Rosetta Tharpe Read by Kateri Bluford

Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls

Rebel Girls

Kids & Family, Stories For Kids, Education For Kids

4.5 • 7K Ratings

🗓️ 25 February 2025

⏱️ 20 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Once upon a time, there was a girl with a song in her heart. Her name was Sister Rosetta Tharpe - a guitar-playing, gospel-singing legend whose unique style and stage-presence inspired the greatest rock musicians of the last century. She is known as the godmother of rock n’ roll and was posthumously inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2018. [This episode originally aired September 2021.] About the Narrator Kateri Bluford is an American singer, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who gained national and international acclaim after appearing on Season 2 of The Four starring Sean Combs, DJ Khaled, Megan Trainor and host Fergie. Bluford captivated audiences with her powerful rendition of Tasha Cobbs “I’m Getting Ready” and Celine Dion’s legendary Grammy Award winning song “Because You Loved Me”. As a rising star, the young artist stays true to her deeply rooted faith and the inspiration of her mentors Bishop Darrell and Pastor Pamela Hines. There is a divine power that resonates when Bluford performs that harkens to her Gospel roots, something she embraces in the entirety of her life. “I’m on a mission to heal the world” commented Kateri, who has struggled over the years with her own identity and self- confidence. There is power in music and Kateri Bluford is on a trajectory of success and transformation. Kateri Bluford also toured with Jonathan Mcreynolds this past spring and summer of 2019. Credits This podcast is a production of Rebel Girls and is based on the book series Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls. This episode was produced by Camille Stennis. Sound design and mixing by Bianca Salinas. This episode was written by Jestine Ware and fact checked by Joe Rhatigan. Executive Producer is Katie Sprenger. Haley Dapkus is our production manager. Original theme music was composed and performed by Elettra Bargiacchi. A big thanks to the whole Rebel Girls team who make this show possible! For more, visit rebelgirls.com. And if you like what you heard, don’t forget to rate and review this episode, and share it with your friends! Until next time, stay REBEL!

Transcript

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0:00.0	The Pinkalicious and Peterific podcast is back with brand new Pinkatastic episodes.
0:07.4	Sing and dance along with Pinkalicious, Peter, and their friends as they go on musical adventures around Pinkville.
0:15.2	Starting February 13th, you can listen to the new season of the Pinkalicious and Peterific podcast on PBSKids.org or wherever you listen to podcasts.
0:30.3	Once upon a time, there was a girl with a song in her heart.
0:39.8	Her name was Rosetta.
0:43.6	Four-year-old Rosetta, or as her family and friends called her, Rosietta, scampered down a dirt road.
0:51.7	She followed her mother, passed a few shops and businesses, until they reached
0:56.7	the Cotton Plant, Arkansas Church of God and Christ Church, and settled into a creaky
1:03.2	pew with her mother, Katie. Rosietta, don't fidget, Katie whispered, adjusting her hat.
1:12.2	You'll do great.
1:15.0	Church was one of Rosie's favorite times of the week.
1:19.7	The entire community gathered at church to sing, dance, stump, and shout their joy to the rafter so loud that God and the angels could hear.
1:32.5	When it was her turn, Rosie slid out of the pew and walked to the front.
1:38.2	Rosie grinned when one of the musicians handed her a big guitar.
1:43.4	It was so heavy she almost couldn't carry it. But her
1:47.0	fingers and her voice knew just what to do. She took a deep breath and sang as loud as she could.
1:56.0	Soon, Rosie would grow up to be an international gospel star who rocked out on the electric guitar.
2:07.6	I'm Kateri Blufford, and this is Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a fairy tale podcast about the Rebel women who inspire us.
2:21.1	On this episode, Rosetta Tharp, the godmother of rock and roll, who knew how to shred on any guitar and inspired every rock star who came after her.
2:41.0	Rosetta sat on a train, staring glumly out the window. There was nothing she wanted more than to go back home to the small town she knew.
2:47.0	But her mother had decided to pack up a few bags and take her daughter to Chicago.
2:54.9	Rosie missed her father. She didn't know it yet, but she would never see him again.
	...

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