ording.
             One of the greatest African American female blues singers was Bessie Smith. She was born on April 15, 1894 or 1898. The exact date is unknown. Her father William was a preacher, who died when Bessie was very young. This left her mother to raise seven children on her own. When Bessie was nine years old, her mother Laura had passed away, and two of her brothers had died as well. The oldest sister brought up the five remaining brothers and sisters. Prior to the death of Bessie's mother, she was singing on a street corner to the accompaniment of her brother's guitar. The money that she made went to support the family. At the age of eighteen, she began performing professionally as a dancer. While traveling the south and mid-west, she met Ma Rainey, "The Mother of Blues". She joined the most influential agency handling black artists, Theater Owners' Booking Association (TOBA). In February 1923, Bessie recorded for Columbia Record Company. Her songs "Down-hearted Blues" and "Gulf Coast Blues" sold 780,000 copies in less than six months. The contract Bessie signed with Columbia
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