About Lady Gigs
Lady Trucker is a multi-faceted artist whose voice, presence, and unique pizzazz has been mesmerizing audiences for decades throughout the American South – from music festivals to the Trail Ride Circuits and beyond.
She casts a wide musical net and is equally seasoned singing Gospel from the Baptist Church she grew up in, commanding audience attention with her powerful renditions of North Mississippi Hill Country Blues, and leading bands with her searing versions of Chicago Blues standards. Starting at age 16, she began penning her own lyrics across many styles – including Zydeco – and hasn’t stopped since.
Lady Trucker, born Peggy Sue Hemphill, is the 14th of 16 children born to sharecropper and sales associate Henry Lee Hemphill and Lizzie Maewhether Hemphill in Greenwood, MS. Peggy Sue’s upbringing was steeped in music including relative and Blues pioneer Sid Hemphill – first recorded by Alan Lomax in 1942. However, it was another of Peggy Sue’s renowned Blues cousins – artist Jessie Mae Hemphill – who recognized Peggy Sue’s sweet voice at age 3.
Peggy Sue touts her entire family’s support as vital to her music development and is especially grateful to all her siblings, her second father Elijah Hill, and her mentor and “big brother” esteemed Blues artist Nathaniel Kimble. Her mother – who is going strong at age 90 – has been key to Peggy Sue’s artistic development. “Sometimes I wanted to stop. My mama said don’t stop. She always told me I was her Queen Baby and I could be what I wanna be…. To have my Momma live to see me do what I want to do, can’t no man, no woman make me stop…”
After singing at Traveler’s Rest Church in Rising Sun, MS each week as a child, her extended family gathered for a feast. There was always music, traditional family dishes, sips of moonshine, and sometimes they killed a hog.
As her musical talents grew, she started the “Hemphill Singers” with her sister. From there Lady Trucker continued to blaze many new trails:
She was the first Black woman truck driver for Delta Rice in Webb, MS. Hence, the name Lady Trucker was bestowed on her and it stuck. She is the mother of four, grandmother to twelve, and she is a nurse. Throughout it all, she sings her own music, sharing her prowess far and wide.
In addition, Lady Trucker is deeply committed to her community. For more than 20 years, she’s been collecting and donating school supplies to the children of Marshall County, MS and Greenwood, MS in Leflore County where she grew up. With the help of Amerigroup – a book bag company – her giving has expanded immensely. She also helps the Social Club/ Motorcycle Clubs nationwide, however she can.
As she prepares for her first Blues Rules Crissier Festival, she’s full of gratitude for all her family, friends, fans and sponsors who have encouraged her along the way.
Her great appreciation and deep praise for her husband “King” – Artemas Lesueur – a well-recognized Grammy winning drummer/bassist who often accompanies her – is top of the list. Additional influences vital to Lady Trucker include her Godmothers: Christine Neal from Mississippi and Beverly McDowell from Alabama. “I LOVE people in Alabama!” she declared. She’s also very grateful to Scott Lindsay who plays with her and produced her latest record “Rollin’ up on Ya” of her original songs. Lady Trucker also has big praise for Roger Stolle – of Clarksdale, MS – who produces Lady Trucker’s favorite American Festival: Juke Joint Festival. Last, but not least, she’s very, very thankful and proud to have Cathead Vodka Distillery’s sponsorship.
Lady Trucker is a powerhouse of talent and energy, continuing to stir her Mississippi roots into a new musical gumbo that is all her own. Her new record – “Rollin’ Up on Ya” is a testament to her latest sound. She has already been crowned “Zydeco Blues Queen of Mississippi” – and there is surely much more to come.
– Ilana Katz Katz
Awards & Nominations
- Louisiana People’s Choice Award (nominations in five categories)
- Zydeco Blues Trail Award – (Texas)
- Jackson Music Award (nominee) – Jackson, MS
- Up and Coming Blues Soul Artist Award (Houston, TX)
- AMG Award (Atlanta, GA)
- Hill Country Blues Southern Soul Zydeco Blues Trail Award (2014, 2015, 2021)
Featured Festivals
- Juke Joint Festival (Clarksdale, MS)
- King Biscuit Festival (Helena, AK)
- Oxford Blues Festival (Oxford, MS)
- Trail Rides and Rodeos (Nationwide)
- Social/Motorcycle Clubs (Nationwide)
- Women in Blues (Nationwide)
- Clarksdale Women and Blues Festival (Clarksdale, MS)
- Smalltown homecoming festivals (Nationwide)
- Blues on the Porch (Holly Springs, MS)
Contact
Phone: 662-299-8799
Email: LadyTrucker316@gmail.com
Site: LadyTrucker.site
