Martha Tilton, also known as ''Liltin' Martha Tilton,'' joined the venerable Jimmy Dorsey and his band in 1935, replacing Vicki Joyce. Martha spent about 2 years with Dorsey, but her big recording opportunity happened when she joined the famous Benny Goodman in 1937, where she replaced Betty Van. Goodman, intending to give her a good build-up during her debut, would introduce her as a singer ''that's really going places.'' During one of her first appearances, she forgot her cue, and when she didn't appear, Goodman turned to the audience and joked, ''Boy, she isn't going places, she's already gone!''

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She remained with Goodman until 1939, when she was ''asked'' to leave for the duration of the shake-up of Benny Goodman's company following the exodus of Harry James. She worked briefly with Artie Shaw before being employed in 1941 as a vocalist with the Billy Mills Orchestra on the Fibber McGee and Molly radio program.