Veda Brown facts for kids

Mildred Pulliam Whitehorn, born on December 11, 1949, is an American gospel singer. She used to sing R&B music in the 1970s. During that time, she was known by her stage name, Veda Brown. Her most popular song was "Short Stopping," which came out in 1973.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Mildred Pulliam grew up in Hayti, Missouri. Her grandparents were sharecroppers, who were farmers who gave a part of their crops as rent. Her father was a welder and a church pastor. Music was a big part of her father's family. They sang both blues and gospel music. Mildred started singing gospel music when she was very young. She first sang by herself in church when she was only 6 years old.

Becoming Veda Brown: Her R&B Career

For a while, Mildred sang with a rock band called The Decisions. A local radio station owner, Larry Robinson, encouraged her to start a solo career. He helped her get a contract with Stax Records in 1971. This is when she chose her stage name, Veda Brown. Brown was her mother's maiden name. Veda was chosen randomly from a fun contest held by the Stax office workers.

Her first song, "Living A Life Without Love," was released by Stax in May 1972. After that, she released "I Know It's Not Right (To Be in Love with a Married Man)." Many of her songs were recorded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, a famous place for music.

Veda Brown's Hit Songs

In 1973, her third song, "Short Stopping," became her biggest hit. It was written by Mack Rice, Bobby Manuel, and Bettye Crutcher. This song reached number 34 on the Billboard R&B chart. Her next song, "Don't Start Lovin' Me (If You're Gonna Stop)," also did well. It reached number 87 on the R&B chart in early 1974. People said it was one of the strongest soul songs from Stax in the 1970s. Veda Brown performed and toured a lot during this time. She even shared the stage with famous singer Johnnie Taylor.

Challenges and a New Path

Around this time, Stax Records faced serious money problems. Because of this, Veda Brown's contract with them ended. Some of her recordings were later released by a former Stax staff member, John Wesley Smith. These songs came out on a small record label called Raken in 1975. However, they were not sold widely and did not become popular. In 1977, Larry Robinson paid for her last recording session in Memphis, Tennessee. She released the songs "Play Brother, Play Sister" and "I Had A Fight With Love" on the Rav label. But these songs also did not make it onto the music charts.

Return to Gospel and Community Work

After her R&B career, Veda Brown returned to Missouri. She married James Whitehorn and started a family. She also became a cosmetologist, which is someone who works with hair and makeup.

Mildred Whitehorn is a member of the Church of God in Christ. She became very well-known as a gospel singer and a leader of church choirs. At one point, she led a choir of over 100 people. This choir even won a contest on BET (Black Entertainment Television). She was greatly inspired by the music and work of Mahalia Jackson, a famous gospel singer. Mildred has continued to sing and teach gospel music in the Missouri Bootheel area of Missouri.

In the 1990s, she was chosen to be a master artist in Missouri's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. This program helps experienced artists teach their skills to new students. In 2006, she organized a Black History Month program at Kennett High School. This event celebrated black history.

Later Releases

In 2008, some of her recordings from the 1970s were released again. This included some songs that had never been heard before. These songs were part of a CD called Judy Clay & Veda Brown – The Stax Solo Recordings. This CD was released by Kent Records and also featured songs by another singer, Judy Clay.

Discography

Singles

• "Living A Life Without Love" / "Take It Off Her (And Put It On Me)" (Stax 0123, 1972)
• "I Know It's Not Right (To Be in Love with a Married Man)" / "Don't Let The Green Grass Fool You" (Stax 0143, 1972)
• "Short Stopping" / "I Can See Every Woman's Man But Mine" (Stax 0163, 1973) (Billboard R&B chart #34)
• "Don't Start Loving Me (If You're Gonna Stop)" / "Fever" (Stax 194, 1974) (R&B chart # 87)
• "Brand New Tomorrow" / "Shoutin' Out Love" (Raken 001, 1975)
• "I'm Loving Him Right" / "Trip" (Raken 002, 1975)
• "Play Brother, Play Sister" / "I Had A Fight With Love" (Rav 16, 1977)