‘There She Isn’t…’ One Part of Miss America Pageant Is Not Returning to Atlantic City

When the Miss America Pageant returns home to Atlantic City on September 15th, 2014, one iconic part of the pageant will be notably absent.

No, not Bert Parks.  Bert's been dead since 1992 and hadn't hosted Miss America since 1979.

It's the song Parks made famous singing to the winning contestant, "There she is, Miss America", that's been scratched.

Miss American Organization Vice President Sharon Pearce tells The Press of Atlantic City that the tune, which was first played in 1955, is no longer included. She says no decision has been made on a final song.

This isn't the first time the song famous for its inclusion in Miss America has been excluded from the pageant.  As a matter of fact, it wasn't used in the the 2013 Pageant held in Las Vegas, either. There were three years in the 1980's that the song wasn't used either.

The problem with the use of the song revolves around a licensing dispute between the Miss America organization and the widow of songwriter Bernie Wayne.  Wayne, who is credited with writing over 1000 song during his lifetime, including "Blue Velvet" died at age 74 in 1993.  His wife, Phyllis, filed suit in U.S. District Court accusing the pageant of using the song in 2011 and 2012 without  proper license.

Although the suit was settled, the disagreement apparently continues.  So, Miss America has decided to find a new way to celebrate the new Miss America when the pageant returns to its old home this September.

We can still remember how it once was though, with this montage classic Bert Parks moments and his performance of "There she is, Miss America".