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Janie Thompson - The Girl from Nowhere Who Went Everywhere
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Rising from humble beginnings to great fame in certain circles, Janie Thompson lived her life as a performance of faith. Much has been written about her as a big band singer who toured with Ike Carpenter's Band and sang with crooner Tony Bennet, or how she was a member of the MIA General Board, or how she was the founder and director of Brigham Young University's Young Ambassadors and the Lamanite Generation. But Janie Thompson: The Girl from Nowhere Who Went Everywhere is a children's picture book that focuses on how no matter what she did, she kept true to her standards.
Just after the close of World War II, Janie sang in a big band that toured all over the world entertaining the troops. She also spent time in New York honing her skills writing jingles for use on the radio. But as big bands were going out of fashion and she was asked to do more and more advertising jobs that went against her morals, she decided to serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and labored in Wales.
After she returned from her mission, she was asked to sing for Ike Carpenter's band again, but was also contacted by Pres. Ernest L. Wilkinson about taking a job at BYU. She felt she needed to take the job at BYU, even though she was sad that she might never get to entertain all over the world again. Little did she know that her life of taking student shows to entertain all around the world was just BEGINNING!
Through her contacts in the State Department, she was able to take student shows all over the place, particularly where the U.S troops were stationed. In fact, she was told that her shows had better feature some off-color jokes and plenty of scantily-clad young women or they would surely be booed off the stage. Janie refused and promised they would only do a clean show and what's more, they would be applauded with great gusto and even be asked to return!
And that's what happened --- over and over again!
After she returned from her mission, she was asked to sing for Ike Carpenter's band again, but was also contacted by Pres. Ernest L. Wilkinson about taking a job at BYU. She felt she needed to take the job at BYU, even though she was sad that she might never get to entertain all over the world again. Little did she know that her life of taking student shows to entertain all around the world was just BEGINNING!
Through her contacts in the State Department, she was able to take student shows all over the place, particularly where the U.S troops were stationed. In fact, she was told that her shows had better feature some off-color jokes and plenty of scantily-clad young women or they would surely be booed off the stage. Janie refused and promised they would only do a clean show and what's more, they would be applauded with great gusto and even be asked to return!
And that's what happened --- over and over again!
My sisters Bonnie, Barbara and I were lucky enough to sing back-up on this recording of Janie singing her signature song! Super fun!