THE STATE
A Weekly Survey of North Carolina
Knipred as second-class matter, June 1. 1933. at the Postofllce at Raleigh. North
Carolina, under the Act ot March 3, 1879.
Vol. XV. No. 5 July 5, 1947
Helen Caddell
As a night-club singer, she already
lias won for herself quite a reputa¬
tion. and indications are that she is
going to reach still greater heights
in the musical field.
By 1IOYT HlcAFEE
HELEN CADDELL, vivacious
brunette beauty and blues
singer, formerly of Pine-
hurst. and now of Washington,
D. C.. has had a song in her heart
ever since her eighth birthday. For
fourteen years she has been sing¬
ing the blues to her family and
friends, over the radio, and to
night-club audiences.
Like some other singers — Bing
Crosby being a notable example —
Helen has never taken a singing
lesson in her life. She has a gifted
voice and just naturally loves to
sing. When the urge is upon her
she’ll give forth with a song,
whether she's talking on the tele¬
phone at the time or in a gathering
of close friends. She sings with
feeling and sincerity; and there’s a
"dusky" tone to her voice — a
quality which lends itself most
suitably to blues numbers.
Started in 1943
Back in 1943, Helen made her
bow as a blues singer at Washing¬
ton’s popular 400 Club, within ear¬
shot of the White House. She start¬
ed out as a cashier at the club. At
that time, another girl was the fea¬
ture singing attraction at the 400.
But Helen's own talented voice was
not to go unrecognized for long.
Her first break came about this
way: One afternoon, when all was
quiet, she mounted to the second
floor of the 400 Club, spoke to the
blind piano player, and asked him
to go over a number or two with
her. Helen was immersed "in a
mood" that day. and she sang in a
THE STATE. July 5. 1947
tear-stained voice. At first, she had
no audience; but soon the manager
of the club, attracted by her sing¬
ing, came over, pulled up a chair,
and listened — with encourage¬
ment to Helen and with pleasure to
himself.
When she had finished, he asked
her a question which nearly star¬
tled her out of her wits but, at the
same time, gave her quite a thrill.
It was: "Helen, how’d you like to
go on as the club’s featured sing¬
er?” Happiness shone in Helen’s
eyes, and the manager knew her
reply without having to wait for
her to speak.
As a thrush with the blues in her
voice, Helen held forth as the star
attraction at the 400 Club for six
months. Over that period, some¬
thing interesting and unexpected
was frequently happening, but
Helen remembers best of all the
time the club sponsored her in the
Miss Washington beauty contest in
1943.
Washington reporters and pho¬
tographers turned out for a "get
acquainted" party in her honor.
They talked to Helen, made pic¬
tures of her. She was tagged one
of the foremost Miss America hope¬
fuls, and due to her photogenic
qualities she received a generous
publicity spread in the papers.
Then the semi-finals of the contest
were held. Helen survived them
with colors flying high.
Untimely Accident
As the result of an accident on
the eve of the finals, however, she
had the misfortune to suffer a gash
on her forehead. Despite the pleas
of well-wishers, Helen refused to
face the judges in her bandaged
condition. The mishap also influ¬
enced her decision to give up sing¬
ing at the 400 Club.
Since leaving the 400 Club.
Helen has done singing at two
other well-known spots: The
Lamplighters and the Romany Inn.
Almost invariably when she enters
a club in Washington, the master
of ceremonies spots her and invites
her to step up to the microphone
and render a number. Helen always
obliges, realizing that’s one way of
winning wider recognition. Her
favorite song — and she sings it
most appealing - is: "I Love You
Truly."
One sponsor has offered to back
Helen on a radio program originat¬
ing in Washington; and she’s plan¬
ning to follow through on it very
shortly. Looking into the future,
however, her thoughts revolve
around dramatic training and an
acting career.
Although Helen has won plaud¬
its around the Washington night¬
club circuit, she doesn't go for
night-club life. A quiet evening at
her apartment with records and
congenial friends for company —
( Continued on page 22)
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