Marion James: Nashville's Queen of Blues

Bio:

Marion James was born October 8, 1934, in Nashville Tennessee. As a young girl, James was surrounded by music, both due to her connection to the greater Nashville community, and coming from a musically inclined family. These connections led her to begin her career in her church, singing in their choir, alongside the accompaniment of her mother, a pianist. The encompassing culture of Nashville influenced the entirety of her musical and philanthropic career. Later, in the 1960s, James frequented an area known as Jefferson Street, in downtown Nashville Tennessee. At the time, Jefferson Street was known as a hub for the Black music industry housing the most heavily frequented clubs and performance spaces of the time. There, she would lead and be accompanied by her band, including a young Jimi Hendrix and bassist Billy Cox before their rise to fame. In addition, James was often seen wearing a tiara during her live performances, as she was also known for her flamboyant personality/ character.

Accomplishments:

James' achievements include; founding the "Marion James Aid Society" to

assist retired and impoverished musicians. In addition to this, for 30 years, she

hosted an annual benefit concert supporting this cause. James has been titled

"Nashville's Queen of the Blues" along with "House Rockin' James" in homage to

her talents. With this, she has an exhibit featured in the Country Music Hall of

Fame honoring her profession.

Her impact:

Throughout her career, James ( as did many) faced racial and gender-based discrimination but remained a powerful force in the Blues community. Determined to highlight Nashville's rich musical diversity, she worked to ensure that Nashville's contributions to the Blues would also be remembered alongside those of Country Music.

Sources Used:

Rau, Nate. "Marion James, Nashville's Queen of the Blues, dies." The Tennessean. Gannett. Last modified December 31, 2015. Accessed March 19, 2025. https://www.tennessean.com/story/entertainment/music/2015/12/31/marion-james-nashvilles-queen-blues-dies/78147928/.

James, Marion. Marion James "24 Hours." Youtube, 2014.