Linda Martell
Encyclopedia
Linda Martell, born Thelma Bynem (June 4, 1941), is an American rhythm and blues
and country music
singer. In August 1969, she became the first African-American woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry
.
and had a top-25 hit with "Color Him Father". She made television appearances on "The Bill Anderson Show" and Hee Haw
in 1970. She released a second single, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls", which reached #33 on the Billboard charts. She recorded one more charting single, an album and made 11 more appearances on the Grand Ole Opry before ending her recording career in 1974.
Rhythm and blues
Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a...
and country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer. In August 1969, she became the first African-American woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
.
Biography
Linda Martell was born in Leesville, South Carolina. Her first recorded work was with a group called the Angelos, a single recorded while she was in her teens. In 1969, she joined Plantation RecordsPlantation Records
Plantation Records was a country music record label started by Shelby Singleton. The label is best known for the Jeannie C. Riley 45rpm single, "Harper Valley P.T.A." which was a number one pop record in 1968....
and had a top-25 hit with "Color Him Father". She made television appearances on "The Bill Anderson Show" and Hee Haw
Hee Haw
Hee Haw is an American television variety show featuring country music and humor with fictional rural Kornfield Kounty as a backdrop. It aired on CBS-TV from 1969–1971 before a 20-year run in local syndication. The show was inspired by Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In, the major difference being...
in 1970. She released a second single, "Before the Next Teardrop Falls", which reached #33 on the Billboard charts. She recorded one more charting single, an album and made 11 more appearances on the Grand Ole Opry before ending her recording career in 1974.