[3] She grew up listening to the gospel, opera, swing and jazz records bought by her brothers or played on the radio, and took piano lessons.
She returned home to work in a cafeteria at a local military base, where she met a soldier who played piano, and occasionally sang with him.
Billboard's review stated: "Thrush packs a load of oomph in this tangy up blues, with okay combo boogie in back.
"[8] She toured widely with the group in 1951 and 1952, and they released several other singles on the Dot label including "Sadie Green", "I'm Gonna Jump In The River", "The Clock Song (Let Your Pendulum Swing)", and "Pretty Baby", her last entry in the R&B top ten.
[1][6] Although her records—including the suggestive "Take Out Your False Teeth Daddy"—failed to make the charts, she continued to tour widely and successfully with the Paul Williams band through 1954 and early 1955.
[1][6] There, she trained in slipcover and drapery design, before returning to sing with a trio led by jazz pianist Dick Morgan, which also featured Nap Shields of the Griffin Brothers on drums.
Although sales were disappointing, the albums have subsequently been compared to Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Nancy Wilson.