Andrea Carroll – Pop Princess to P.H.D.
Posted by Chuck Benjamin on March 8, 2008
Andrea Hill. PhD. is an accomplished psychotherapist, actress, singer and acting coach living in
Los Angeles. She has combined her experience into a delightful book of advice and information directed to those who are in or around the creative world of entertainment.
The entertainment world is familiar to Andrea. As a child, she was well known to Cleveland television audiences as Andrea Carroll where she was a regular on the long running “Gene Carroll” Show. Later she played a singer on the daytime serial “Somerset”. In the sixties she signed a recording contract with Epic Records and later Big Top, RCA, and United Artists. She had eight local hits, including “Please Don’t Talk To The Lifeguard” which hit NUMBER ONE on the WHK Fabulous Fifty Tunedex. At only sixteen, with backing vocals by the Chiffons, Andrea hit the Hot 100 in 1963 with “Why Am I So Shy”. During that time of her life, she had the exceptional experience of touring nationally with such stars as Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder and Bob Hope.
Today, Andrea Hill, Ph.D., MFT., along with husband, former television producer Lyle B Hill, own the nationally renowned acting school Weist-Barron-Hill, located in Burbank, California. Dr. Hill is also a licensed clinical therapist with a specialty working with people in the entertainment industry from beginners to movie stars. She lives in Calabasas, California
I’ve had the good fortune to interview Andrea for a previous “Innocent Age” show. Ironically, on a show dedicated to Lenny Welch, I discovered that Lenny attended a two week “acting in commercials” class taught by Andrea and her husband Lyle.
Making It In The Business, is a special compilation of letters originally written for a major dramatic
magazine. It is Dr. Hill’s unique and compassionate communication with her reader that makes this book so compelling a read. Everyone wants to “Make It!” in the arts and in life. The real challenge is how to stay sane while doing it! Dr. Hill is in session with every reader sharing her vast experience on every page.
This book explores those deep emotional elements linking all artists. It should resonate with readers who have the courage to take a close look at themselves and the world around them. Find out more about her book: Making It In The Business
We play many tunes by Andrea – click HERE to listen: TUNEDEX MEMORIES
Sierra Carroll said
Hello Andrea,
I am the grandaughter of Gene Carroll, although I only saw him maybe once or twice when I was just a toddler I have always been fascinated with him, his radio shows and talent shows. I would love to be able to see some of his work and maybe even contact Helen Olsen if she is still alive.
Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sierra Jean Carroll
Andrea Carroll Hill said
Hi Sierra,
I was amazed to hear from you. I will be happy to tell you everything I know about Gene and I would love to hear whatever you know about his life before he married Helen.
Sierra Carroll said
Andrea,
Sorry it took over a year to get back with you. As I mentioned before I am Gene Carroll’s grandaughter. He was married to Mary Guay, and they had three children, one of which was my father Eugene Carroll (deceased), Judy (deceased) and Teresa (still alive). I would like to know if he had any other children. According to history he’d been married three times and was hoping I had some other relatives out there.
If you have any pictures or videos of my grandfather I would sure like to see them.
I would love to hear from you again.
Thank-You,
Sierra Jean Carroll
Tracy Brown said
Hi,
I think I remember meeting you. Did you go to Rocky River High? Were you in my sisters class? Lathie Brown-’67?
I went on to play drums and sing for over 40 years. I was in Sonny Geraci and Climax in ‘71 when we had our big hit. Still sit in now and then. Played in over 30 bands back in the day.
Write if you’re who I think you are. Thanks,
Tracy Brown
Andrea Hill said
Hi Tracy,
Sorry for the very late response. I went to Valley Forge High School.
I remember Sonny Geraci and how great his group was. If you ever see him, will you tell him that I said hello? Are you still singing?
Andrea
Rita said
I have a black and white photo of you that my “best friend” at the time gave me. We were probably in about the fifth grade. She is your cousin, and for the life of me I cannot remember her name. I have pictures and drive by her old house but the name from that many years ago won’t come to me. I wished we had kept in touch. She and her family lived in our little PA town of Shippenville for a short time, before moving to Pompano Beach, FL. I now live on Marco Island in Floride and would like to contact her and see what direction her life took. We listened to “Please don’t talk to the Lifeguard” over and over and I still remember all the words and kept that picture of you all these years. She and I would put on little talent shows at the local Clarion VFW where her parents were members. We always sang your songs.
Andrea Hill said
Hi Rita,
I’ve actually only recently become aware of this web site, so I apologize for not getting back to you sooner. I do remember you (or someone else) contacting me about a cousin, but my only cousin is a guy so I can’t help you there.
Even though my husband and I have vacationed in Florida many times, we have never gone to Marco Island and I am very curious about it. I’m sure it must be beautiful.
Wish you all the best.
Andrea
Bill Emery said
Hi!
My wife, Cheryl Puzder now Emery, danced on the Gene Carroll show fo 6 years in the early 60’s (The Three Steps)and mentions you with fondness everytime they play one of your songs. Looking at this web-site has brought back many fond memories. I once made contact with Don Webster, at channel 5, to see if there were any tapings of the Gene Carroll show at the station, He was unable to locate any. I was wondering if you had any idea where I could find some. I would love to surprise her be able to show our son. Thank you!
