Hillbilly-Music.com—The People. The Music. The History.
Lonnie Lynne
and the Melody Girls
Born:  September 30, 1935
Died:  January 11, 2012
WRVA Old Dominion Barn Dance

About The Artist

Alice Brammer, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was known to many fans as "The Delaware Valley Sweetheart". A 1957 article said she was about five feet six inches tall and weighed about 125 pounds. She played rhythm guitar and had written several songs. She later changed her stage name to Lonnie Lynne.

Her early life found her traveling quite a bit as her father was in the U. S. Navy. She developed a liking for country and western music during those days on the move. Once the family settled down again, her prized possession became her dad's guitar, which he presented to her.

Smokey Warren mentioned in one of his columns that she was working with Harry Peppel and the Shenandoah Valley Rangers out in Chester, Pennsylvania in late 1956.

The Cowboy Songs article mentions she was due to make her first recordings, but no mention of the label or tunes. We found a 1963 Country Song Roundup magazine that featured an ad for Cowtown Records, owned by John Stephenson. That ad plugged Alice Brammer with Harry Peppel and the Shenandoah Valley Rangers. The sides were "No Baby No" and "Take A Letter Mr. Moon".

We found an internet interview with her and in 1958, she became a member of the cast for the Town and Country Time show, led by Tiny Jenkins. At that time, she changed her professional name to Lonnie Lynne.

An August 1964 writeup indicated she had been working in Hawaii for about two and a half years, appearing mostly at the military night clubs. She appeared on tours with Grand Ole Opry stars such as George Jones and Lefty Frizzell when they toured the islands. She also did a tour with a group called the Cimarrons on the Midway Islands.

Prior to her stay in the islands, she did appearances on the Elton Britt television show out of WMAL and also with Don Owens over WTTG.

In 1958, she formed her own group called the Melody Girls. The group did personal appearances throughout the Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC area. She later decided to become a solo artist.

Credits & Sources

  • Rustic Rhythm; September 1957; Vol. 1, No. 6; Rustic Rhythm, Inc.; 5 East 40th Street, New York, NY
  • Country Song Roundup; Issue No. 66; May 1960; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT
  • Country Song Roundup; Issue No. 82; November 1963; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT
  • Country Song Roundup; Issue No. 85; August 1964; American Folk Publications, Inc.; Derby, CT