Trivia

Rough-voiced (due to a throat ailment) Native American popular singer. At the height of her popularity, during the 1950s, she had two number one hit singles, "Wheel of Fortune" (Capitol: 1952) and "The Rock-and-Roll Waltz" (RCA Victor: 1956).

Had a daughter and one grandson.

Native American, who was born on a reservation in Oklahoma.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Recording at 1716 Vine Street in Hollywood, California.

After moving to Dallas, Kay "became a local radio sensation at age 7", subsequently hosting her own 15-minute show twice weekly and earning $3 per performance.

Born to an Irish-American mother and an Iroquois father.

Sang with the orchestras of Charlie Barnet, Bob Crosby and Joe Venuti (in the early 40's), after being a substitute for Marion Hutton with Glenn Miller's band in the summer of 1939.

When she resided in Bel Air, California, Jazz singer Peggy Lee was her neighbor.

Married six times and lived in Bel Air, California, for several years.

Her last big hit was "My Heart Reminds Me" in 1957.

Described herself as a 'hillbilly singer'.

She made her professional debut at age 7, singing "hillbilly" music for a Dallas radio station.

She is buried at Dougherty Cemetery, in Dougherty, OK, with her parents.

She is perhaps best remembered for her Seasonal Classics, "The Man With The Bag" and "I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm", both of which were remixed in the 2000s and are often used in several commercial advertisements and or played in their entirety in television specials during the various Christmas seasons.

She was a lifelong Republican.