Soul Sisters

Two of Dean Martin’s Dingaling sisters reunite to bring joy to veterans.

By Jennifer Garrett

The two spirited blondes singing and dancing on stage may look familiar. That’s because Michelle DellaFave and Lindsay Bloom first met on “The Dean Martin Show” as part of his singing and dancing group, The Golddiggers, and with the quartet that later developed on the show, The Dingaling sisters. Bloom went on to act in TV shows such as “The New Mike Hammer,” “Starsky and Hutch,” “Dallas,” and others, while DellaFave acted in theater and released two solo albums. But these days the women are using their talents in a whole new way.

The duo, known as Blue Eyed Soul, reunited for the first time in 35 years for a performance at the 25th anniversary of the Vietnam Wall Memorial in the fall of 2007, and since then their act has taken off as they tour the country regularly performing for veterans groups and visiting hospitals.

Popular with veterans for two USO tours she made with Bob Hope in 1969 and ’70, DellaFave had previously reconnected with her fan base when she and two other Dingaling sisters reenacted their famous Funky Chicken dance at a national convention for the veterans. When the veterans asked her to return for the Wall anniversary, she brought along Bloom. Once Bloom and DellaFave performed, the veterans couldn’t get enough of them, and the women felt the same way. “We are both born-again Christians, and we decided this was a wonderful thing we could do for these guys who gave so much and were treated so poorly upon their return,” Bloom says.

Veterans frequently tell DellaFave how much her performances at USO shows during Vietnam encouraged them at the time, and Blue Eyed Soul hopes to continue that purpose. Their current show includes dancing and singing popular songs from the ’60s and ’70s, but most of all Bloom says they simply want to lift people’s spirits and bring joy to people who are struggling. “Every time we perform, we try to let our light shine—not just our personalities but God’s light through us,” she says. “This time we have together is a special time, especially with the veterans, we want to give them hope … tell them that in this moment of time they are appreciated, and we love them.”

From praying with a marine in a D.C. hospital who had been shot in the head to encouraging women at the Walker House, a women veterans’ transitional residence in Philadelphia, the pair shares their faith with others well beyond the stage. “I prayed specifically for one lady [at the Walker House], and she sent me a two-page letter filled with so much love and compassion,” says Bloom. “I just think we only go around this world once, and we can either touch people’s lives or stay in our houses. I want to get out and touch people.”

For more information visit michelleandlindsay.com.