Veda Brown facts for kids

Mildred Pulliam Whitehorn, born on December 11, 1949, is an American singer. She is known for her gospel music and used to sing R&B in the 1970s. She performed and recorded under the name Veda Brown. Her song "Short Stopping" was her biggest hit in 1973.

Veda Brown's Musical Journey

Mildred Pulliam was born and grew up in Hayti, Missouri. Her grandparents were sharecroppers, and her father was a welder and church pastor. Her father's family loved music and sang both blues and gospel music. Mildred started singing gospel music when she was very young. She first sang a solo in her church when she was just 6 years old.

Early Career and Stax Records

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 in rhythm and blues music. He helped her get a contract with Stax Records in 1971. This is when she chose the stage name Veda Brown. Brown was her mother's maiden name. Veda was picked randomly from a fun contest held by the Stax office secretaries.

Her first song, "Living A Life Without Love," came out 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 music spot.

Hit Songs and Touring

In 1973, her third song, "Short Stopping," became her most successful. 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. During this time, Veda performed and toured a lot. She even shared the stage with famous singer Johnnie Taylor.

Challenges and Return to Gospel

Around this time, Stax Records faced big money problems. Because of this, Veda's contract ended. Some of her songs recorded for Stax were later released by a former Stax staff member, John Wesley Smith. These came out on a small record label called Raken in 1975, but they were not widely sold and didn't become popular. In 1977, Larry Robinson paid for her last recording session in Memphis, Tennessee. She released the song "Play Brother, Play Sister" on the Rav label, but it also did not make it onto the music charts.

After that, Veda returned to Missouri. She married James Whitehorn and started a family. She also worked as a cosmetologist. Veda 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).

Veda was greatly inspired by the music of Mahalia Jackson. She has continued to sing and teach gospel music in Missouri's Bootheel area. In the 1990s, she was chosen to be a master artist in Missouri's Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program. In 2006, she led a Black History Month program at Kennett High School, celebrating black history.

Recent Releases

In 2008, many of her songs from the 1970s were released on a CD. This CD also included some songs that had never been released before. The album was called Judy Clay & Veda Brown – The Stax Solo Recordings and was put out by Kent Records. It was shared with 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)