COUNTRY SCHOOLING

Dear Friend,

Well, she did it again! ?

With her latest musical release, Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter has rocked the way the music industry sees itself; signalling?how grateful audiences will chose to express their economic power.? This, for the?second time in as many years.?There was her unprecedented Renaissance Tour.?

Now, radio outlets that once openly barred Black musicians are lining up to boost their ad revenues by airing her songs.? Retail stores that once barred Black people from trying on clothes before purchase are stocking up on cowboy hats and other western gear for an anticipated boom.? ? ?

Despite the claims of those who refuse to know better, country music has deep roots in Black culture—something Texas-born and bred Beyoncé―a student of the music and its history—knows well.? Black country music is more than the occasional “exception” like the late-great Charlie Pride or Linda Martell (now 82 and featured on Cowboy Carter).? Martell was, in 1969, the first Black woman to sing at The Grand Ole Opry since its founding in 1925.? ?

"Country" is?men like Dr. Cleve Francis, Jr., MD.? A world-class performer on-stage and off—on the concert stage and in the operating theater―this guitarist/composer and cardiologist founded the Black Country Music Association.?"Country" is?women like Frankie Staton. As cited on The Grand Ole Opry’s website, “Staton made history after challenging the New York Times’ claim that stated diversity did not exist among country music’s performers and listeners by creating the first Black Country Music Showcase at the Bluebird Café in 1997.” ?

Indeed, Beyoncé belongs to a?tradition of African American woman, well-aware of?history and their role in it, called upon to school their countrymen on the meaning of “country.” ?

My country ‘tis of thee . . . Let freedom ring . . . ? Easter Sunday. April 9, 1939.? As a pianist sounded the opening chords, the voice of Marian Anderson rang out from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.? The concert of the century; it was the defining moment of an era. ?

A world-renowned contralto, Ms. Anderson had previously performed in Washington, DC to such acclaim that her audience had outgrown the segregated city's largest Black venues. Her promoters and her host, Howard University, chose the logical and suitable alternative—Constitution Hall. ?

When the Daughters of the American Revolution (The D.A.R.), the hall’s owner, refused to rent the hall on racial grounds and the school board followed suit, sixty-five Black and thirty-two White groups formed the Marian Anderson Citizens Committee. A similar insult had throttled baritone Roland Hayes years earlier. Never again. The committee seeded the press with letters, petitioned Congress, rallied teachers in support, and picketed the DAR's annual convention. Six hundred press clippings focused the world's gaze on DC. ?

Finally, a tardy First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt resigned her DAR membership and Secretary of the Interior Harold Ickes offered the Lincoln Memorial as venue. Carloads of the faithful, 75,000 strong, braved the morning snow from states north and south. Millions more attended via radio as Anderson sang a program of arias, spirituals, and her closing volley, ’God Bless America.” ?

That night, a young African American medical researcher, Dr. Charles Drew, MD (whose pioneering work would soon transform blood donation), wrote his bride-to-be, Lenore Robbins: “I sat silent and pondered on the power that lies in a smile to change the course of a life; the magic in the tilt of a head, the beauty of your carriage and the gentleness that struck so deeply. A sigh rises as an evening prayer to ask whatever gods there be to keep you safe for me.” ?

It had been quite a day for love. In one man's garland was the sentiment of millions for whom the soaring voice of Marian Anderson that Easter sounded a lasting note of resurrected pride and possibility.? And did I mention how Beyoncé, like Anderson, also made of a racist snub a history-making triumph?? Oh, the transformative power of music and love, and the singers of the songs we love.

ON THE SHOW & PODCAST

THIS WEEK

Deborah G. Plant, guest Author, OF GREED AND GLORY

What does it do to you when someone you love is ripped from the family, charged with a crime, wrongfully incarcerated, and, after nearly 25 years, continues to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole in the infamous Angola prison – a national disgrace – despite evidence of his innocence, and still protesting his innocence???

Deborah G. Plant, PhD, author of the book OF GREED AND GLORY: In Pursuit of Freedom for All is my guest.? Informed by her own personal experience, armed with her skills as a scholar, author, and literary critic with a masters and doctorate in English.? YES, this story could happen to anyone, and too often happens to too many African-American Everymans and Everywomans.

Deborah Plant takes moments that can bring you to your knees and engages us in a conversation that should bring us to our senses. Podcast available: April 1, 2024 Show page?|?Podcast ?

SATURDAY, APRIL 6, 2024

Guests, Louis P. Masur,?author, THE SOILING OF OLD GLORY: The Story of a Photograph That Shocked America with an Introduction by Ted Landsmark On April 5, 1976, Ted Landsmark (pictured above) -- then, attorney for Black construction firms seeking their fair share of city contracts -- was crossing Boston City Hall plaza en route to a meeting with the mayor and unaware of a demonstration brewing on the steps.?

Supporters of antibusing proponent Louise Day Hicks yelled, "Get the nigger! Kill him!" and lunged for him.? The American flag to which the crowd had just pledged its allegiance, was turned?spear.?The candid photo, "The Soiling of Old Glory," later won a Pulitzer Prize for its photographer, Stanley Forman of the Boston Herald American.? Ted Landsmark returns to the show; joining author, Louis Masur, to discuss what was, in 1976, shocking.? Would a similar event and its aftermath shock us today?? Airs: April 6, 2024 Podcast available: April 8, 2024 ?

THE JANUS ADAMS SHOW airs and streams live Saturdays at 11:00 am ET on WJFF Radio Catskill, www.WJFFRadio.org. ? LISTEN and SUBSCRIBE to the podcast on:? Apple, Soundcloud, Spotify? Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, and X for updates on this month's shows.? ?

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AND ONE MORE THING

Happy Birthday Dr. Irma McClaurin! ?

Born April 2, this activist-scholar is past President of Shaw University, Ford Foundation program officer, anthropologist, and a poet.? Thank you, dear Irma, for all that you do! As we transition from Black History and Women’s History Months into Spring, what better opportunity to honor her and give new life to the herstory of Black women.? As founder of The Irma McClaurin Black Feminist Archive, her mission is to preserve the papers and selected artifacts of Black women and our allies; making our tangible history available to researchers for generations to come.? ?

Learn more about the Black Feminist Archive and how you can support the mission here.??

Visit the collection at the Robert S. Cox Special Collections and University Archive Research Center, W. E. B. Du Bois Library, University of Massachusetts at Amherst.? Follow and message Dr. McClaurin on Linked In.