Maria Dallas (born Marina Devcich, 1946) was discovered at a talent contest in small town of Morrinsville, New Zealand. Her first single "Tumblin' Down", written by Jay Epae, released in 1966 and made it to #11 in the charts. It also won her a Loxene Golden Disc award.She released several albums and singles and starred in the New Zealand television series before moving on to Australia in 1967 recording "Ambush" charting #20 in Australia and then to Nashville. She returned to New Zealand in 1970 and scored a #1 hit with the song "Pinocchio". The song spent six weeks at number one during the fall of the year. In total, Dallas produced at least 10 albums and 25 singles. "Pinocchio" peaked at number 96 in Australia in March 1971.