Kay Allen

American pop singer. Married Dick Merrick in 1946. Vocalist Kay Allen, later known as Cathy Allen, got her start on the Horn and Hardart’s Children’s Hour program on WCAU in Philadelphia. She sang with numerous orchestras in her first years including Al Donahue’s band, Joe Frasetto’s Orchestra, Joe Reichman's Orchestra, and Enoch Light’s band. By 1942 she was with Lou Breese, remaining as part of his group when he became the house band at the Chez Paree night club in Chicago. Allen stayed with Breese until at least late 1943. By early 1944, though, she was singing for Carlos Molina’s Latin orchestra, Justin Stone’s 10-piece band at the 400 Club in New York and Gracie Barrie’s band, then back with Molina again in May. In January 1945, Allen joined Jerry Wald’s band, remaining through early 1946 and recording several songs with the group. There she met and sang with Dick Merrick. She charted as a vocalist with Wald and his orchestra in 1945 with "Candy", which peaked at #18 in the U.S. Both she and Merrick left Wald in April of that year. Allen made a quick exit and entrance in Claude Thornhill’s new group in April 1946 before becoming singer for Randy Brooks in August, where she stayed through at least October. She joined Louis Prima in 1947, staying and recording with the bandleader for a year. Allen settled back in Philadelphia with her husband, where she began to sing in local nightclubs and appear on local TV, having a regular spot on WPTZ’s "The Girl Next Door". She and Merrick recorded together on the Admiral label in 1949. In 1952, Allen became singer for Charlie Ventura at his Open House club in nearby Lindenwald, New Jersey. In April 1954, she was working as a DJ on WPEN, singing as well as spinning records on her own Sunday night program. In 1962, she and Merrick settled in Florida.