Linda Martell

Linda Martell

The trailblazing Black female country star.

Founded

June 4, 1931, in Leesville, South Carolina

Full Name

Thelma Bynem

Date of Birth

June 4, 1931, in Leesville, South Carolina

Still Alive

Date of Death

Linda Martell.
Linda Martell.

About The artist

With the release of her album Color Me Country in January of 1970, Linda Martell became the first commercially successful Black female country artist. She became the first solo Black woman to play at the Grand Ole Opry in 1969. She would go on to play at the Opry eleven more times.

Did you know...

Linda was discovered by furniture sales-turned agent Duke Rayner while singing rhythm and blues at an Air Force base in North Carolina. She initially thought Duke was a "kook" when he began calling her long-distance asking if she would make a demo tape singing country and western.

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DeFord Bailey

DeFord Bailey

He rose above many hardships to become a country icon.

Lesley Riddle

Lesley Riddle

An instrumental figure in the birth of country music.

Charley Pride

Charley Pride

The Jackie Robinson of country music.

Genres from this era

Cool & Post-Bop

Cool & Post-Bop

The term covers subgenres like hard bop and free jazz.

Pop/Pop Soul

Pop/Pop Soul

Black music finely crafted and packaged for the masses.

Motown

Motown

The sound of young America masterminded by Berry Gordy.

Soul

Soul

Combines rhythm & blues and gospel music styles.

Psychedelic Soul

Psychedelic Soul

Soul gets high.

Rock

Rock

Rock loses the roll but gains amplitude and attitude.