When Atlantic Records was a fledgling enterprise, Ahmet Ertegun agreed to sign young Virginia native Ruth Brown as the label's first female act. During her ten years with Atlantic Ruth gave the company a string of R&B hits but was unceremoniously dropped in year ten. Ruth Brown is truly a pioneer who cleared the path for other legends such as Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. She lived well into her seventies and before her passing guest host Deardra Shuler was fortunate to speak with her via telephone to learn about her music career during the time of the Jim Crow laws up until her 21st century Broadway appearance in Hairspray the musical.
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