Andrew Robert PughBauerlein, Chuck (May 3, 1988). "A Man for All Seasons – Andy Roberts: A Weatherman of Note; Roberts (Continued from C1)". Daily Press. p. C2. (born January 10, 1926 – May 24, 2017); known professionally as Andy Roberts, was an American jazz singer, active during the decade following World War II, known for his work with Skitch Henderson and the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra, and as one of the featured vocalists on the groundbreaking late-night comedy-variety television series, Broadway Open House. He was later the weatherman at WTKR-TV for more than 30 years, and, for almost as long, a much-employed and widely heard radio voice-over artist.Nicholson, Dave (March 10, 1993). "Studio 'voice' for thousands of commercials". Daily Press. pp. C1, C2. "Roberts was a familiar face to thousands of viewers at WTKR-TV, as Channel 3's weatherman for 34 years. Millions more have heard his voice and not known it. Almost daily, the retired broadcaster checks in at Studio Center to record radio commercials that play across the country and Canada. Roberts and about 50 other 'voices' are under exclusive contract at Studio Center, a small production company with a big reputation that pumps out 4,000 to 5,000 commercials each year. 'I enjoy it better than anything I've done in my life,' said Roberts, who has been with the company since it began 27 years ago. 'When I was a kid, I stood up in front of the class and recited a poem. It was such a thrill, because everyone was listing to me.'"
Early life and career Born in Fort Monroe, Virginia on January 10, 1926,"Virginia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1945", FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2W5-P268 : Tue Apr 29 15:05:20 UTC 2025), Entry for Andrew Robert Pugh and Rena Pugh, 17 Jan 1944. Roberts was the son of Rena Maud (née Cascadden) and career Army officer, Maj. Roy Pugh."The Social World: Pugh-Cascadden". Lewiston Evening Journal. June 24, 1920. p. 7."Major Pugh, Retired, Dies at 68". The Virginia-Pilot. March 2, 1961. p. 6. He attended the Fort Monroe Post School,"Students Present Play At Meeting Of Monroe P-TA". Daily Press. November 10, 1937. p. 11. "An educational play was presented by children of the Fort Monroe post school yesterday [...] They were: Lloyd Lemnitzer, announcer; Andy Pugh, father; Connie Dutton, mother, and Raymond Pennington, son." Phoebus Junior High School,"PHOEBUS JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATING CLASS". Daily Press. May 19, 1940. p. 3-D. "Third row: Jane Pugh, Mary Hayes, Rosenell Calvert, Sarabelle Bungert, Toppy Marsh and Vivian Griggs. Back Row: Lillian Griggs, Kenneth Irwin, Dean Craven, Woodrow Harris, Allen Wornom, Alton Long, Carlton Jeffers, Andy Pugh, Jack Foster, Phil Bishop, Ogie Hayes, Douglas Williams, Hall Tennis and Harry Jones." and Hampton High School,"Group to Hold Beauty Contest". Daily Press. April 5, 1942. p. 6-D. "The National Thespians Troupe of Hampton high school will sponsor a beauty contest at the school April 10 [...] The officers, shown here, are arranging the contest [...] lower row: Richard S. Ruggles, publicity; Jeanne Tillery, chairman of entertainment; and Andy Pugh, house manager.""Thespians Plan New York Trip". Daily Press. April 19, 1942. p. 7-D. "The Hampton high school chapter of Thespians [...] making plans for its annual trip [...] In the picture are (front) Babe Hughes and Andy Pugh." graduating in 1943."Singer Andy Roberts Chosen King Neptune For Festival". Daily Press. August 16, 1950. p. 1. "Son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Pugh of Chesterfield Road, Elizabeth City County, he was a member of the 1943 graduating class of Hampton High School. About two years ago, as a featured vocalist, he made a name for himself with Skitch Henderson's band, at the age of 21, Lately, he has been in the limelight on the "Broadway Open. House" television program, seen over the National Broadcasting Company TV network."
