Music

Inger the Singer

One of the greatest losses for Inger and her fans was that she was never given the chance to pursue a music career. Many do not realize that Inger recorded a single for Dome Records in 1967. The 45 rpm vinyl included The Loving Room (Side A) and Lasse Lasse Liten (Side B). The recordings were arranged and produced by composer, jazz band leader Benny Carter.

Inger sings The Loving Room (recording) in 1967.

Inger sings Lasse Lasse Liten on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour in 1967. 

Though she faced difficulties and felt unseen at home, teenage Inger connected with her peers and the community via singing at Manhattan High School. During her high school years (1948-1952), Inger served as a caroler at the annual Christmas Masque, performed in the Christmas musical No Room at the Inn, sang a soprano solo at a Christmas concert, and performed in the mixed ensemble for a church Christmas play. She performed a solo to benefit Riley County Red Cross, contributed to an ensemble to support the school's Sunset Fund, and performed two solos at an Acquaintance Club meeting. Respected by her peers, Inger was elected song leader for the Y-Teens and Hi-Y clubs at the school. Twice, she competed as a soloist in the Emporia District Music Festival.

 

 

Inger in the Girls' Glee Club

 

As a young woman, Inger performed in the chorus line, singing and dancing at various nightclubs. Although her first movie would interestingly be the first non-musical starring Bing Crosby, there was chatter that Bing and Inger might follow up the drama Man on Fire with a musical adaptation of Our Town in 1957. This collaboration never materialized.

Inger did perform the song Barbara Allen in the 1958 film The Buccaneer. Originally, the song was going to be overdubbed by a professional singer until producer Henry Wilcoxon overheard Inger humming on the set and realized she had the musical talent to handle the scene.

In 1960, entertainment columnists mentioned that Inger was taking singing lessons in order to prepare for Broadway musical opportunities. Though she did secure dramatic and comedic theatrical parts, Inger sadly never performed in a musical.

However, in 1961, Inger played a nightclub singer and performed several songs in an episode entitled Song of the Guilty Heart on The Detectives.

In her sitcom The Farmer's Daughter (1963-1966), Inger's character Katy Holstrum led a boys' chorus in season 1's The Gypsy Love Song episode and managed a teenage band in season 3's Moe Hill and the Mountains. (Both of those episodes can be found on The William Windom Tribute Site. In the season 2 episode Why Don't They Ever Pick Me?, Katy and a young orphaned girl sing Lasse Lasse Liten together.

Inger performed two songs, The Lass from the Low Country and Let Me Entertain You, on The Danny Kaye Show in 1966. The following year, Inger released her Dome Records single and performed the B-side Lasse Lasse Liten on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour.

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com

Image Source: https://www.discogs.com

 

A very limited number of records were produced and Inger's musical endeavors never got the support needed from major producers in the music industry. Despite her obvious talent and desire, Inger was never able to record a full-length album or appear in a musical. Inger continued being one of the most active actresses in Hollywood from 1967 until her death in 1970. At no time did she give up the dream, however. In an interview with Clyde Gilmour in 1969, Inger shared, "I can sing as well as speak lines; I'm especially fond of folk songs, and before too long I hope somebody will give me a chance in a musical. I might even tackle a Broadway musical, except that I don't like the thought of being tied up for a long time in the same part. If the show is a hit, that's what happens, and on Broadway it's the hits that count."