For immediate release: (10/9/98)
Contact: Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, Steve Balkin, 312-341-3696
76 year old Johnnie Mae Dunson, who wrote songs for Jimmy Reed and played drums in his backup band, entered St. Mary of Nazereth Hospital (2233 W. Division) in Chicago, complaining of chest pain. Johnnie Mae Smith (Dunson is her stage name), born in Bessemer Alabama, wrote over 300 songs and was especially famous for recording and performing the song, Boss Woman. She recently came out of retirement to sing at Blues events to raise awareness for stopping the destruction of the old Maxwell Street area. Until a few months ago, she has not performed for over 15 years. She got her start in the 1940s in the old Maxwell Market playing drums behind dancer Eddie "Pork Chop" Hines.
The cause of the chest pains, according to Ms. Smith, is the stress from worrying about losing her house and her being unsure whether she can "hang on". "I'm full of fear. I'm losing weight. I'm worried I won't get the help I need."
Her house, which she owns, is in the near West Side, and is in the path of a lot of real estate development. The City evicted her from her own home and is demanding she make repairs before she can live there again. According to Steve Balkin, member of the Maxwell Street Historic Preservation Coalition, "the City's eviction is turning out to be a death sentence. She has lived in that house for a large part of her life. She had friends come by who would look after her and she pretty much knew how to manage the logistics of living there. Owing to being stuck in an elevator as a child, she is afraid to use elevators. So, not being able to find a first floor apartment on short notice, she lives in a high rise. She walks stairs rather than use the elevator. That is not good for her in her condition. She is in a strange neighborhood now so she doesn't know how to get the kind of food she needs. That is not good for her either."
Ms. Smith sighs, "I do a lot of praying. I'm not educated but my heart goes out to people. I thanks God for letting me live this long. I have been one hungry child but I never did welfare. I never had the taste of drinks and I never smoked but I did get a lot of second hand smoke performing in taverns. As long as I have breath I want to help people."
People who want to help her can contact her attorney, Darryl Apperton, Cabrini Green Legal Aid Clinic, 206 West Division St., Chicago, IL 60610, Ph: 312-266-1345 or Blues scholar Caleb Dube at 773-271-5177.
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