Irma Thomas Original Airdate: May 3, 1998

Although Irma Thomas is recognized by many as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans," her road to success has been anything but smooth. At the time of her first audition, she was 14, pregnant and and working as a cook in a restaurant. Once begun, however, early success came quickly to the New Orleans native. Soon after her session with bandleader Tommy Ridgley, she released "You Can Have My Husband (But Don't Mess With My Man)," a recording which caught the attention of many and reached #22 on the Rhythm and Blues charts.

She achieved national success with her signing to Minit Records, and her collaboration with producer and songwriter Allen Toussaint made possible such classics as "It's Raining," "I Done Got Over It," and "Wish Someone Would Care," which climbed to #17 on the national Pop Charts. Unfortunately, her recording of the later Rolling Stones hit "Time Is On My Side" never achieved the popularity of its British counterpart, and overall awareness of the New Orleans music scene was seriously undermined by the '60s craze for all things British. A hurricane's destruction of many New Orleans clubs robbed the performer of many familiar venues, and Thomas was forced to leave both New Orleans and the music business for a time.

The late '70s brought her back to the Gulf Coast, however, and her re-discovery by Rounder Records agent Scott Billington sparked a return to the music scene. Studio recordings and sizzling performances throughout the South soon brought her national attention, and her talents are now showcased at festivals and clubs throughout the nation. Her latest project, Sing It!, is a collaboration with fellow artists Marcia Ball and Tracey Nelson that celebrates the rich tradition of soul from which all three spring.