Linda Martell Country Music's Pioneer Defying Genera
Last night we witnessed history at the Grammys. Beyonce took home 3 Grammys and won for best country music artist. I will do a piece on Beyonce but today I want to share about Linda Martell - who because of Beyonce's win last night was also finally awarded her long deserved acknowledgement.
Linda Martell was born in South Carolina in 1941. Her father was a sharecropper and a preacher and she got into music through singing in church. When she was a teen she formed the Linda Martell trio in 1962 and they recorded their first R&B single.
She make her first country album in 1960 and in 1969 became the first Black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Released in 1970, her sole album, Color Me Country, was the first major release by a Black female artist in country. A mix of honky-tonk spunk and heartbreak balladry, all infused with her roots in gospel and R&B, the album spawned three country hits.
It is important to note that Linda had an emotional and devastating departure from the country music scene in Nashville in 1974 due to the corruption, racism, and hate she experienced at live shows and by white men at record labels.
Her best known songs are "Color Him Father", "Before the Next Teardrop Falls" and "Bad Case of the Blues" and now "SPAGHETTII" and "the Linda Martell Show"
Linda had the highest single on the billboard hot country singles chart at #22 "Color Him Father", by a Black female country artist in the history of the genera in 1969, until Beyonce's "Texas Hold Em'" debuted at #1 in February of 2024.
“I am proud that Beyoncé is exploring her country music roots,” Martell said in a statement on the day of the album’s release. “What she is doing is beautiful, and I’m honored to be a part of it. It’s Beyoncé, after all!”
"I just feel very full and very honored. It has been many, many years, and I just want to thank the Grammys, every song writer, every collaborator, every producer, all of the hard work. I want to dedicate this to Ms. Martell, and I just hope we keep pushing forward, opening doors." - Beyonce
It has only been in the last few years that Linda Martell has been finally receiving her praise. Now in her 80s living in South Carolina with her family. Beyonce and other larger name artists have been making sure that Linda gets her dues - saying her name on stage and putting her name and her voice on albums. In a world of people often forgotten its a nice change to have Linda Martell back in the spotlight - as she deserves.
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