Ten years earlier (i.e. May 1933), in what, at age 7, may well have been the future crooner's first public performance, "little Andy Pugh sang two numbers" at the monthly business meeting of the Fort Monroe Community Club."Activities at Fort Monroe". Daily Press. May 28, 1933. p. 13. "The Community Club held its monthly business meeting Friday afternoon [...] Those who attended [included] Mrs. Roy Pugh, [...] Little Andy Pugh sang two numbers" The following February, Pugh portrayed one of the "Hurdy-Gurdy children" in two performances of the light operetta, Going to the Fair, featuring students of the post school."Two Operettas by Fort School; 'Going to the Fair' and 'The Lost Clown' to Be Presented Today and Friday Night". Daily Press. February 15, 1934. p. 7.
After high school, a single term at VPI preceded Pugh's entry into the United States Navy. Stationed initially at Bainbridge, Maryland for basic training, and later at Daytona Beach, he was discharged in summer of 1946. Back at Fort Monroe, he performed in a talent show staged to entertain the troops stationed there. That fall, he moved to Manhattan, eventually auditioning for, and receiving some invaluable career guidance from Morton Downey musical director Carmen Mastren, setting the stage for the "crooning crabber['s]" professional debut. Spilman, Edward A. (March 7, 1948). "Andy Pugh Headed For Stardom Fast; Crooning Crabber on Way to Top". Daily Press. p. 14B.
In 1947, Roberts was heard–and promptly hired–by bandleader Skitch Henderson, remaining with the orchestra until 1950, at which time Roberts joined his boss on the latter's new NBC morning radio show, which featured the bandleader spinning discs and his erstwhile vocalist portraying Fenwick, the talking piano, a wisecracking sidekick whose unforeseen popularity was reflected both in substantial quantities of fan mail and the fact that he was soon heard delivering NBC station breaks. Regarding the character, Roberts remarked, "Fenwick would be highly incensed if anyone called him a Cockney. He's a very high class English gentleman. And he doesn't sing. He's sort of a wise guy who gives punny answers to the questions Skitch asks him. Skitch'll ask him, 'How are you feeling this morning, Fenwick?' And Fenwick will say, 'All keyed up, sir.'"Wilson, Earl (April 8, 1951). "Earl Interviews Roberts, Ex-King Neptune of Hampton". Daily Press. p. 7D.
That year, Roberts was also performing on The Ted Steele Show, where he was heard by arrangers Eddie Sauter and Bill Finegan, resulting in a number of recordings and extensive touring with their eponymous orchestra over the next five years.Wilson, Earl (November 29, 1954). "Hampton Baritone Feature Soloist With Band In N. Y.". Daily Press. p. 13."Sauter-Finegan Dance Band, Lakeside, Labor Day". The Record-American. August 24, 1953. p. 3. "Vocalists Andy Roberts and Sally Sweetland, both featured on many of the recordings, have joined this first Sauter-Finegan road trek and will be present at the forthcoming appearance here."Tredinnick, Robert (February 16, 1955). "Lucky Thirteen". p. 27. "It is just under three years ago that the Sauter-Finegan Orchestra was formed and from that time it has steadily maintained the interest of all who appreciate contemporary music. [...] With the exception of three of the items in this album, the human voice plays no part, and it is all credit to Andy Roberts, who sings 'Old Folks,' and Sally Sweetland, who makes something quite staggering out of 'Feuilles Mortes,' that they fit so correctly into the general conception of the recording.""A Big Band Show Here: The Sauter-Finegan Crew at the Music Hall in March". The Kansas City Star. January 23, 1955. p. 2D."Featured With Dance Orchestra at Point: Andy Roberts, Rosemary O'Reilly". The Sandusky Register. July 8, 1955. p. 2.
