User:ILG.MF/sandbox


 * In February of 1904 Ma Rainey married William "Pa" Rainey when she was 18 years old.


 * Rainey said she found "Blues Music" when she was in Missouri one night preforming and a girl introduced her to a sad song about a man leaving a woman. Rainey said she learned the lyrics of the song and added it to her performances.
 * Rainey claims she created the term "blues" when asked what kind of song she was singing.
 * Trumpet player lede Bernhardt stated in an interview that Ma Rainey " acted like a religion person." It is said that she got along with everyone.
 * Ma Rainey and Pa Rainey adopted a son named Danny. Danny joined their act as well.
 * Rainey had no problem saying that she thought she was unattractive. Jack Dupree, who was also an African American Blues Singer, stated that "She was a really ugly woman." But her went on to talk about how when she sang the way she looked was forgotten about and not even a factor.
 * Rainey developed a relationship with Bessie Smith. They were very close and it was rumored that maybe they had more than a friendship. It was also rumored that Smith one bailed Rainey out of jail.