The town of Batesburg-Leesville hosted an event at the Hartley House honoring the legacy of Thelma Bynum whose stage name is Linda Martell. 

The town’s own Martell is the first commercially successful Black female country artist who peaked Billboard charts, sung at the Grand Ole Opry and most recently was picked for Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album. 

Martell was joined by family, friends and representatives who presented her with recognitions from the town along with recognitions on behalf of the State House of Representatives and Gov. Henry McMaster. 

Just days before the event, Batesburg-Leesville Mayor Lancer Shull and council passed a resolution designating Aug. 17 as Linda Martell Day. 

August is the 55th anniversary of Martell’s performance at the Grand Ole Opry in 1969 where she was the first Black woman to play on stage. 

Martell is also a graduate of Twin-City High School in Batesburg-Leesville, which is where Black students attended school prior to schools desegregating. Helen Brown Washington of the Twin-City High alumni association presented Martell with a lifetime achievement award. 

“As we come together to celebrate Linda Martell Day, let us reflect on the power of music to bring people together, bridge divides and inspire change. Let us remember the trailblazers like Linda Martell who have pushed boundaries, shattered stereotypes and paved the way for future generations of artists to follow in their footsteps,” the town released in a statement. 

Before she set foot in Nashville in 1969, she began performing with her family. It was at a Charleston Air Force Base where she was discovered and eventually released her album, “Color Me Country.” It would be her only album she released. Her album was successful climbing the Billboard country charts, but racial tensions and slurs hurled at her shows was a reason she was let go by her label. 

In 1974, she departed country music and Nashville. Years later in 2021, Country Music Television (CMT) recognized Martell with the Equal Play Award for her strides made. 

This fall, Martell’s granddaughter and independent filmmaker Marquia Thompson, talks about her grandmother’s groundbreaking country story in the documentary on Martell titled, “Bad Case of the Country Blues.” The title is named after Martell’s song, which underperformed due to the racism prevalent at the time.