PRINTOn the Job: Singing Telegram Deliverer
Love struck but tone deaf? Dustin Hampton can help
Jason Maritz
Dustin Hampton, who works for mid-Missouri’s Life of the Party Entertainment, poses as Miranda L’Amour. L’Amour will be performing singing telegrams on Valentine’s Day. “I most enjoy the surprise and enjoyment of those I sing for,” she says.
February 7, 2008 | 12:00 a.m. CST
Remember the days of elementary school when you would pass out Valentine’s Day cards to all your friends? The coolest valentines had jokes or heart-shaped suckers. But how cool would you have been if you were the kid on the playground with a singing telegram? Although your playground days are over, it’s possible to have an envy-inducing valentine thanks to singing telegram deliverers such as Dustin Hampton, 23, of Columbia. Dustin has been singing telegrams for special occasions — and putting wimpy valentines to shame — for two years.
Vox: Did you have to audition for your job as a singer?
Dustin Hampton: It’s actually an odd story. I bought a house from Laura, who runs the company, and my partner had gotten into the business, too. So they knew each other, and it all happened from there.
Vox: How often do you get requests? Are there any specific occasions you perform for?
DH: Sometimes there are two requests a week, sometimes one a month. The occasions are usually birthdays, at home or at the workplace, anniversaries, random events — any occasion you get a card for, a telegram works just as well.
Vox: What’s the weirdest message you’ve delivered?
DH: The songs are customized for each person. We include things about them, like their favorite foods or hobbies, whatever they may be into. We have a card for every telegram that we make unique. I once performed as Marilyn Monroe for a drummer in a band at Mojo’s. That was a little weird.
Vox: Do you ever get embarrassed by the message?
DH: Not so much the message but the job itself. I’m a shy person, so it takes a lot of courage.
Vox: What kind of audience do you usually sing for?
DH: I haven’t done any telegrams for children. Generally the people are older, and I sing for both women and men. Bars are a popular place to do them.
Vox: Can you describe your telegram wardrobe?
DH: I’ve done the glamorous Marilyn Monroe. I’ve performed in tuxedo. I’ve even done a Grim Reaper get-up, which is popular for 40th birthday parties.
Vox: Will you be busy singing for Valentine’s Day?
DH: We’re hoping for more requests. It’s fun to do the whole flowers, balloons and candy thing for the girls. I dress up in my tuxedo and sing to them from their husbands. For the guys, I do a lot of singing as Miranda, my female persona. People have a lot of fun with it.
