Little Miss Cornshucks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Little Miss Cornshucks
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Publicity photo, c1940s
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mildred Elizabeth Cummings |
| Also known as | Mildred Jorman Lil' Miss Cornshucks |
| Born | May 26, 1923 Dayton, Ohio, United States |
| Died | November 11, 1999 (aged 76) Indianapolis, Indiana, United States |
| Genres | Rhythm and blues, jazz |
| Occupation(s) | Singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | c.1930–1960s |
| Labels | Sunbeam, Aladdin, Coral, Chess |
Little Miss Cornshucks (also known as Lil' Miss Cornshucks) was the stage name of Mildred Jorman. She was born Mildred Elizabeth Cummings on May 26, 1923, and passed away on November 11, 1999. She was an American rhythm and blues and jazz singer and songwriter.
In the 1940s and early 1950s, she became famous for her unique stage show. She pretended to be a simple farm girl. Her singing style was very special and inspired many later R&B and soul singers. Some of these famous artists include Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, and Sam Cooke. Even though she inspired so many, her own career never became as widely recognized during her lifetime.
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Early Life and Music
Mildred Cummings was born in Dayton, Ohio. She was the youngest child in a large musical African-American family. Mildred started singing with her sisters as "the Cummings Sisters." They performed spiritual songs in the Dayton area.
By the time she was seven years old, she was already singing by herself in talent shows for young people.
Developing a Unique Stage Look
Mildred created a special stage outfit that appealed to many people who had moved from the southern farms to northern cities. She would perform barefoot, wearing a straw hat, braids, and country-style clothes. She often carried a basket to remind people of the rural south.
Her act would start with her looking a bit awkward or shy. Then, she would surprise everyone by moving into the latest dances and singing with deep emotion. Other artists, like LaVern Baker, also used similar country-girl acts. The name "cornshucks" comes from the husk of an ear of maize (corn).
In 1940, Mildred married Cornelius Jorman. They had three children together. Her husband worked as her manager and often joined her at her performances.
Rising to Stardom
By 1942, Little Miss Cornshucks was a big star in the Chicago area. She performed at a famous place called the Rhumboogie Club. A talented band leader named Marl Young recognized her skills. He signed her to perform at the well-known Club DeLisa.
A year later, in 1943, Ahmet Ertegun heard her sing in Washington DC. He later became the owner of Atlantic Records. He was very impressed by her singing. He remembered how she looked like a country girl but could sing the blues better than anyone he had heard. He even tried to record a song with her, even though he didn't have a record company yet!
Her song "So Long" became her signature tune. It was a regional hit in 1943 for a small record company called Sunbeam.
Career Challenges and Comeback
In the mid-1940s, Miss Cornshucks had to stop performing for a while due to health reasons. After this break, she returned to her hometown of Indianapolis.
Her earlier recordings were re-released, and she found success again in the Detroit area. She then performed in New York and Washington. During one of her tours, she met a dancer named Henry "Henny" Ramsey. They toured together for several years. Her children stayed with her family in Dayton during this time. Ramsey and Cornshucks lived together for a while in Los Angeles. She performed in popular clubs there, like the Last Word Room.
In 1948, she performed at the Million Dollar Theater in downtown Los Angeles. She was advertised as "the new look in comedy" and a "rustic comedienne." Her comedic talent even led to a small role in a 1947 movie called Campus Sleuth. In May 1948, she recorded new songs in California.
Famous Performances and Later Years
In 1948, Little Miss Cornshucks performed alongside the famous jazz musician Dizzy Gillespie. This was at the fourth annual Cavalcade of Jazz concert held at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles. Other big names like Frankie Laine and Big Joe Turner were also on the program that day.
In the 1950s, she returned to Chicago and continued to sing in clubs there. She lived in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
In late 1960, she came out of semi-retirement to record an album for Chess label. The album was called The Loneliest Gal In Town. However, it was Aretha Franklin who later had a big hit with a soul-style version of one of the songs from the album, "Try a Little Tenderness."
Mildred Jorman passed away at her home in Indianapolis, Indiana in November 1999. She was 76 years old and had experienced several strokes.
Images for kids
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Publicity photo, c1940s
