Basic Folk 97 – Almeta Ingram-Miller (The Legendary Ingramettes)

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Gospel musician Almeta Ingram-Miller of The Legendary Ingramettes is working to preserve the legacy of her mother, Maggie. Maggie was born in 1930 in Georgia. She taught herself piano in order to nurture her gift of singing. She would sing while working in the cornfields as a young girl. She moved to Florida after marrying at 16 and having three children. Alemta’s father left the family, which led Maggie to pursuing music as a way to provide for her children. She actually got all her kids to sing because there were no childcare options. After moving to Richmond, VA, Maggie, who was always trying to do the right thing, got involved in a lot of social justice issues. She opened her home as a halfway house for women just out of prison, she would provide transportation to families visiting incarcerated relatives and delivered free food to the needy.

In our interview, Almeta reflects on what it was like to grow up with such an amazing woman not only as a mother, but as a musical partner. Singing with her mother was unlike anything else, Almeta would sing backup and acted as a sparring partner. Almeta talks about what it’s like to keep mother’s story and mission alive through music as well as including her own identity  in that work. This was an absolute pleasure and honor to speak to the very inspiring Almeta!

The Legendary Ingramettes – “The Family Prayer”

The latest album from The Legendary Ingramettes, Take a Look in the Book: