The Tonettes

Female soul trio from Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. Please do not confuse with the late 50's white female trio The Tonettes (2) from New York, the U.K. late 50's trio The Tonettes (3), the San Antonio, Texas soul group The Tonettes (4) or the jamaican ska girl group The Tonetts Consisted of Mary Hunt, Shirley Thomas and Mildred Pratchett. They released two singles at Volt (although they had recorded more material), the first act to release a record in the Volt catalogue in early 1962. Later, the trio was re-named The Dixiebelles and started recording for Nashville label Sound Stage 7 who needed a "black female group" to record and promote live, a studio-created Hot 100 hit called "(Down At) Papa Joe's",the original song having been sung by members of the very white Anita Kerr Singers. The girls decided to go their separate ways, Shirley Thomas left the group whilst Mary Hunt and Mildred Pratcher with new members Eula Jean Rivers and Barbara McCoy they began recording as The Charmels, back at Stax roster, under the aegis of Isaac Hayes.