Donna Fargo (born Yvonne Vaughan, November 10, 1945, Mount Airy, North Carolina) is an American country singer-songwriter, who is best known for a series of Top 10 country hits in the 1970s. These include "The Happiest Girl In the Whole USA" and "Funny Face," which both became crossover pop hits in 1972.Fargo has won major awards since her debut in the late 1960s, including one Grammy Award, five awards from the Academy of Country Music and one award from the Country Music Association.
While in California, she met her future husband, Stan Silver, who became her manager when she was performing in California clubs and first seeking a career in music.
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Attended High Point College then headed west to study at the University of Southern California, getting her degree and then became a teacher at Northview High School in Covina, California, eventually progressing to head of the English Department.
Was the fifth most successful female country artist of the '70s.
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When recording "That Was Yesterday," Fargo tried singing the lyrics and then reciting some and singing others. She ended up reciting all the lyrics, resulting in a rare recitation No. 1 country hit.
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Other No. 1 country hits included "Funny Face" (another million-seller from 1972); "Superman" and "You Were Always There" (both 1973); "You Can't Be a Beacon (if Your Light Don't Shine)" (1974); and "That Was Yesterday" (1977). Just missed scoring another No. 1 hit in 1978 with "Do I Love You (Yes in Every Way)."
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Quit teaching in 1972, as her first hit, "The Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A.," reached No. 1 on Billboard magazine's country singles chart. The million-selling song was also a major hit on Billboard's Hot 100 chart.
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By day, she taught at Northview High School in Colvina, Calif.; by night, she performed at local nightclubs as Donna Fargo.
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Country singer.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lotta på Liseberg
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
True Blood
2008
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Opry Video Classics: Queens
2007
Video performer: "The Happiest Girl In the Whole U.S.A." / writer: "The Happiest Girl In the Whole U.S.A."
Opry Video Classics: Songs That Topped the Charts
2007
Video performer: "Funny Face" / writer: "Funny Face"
Big Love
2007
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Six Feet Under
2001
TV Series 1 episode
The Dukes of Hazzard
1981
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Women of Country
1993
TV Movie
Herself
Academy of Country Music's 20th Anniversary Reunion
1986
TV Special
Herself
Nashville on the Road
1983
TV Series
Herself - Guest
Hee Haw
1972-1982
TV Series
Herself - Special Guest / Herself / Herself - Guest
The Dukes of Hazzard
1981
TV Series
Herself
A Gift of Music
1981
TV Special
Herself
The Donna Fargo Show
1978
TV Series
Herself - Hostess (1978)
The 5th Annual American Music Awards
1978
TV Special
Herself
The Hollywood Squares
1975-1977
TV Series
Herself
Van Dyke and Company
1976
TV Series
Herself
The Mike Douglas Show
1974-1976
TV Series
Herself - Country Vocalist
Dinah!
1975-1976
TV Series
Herself
9th Annual Country Music Association Awards
1975
TV Special
Herself - Presenter
Music Country U.S.A.
1974
TV Series
Herself / Herself - Host
10th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards
1974
TV Special
Herself
The Dean Martin Show
1974
TV Series
Herself
Dean Martin Presents Music Country
1973
TV Series
Herself
The 15th Annual Grammy Awards
1973
TV Special
Herself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Opry Video Classics: Queens
2007
Video
Herself
Opry Video Classics: Songs That Topped the Charts
2007
Video
Herself
Known for movies
The Donna Fargo Show (1978) as Herself - Hostess (1978)
Hee Haw (1972-1982) as Herself - Special Guest / Herself / Herself - Guest
Music Country U.S.A. (1974) as Herself / Herself - Host
$15 Million
