From:   "jean.marc.pezet
Date:  Fri Aug 23, 2002  3:06 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You: Wynona Carr
 
WYNONA CARR (By Jean-Marc Pezet)

Born 23 August 1924, Cleveland, Ohio
Died 12 May, 1976, Cleveland, Ohio

Wynona Carr had got it all, good looks, talent, she was
doing the right stuff but she didn't have luck, not even
the smallest glimpse of luck.
She started her career as a gospel singer in 1949, aged
25, when she was signed by Specialty boss Art Rupe. Art
labeled her "Sister Wynona Carr" after "Sister Rosetta
Tharpe", one time vocalist with The Lucky Millinder
Orchestra. All in all Sis' had ten releases for the label
between 1949 and 1954. She hit only once in the spiritual
market with "The Ball Game". Her Specialty gospel
recordings are collected on the CD "Dragnet For Jesus"
(Ace 411).
By the end of 1954, Wynona did all she could lobbying Art
Rupe to finally have her break in the secular market.
Wynona was not only singing, but she also wrote her own
material and was working hard on both her music and her
looks.
Art duly obliged, telling Wynona to "be awfully patient".
As for her gospel recordings, he tried everything to find
the good formula without any luck.
The closest she came to a hit was with "Should I Ever
Love Again" in 1957 (covered by Gene Vincent for his
third album), but bad luck hit again when she contracted
tuberculosis, putting her aside of the business for two
long years. She recorded lots of real good sides for
Specialty, the bouncy "Jump Jack Jump", "Till The Well
Runs Dry" and "Nursery Rhyme Rock" or strong ballads such
as "Hurt Me", "If I Pray" or the minor-toned "Please Mr
Jailer".
Back in 1959, she recorded some sides for Specialty,
before moving to Reprise in 1961, releasing an album that
sank without a trace.
Plagued by chronical depressive periods, she headed back
to Cleveland, where she died, almost completely
forgotten, a great and hugely underrated artist.

Recommended listening:
"Jump Jack Jump" ACE CDCHD 513 (Specialty recordings)
More info: http://www.rockabillyhall.com/WynonaCarr.html