Year

Age

Description

1926

Born Marjorie Chandler in Windsor, Ontario on November 18, 1926

1938

12

Won a Detroit-area amateur talent contest on WJKB's weekly children's showcase

1940

14

Began her professional singing career at age 14 when she and her family were introduced to bandleader/composer Raymond Scott in Chicago

1942

16

Became a featured vocalist with Raymond Scott’s orchestra, performing on radio and on tour

1949

22

Led Raymond Scott Quintet on tour in Raymond’s absence

1950

23

Joined NBC Television “Your Hit Parade” in October, 1950

1952

25

Married Raymond Scott  on July 7, 1952 (2 children, Deborah and Elizabeth)

1954

27

Established record label company, Audivox Records, with husband Raymond Scott

Gave birth to first child, Deborah, born on October 24, 1954

1955

28

Signed with Coral Records

Single “My Boy-Flat Top” reached #16 on the Billboard charts

1956

30

Recorded “Treasure of Love” along with “You Got Me Hook, Line, and Sinker”

1957

30

Recorded “Never Love A Stranger” on Coral Records, featured in Hollywood Film “Never Love A Stranger”    featuring Steve McQueen

Released first album on the Coral Label, “Songs by Dorothy Collins”

Starred in United States Steel Hour television production “Who’s Earnest”,          October 9, 1957

Left  the cast of “Your Hit Parade” as sponsors decide to feature an entirely new cast

Joined the Steve Allen Show, Recorded Coral LP “Picnic” containing eleven songs written by Steve Allen

Accepted the role of Dorothy in “The Wizard of Oz” with the St. Louis Municipal Opera

Moved into the Coconut Grove on October 9, 1957 with her musical show

1958

31

Recorded  1st stereo LP for Everest Records, “Won’t You Spend Christmas With Me?”

Gave birth to second child, Elizabeth born on June 4, 1958

Sang lead in “Oklahoma” in St. Louis in summer stock.

Featured with husband Raymond Scott on CBS radio program “Best in Music”

Returned to the cast of “Your Hit Parade” with singer Johnny Desmond for one season