Mary Jo: May 13, 1939 - May 14, 1984

Carolyn: Born: 1942

Judy: November 19, 1945 - October 29, 2018

The Chelette Sisters—Mary Jo, Carolyn, and Judy Chelette—were a young country and hillbilly music trio from Port Arthur, Texas, whose career began almost by accident at a KPAC talent contest in 1947. Mary Jo was 8, Carolyn was 5, and Judy was only 2 when they were told they would have to perform together if all three wanted to participate. Their rendition of “You Are My Sunshine” won the contest, launching a sister act that would become a memorable part of Southern country music entertainment.

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Led by oldest sister Mary Jo, who was only 14 during the height of their early success, the Chelette Sisters became regular performers on KPAC in Port Arthur and later appeared on larger stages across the South. They were known for their traditional country sound, youthful charm, and matching Western outfits, which were designed and sewn by their mother, Josie Marie Chelette. Their family played a major role in supporting their career: their mother created their costumes and their father, a Port Arthur police officer and pilot, was part of their adventurous upbringing.

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The sisters performed on major radio and stage programs including Big D Jamboree, Dallas Saturday Nite, Shindig Dallas, Houston Hometown Jamboree, and The Louisiana Hayride. They shared bills with major country stars such as Hank Snow, Moon Mullican, Lefty Frizzell, Minnie Pearl, Eddie Arnold, Dell Wood, and even a young Elvis Presley. In 1954, the family traveled to New York, where the girls appeared on Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour and later earned additional television appearances.

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Mary Jo also had a solo career and holds the distinction of being the first artist to release a record on Starday Records. Her early recordings included “Gee, It’s Tough to Be Thirteen” and “Cat Fishing,” followed by other singles. The sisters also recorded or appeared on records with Rick Johnson and Tommy Curtis, including releases on Comet, NRC, and Trey.

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Carolyn Monte, the middle sister, later reflected on a life filled with music, travel, and remarkable encounters, including meeting Johnny Cash, June Carter, and Janis Joplin. The sisters eventually stopped performing publicly, though their final time singing together came shortly before Mary Jo died of cancer at age 44. Judy died in 2018, leaving Carolyn as the last surviving Chelette Sister and keeper of the family’s musical legacy.