Stafford, Jo (1920–)

American pop singer. Name variations: Cinderella G. Stump and Darlene Edwards. Born Jo Elizabeth Stafford, Nov 12, 1920, in Coalinga, CA; dau. of Grover Cleveland Stafford (oilman) and Anna (York) Stafford (highly acclaimed 5-string banjoist); sister of Christina and Pauline Stafford (singers); m. John Huddleston (div.); m. Paul Weston (arranger-conductor), 1952.

Began career on radio, singing with her sisters; joined 7 male singers in a short-lived group called the Pied Pipers, which were hired by Tommy Dorsey (1938); joined 3 other singers (also called the Pied Pipers) and continued working with Dorsey for the next 3 years; on her own, recorded "I'll Never Smile Again" with Frank Sinatra; with the Pipers, left Dorsey (1942) and worked successfully on various radio shows, including "Your Hit Parade"; went solo (1944) and was signed by Johnny Mercer for his radio show and to record with his Capitol Records; quickly became one of the most popular female singers in the country; launched her own radio series, "Chesterfield Supper Club" (1946); launched her own tv series, "The Jo Stafford Show" (1954); was the 1st recording artist to sell 25 million records, with such hits as "You Belong to Me," "Whispering Hope" (with Gordon MacRae), "Shrimp Boats," "Make Love to Me" and "Jambalaya"; also moonlighted as Cinderella G. Stump with "Timtayshun," which sold 1 million copies, a hillbilly version of the 1933 hit "Temptation"; with husband Paul Weston as Jonathan Edwards, also recorded 4 albums as Darlene Edwards, parodying all the mediocre pianists and lounge singers they had encountered in their travels and winning a Grammy with Jonathan and Darlene in Paris. Was one of the few performers to have 3 plaques on Hollywood's Boulevard of the Stars: for radio, tv, and recordings.

See also Women in World History.