Joan Drost, known professionally as Joanie Sommers, was born on February 24,
1941, in Buffalo, New York. She began her singing career at a young age, winning
an amateur talent contest at ten years old by performing "Your Cheating Heart"
by Hank Williams. In 1955, her family moved to Los Angeles, where she continued
to develop her vocal skills and won honors as a vocalist with her high school
band. Sommers' breakthrough came when she was discovered singing with Tommy
Oliver's band at the Deauville Country Club in Santa Monica. This led to her
signing with Warner Bros. Records. Som...