Sondra Prill
Sondra Prill | |
|---|---|
| Born | c.1970 |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1987-1992 |
Sondra Prill (born c.1970)[1] was a cover singer from Tampa, Florida who starred in her own public-access television show from 1987 until 1992. Her show—entitled My Show—and her inconsistent, off-tone singing of popular 1980s hits earned her a moderate degree of Internet celebrity in the late 2000s when Prill's work was uploaded onto the Internet.[1]
Career
In the late 1980s, Prill started her first show on Jones Intercable channel 12 in Tampa. The show, simply titled My Show, was a showcase of her singing talents, featuring music videos of Prill singing popular songs of the time and some attempts at comedy.[2] She would also do the sign-off of channel 12 by singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" in front of a superimposed American flag, hugging herself and pretending to move in slow motion.[1]
On October 16, 1992 she performed at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center starring in her own event called Sultry Sondra: A Musical Fantasy.[3] At a price of $50 a ticket (double the rate established stars Al Green and Patti Labelle had charged at the same venue),[2] 41 paying attendees came to see her;[3] the official head count put the number of people in attendance closer to 70, with the vice president of marketing for the center concluding, "She might have comped some folks." [1] A reviewer considered that Prill set a new record for "the most abysmal entertainment event to ever take place in the Tampa area", and described her "unique way of handling a melody - a cross between the dulcet sound of setting one's hair on fire and sticking one's hand into a garbage disposal."[3] At the finale of the show, Prill had honey poured all over her,[3] in what seemed to be a literal interpretation of the lyrics to what she believed would be her breakthrough song, "Oh, You Sexpot Honey." [1] Prill wanted to do the finale nude, but the performing arts center required her to wear a body stocking. Brinson M. Harris, a remote producer for the event, said, "A backup singer walked out from backstage to say good night and to apologize to the audience."[1]
Prill's honey-pouring event was videotaped for public-access television, but Prill and her mother are believed to have destroyed the tapes before they made it to air.[1] Three episodes of My Show survive.[2] An attempt to locate Prill in 2007 was unsuccessful.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Williams, Greg (February 6, 2007), "The Cult Of Sondra", The Tampa Tribune, Media General Inc., archived from the original on April 2, 2007, retrieved 2007-02-06
{{citation}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|coauthors=(help) - ^ a b c Williams, Eric (December 4, 2003). 365 Days Project: #338. WFMU. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
- ^ a b c d Ruth, Daniel (20 October 1992). "A sultry extravaganza of the banal". The Tampa Tribune. p. 43. Retrieved 11 December 2018.