01:15 Born in Ponchatoula, LA, Thomas is known as the Soul Queen of New Orleans. Spent early years with her grandparents in Greensburg, LA. Started singing at an early age, had no radio until about 9, then only on Sundays for gospel music. Sang before her first “seated” audience in third grade. Waitressed at a club where Tommy Ridgely played and sat in with them. People started to ask for the singing waitress; the boss didn’t like that and fired her. Tommy hired her. 05:35 Miner mentions Thomas’s style and voice popularizing the sound of New Orleans outside of New Orleans. One of the few women. Miner plays excerpts from her favorite four songs from “Home of the Blues, volume 2 ” recorded on Minute. 07:00 Demonstration: You Walked Away and Left Me, Cry On, It’s Raining, Ruler of my Heart (1961) She was about 19 when she recorded these, which never made it to the national market until many years later. Allen Toussaint was the writer and producer at Minute. He tailored songs exclusively for different artists. 14:50 First record to make national charts was “You Can Have my Husband but Please Don’t Mess with my Man.” Otis Redding covered “Ruler of my Heat” recorded at Muscle Shoals as “Pain in my Heart.” In 33 years have not had a million seller, but am blessed to still be performing. Lived in CA for a time hoping to break into larger market, ended up selling automotive products at Montgomery Ward. Then to Oakland, then came back to New Orleans to Marriott lounge in 1974. Started to do her second line handkerchief tradition with out of town audiences there. 19:30 Demonstration: Thinking of You from New Rules (1986) and Hip Shaking Mama and I Wish Someone Would Care (which she wrote during the Vietnam War) from Live: Simply the Best (1991) on Rounder Records.
