All Aboard Black History’s Country Soul Train

A musical performance by HistoryMaker Petrella, “The First Lady of Country Soul”. Hear live music and learn about The HistoryMakers of Chicago, the Nation’s largest African American Video Oral History Archive, which is housed permanently at the Library of Congress’ Reading Room.

The HistoryMakers choose individuals who are true examples of leadership and whose stories are those of perseverance, success and achievement often in face of great odds. Petrella is one of the few HistoryMakers who resides in the Central Coast area.

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Petrella’s Biography:

As the first female African-American country artist in the US, Petrella has caused a sensation since the release of her debut disc – COUNTRYVERSIAL – in 1993. Pioneering a new form of country flavored with soul, gospel and roots accents, Petrella landed on the cover of the respected industry trade publication CASHBOX in 1994, and has never looked back. Her single “I Found Somebody” spent 14 weeks on the national Top 100 Country Singles Chart, followed by “Blues Stay Away from Me.” She has been nominated for New Female Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, and Performer of the Year by a variey of music industry organizations and publication between 1994-2004 including Nashville Tracker magazine and the Tennessee Songwriters Association. Petrella has shared stages with Gladys Knight, Tracy Lawrence, and others. She grew up singing in church and when asked why she chose country music, explains “I didn’t choose country music; it chose me. I came from the country. It is a part of who I am.”