Bonnie Lou
Mary Joan Okum, known professionally as Bonnie Lou, born October 27, 1924 in
Towanda, Illinois, was an American singer. She began performing at age 16 on
WJBC (AM) in Bloomington, Illinois. In 1945, she was hired by WLW in Cincinnati
and adopted the stage name Bonnie Lou. She performed regularly on the radio
program Midwestern Hayride and at the Grand Ole Opry. In 1953, she signed with
King Records and achieved country hits with "Tennessee Wig Walk" (1953) and
"Seven Lonely Days" (1953). Bonnie Lou transitioned to rockabilly in 1954 with
"Two-Step Side-Step", followed by her brea...
