Perhaps one of the truer true things...

Bessie Smith is not only my favorite blues singer, but quite possibly my favorite female vocalist of all times. Her voice is heartache dipped in sorrow coated in soulful honesty and unshakable grit and strength. I love her. I have loved her since I heard Mountain Top Blues when I was 19 (Lyrics from Mountain Top: "When you find me, you will see, lots of pieces layin' round").

Also, Bessie is from Tennessee (Chattanooga, to be exact) and "Rocky Top will always be, home sweet home to me..."