Linda Martell-Color Him Father

Ian Holman · Post by **Ian Holman** » 16 Jan 2014 6:57 am

Was introduced to her songs this past weekend. Amazing music. Does anyone know who played steel?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsNaHdYMTmk

Joachim Kettner · Post by **Joachim Kettner** » 16 Jan 2014 7:48 am

What a find, she's very good! Thanks

Ian Holman · Post by **Ian Holman** » 16 Jan 2014 10:15 am

Yeah, she's amazing. She was the first african american to perform on the Grand Ole Opry.

Charles Curtis · Post by **Charles Curtis** » 16 Jan 2014 11:29 am

I believe Charlie Pride was the first African American to be on the Grand Old Opry in 1967.

Ian Holman · Post by **Ian Holman** » 16 Jan 2014 1:39 pm

Hey Charles,
when you're right, you're right and you are right. Though both of their wikipedia sites say they're both the first to perform at the opry Charley Pride wins by two years. Anyhow, her songs are killer. Does anyone know who was playing steel?

Roger Shackelton · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 16 Jan 2014 2:16 pm

On Hee Haw In 1970, Linda Sings, "Bad Case Of The Blues" The Buckaroos Are The Backing Band. (below)

In 1969 Linda Martell Became The First Black Female Country Artist To Appear On The Grand Old Opry. During Her 5-Year Career She Made 12 Opry Appearances & Was Signed To Plantation Records By The Late Shelby Singleton. She Even Did A Live Record With Ernest Tubb.

Being Signed To "Plantation Records" Perhaps Wasn't The Best Label For Promoting Linda's Career.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZEiH-YS ... re=related

Ian Holman · Post by **Ian Holman** » 16 Jan 2014 3:19 pm

Hey Roger,
That's a great clip, thanks. Yeah, the whole "Plantation records" thing is a strange one. I guess she probably didn't have a whole lot of options to chose from.

Pete Finney · Post by **Pete Finney** » 16 Jan 2014 4:13 pm

According to an article on Linda Martell in the March 2010 Oxford American "Southern Music Issue", Curly Chalker is the steel player on "Color Him Father."

As far as African-Americans on the Opry, Deford Bailey beat both Charlie Pride and Linda Martel to the Opry by about 40 years; he was an Opry star between 1926-1941 and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

http://countrymusichalloffame.org/full- ... ord-bailey

Bobby Hebb, most famous for his hit "Sunny" in 1966 (and who toured with the Beatles that year) played the Opry for about 5 years in the '50s as part of Roy Acuff's group.

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Linda Martell-Color Him Father

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Linda Martell On Hee Haw