Linda Ronstadt is truly an original! | Country Fancast

Happy Birthday Linda Martell, born Thelma Bynem; June 4, 1941. She is an American singer who became the first commercially successful black female artist in the country music field and the first to play the Grand Ole Opry. As one of the first black country performers, Martell helped influence the careers of future Nashville artists of color. Born and raised in South Carolina, Martell listened to country, gospel and R&B music. In her teens, she formed a singing trio with her family titled Linda M

Linda Martell made history as the first African-American female country artist to perform at the Grand Ole Opry and made 12 appearances on the show. She also made appearances on the famous country music variety show Hee-Haw. Martell charted three singles on Billboard’s 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 an African-American female. Her album "Color Me Country", released in 1970, peaked