Ms. Johnnie Nathan is a native of Bessemer, Alabama. Though her birthplace was in Hillman hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, she lived the first thirty-one (31) years of life in her native home, the city of Bessemer. Bred as a singer of Soul, Rythmn & Blues, Gospel, and many other genres of music, she began at the early age of 13, starting as a church choir and school choir soloist. At age 15, she became a member of a local band called the Corrupters, whereas the manager of the band, Mr. Don Harvey, was responsible for sneaking her and the rest of the underage band members, Earl Williams-guitar, Lee Charles Mitchell- Saxophone, John Henry Waters-drums, Bilbo-bass, and Bernard Lewis-sax ,a replacement who joined later for Lee Charles, into local clubs to perform.
After several years, the interest to be in a female group heightened, so at the age of 17, she became a member of a gospel group called, “Blind Billy and the Gospel Revelettes”. “The Revelettes” included her, two childhood friends who were sisters, Lottie and Mary Randle, and the group’s manager, Gloria Ann Swain. She and the sisters were dubbed as the local ” Three Degrees” from having the harmonious vocal sounds which were just as beautiful as that of the nationally known recording group,The Three Degrees. Ms. Johnnie Nathan is a current Black Traditional Music Practitioner.
