Beginning in February 2022 and running throughout the spring, PBS stations across the country will broadcast Irma: My Life in Music, a new documentary about the life and career of Grammy Award-winning artist Irma Thomas. The 90-minute program includes an extensive interview with Thomas, as well as commentary from many of her colleagues. Also included are archival performances and interview footage culled from decades of performances filmed by Michael Murphy Productions at The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana, in 1941, Thomas first sang with a Baptist church choir as a teenager. By the age of 19, she had already been married twice and had four children. Retaining the last name of her second husband, she worked as a waitress and occasionally sang with bandleader Tommy Ridgley. With his help, she landed a record deal with Ron Records and by 1959 her first single, “Don’t Mess With My Man,” ranked number 22 on the U.S. Billboard R&B record chart.
“Her voice today is just as beautiful and sultry and powerful as it was on her first records,” said Bonnie Raitt. “She’s a legend. She’s as good today as she was the day she came out of the church singing.”
Along with the nationwide airings, the documentary will also be shown on the award-winning World Channel on February 25 and 26. World Channel is a national public television network showcasing the best in news, documentaries, fact-based informational programming and independent filmmaking.
“The New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Foundation is honored to be a coproducer in this documentary celebrating the tremendous talent and achievements of Irma Thomas,” said Don Marshall, executive director of the Foundation. “This film is in step with the Foundation’s mission to honor and support Louisiana musicians. We are delighted we can put a spotlight on her amazing career by using materials from the Jazz and Heritage Archive.”
In numerous interviews, New Orleans music legend Allen Toussaint frequently noted that he often wrote songs with Irma Thomas’ voice “in his head.” As the producer, composer and pianist of many Minit Label recordings, Toussaint hired Thomas; and out of this collaboration came such beloved recordings as “It’s Raining,” “Ruler Of My Heart” and “Old Records.”
Throughout the ‘60s, Thomas found work playing locally and on the Gulf Coast at clubs, proms and other high-school dances. “I have fans who have been with me since they were teenagers,” she said in a recent magazine-interview. Thomas later recorded for Imperial Records and Chess Records and ultimately moved to California in the late 1960s. She returned to New Orleans in the early 1980s and opened a music club, The Lion’s Den.
In 1991 she was signed by Rounder Records and received her first Grammy nomination for Live! Simply The Best. She recorded numerous gospel albums and received yet another Grammy nomination in 1999 for the album Sing It!
In 2005 Hurricane Katrina forced Thomas to relocate to Gonzales, Louisiana, but she returned as soon as her home in New Orleans East was restored. Teaming up with Scott Billington and Rounder again, she recorded the album After The Rain, which was awarded the Grammy for Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2007.
“No matter what kind of song she is singing, Irma’s big, warm voice has more honesty in it than just about any you will ever hear,” Billington said.
Thomas has performed with James Taylor, Paul Simon and Marcia Ball and has performed around the world. Her 1964 rendition of “Time Is On My Side” inspired a version by the Rolling Stones, and she plays annually at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival.
Irma: My Life in Music was produced by Cilista Eberle, Rachel Lyons, Jim Moriarty and Michael Murphy. Peggy Scott Laborde, Don Marshall, Blue Resnick and Jeff Resnick served as executive producers.
