Remembering Russ

Big Band leader recalled as 'everybody's friend'
Posted: May 5, 2011 - 8:35pm

Brainerd Dispatch
By Renee Richardson
Senior reporter

Russ Carlyle, the Big Band-era orchestra leader-singer and author, was remembered Thursday as a kind man who made a point to help others.

Carlyle, who enjoyed a long and storied career in music, died Tuesday. He was 96.

Ed De La Hunt, long-time friend, spent time with Carlyle hours before his death Monday night at the Veterans Hospital in St. Cloud and was with Carlyle's widow, Patty, on Tuesday.

"He was one in a million," De La Hunt said of his friend. "One of the kindest, loving individuals you will meet in your entire life. He was everybody's friend."

His life was remarkable for what he did do and for what might have been.

Carlyle's career began at a time when crooners were kings and Big Band orchestras ruled the airwaves. In 1935, he won an amateur radio contest in his hometown of Cleveland to sing with the Tommy Flynn Orchestra.

Carlyle's website reports he entered the contest on a dare. It led to bigger things. Carlyle recorded hits for Victor Records, made a movie with Warner Brothers and in 1939 was voted one of the top four male vocalists in the nation by Billboard Magazine.

In the 1940s, Carlyle was approached by Tommy Dorsey for a lead vocalist position for a Valentine's show and movie lead in "Las Vegas Nights," his website recounts. But Carlyle turned the gig down. Dorsey made an different choice - Frank Sinatra.

Carlyle rubbed shoulders with those at the top of the music industry. He was friends with Nat King Cole and Dean Martin. Carlyle met Joey Bishop, Rat Pack member, when they served in the military in the 1940s. The two performed as a comedy team. They became good friends and stayed in touch over the years. Friends said Carlyle was an unofficial Rat Pack member.

Carlyle's band was booked for national radio shows, at one time doing three network shows a night. Dance halls and night clubs across the nation performed his music. He appeared on the "Jack Paar Show."

Sinatra also recorded several Carlyle numbers, including the song "If I Ever Love Again" in 1951, which was released by Columbia Records and his biggest hit. Other hits included "In a Little Spanish Town" and "You're so Understanding" and "Stashu Pandowski."

He played before President Harry S Truman in Jefferson City, Mo. Carlyle performed at the Blackhawk Restaurant and Aragon and Trianon ballrooms in Chicago. In the 1960s, Carlyle performed at Steel Pier in Atlantic City, the Roosevelt in New Orleans, the Peabody in Memphis and Roseland in New York.

And in 1963, he performed in Breezy Point and by all accounts fell in love with the area. Carlyle and his wife, Patty, later decided to make a permanent home in Breezy Point, first building a house on Lake Ossawinnamakee and later living along the golf course.

De La Hunt met Carlyle in 1963 at Breezy Point when he was doing broadcast work at the resort. De La Hunt owns a radio network with stations in Park Rapids, Bemidji, Walker, Wadena and Verndale.

"We just stayed close all the time," De La Hunt said.

De La Hunt said his friend loved music, was good at it and enjoyed entertaining people.

"Helping people was his nature," De La Hunt said.