The southern theater circuit in the 1900s featured an act that was well known in the Black community. 

Butler “String Beans” and Sweetie Matthews May “were major stars, widely imitated and familiar to African American theatergoers throughout the country,” wrote Elijah Wald, a folk blues guitarist, journalist and a music historian. “They never recorded. As a result, they have tended to be left out of blues histories.” 

Most Read Stories

Louisiana Senate slams door on reconsidering older split-jury convictions Louisiana Senate slams door on reconsidering older split-jury convictions 
10 key facts about the mighty Mississippi River, one of the nation’s most important waterways10 key facts about the mighty Mississippi River, one of the nation’s most important waterways
Prosecutors ask appeals court to reinstate death sentence for Jimmie Duncan
Daughter of woman killed in hit ordered by NOPD officer holds final memorialDaughter of woman killed in hit ordered by NOPD officer holds final memorial

Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.

Creative Commons License