February 12, 2008
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Profile America for the 12th day of Black History Month. One of the earliest African-American singing stars made her first recording this week in 1923 Bessie Smiths Down Hearted Blues sold 800,000 copies and started her on the road to fame as the empress of the blues. From 78s to LPs, then to CDs and now electronic downloads, black vocalists have given pleasure to generations of Americans. Today, stars such as Vanessa Williams, 50 Cent and rising country singer Rissi Palmer continue the tradition. Singers and musicians are among the 203,000 across the country who make their living in the music business 9 percent of them African-American. This special edition of Profile America for Black History Month is a public service of the U.S. Census Bureau.