[3] Her personal details are obscure, but she has been tentatively identified by blues researchers Bob Eagle and Eric LeBlanc as Annie L. Page, born there in 1924.
[2] Her singing career started by vocalising for two territory bands led by Dallas Bartley and Snookum Russell, on the Chitlin' Circuit.
In 1947, she was performing in concert in New Orleans with Gayten, when the latter asked the young Fats Domino to come and play "Swanee River Boogie" on stage.
[9][5] Her biggest hit came in 1957 when De Luxe Records released "It Hurts to Be in Love,"[1] which was co-written by Julius Dixson and Rudy Toombs.
[11][12] In July 1960, Laurie appeared in concert, sharing the bill with Screamin' Jay Hawkins, the Five Satins, Joe Turner, Faye Adams, Ben E. King, and Nappy Brown, at Chicago's Regal Theater.