Bill Emery
Beverly (Mathe) Stegal said
Andrea….you look wonderful..I always wondered what happened to you…We are having our class reunion on Sept 12th…I have heard from so many old friends..Everytime I smell Youth dew perfume I think of you…drop me a line if you get this …bevbill2615@aol.com xxx000 Beverly
Andrea Hill said
Hi Beverly,
I tried contacting you several months ago. I remember you so well and have thought about you many times over the years. Plaase let me know what you’re doing these days. Are you living in Ohio?
Love,
Andrea
Barbara Weiss said
Does anyone know of and have any idea what happened to Terry Marinan I think his stage name was Terry Richards
Andrea Hill said
Hi Barbara,
We hear from Terry a few times a year. His hard rock group won an grammy back in the 70’s but then they were all killed in a plane crash. Terry was the only one not on that plane. He spent over 20 years singing in Vegas and now has retired to Montana.
Andrea
Jim Barker said
Hi Andrea! As a young DJ, and a big fan of yours,(and a friend of Mr. Cooper) I was once your “Lifeguard” in downtown Canton, and escorted you in a white convertible to Meyers Lake Park. I made several visits to the tv studio, and had lunch with you and your dad after one of the shows. I still play your songs on my radio show, and would love to interview you on one of my shows. Ironically, I just intervied Jill Colucci last week….she’s appearing at her couisin’s restaurant in Massillon. I’m so happy to hear that you’re doing fine, and that all is well with you. My email address is jkmusicexpress@yahoo.com Blessings Jumpin’ Jim Barker
Andrea Hill said
Hi Jim,
It was great to hear from you. Those were really fun days, weren’t they? I still visit Cleveland twice a year to see family.
Debbie Watson said
I am astounded. I was such a fan when you were on Gene Carroll. I even invited you to one of my birthday parties. You of course didn’t come but I carried that “Andreagram” around for months.
Thank you for those childhood memories!
Debbie Watson
Andrea Hill said
Hi Debbie,
It was so nice to hear from you. I still have such wonderful memories of the Gene Carroll show and I really appreciate the fact that you watched. Thank you very much for contacting me.
Andrea
Wayne in Texas. said
Andrea you and your music are loved and remembered everyday in Youtube. I have recently discovered: “Why Am I So Shy,” which is just a gem. Your wonderful “teenage angst,” delivery along with The Chiffons backing just make this tune unforgettable!!!
Many thanks and may God Bless!!! We are fortunate to have your star shining so brightly during our lifetime!
Wayne in Texas.
Andrea Hill said
Hi Wayne,
Oh my gosh, you found “So Shy”!!! I liked that one too and loved the Chiffons in the background. Thank you for your very touching comments. When did you leave Ohio for Texas?
Andrea
Andrea Carroll said
Hello Andrea,
I grew up in Alliance, Ohio watching the Gene Carroll Show on Sunday afternoons. My mom loved your name so that she named me after you. My name is Andrea Carroll and I tell people all the time that I was named after a lady who sang on the Gene Carroll Show. And your married name is my mom’s maiden name. :) Glad to see that you’re doing well.
God Bless,
Andrea Carroll
Bob Heine said
While surfing the internet for some old “Rock and Roll,”I was surprised to come across a familiar face from my past.What a great moment. You are still Parkhill’s most famous resident. Andrea, my twin brother, Jim, and I were always big fans of yours. I was really unaware of all your wonderful accomplishments. (Brother Don, Jim, and I all entered the service in 1966) Anyone who ever met you must have realized you were driven and would make the necessary sacrifices to “make it.” You really are a big part of my Parkhill Dr. memories.The very best to you!! Your neighbor, Bob Heine
Jan ( Kuhar) Fazio said
Seeing your name in the class reunion info reminded me of a memory I wanted to share with you.
In the early 60’s my girlfriend and I were walking home from the PH pool when a couple of guys started following us and would not leave us alone. When we spotted your house we ran over and knocked on your door. Your dad invited us in, calmed us down and then walked us the rest of the way home. He was so sweet and we were so grateful.
Glad to hear you are doing so well.
greg hoff said
I was looking through You Tube the other day and found an eight minute special on channel 5’s
50th yr. anniversary and it had a clip of you performing the Doolang on Gene carrols show.
What a great memory and I now know why I had such a big crush on you in the early 60’s(as did most guys in cleveland) Glad you have been so successful. I picked up a cd of your greatest hits
a few months ago(off of Amazon.com I think) lots of memories on that cd.
As a side note I worked with Ray Saporita (spelling?)in the early 70’s at the May Company
downtown. It was interesting talking to him about Gene Carroll and the show.
God Bless and Good Luck
Greg
Ted Castor said
Andrea:
Attended the 45th VFHS class reunion in Sept. after missing the 30th,35th & 40th. Joann and I were chatting about the “necking parties” at your home and your DAD opening a closet door when I was with someone and saying excuse me! Those certainly were the days of innocence.
Just retired from Time Warner Cable in June and have a bed and breafast in Baltimore, Ohio. We will be moving to Parma Heights in November and am looking forward to those cold, snowy wintery days and nights of Cleveland!
Congratulations on your PH D and making it work in CA.
You and your husband are invited to our future home at 6668 Greenbriar Dr in PH whenever you visit Cleveland and we wish continued success.We would love to host a party in our future home and have you as our guest of honor.
I did bring my Pearl Road pictures to the reunion and you were real cute with your pony tail, bobby socks and poodle skirt.
Lastly the reunion was still a little strange as my first career was teaching and taught 12 years and 10 of them were at PV & coached tennis at VF.
Take care of yourself as the years have been very good to you!
Sincerely,
Ted