"Musical Birth"

Frank's Determination and drive to become a singer didn't come at a better time with the advent of coast to coast radio on 1927. After going to a Bing Crosby concert when he was only 18 he realized he would do it and make it as a singer. His mother saw that she wouldn't have influence in his musical ambition and gave him $65 to buy a secondhand portable amplifying system, microphone, and loud speaker. Shortly after the purchase Frank moved to New York. This is when he started his musical career singing whenever he could trying to get a break. Then he got an appearance on one of the most successful stage talent shows of that time, the Major Bowed Amateur Hour with three local Italians whome he had looked up to. They had been called the three flashes but later changed their name to the Hoboken Four. Shortly after they competed in another competition at New York's Capitol Theater on September 8 1935. Frank was just short of his 20th birthday. Winning the competition boosted them into a spot with Bowes on his road show and radio shows around the country. The tour proved grueling for the group and Frank ended up leaving the group going back to New Jersey. Frank then got a job at the Rustic Cabin as a singer and occasional waiter. He was eager to work there for the networking opportunities and the fact the bands were featured on the radio. This was of course the era of big band music and the radio link ensured that musicians and managers who mattered across the river in New York, could hear the music played there. Being so close to New York it was a great place where scouts came frequently. While working at the Rustic Cabin he took other singing jobs to make money and spread his name. Then one night in June 1939 during a radio link at the Cabin a trumpeter named Harry James heard Sinatra and was pleased by his performance. James drove out to the Cabin and  offered him a $75 a week for a year contract on the spot. Harry James's band wasn't the big time yet for Sinatra, but it was a great starting point for his career. After a year of working with Harry James he sang his last song with him in January 1940, in Buffalo, New York.