Lynn, Trudy
Golden Girl
Born Lee Audrey Nelms in Houston's Fifth Ward, Trudy Lynn comes from a strong musical stock. The late Al "TNT" Braggs, one of Houston's most electrifying R&B vocalists and a prolific songwriter for Bobby "Blue" Bland, was her cousin. Growing up, she and her five siblings would gather on their big screened-in porch to sing in talent shows for the neighborhood kids. By high school, she took it to the next level as a member of the choirs and jazz groups, even joining Archie Bell as one of the Drells, back in '64 before they took off. It was Albert Collins who was the first to get her on the stage while still in high school, at Walter's Lounge on Lockwood. After singing 'A Change Is Gonna Come' and 'Money,' Lynn knew she had found her calling. In 1965 after graduating from high school, Lee Audrey went to Lufkin, Texas, north of Houston, for the summer. Her cousin took her out to a white venue, the Cinderella Club, where she made sure the club owner knew she could sing. When called upon to fill in for their regular singer, Lee Audrey needed a stage name. It was there that she saw the name 'Trudy' amidst the other writings on the wall and decided that's what she wanted to be called. Performers Gloria Lynne and Barbara Lynn also inspired her new name.