Memphis Minnie, born Lizzie Douglas was a rural blues musician. She played the guitar and was a vocalist. She not only played and sung music she also wrote music. She began playing at an early age. In 1929 she was brought on by Columbia Records. She began to record extensively with different labels. She became the Queen of the country blues. She is noted for her defeat of Big Bill Broonzy in a picking contest in Chicago and won two bottles of liquor. It was said that Memphis Minnie could play the guitar “like a man”. Minnie did everything the boys could do, and she did it in a fancy gown with full hair and makeup. There are three major segments to her style: the duet years, the “Melrose” band sound of the late thirties and early forties, and
