The Legends of the Rocking Dutchman - episode 169

Aletha Dickerson

Paramount music executive

Today the pretty weird story how the secretary of music executive J. Mayo Williams got thrown in the job of her former boss when he decided to quit and work for the competitor. Aletha Dickerson never had the ambition but she had to find out that now, she was in charge.

She did the job well though, and helped Paramount survive for a few years - the "Race Music" department that she managed, was the only profitable part of the label. Not realizing how bad the Depression had hit the economy, she declined when Paramount had to cut back on her salary, and quit. With no manager for their only profitable department, and record sales plummeting due to the grim economic circumstances, Paramount soon ceased operations.

Transcript

Playlist

  1. Dobby Bragg (Roosevelt Sykes) - Fire Detective Blues
  2. Blind Lemon Jefferson - Mosquito Moan
  3. Ishman Bracey - Suitcase Full Of Blues
  4. Papa Charlie Jackson - Hot Papa Blues
  5. Jack O'Diamonds - The Ducks Yas Yas
  6. Cow Cow Davenport - Slow Drag
  7. Hokum Boys - Selling That Stuff
  8. Hokum Boys - Pat-A-Foot Blues
  9. Elzadie Robinson - My Pullman Porter Man
  10. Freezone - Indian Squaw Blues
  11. Blind Lemon Jefferson - Oil Well Blues
  12. Washboard Walter & John Byrd - Wasn't It Sad About Lemon
  13. Ma Rainey - Sweet, Rough Man
  14. Ida Cox - I'm So Glad
  15. Mary Johnson - Mean Black Man Blues
  16. Blind Blake ft. Irene 'Chocolate Brown' Scruggs - Stingaree man blues

Outtro:

  • Wild Bill Moore Sextette - Bongo Bounce
The following music served as background music during the spoken parts:
  • Kirk Kirkland - The Saxaphone Rag
  • Count Basie - Parnassie Stomp
  • Eddie Chamblee - Lazy Mood
  • Julian Dash - Creamin' Boogie
  • Lloyd Glenn - Chica Boo
  • Sonny Thompson- Backyard Affair