"Ethel Mae" is a song by L.C. Williams. It was released on the Freedom Recording Co. label in 1949 and became a hit on the United States R&B charts. Background The song was composed by L.C. Williams. He recorded it with the backing by Conney's Combo. Credited to L. C. Williams with Conney's Combo, it was released in 78 RPM format on Freedom Recording Co. 1517 in 1949. "Shout Baby Shout" was originally the A side with "Ethel Mae" on the flip side. But by the time it was reviewed in September that year, "Ethel Mae" was referred to as the A side.The Cash Box, September 24, 1949 - Page 16 Jazz 'n Blues Reviews, "Ethel Mae" (2:50), "Shout Baby Shout" (2:53), L. C. WILLIAMS (Freedom 1517)45Cat - 78 RPM Record, Artist: L. C. Williams, Track A L. C. Williams Shout Baby Shout, Track B L. C. Williams Ethel MaeThe Cash Box, October 1, 1949 - Page 16 RECORD DYNAMITE!, ‘‘ETHEL MAE” backed by ‘‘SHOUT, BABY, SHOUT”

"Shout Baby Shout" is mentioned in Julie Miliner's book, The Sharecropper's Daughter.The Sharecropper's Daughter, By Julie Miliner · 2010 - - Page 156

The "Well sung blues" single would turn out to be the greatest success for the Freedom Recording Co. label.Nothing But the Blues: An Illustrated Documentary, 1971 - - Page 175

Reception The record had a glowing review in the 24 September 1949 issue of The Cash Box with the reviewer saying that song would catch on like wildfire, and it was the kind of stuff that blues fans went for, and it couldn't miss.The Cash Box, September 24, 1949 - Page 16 Jazz 'n Blues Reviews, "Ethel Mae" (2:50), "Shout Baby Shout" (2:53), L. C. WILLIAMS (Freedom 1517) Airplay For the week of 8 October, "Ethel Mae" was at No. 6 at WHOM in New York.Cash Box, October 8, 1949 - Page 10 THE CASH BOX Disk Jockey's REGIONAL RECORD REPORTS, Willie & Ray WHOM—New York, N. Y., 6. ETHEL MAE (L. C. Williams) For the week of 12 November, the record was at No. 4 at WHOM in New York.The Cash Box, November 12, 1949 - Page 10 Disk Jockey's REGIONAL RECORD REPORTS, Willie Bryant-Ray Carroll WHOM—New York, N. Y., 4. ETHEL MAE (L. C. Williams) The record was still on the WHOM chart for the week of 3 December.The Cash Box, December 3, 1949 - Page 13 THE CASH BOX Disk Jockey's REGIONAL RECORD REPORTS, Willie & Ray WHOM—New York, N. Y., 10. ETHEL MAE (L. C. Williams)

Charts The Cash Box Hot in Other Cities For the week of 24 September, "Ethel Mae" was at No. 8 on the Pittsburgh section of the Hot in Other Cities chart.The Cash Box, September 24, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, PITTSBURGH,PA., 8. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) For the week of 22 October, the single was at No. 9 on the Louisville chart and No. 5 on the Pittsburgh chart.The Cash Box, October 22, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, 9. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams); PITTSBURGH, PA., Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) For the week of 29 October, the single was at No. 7 on the Memphis chart.The Cash Box, October 29, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, MEMPHIS, TENN., 7. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) For the week of 5 November, the single was at No. 8 on the San Antonio chart.The Cash Box, November 5, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, SAN ANTONIO, TEX. 8. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) For the week of 10 December, the single was at No. 2 in Dallas.The Cash Box, December 10, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, DALLAS, TEX., 2. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) For the week of 17 December, the single was at No. 9 in Birmingham.The Cash Box,. December 17, 1949 - Page 14 HOT IN OTHER CITIES, BIRMINGHAM, ALA, 9. Ethel Mae (L. C. Williams) Hot in Harlem For the week of 8 October, the single was at No. 8 on the Hot in Harlem chart.Cash Box, October 8, 1949 - Page 14 HOT in Harlem, 8 ETHEL MAE, L. C. Williams (Freedom 1517) For the week of 15 October, "Ethel Mae" reached its peak position of No. 6 on the Hot in Harlem chart.The Cash Box, October 15, 1949 - Page 14 HOT in Harlem, 6 ETHEL MAE, L. C. Williams (Freedom 1517) It held that position for another week.The Cash Box, October 22, 1949 - Page 14 HOT in Harlem, 6 ETHEL MAE, L. C. Williams (Freedom 1517)The Cash Box, October 29, 1949 - Page 14 HOT in Harlem The Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records For the week of 8 October 1949, "Ethel Mae" debuted at No. 8 on The Billboard Most-Played Juke Box Rhythm & Blues Records chartThe Billboard, October 8, 1949 - Page 29 BEST-SELLING RETAIL RHYTHM & BLUES RECORDS, Weeks to date 1, Last Week -, This Week 8. ETHEL MAE L. C. Williams Freedom 1517 which was its peak position during its three-week run.Records and Charts - L.C. Williams, “Ethel Mae”, R&B (Jukeboxes) 1949-10-08 1949-10-08 #8 3 weeks Best-Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records As shown in the 22 October issue of The Billboard, "Ethel Mae" made its debut at No. 12 in the Best-Selling Retail Rhythm & Blues Records chart for the week ending 14 OctoberThe Billboard, October 22, 1949 - Page 67 The Billboard MUSIC POPULARITY CHARTS, Rhythm & Blues Records Based on reports received last three days of Week Ending October 14 BEST-SELLING RETAIL RHYTHM & BLUES RECORDS, Weeks to date 1, Last Week -, This Week 12., ETHEL MAE Shout Baby Shout L C. Williams Freedom 1517 which was its peak position during its one-week run.Records and Charts - L.C. Williams, “Ethel Mae”, R&B Best Sellers 1949-10-22 1949-10-22 #12 1 week

MusicVF The single's national peak position is given as No. 8 for the Billboard R&B chart at MusicVF.com.MusicVF.com - L.C. Williams "Ethel Mae"

References

External links Discogs - L.C. Williams With Conney's Combo – Shout Baby Shout / Ethel Mae L.C. Williams Topic channel, Ethel Mae, Aug 18, 2016 - Ethel Mae