The Crenwelge Sisters entertained hill country residents with their own daily radio program back in the 1950s. They are (from left to right) Dora Lee, Darlyn, Shirley, Eugenia Ann, and Imogene. Courtesy photo

Details:
Dora Lee Sewell now performs with Allen Mauldin in the Kick-A-Boot Band. For bookings, call 997-2517.

webmaster: phil@fullhouseproductions.net

Sweethearts of the Radio

byPhil Houseal
Jan 28, 2009

They made a striking appearance 60 years ago in their white boots, denim skirts, fringed leather vests and red cowboy hats. And when the Crenwelge Sisters started to sing, hill country listeners leaned a little closer to their radios to better hear the sweet vocal harmonies.

Those blended voices almost took them as far the Louisiana Hayride, that popular radio show that launched the careers of Hank, Lefty, and Elvis.

The Crenwelge Sisters grew up near Doss and were made up of three sisters - Dora Lee, Eugenia Ann, and Darlyn - along with second cousin Ernestine and first cousins Shirley and Imogene. They sang the songs of Hank Williams, Kitty Wells, Ray Price, and the Browns. The girls performed at rodeos, reunions, and farm bureau meetings. They even appeared on television during a performance at the San Antonio Stock Show, an event that made waves back home, according to Dora Lee.

"My classmates in high school were impressed that they saw me on TV," she said. "Not many folks around here even had TVs back then."

"Back then" was in the early 1950s. Their flirtation with the big time came during a local performance by country legend Johnny Horton. Horton was at the height of his fame, riding hits such as North to Alaska, Rock Island Line, and The Battle of New Orleans.

"They had some kind of a talent show at the high school the night Johnny Horton was there," Dora Lee remembered. "Arkey Blue got first place, and we got second place. Old Johnny Horton said he was going to try to get us on the Louisiana Hayride."

Whether it was an empty promise or a big break, no one will ever know: Horton was killed in an auto accident shortly after.

The girls did get on stage at Cherry Spring Dance Hall, playing when the headliner band took intermissions. Alas, that opportunity did not play out, either.

"One night it got kind of wild," she remembered, "and somebody hit Shirley's brother on the head with a beer bottle. That was not a good place for us young girls, so we quit."

The group continued to perform locally, guesting on local legend Adolph Hofner's radio program. They snagged their own show on KFAN one whole summer, sponsored by E. O. Boenig. They taped it once a week and it ran for 15 minutes every weekday morning at 7 a.m.

The Crenwelges accompanied themselves on guitar, sometimes knutsch or harmonica. They dressed alike in the cowgirl outfits - popular at the time.

"I've still got my little red cowboy hat," Dora Lee said.

The girls grew up, and the Crenwelge's sister act disbanded. They took jobs, went off to school, got married and raised families.

Her music career was only a memory until around 1998 when Dora Lee married "this old guy," she said, gesturing affectionately at Rip Sewell.

"She got to telling me stories about her singing," Sewell said. "So I said, well, we'll just find out if she can sing." During a dance at London Hall, Sewell asked the band if his wife could sit in. It worked so well, Dora Lee went on to perform in Opry shows at Mason and Llano. She now joins local jam sessions, and fronts her Kick-A-Boot band. She still sings many of the same songs she first warbled 60 years ago.

Dora Lee admits to a bit of regret that she gave up singing for so many years. And when she does sing, she is surprised at how many members of the audience remember the Crenwelge Sisters.

"They'll say, oh, I remember when you were on the radio," she said. "I don't know if we even got paid. But we had a lot of fun doing it."