Andra Willis (born August 27, 1943) is an American singer best known from television's The Lawrence Welk Show from 1967 to 1969.
Background Born and raised in Danville, Virginia. Andra began singing professionally with her sisters Toneda and Sheryl. Billed as the Willis Sisters, they started out locally with bands such as the Freddie Lee Orchestra and later guest starred on national television programs such as The Tonight Show and ironically, on Lawrence Welk's The Plymouth Show. Later, when the Willis Sisters split up, Andra became a solo vocalist, and was a frequent regular on Don McNeill's radio program, The Breakfast Club.Wayback Machine - ANDRA WILLIS
Since leaving the Welk organization, Andra has pursued a career as a studio session singer and a songwriter. She has worked on the soundtrack for the movie Lost Horizon where she supplied the vocals for Olivia Hussey in the songs, "Share the Joy" and "The Things I Will Not Miss".Imdb - Andra Willis, Known for
Career 1960s It was reported in the Spotlitems section of the 20 March 1965 issue of Record World that Andra Wills had written that wedding bells had broken up the Willis Sisters act. Both Sheryl and Andra were now married. Their youngest sister of the act, Tondea was doing her schoolwork via correspondence while hopeful that she could continue her acting and singing career. In the meantine, Andra was working as a secretary for Teddy Black at Robbins Music Corp. in New York. She was still singing on demo records for publishing companies and there was speculation that she may soon record a single.Record World, March 20, 1965 - Page 21 Spotlitems
For the weeks of 16 and 23 January 1967, Willis was appearing at the Breakfast Club.Billboard, January 7, 1967 - Page 38 INTERNATIONAL NEWS REPORTS, From The Music Capitals of the World, CHICAGO
In the Record Rambings section of Cash Box 25 November 1967, Wills whose picture was included was referred to as the "West Coast Girl of the Week". It was noted that Willis who had previously performed on the Breakfast Club, the Perry Como, Johnny Carson and Gary Moore Shows had now been signed on to the Lawrence Welk Show.Cash Box, November 25, 1967 - Page 16 Cash Box Record Ramblings While as a cast member of the Welk show from late 1967, and until her departure in 1969, she was featured as both a soloist and in duets with fellow Music Maker Dick Dale.
1970s Andra Wills recorded the song "Knock, Knock Who's There?" which was released on Paramount 0048 in 1970. A Record World Four Star Pick, it was reviewed in the magazine's 29 August 1970 issue. The readers were told to watch this one and the record was referred to as a delight. The Mary Hopkins style similarity was also noted.Record World, August 29, 1970 - Page 6 record world FOUR STAR ★★★★ PICKS Single Reviews, ANDRA WILLIS-Paramount 0048 KNOCK, KNOCK WHO'S THERE (Peer, BMI) Along with "Poquito Soul" by One G Plus Three, it was actually one of the masters that the newly formed Los Angeles branch of Paramount Records, staffed by Ed Matthews and producers Tom Mack and Tim O'Brien had purchased.Record World, October 3, 1970 - Page 33 Paramount Swinging on CoastRecord World, October 3, 1970 - Page 33 Paramount Swinging on Coast, Ryder Returning "Knock, Knock Who's There" became her only entry on the Billboard easy listening chart, reaching number 40.
Working with producers, Denny Diante and Jimmy Haskell, Willis recorded the Manzanero and Sunny Skylar composition, "I Adore You". Backed with "Walk a Little Bit Closer" it was released on Paramount PPA 0081 in 1971.Praguefrank's Country Music Discographies, Monday, September 10, 2012 - Andra Willis by Praguefrank, Michel Ruppli, SESSIONS, 003 MB 25835 I ADORE YOU (ADORO) PPA 0081Record World, March 27, 1971 - Page 47 DESDE NUESTRO (Continued from page 44)
Willis' single, "Down Home Lovin' Woman" made its debut at no. 71 on the Record World Country Singles Chart for the week of 24 February 1973.Record World, February 24, 1973 - Page 54 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, THIS WK. 71, LAST WK. _, WKS. ON CHART 1 At week six on the chart, the song peaked at no. 50 for the week of 31 March and held the position for one more week.Record World, MArch 31, 1973 - Page 64 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, THIS WK. 50, LAST WK. 51, WKS. ON CHART 6Record World, April 7, 1973 - Page 58 THE COUNTRY SINGLES CHART, THIS WK. 50, LAST WK. 50, WKS. ON CHART 7
Along with Diana Lee, Suzy McCune, Suzy McCune, Jackie Ward and Sally Stevens, Andra Willis was one of the backing vocalists on Neil Diamond's Jonathan Livingston Seagull sound track album that was released in 1973.Session Days - 1973 Soundtrack – Jonathan Livingston Seagull, Musicians
Willis came 25th in the Billboard Country Special Chart Winners (Top Female Vocalists Singles section) for 1973.Billboard's 11th Annual World of Country Music, October 20, 1973 / Section 2 - Page 20 TOP FEMALE VOCALISTS 1973 SINGLES, Pos 25., Artist Andra Willis, Label (Dist. Label) Capitol, No. of Singles On Chart 2
Personal life It was reported by Mike Gross in the 11 July 1964 issue of Billboard that Roy Kohn, who was a radio and tv promo man at Southern Music had recently married Andra Willis.Billboard, July 11, 1964 - Page 20 TALENT, PEOPLE AND PLACES By MIKE GROSS They had were married in New York on 28 May that year.Record World, July 4, 1964 - Page 32 TRADE STIRS
Today, since the late 1980s, Andra and her husband, musician and composer Larry Muhoberac make their home in Australia.
References
External links Welkmusicalfamily.com - The Andra Willis Roadside Attraction Imdb - The Lawrence Welk Show on IMDb Discogs - Andra Willis