The Cinderellas began their singing career as The Three J’s (Julia, Joyce and Jo).  Jo (Josephine) was the youngest of the group – 11 years to 13 years old.  The Cinderellas started right after that.  They had the highest amount of votes in the history of the Ted Mack Amateur Hour Show on TV, then performed at Madison Square Garden.  There was a talent scout there and he wanted them to audition for his boss.  Their former Manager took them to his NY apartment and they auditioned over the telephone for his boss, who would then become their NY Manager, Buddy Kaye.

The Three J’s are still remembered in Hoboken, NJ.  Their former Hoboken Manager is about 92 years old and still gives concerts. One of the girls went to a concert and on the “Program” was written that he was the former Manager of  The Three J’s.  Also, some time ago Hoboken Elks’ newspaper had a history of Hoboken’s past, which asked if people “remembered The Three J’s”. 

They were often the entertainment for Frank Sinatra's Mother (Committee Woman in Hoboken, NJ) many Sunday afternoons at the Union Club in Hoboken.  For her 25th Anniversary, she invited The Cinderellas to perform.

As the Three J’s they went with Cousin Brucie of 1010 WINS NY to perform at Wild West City in Netcong, NJ with other performers such as the Shirelles, Danleers, Chantels, and Tokens   They were so young that they didn’t know who these performers were at the time.
They also performed at various country fairs in Pennsylvania with some of the afore mentioned groups.

As The Cinderellas they appeared on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand.  They sang on the same broadcast as Tony Bennett when he sang Rags to Riches, at the High Hat on 53rd Street in Bayonne, NJ. 

Josephine remembers:   
  
For many years I would tell people who didn’t know who we were and what our ages were, to close their eyes to hear us sing. They would believe we were The McGuire Sisters.  We sounded more adult for our ages.  This was all confirmed because I learned that we had auditioned for The Paul Whiteman Orchestra TV show and we didn’t pass, not because we sounded yucky but, BECAUSE WE SOUNDED TOO MUCH LIKE THE McGUIRE SISTERS.  As much as we were sad, it still felt like it was a compliment as to why we were not accepted.  They were looking for a “different sound”.  There were many talented groups but all with the same sound, and they wanted something different.  I was happy to realize I haven’t been making up this story for so many years!


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