Louisiana Cultural Vistas - Spring 2009 - (Page 53) was even released they were getting orders for it.” “I just decided Well, there was a change in Nellie’s popularity in clubs grew, and in 1950 she and the recording business. In the recording business, Nat King Cole teamed up to record “For You My Love” and unfortunately, there are a lot of people who made money “Can I Come In For A Second.” “For You My Love,” rated and didn’t get the money, and I’m one of them. So, I resent No. 8 on the rhythm and blues chart, was to be Nellie’s last that. I resent it with a passion, the fact that I contributed with American hit. Nellie continued to work clubs across the originality and style.” country and managed to work in a visit to her hometown in Despite her natural resentment of being exploited by an 1950. Following the success of “For You My Love,” Nellie’s industry that makes enormous profit from musicians, Nellie work enjoyed much popularity in England, and in was quick to express gratitude to the people who helped her September of 1950, she traveled to Liverpool to entertain achieve her goals: her British fans. “I thank the public at this stage in my life for making it possible Despite the gradual decline in popularity of rhythm and for me to get the recognition I deserved because I am not called blues music, Nellie continued to record for Capitol Records what you say a ‘trained singer.’ I just sing what I feel. And when I until 1952 — five years after her “discovery.” She constantly started to sing I did it at a time when it was the right time to do it, experimented with her style and continued to build her so I’m grateful and I appreciate your kindness.” repertoire. In 1952, at what must SONG IS ENDED, BUT THE have seemed like the end of her recording career, Nellie was feted MELODY LINGERS ON by the popular television Although Nellie lived four program “This is Your Life.” more years after the 2003 Nellie was presented the key to Berman interview, she makes it the City of Lake Charles by the clear in their conversation that mayor Tom Price, an important her life was influenced by a recognition of her work. personal theology, shaped by With the advent of rock ‘n’ her Baptist roots and the roll, Nellie’s position in the Catholic traditions of Southwest performing and recording world Louisiana. In explaining Lent as shifted as did those of many she perceived it as a Baptist other rhythm and blues artists. child growing up in Catholic Although Nellie signed with Louisiana, Nellie notes that “the Liberty Records and later Catholic religion back then that was Imperial Records, she was not to it When you were Catholic and have another hit song. Still during Lent season everything was performing in clubs and for just mum. They really observed it.” special musical occasions, Nellie Acknowledging that the turned her attentions to ensuring Lenten season represents the 40 that her son was well-educated, days Jesus spent in the enrolling him in a prestigious and wilderness just prior to his pricey private school, the Palmer crucifixion, Nellie shares her Memorial Institute in Sedalia, personal theology: North Carolina. Nellie also “I learned later, and I don’t ensured her own future by remember where I got this from, but building a secure financial base every individual, every person, who for herself, investing in California was born into this world goes real estate. In 1968, Nellie was through this particular period Jesus elected to the board of directors went through. We all have six of the Musicians’ Union Local 47. weeks of adversity — every Her election marked the first individual. I don’t know where I board seat held by an Africanread it but I learned it from Nellie Lutcher died in Los Angeles on June 8, 2007, at age 91. American woman. somewhere. . . .[And] I am just Enjoying a career that spanned coming out of mine now.” some 80 years and yielded 40 or 50 records and countless Nellie Lurcher passed away on June 8, 2007, in Los performances, Nellie continued to play and sing until just a Angeles, surrounded by family and friends who loved her, few years before her death. Appearing at the 1993 New secure in the knowledge that she had made a significant Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival at age 80, she stopped in contribution to the world of rhythm and blues and that her Lake Charles briefly to visit friends. She said to writer Fran memory will linger on. LCV Dickey, “I’m happy with my career. I’m happy that the people really made me do what I did because they kept asking me to sing. They don’t ask for something unless they Excerpted with permission from a catalog that accompanied an exhibit at the really want it.” Imperial Calcasieu Museum in Lake Charles in 2008 titled “Hurry on Down: A Celebration of the Life of Nellie Lutcher.” The Louisiana Endowment for the In her personal interview with Berman in 2003, in Humanities provided grant funding for the exhibit. response to the question, “What made you decide to stop [your music career],” Nellie reflects on the inevitable Delma McLeod-Porter, Ph.D., is director of the Write to Excellence Center and exploitation of artists: professor of English at McNeese State University in Lake Charles. Spring 2009/LOUISIANA CULTURAL VISTAS 53
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