New York Writer Determined To Buy Headstone For Mamie Smith, 1920s Blues Pioneer Lying In Unmarked Ground

Online, October 30, 2013 (Newswire.com) - A New York blues writer has started his second INDIEGOGO campaign to raise funds to erect a headstone in New York City for African American blues singer ands pioneer MAMIE SMITH (1883-1946), who broke the race barrier by recording the first blues by an African American, "Crazy Blues," in August, 1920. It was the first time an all African American band backed an African American singer on record. The record was a wild success, selling an estimated million copies in less than a year -- unheard of at the time!

The writer, Michael Cala, of Staten Island, New York, is a recent inductee into the New York Blues Hall of Fame in recognition of his dozen-plus years writing about blues music. He decided to mount the campaign while he was researching a book on the blues.

Says Cala, "I was interested in researching the recording side of the music business, and especially the "race record" phenomenon, for a book, when I came across Mamie's unfortunate story. She did so much, and yet was barely recognized beyond her lifetime."

The new, active Web site URL for contributions to the "Headstone for Mamie Smith Campaign" is http://igg.me/at/mamie-headstone/x/847836

Before this recording milestone occurred, record companies would not record African Americans singing blues or jazz, declaring that African Americans would not buy recordings.

In 1970, Bessie Smith, lying likewise in an unmarked grave, was the beneficiary of generosity spearheaded by then-superstar Janis Joplin and Smith friend Juanita Green.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Michael Cala
Phone: 646-732-8466
E-mail: [email protected]
Indiegogo Campaign: http://igg.me/at/mamie-headstone/x/847836