[1][5] Her mother was the pianist at her local church, her sister sang with the Clara Ward Singers, and some of her cousins were professional musicians.

James herself sought inspiration in listening to blues singers at vaudeville shows and from her mother's record collection.

[3] Jimi Hendrix was a member of her band when he first started playing the guitar professionally, and she also had Billy Cox in her backing lineup.

After that, she shared the stage with many notable performers, including Chick Willis, Rufus Thomas, and Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown.

Among those playing on the record were Beegie Adair, Reese Wynans, Jack Pearson (The Allman Brothers), the bassist Bob Babbitt, and the drummer Chucki Burke.