Bettye LaVette Biography

Bettye LaVette (born Betty Haskins) is an American soul singer-songwriter who made her first record at sixteen but achieved only intermittent fame until 2005 with her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise. Her eclectic musical style combines elements of soul blues rock and roll funk gospel and country music.
She was signed by Johnnie Mae Matthews a local record producer in 1962 at age 16. She then recorded a single My Man—He's a Lovin' Man with Matthews which became a Top Ten R&B hit after Atlantic Records bought distribution rights. This led to a tour with rhythm and blues musicians Clyde McPhatter Ben E. King Barbara Lynn and then-newcomer Otis Redding. Though she had many recordings with many agencies in the years after this original track she did not see great success until 2005.
After signing to The Rosebud Agency for live bookings Rosebud president Mike Kappus brought her to the attention of Anti- Records president Andy Kaulkin. Upon seeing LaVette perform Kaulkin signed her to a three–record deal. For the first project he paired her with Joe Henry and suggested an album of songs written entirely by women. The resulting CD I've Got My Own Hell to Raise was on many critics’ “Best of 2005” lists. The title is taken from the lyrics of Fiona Apple's 1996 hit Sleep to Dream which is covered on the album.

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