Chitlin’s Please!!!!!
As humans, intestines are designed to absorb nutrients from what we eat and drink. From a historical perspective, pork chitterlings (intestines) powered kindred spirits seeking a reprieve from the world in which they lived. In addition to food, I’m talking about the “funk” that traveled state to state called the Chitlin Circuit. Some who see the word chitlins will turn their noses up in disgust (I can’t say I blame you) , but for many household artist we know today, chitterlings with a side of cornbread and collard greens in some cases were a form payment after a performance. The Chitlin Circuit was part of the entrepreneurial spirit African Americans cleverly created in order to share their talents with those who desired to give them a chance. By eyeballing the lineup below who would pass up on the opportunity to witness?
Some entertainers and countless others included:
Sam Cooke / Ray Charles /Duke Ellington / Etta James/ Ike &Tina Turner
Redd Foxx /Gladys Knight & the Pips / Billie Holiday/ Muddy Waters
The Jackson 5/ Richard Pryor / Tyrone Davis / Little Richard
The Temptations / Lena Horne/ Marvin Gaye/ Sammy Davis Jr.
B.B King/ Flip Wilson/ Chuck Berry/ Bobby “Blue” Bland
Clarence Carter/ Otis Redding / Johnnie Taylor / Betty Wright
The Chitlin Circuit stretched from the South, Midwest, to as Far East as Harlem, NY, the “Mecca” for black folk. Civil unrest and racial tension forced these entertainers to step from behind the curtain onto the main stage of people who accepted them as they were. Blues legend Bobby Rush “The King of The Chitlin Circuit” recalls, “I remember 1951 playing in clubs behind a curtain because they didn’t want to see my face, but they wanted to hear my music”. Treatment like this spearheaded the decision for African American entertainers to take their show on the road, earning respect and fanfare from diehard and new listeners.
Most people may believe the artist above only had to audition to obtain a record deal, but life was more complicated. They often played engagements 6 nights a week, spent months away from family, and constantly faced discrimination during travel ( I’m sure the Negro Motorist Green Book came in handy). The unity amongst these budding stars cemented an unparalleled need for African Americans to develop safe entertainment venues across the country. Like anything in life nothing is perfect, so I’m sure occasional moonshine, peer to peer desires and the correct distribution of money made its way on the circuit as well.
While in Baton Rouge, La one summer I visited a Juke Joint called Teddy’s. That visit provided me with an indication of how small and hot the venues may have been during the circuit. I envisioned young boys attempting to sneak a peek inside a packed building to get a glimpse of B.B. King playing Lucile, and young women watching Tina Turner tear up the stage with what some deem to be “the best legs in show business”, even to this day.
Some musical artist on the circuit recorded their albums while performing live on stage. Just like television filmed live in front of a studio audience back in the day, the recordings captured a craft these entertainers mastered their whole life so extra “takes” weren’t needed. The Chitlin Circuit fostered unity, famed personalities, household names, opposition to social aggressions, resiliency, and timeless music. African American entertainers today owe it to all who participated in the Chitlin Circuit, proving to the world just who put the E in entertainment. Yeah Playa ( Tom Joyner voice)… We Did That :)
#HistoryBeforeUs
