1963 was the year that New York native Doris Hines came to the Twin Cities.  Doris’ talent was discovered early when she won an Arthur Godfrey Talent Scouts Show. (Photo below left)  Over her long career, she performed with or opened for Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Maya Angelou, Duke Ellington, Dinah Washington, Harry Belafonte, Nat King Cole, Freddy Cole, and Illinois Jacquet.  Doris came to Minnesota for a two week performance; the job was held over for two years, and Doris decided to stay, becoming a familiar performer at such local venues as The Sheraton Ritz, The Point, The Key Club, Ruby’s Cabaret, Big Al’s and The Sherwood.  She also brought her talents to the stages of the Guthrie, Ordway, Orchestra Hall, Orpheum Theater and Penumbra Theater, and sang with local legends Percy Hughes and Irv Williams. She was the first African American woman to be seen in a Minnesota television commercial, appearing in Northwestern Bell’s “Get Out of Town Fast” long distance promotion. Doris has six children, including Gary Hines, director of the acclaimed ensemble Sounds of Blackness. The 1970 book Minneapolis Negro Profile by Walter R. Scott, Sr., said about Doris:  This vivacious local young vocalist is known as a Brown Bombshell in the business with torrid vocals and heart-stirring soul music renditions.”  See a 1980 performance here.  Doris was inducted into the Minnesota Rock/Country Hall of Fame in 2010 and also a recipient of a Minnesota Black Music Award.  Thanks to Gary Hines for providing this information.