Mable John | KEDM

Dr. Mable John Stays True to Herself Despite her Rising Fame

By Zoe Dore • Dec 10, 2018

After losing her brother in 1968, Dr. Mable John was not ready to put her heart fully into her music. It wasn't until Ray Charles enlisted her to help him find someone to join the Raelettes did she truly get back into music. Charles later got the idea that, instead of trying to find someone else, John should join him and the Raelettes.

John was recruited to help lead the Raelettes both on stage and with other behind the scenes issues, such as contracts.

Motown's First Singing Lady Dr. Mable John Brings Home Plans for Bastrop

By Ali Owens • Nov 2, 2018

Entertainer Mable John returns to Northeast Louisiana for a celebration of her birthday and talent! The community of Bastrop hosts a celebration of John's 88th birthday Saturday, November 3 at 2 p.m. at Evans Business Plaza in Bastrop. At 6:30 p.m., the historic Rose Theatre in Bastrop hosts a screening of the Academy and Grammy Award-winning 2013 film 20 Feet from Stardom.

Entertainer Mable John Returns to NELA for Celebration, Film Screening

By Bria Winfree • Oct 30, 2018

Entertainer Mable John returns to the area for a celebration of her talent. The community of Bastrop will celebrate John's 88th birthday at a celebration at 2 p.m. on Saturday, November 3, 2018, at Evans Business Plaza, 710 South Washington Street. Admission is free, and the community is invited to attend.

At 6:30 p.m., the historic Rose Theatre in Bastrop will host a screening of the Academy and Grammy Award-winning 2013 film 20 Feet from Stardom. The documentary film features John and other performers who served as backup singers to famous artists.

Blues Singer Mable John: Big Plans for her Hometown of Bastrop

By Shameir Edwards • Jun 14, 2018

Mable John, “Motown’s first singing lady” is a Bastrop, Louisiana native. The eldest of 10 children, she became the first female signed by Berry Gordy to Motown’s Tamla Records.

When she was just a baby, her family moved from Bastrop to Cullendale, Arkansas where her father worked at a paper mill.