Donna Marie Abramo began her singing career at a Christmas party at Vellegia’s Restaurant in December 1963. Shelley’s Emeralds were playing and Donna asked if she could sing some songs with the group. After her performance she was asked to join the band and in early 1964 Emeralds members Norm Seifert and Shelley Hopkins began working with Donna to develop her style.
Shelley’s Emeralds played many WCAO sponsored dances, CYO’s, teen centers, and night spots including Club Venus, and Hollywood Park. While singing with the band in 1964 Donna was offered a recording contract and decided to leave in 1965 in pursuit of a solo career. Some demos written by Alan Field were recorded in Baltimore with musical accompaniment by the Emeralds. Field and Paul Rodgers took Donna and her demo recordings to Henry Jerome, A&R Director for Decca Records. She rerecorded the songs with a studio band and the single “Eddie Wasn’t There” b/w “Man Killer” (Coral 62445) was released. The single received some local airplay on WCAO, and sold well in Canada, but did not catch on nationally.
Donna returned to Baltimore and joined the Uptowns in 1965 who released several singles on the local Shangri-la label.
In early 1968 Donna left the Uptowns. She was replaced with Alana Shor and the group became known as Alana & the Scottsmen.
Donna later returned briefly to the Scottsmen who then became known as Donna & the Scottsmen, replacing Alana who moved on to the Magnificent Seven.
Donna Marie, should not be confused with New Jersey based singer who released singles on Columbia Records and with the studio band for the Archies.
1965 Coral 62445 Eddie Wasn’t There / Man Killer
