The second the spotlight hit her gold necklaces and diamond tiara, you were trapped. But when she opened her mouth and the howling, raw talent of Ma Rainey poured out, the deal was truly sealed. You couldn't get up out of that club even if you wanted to, and of course, you don't want to.
Time to get BLUESY! This week on the pod, we're learning all about "The Mother of the Blues," Ma Rainey. Don't forget, all pictures from today's episode can be found HERE!
Sources:
"Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey" by Mariana Brandman - National Women's History Museum
"Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey" by N. Lee Orr - New Georgia Encyclopedia
"'All they want is my voice'" by David Smith - The Guardian (interview with Florene Dawkins)
"Ma Rainey" - National Museum of African American History & Culture
"Our History" - Fisk Jubilee Singers
"Minstrel Show" - Britannica
"Why a 'Cakewalk' Wasn't Always Easy" by Lakshmi Gandhi - Code Switch for NPR
