The Amazing "Peaches"

Growing up in small town of barely 13,000 people we didn't have a lot of places to experience different cultures, music, or even different people. Except for Saturdays at the Broadacres swap meet. Every weekend my dad and I would get up early and head out to the swap meet. My dad would set up the booth to sell his wood creations he had made and I would get to explore a whole new world. I know what your thinking, a swap meet a new world "What" But as a 12-year-old kid in 1984, the swap meet was the only place to see all kinds of people and experience different cultures, foods. and music. Hundreds maybe even thousands of people on any given weekend. would pay their 50cents and embark on a cultural shopping oasis. On this particular Saturday, I was doing my usual routine of my favorite booths with my allowance in hand, waiting to find my next treasure. Off to the music man's booth. He had been coming to this swap meet for years and had 3 massive booths. Everything a 12-year-old girl could want from 300 vinyl records to over 500 cassettes. and a very handsome young man that was always super friendly. Yes, the good ole days! On this particular Saturday as I was approaching the booth I could hear the most glorious music I had ever heard blasting from 4 monster stand-alone speakers It was as if I had just heard music for the first time.

Mrs. Etta James. At last, bellowed from heaven. I couldn't describe the feeling of hearing her raspy, sultry, perfect voice. I stood there just listening absolutely amazed that I didn't know about this music before. I quickly bought her cassette and put it in my walkman. As I walked back to my dad, I was taken away to this dreamland of passion, sorrow, inspiration, and love. I was fascinated with Etta.

My dad was a drummer for years with several county bands, before my mom made him quit, saying that was no way to raise a family. I assumed that I got my love of music from him, but in later years it was my mother's influence and music that brought us even closer.

Etta James is commonly known as one of the most underappreciated R&B, Blues, Jazz, and Gospel artists in music. She was born in 1938 to a 14-year- old mother who named her Jamesetta Hawkins. She was placed in foster care till she was 12 where she started her vocal training at 5 years old. From an abusive choirmaster that was known to hit her in the chest to get her to sing from her gut, to her abusive foster dad you would get drunk and beat her if she didn't sing for his friends. Her strength and determination showed throughout her career.

In 1950 she was back with her biological mother and moved to San Francisco. In the next few years at 14, she started her first band The Creolettes. Johnny Otis discovered the band where he changed the name of the band from the Creolettes to Peaches and her name to the name we know her by now Etta James. He took them under his wing getting them signed to Modern Records where she recorded her first single Wallflower Aka Roll with me, Henry. She had moderate success with Modern records but choose to sign with Chess Records in 1960. Where she recorded her debut album At Last. Although, it was written by Mack Gordan and Harry Warren and recorded by Glenn Miller in 1942 Etta James took that song to stardom. It took the number 2 spot on the R&B charts and 47 on the Billboard hot 100.

Etta followed that up with a slew of hits and albums from I just want to make love to you, A Sunday kind of love, Trust in me, and Don't Cry baby. 29 Studio albums, 3 live albums, and 12 compilations. Along with 6 Grammy and a Lifetime achievement award. Struggling with several addictions, from alcohol to heroin in and out of rehabs and enduring abusive relationships from early childhood, she still managed to overcome and contribute to a culture, and inspire some of the great artists we know today such as Tina Turner, Pink, Christina Aguilera, Jos Stone, Beyonce, Adele, and Jennifer Hudson. Without her voice or her story, we may have not known all these greats. As a woman, an artist, and just a lover of music she has inspired me from a very young age.

She is a true testament of a powerful black woman overcoming impossible odds. My two favorite songs are Take it to the limit and The Rock. She gives me strength through her words, just like my mom did. Although my mom is not famous she is the very essence of a strong black woman.

Etta James passed away in January 2011. Her music, her passion, her story, will live on forever. Rest in peace Peaches.