To Beyoncé Cowboy Carterreleased Friday (March 29), the superstar salutes pioneering country artist Linda Martell, the first black woman to ever play the Grand Ole Opry in 1969, and in doing so introduces the trailblazer to a whole new audience .
Although long retired, the 82-year-old Martell returns to Beyoncé's album in two parts, which deal with Beyoncé's refusal to be bound by genre lines. In the introduction to “Spaghettii,” he says, “Genres are a funny little concept, aren't they? Yes it is. In theory, they have a simple definition that is easy to understand, but in practice, then, some may feel limited.”
Martell returns to the 28-second break titled “The Linda Martell Show,” opening with “Thank you very much,” to the sound of applause. He continues, “This particular tune spans a range of genres and that's what makes it such a unique listening experience. Yes indeed. It's called 'Ya Ya,'” he says before the genre-defining “Ya Ya” opens into a sample of Nancy Sinatra's 1966 classic, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin.”
For many listeners, this is likely the first time they've heard of Martell, who played such a pioneering role in country music. Her breakthrough single, “Color Him Father,” reached No. 22 in September 1969. The song was the highest-charting song in the catalog by a black woman for more than 50 years until her “Texas Hold'Em” Beyoncé hit No. 1 earlier this year.
On Friday, Martell praised Beyoncé via an Instagram post. “So proud that @beyonce is exploring her roots in country music. What he's doing is beautiful and I'm honored to be a part of it. It's Beyoncé after all!”
Here are seven things you should know about Martell.
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Her roots in South Carolina
Born Thelma Bynem, Martell grew up in South Carolina and initially tried to make it as an R&B performer in a trio with her sister and cousin, Linda Martell & the Anglos, before moving to the country after a furniture store owner in Nashville, William. Duke “Rayner”, saw her singing at an Air Force base and convinced her to come to Nashville, financing her demo.
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Color her country
Only one album was released, Color Me Country, in 1970 for Plantation Records. In its review, Billboard wrote: “Linda impresses as the female Charley Pride. He's got great style and real feel for a country song.” The album reached No. 40 in October of that year. Rissi Palmer's Apple Music Essential Popcast, Color Me Country, was named after the album. The Shelby Singleton-produced album was cut in one day.
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Graph recording setup
Martell scored three singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts, including “Color Him Father,” which peaked at No. 22 in September 1969. The song was the highest-charting song on the chart by a black woman and speaks of a loving stepfather. after the singer's original father was killed in the Vietnam War. Her cover of Duane Dee's “Before the Next Teardrop Falls” reached No. 33 (Freddy Fender later took it to No. 1 on the country and pop charts in 1975) and the third single, “Bad Case of The Blues” reached No. 58. .” “Country music says a history,” She said Rolling Stone in 2020. “When you choose a song and you can touch That's what made me feel great about what I was singing. I did a lot of country songs and loved every single one of them. Because they're just telling a story.”
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“A Female Charley Pride”
Only one album was released, Color Me Country, in 1970 for the unfortunately named Plantation Records. In his review, Advertising sign wrote, “Linda impresses as the female Charley Pride. He's got great style and real feel for a country song.” The album reached No. 40 in October of that year. Rissi Palmer's Apple Music Essential Popcast, Color Me Country, was named after the album. The Shelby Singleton-produced album was cut in one day.
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Grand Ole Opry debut
Martell was the first black woman to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Debuting in 1969, she received two standing ovations, she told Rolling Stone, and appeared dozens of times on stage. Martell also appeared on the long-running television show, Confusion.
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Racism rears its head
Despite her initial success, Martell's career stalled very quickly, fueled in part by the racism she faced. She learned early on while on tour not to respond to voices that would make fun of her. “A lot of times, you feel like you want to say, 'Okay, look here, I don't want to hear this. Please stop calling me such names.'' But you can't say that. You can not tell Anything», he told Rolling Stone. “All you can do is sing and try to forget it.” He left Nashville in 1974.
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Check out her life story
A movie about her life, Bad Case of the Country Blues: The Linda Martell Story, comes from her granddaughter. “What I did in country music, no one can ever match it,” he says in the documentary.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/linda-martell-beyonce-cowboy-carter-things-to-know/
