People Who Make Things Happen

Where would we be without the people who make things happen?  You know the ones, those people with the energy and bubbling over enthusiasm that can convince others that they should be involved in this or that activity, those individuals who by their sheer presence can get couch potatoes and introverts to leave their comfortable homes and exert a lot of effort to develop their own talents.

​My mother was one of those types.  Her charisma, charm, and abundance of talent made her irresistible.  She was so good at engaging with people that with seemingly no effort on her part, she got people involved in all kinds of projects and most of the time they agreed before they could come up with excuses not to.

Janie, Dorothy, Lora, and Carolyn Thompson about 1946

Carolyn Thompson Lee came from a long line of entertainers and many talented singers who were sadly only recognized in their small communities.  However, her mother, my Grandmother Lora Harmon Thompson while growing up was known as the Carbon County Nightingale.  She sang for events all around Price, Utah and then went to the big town of Salt Lake City and became a member and often soloist with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  While on her mission in Independence MO, she entertained many dignitaries that came through town.  Her highly trained operatic voice then went on to delight the people and livestock in the tiny community of Malta, Idaho.  But through her example she helped her children see that there was more to this world than just sage brush and jack rabbits.

Another "doer" was Dorothy Thompson Collier.  She became an elementary school teacher and made sure her students (and anybody else just standing around) had many opportunities expand their talents by being in shows.  She was hard to turn down.  We called her "General Dot."
 
But probably the most famous "doer" in our family was my Aunt Janie Thompson.  She was a big band singer who toured all over the world at the end of WWII.  Then she came to BYU and started the many show groups that also toured all over the world.  She was a Force of Nature.  You just didn't say "no" to Janie!

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The Thompson Sisters about 1960

Janie, Dot, and Carolyn liked to sing together.  They formed the Thompson Sisters Trio and performed all over during the 1950s-60s.  They sang many songs made famous by other girl trios of the era as well as special arrangements created by Janie. 

​I had the privilege of listening and learning from the best.  Sure do miss these wonderful women!

In the musical "Never Cy Wolf" the Muses sing in a style reminiscent of the girl's trio's of the 1950-1960s.  (I confess this song is more Supremes than Andrews Sisters, but it is still very fun to sing! I also got a little help from my very talented son Matthew Bailey on guitar for this one.) 

​Enjoy "Set It for Posterity."