Johnnie Mae Matthews facts for kids

Johnnie Mae Matthews (born December 31, 1922 – died January 6, 2002) was an American singer, songwriter, and music producer. She was known for her blues and R&B music. Johnnie Mae came from Bessemer, Alabama.

Many people called her the "Godmother of Detroit Soul." She was the first African American woman to own her own record company, called Northern Recording Company. She helped many famous artists start their careers in Detroit, Michigan. These artists included members of The Temptations, Jimmy Ruffin, and Berry Gordy, who founded Motown Records.

Johnnie Mae Matthews: Music Pioneer

Early Life and Starting Out

Johnnie Mae Matthews was born on December 31, 1922, in Bessemer, Alabama. She learned to sing in her church choir. She also performed with her mother at military bases in the southern United States.

When she was twelve, her family moved to New Jersey. In 1947, Matthews moved to Detroit, Michigan. There, she got married and started her own family.

In 1957, she joined a local music group called the Five Dapps. She sang the lead vocals on their song "You're So Unfaithful." This song was on the flip side of their first single, "Do Wop a Do," released in 1958. Joe Hunter, a pianist, played music for the record. He often worked with Matthews and later led Motown's famous studio band, the Funk Brothers.

Starting Her Own Record Label

In 1958, Matthews created her own record company, Northern Recording Company. Her office was in Detroit, close to her home. She borrowed $85 from her husband's paycheck to start the company. This made her the first African-American woman to own and run her own record label.

She usually recorded music at Special Studio or at radio station WCHB. Northern Recording Company was mainly a way for her to release her own songs. Her first song, "Dreamer," came out in 1959. It was credited to Johnnie Mae Matthews & the Daps.

Her next song, "Mr. Fine," had a solo song by Chet Oliver on its B-side, called "Someday."

Helping Other Artists

Motown Records founder, Berry Gordy, has often said that Matthews taught him a lot about the music business. He thanked her for helping him get a deal with Chess Records. This deal was for The Miracles' 1959 hit song "Bad Girl."

Matthews also helped other future Motown stars like David and Jimmy Ruffin early in their careers. Some people believe she wrote Mary Wells’ hit song, "Bye Bye Baby," but didn't get credit. Matthews had chances to record for Motown herself, especially in the mid-1960s. However, she chose to release her best songs, like "Lonely You'll Be" and "Cut Me Loose," on her own labels.

Music in the 1960s

In 1960, Matthews released "So Lonely" as a solo artist. She then quickly followed it with "Ooh Wee Baby." For these songs, she was backed by a band called the Groovers. This group included Joe Hunter, James Jamerson, Eddie Willis, Eli Fontaine, and Uriel Jones. These musicians later became key members of Motown's famous studio band, the Funk Brothers.

Northern Recording Company also supported the early career of Richard Wylie. His backup group, the Mohawks, included Norman Whitfield. Whitfield later became a very important songwriter and producer for Motown.

Also in 1960, Matthews' label released "Come On," the first song by The Distants. This group later changed their name to The Temptations. Mr. Bo's first song, "I'm Leaving This Town," also came out on Northern that year.

Over time, Northern created other labels, like Reel. Many of Matthews’ songs were released on Reel, such as "Oh, Baby" and "No One Can Love Me the Way You Do" in 1961. In 1963, Reel released "I Don't Want Your Love," a duet with Timmy Shaw. Shaw was her longtime songwriting partner.

Shaw is best known for his 1964 solo song, "Gonna Send You Back to Georgia." This song was later recorded by The Animals. However, Matthews' biggest hit, "My Little Angel," in 1962, was released on the New York-based Sue label, not her own.

In 1963, she hired manager Ollie McLaughlin. He had helped Barbara Lewis start her career. McLaughlin introduced Matthews to Mercury Records’ new Blue Rock subsidiary. He produced her two songs for that label: "Baby, What's Wrong" and "My Man (The Sweetest Man in the World)." He also produced her song "Worried About You" for the Spokane label. In the late 1960s, Matthews also released songs on her Big Hit label. These included "I Have No Choice" and "My Momma Didn't Lie."

Later Career and Legacy

As the 1960s ended, Northern Recording Company and its other labels closed. In the 1970s, Matthews focused on a new funk group called Black Nasty. Two of her children, Artwell Jr. and Audrey, were in the band. In 1973, Matthews produced their only album, Talking to the People. It was released on the Stax label.

Black Nasty later changed their name to the ADC Band. In 1978, they had a big R&B hit called "Long Stroke." Michael Moneystone Judkins wrote this song, with help from Audrey Matthews. Because of their success, Matthews brought back Northern Recording Company. The ADC Band played music for her disco-style song "It's Good." This song was later released on the Cotillion label for wider distribution.

After one last Northern song in 1980, "I Can Feel It," she closed the label for good. This marked the end of her recording career.

In 1998, actress Vanessa Bell Calloway played Johnnie Mae Matthews in the TV miniseries The Temptations.

Her Final Years

Johnnie Mae Matthews passed away on January 6, 2002. She was 79 years old. She died after a long battle with cancer.