Beginning on March 12, 1956, Roberts hosted his own "informal variety program", The Andy Roberts Show, airing Monday through Friday in Norfolk on WTAR."Popular Singer Here: Andy Roberts to Appear on Own Local Show". Ledger-Dispatch and Star. March 8, 1956. p. 15."Afternoons on Channel 3". Ledger-Dispatch and Star. May 6, 1957. p. 23. With cast members including female vocalist Lee Brodie, pianist Vince Pafumi, guitarist Ted "Turk" Refit, bassist George Farrar, and drummer Bob Hollowell,"A Day In The Life of Lee Brodie, TV Star". The Virginia-Pilot. May 26, 1957. p. 20-F. the show continued to air in some form at least as late as October 1957, Beginning in June 1958, Roberts spent approximately one year as a featured vocalist on The Morty Nevins Show."Nevins Show Makes Bow; New Morning Program on 3". Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch and Star. June 21, 1958. p. TV-11. "Also included on the program will be LaVerne Watson and Andy Roberts.""Tuesday, May 19". Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch and Star. May 16, 1959. p. TV-10. "Morty Nevins: Musical show, featuring Andy Roberts, Dick Morgan Trio and Frank Sorrell Group."
In the meantime, on June 23, 1956, Roberts had made what would, in retrospect, become a bit of TV trivia history by becoming the last of the victorious, $1,000-winning contestants on the long-running TV talent contest, Chance of a Lifetime—and doing so not merely on the final episode, but with a three-week, three thousand dollar winning steak, beginning on the ninth and concluding with the series' June 23 finale.Twyford, Warner (June 12, 1956). "Out of Thin Air". The Virginia-Pilot. p. 14."Tops on TV: Chance of a Lifetime". The Virginia-Pilot. July 7, 1956. p. 9. "Andy Roberts of WTAR-TV will be seen in a special kinescope recording of the ABC-TV network's 'Chance of a Lifetime,' on which he won three $1,000 checks in three successive tries." "TONIGHT AT 10 SPECIAL: 'CHANCE OF A LIFETIME' PROGRAM ON WHICH ANDY ROBERTS WON $3,000 AS WINNER, FOR THREE WEEKS OVER PROFESSIONAL TALENT". Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch. July 7, 1956. p. 24. "WTAR-TV's OWN ANDY ROBERTS HOLDING THREE $1,000 CHECKS HE WON ON 'CHANCE OF A LIFETIME'""TV Programs". The Atlantic City Press. June 23, 1959. p. 12. "10:00 (3) George Gobel - George and Alice visit a high-class restaurant. (6) Chance of a Lifetime - Singer Andy Roberts meets challengers. Gunsmoke - Marshal Dillon finds himself marked for death."Tom DeMichael, Tom (2009). TV's Greatest Game Shows. Barrington, IL: Marshall Publishing and Promotions. p. 182. . "Chance of A Lifetime: September 6, 1950 — June 23, 1956 (7 seasons)"Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Westbrock, Fred (1995). The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows. New York: Facts On File. p. 36. . "Chance of a Lifetime [...] ABC primetime July 3, 1955—June 23, 1956"
During this period and continuing into the early 1960s, Roberts filled a variety of roles at WTAR, such sportscasting, hosting broadcasts of vintage movies,"The shows most folks see are on Channel 3". The Virginia-Pilot. August 4, 1958. p. 12."The shows most folks see are on Channel 3". The Virginia-Pilot. August 14, 1958. p. 30."The shows most folks see are on Channel 3". The Virginia-Pilot. August 29, 1958. p. 40. and hosting—and occasionally performing–on television specials."Tonight's TV Tops: SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY (7:30, WTAR-TV)". Portsmouth Ledger-Dispatch. August 6, 1957. p. 21. "Some of the brightest talent in the WTAR lineup, including Jeff Dane, Andy Roberts, Lee Brodie, Vince Pafumi Combo, Bob 'n' Chauncey, Joe Foulkes and Scat the Scarecrow." See also: "Tops on TV: 'Hospitality' (Special)". The Virginia-Pilot. August 6, 1957. p. 14. "Jeff Dane, emcee. Andy Roberts, Lee Brodie, the Vince Pafumi combo, Bob 'n' Chauncey, Joe Foulkes and Scat the Scarecrow. 7:30 p.m., Channel 3.""From Early Morning to Late Evening... Your Best Entertainment is on WTAR- TV.". Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch. October 10, 1959. p. TV-10. "THE COUSIN TIBBLE SHOW: Vocals by ANDY ROBERTS, plus LAZY MAY, THE WEATHER GAL; This Morning at 7:00 A.M."