Linda Martell

ABOUT LINDA MARTELL

Singer who became best known as the first black female artist to play the Grand Ole Opry. Her success as one of the first African-American country artists helped pave the way for other artists of color. She is credited on the Beyoncé song "SPAGHETTII."

She was born as Thelma Bynem. She grew up singing gospel music and later found success with country music. Her first notable success was performing for an Air Force Base in Charleston.

Her first and only album was titled Color Me Country. Eventually, the racism she faced led to her departure from the music scene of Nashville.

As a teenager, she sang with family members in a trio called Linda Martell and the Anglos. She had three children with her first husband Clark Thompson, and later married a man named Ted Jacobs.

Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood are two artists who performed as part of a tribute to her at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.