Biography
Blues singer Big Clara McDaniel grew up surrounded by music in her household. As a child she performed vocals during church services and learned piano specifically to support the choir. Blues sounds filled her early environment through repeated play of recordings by her siblings, father, and grandfather. Her uncle Dusty Brown, a Parrot recording artist, provided another direct professional connection within the family. After the household moved from Pontiac, MI, to St. Louis, she encountered Muddy Waters. Additional blues exposure came from performances at local venues including Ned Love's, Club Caravan, Cass, and Dynaflow at Glasgow. At Club Caravan she shared stages with Big Bad Smitty and Big George, while at Ned Love's she collaborated with Albert King. That partnership with King developed into an extended professional relationship that included tours across Mississippi and Arkansas plus a western trip to Arizona. Back in St. Louis she took charge of his taxi company. Over the years she has also shared bills with Tommy Bankhead, Bobby Bland, Ike Turner, Little Milton, Oliver Sain, and David Dee.
High Tone Records issued her debut album Unwanted Child in 1997. Her husband, keyboardist and bandleader Albert "Falstaff" Foster, died prior to the sessions, so she dedicated the record to him. Following his passing she relocated to Arkansas and gave birth to twins. She has additionally served as foster mother to dozens of children and adopted several of them. Throughout the twenty years preceding her first album she typically maintained two jobs, occasionally three, while reserving weekends for singing. On multiple occasions her group the Magnatones opened the St. Louis Blues Festival. In 1995 she performed at the Blues Estafette festival in Holland. The British publication Blues & Rhythm named her Discovery of the Year. She has toured Greece, France, England, and Switzerland. Living Blues magazine nominated her for Female Blues Artist of the Year in 1998.
High Tone Records issued her debut album Unwanted Child in 1997. Her husband, keyboardist and bandleader Albert "Falstaff" Foster, died prior to the sessions, so she dedicated the record to him. Following his passing she relocated to Arkansas and gave birth to twins. She has additionally served as foster mother to dozens of children and adopted several of them. Throughout the twenty years preceding her first album she typically maintained two jobs, occasionally three, while reserving weekends for singing. On multiple occasions her group the Magnatones opened the St. Louis Blues Festival. In 1995 she performed at the Blues Estafette festival in Holland. The British publication Blues & Rhythm named her Discovery of the Year. She has toured Greece, France, England, and Switzerland. Living Blues magazine nominated her for Female Blues Artist of the Year in 1998.
Albums