequins."
Whatever the future holds, Shirley Claire will definitely be redefining how a seasoned citizen is supposed to act. "Our costume designers for 'Festival!' made me a break-away skirt with a thong body suit underneath!" "At first I was shocked, then I figured, 'Why not?' My secret? Spandex!", laughs Shirley." It's an absolute miracle fabric. It doesn't give me my figure, but it keeps it from sagging! When I die, I hope to be buried in it ..............from my neck to my toes!" See: Palm Springs Desert Guide Cover
Singing at the Cabina Hotel in Palo Alto CA - Life Mag.
- Click to ENLARGE
USO
3 TOURS 
2 SCEENS FROM MUSIC MAN
MORE PHOTOS FROM MUSIC MAN 
At the Riverside Hotel with the Peggy Lee Show
In Palm Springs FESTIVALE
With Stubby Kaye
With George Montgomery
With Andy Williams
With Vic Damone
- Winner
Second Time 
Palm Springs Life: Cover 
- THE FOLLIES
- Shirley (In the original follies.) and Riff Markowitz, Producer of the Follies
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ROCK OF LOVE March 2, 2008 - WORKING
- STUDYING in the Maryland Hotel Coffee Shop - March 1966, Chicago IL
- (Artist unknown)
- WORKING
IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY-
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- PALM SPRINGS CONFIDENTIAL CAST plus John Aylesworth on the far left and Bill Marks on the far right.
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- Shirley and Herb Jefferys
On Stage 
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- Shirley and Herb Jefferys
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- Stroke Recovery Center, Palm Springs
- Fashion Show - April, 2009
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Fashion Show - April 2010
Fashion Show - April 2011
Photos: The Shirley Claire Collection
- Thanks for looking and
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- Thanks for looking and
- Yours,
Remember, VISIT MY
COMPANION WEB SITE:
- The End
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2008 - 2010
- AND THE SHIRLEY CLAIRE COLLECTION OF PHOTOS .
- COPYRIGHT NOTE: THE USE OF THE CONTENT OF THIS WEBSITE BY ANYONE
- WITHOUT PERMISION IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
- VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED.
- AND THE SHIRLEY CLAIRE COLLECTION OF PHOTOS .
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