460 - I Would Never Try

Summary

My Favorite Murder - Episode 460: "I Would Never Try"

Podcast Information:

• Title: My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
• Hosts: Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
• Network: Exactly Right Media
• Description: A true crime comedy podcast where Karen and Georgia delve into compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners.

---

1. Holiday Banter and Celebrations (00:01 - 14:25)

The episode opens with Karen and Georgia engaging in a light-hearted discussion about the overlapping holiday seasons of Christmas and Hanukkah. They share humorous anecdotes about decorating challenges and the dynamics of being in a mixed-faith household. Georgia remarks, "It's very rare when Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah land on the same day. It's something to mark your calendar over" (02:33).

The hosts express gratitude towards their stylist, Asia, for the adorable holiday decorations and discuss the emotional complexities of celebrating Hanukkah when it coincides with the broader Christmas festivities. They also reminisce about Mary's past achievements, including her impressive bat mitzvah held at her mother's workplace (04:35).

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2. December Donation Announcement (05:02 - 06:19)

Karen and Georgia take a moment to announce their annual December donations, emphasizing their gratitude towards listeners for making these contributions possible. This year, they pledge $10,000 to Girls Inc., an organization dedicated to empowering girls through mentorship and programs aimed at overcoming barriers and fostering confident leadership. Georgia passionately states, "Tell women they are not second class citizens. In fact, they're very important" (05:53).

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3. Listener Engagement and Community Highlights (06:19 - 14:39)

The episode transitions to engaging with listener emails and community updates. A special mention is made of Jordan Cahill from Gothcloth Company, who shares his excitement about being featured on the podcast. Georgia and Mary (presumably producer Mary Jones) interact warmly with Jordan, celebrating his goth fashion brand and his journey from designing dog toys to launching his own line (06:42).

They also discuss the success of their podcast network, Exactly Right Media, highlighting other shows within the network and encouraging listeners to follow and support them on social media (10:06).

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4. The True Crime Story: Mary Jones and the Aretha Franklin Impersonation Scheme (14:40 - 51:16)

a. Introduction to Mary Jones’ Story (14:40 - 16:03)

Georgia introduces the main story of the episode, detailing the life of Mary Jones, a gifted vocalist who became entangled in a dangerous impersonation scheme impersonating the legendary Aretha Franklin. She recounts a dramatic incident where an imposter, Vicki Jane, performs under duress, threatening Mary’s safety (16:03).

b. Mary Jones' Early Life and Talent (16:03 - 20:49)

Mary Jones was born in West Petersburg, Virginia, where she honed her vocal talents in her Baptist church choir under Reverend Billy Lee’s mentorship. Her exceptional voice drew attention, and she became part of the gospel group, The Great Gate. Despite her commitment to her church, Mary sought additional income by performing at local nightclubs, leading to a double life that Reverend Lee eventually discovered (17:03).

c. Encounter with Lavelle Hardy and the Impersonation Scheme (21:27 - 35:38)

During a performance at the Pink Garter Club in Richmond, Mary catches the eye of Lavelle Hardy, a singer from New York City who himself impersonates James Brown. Impressed by her vocal resemblance to Aretha Franklin, Lavelle offers her a deal to tour Florida, impersonating Franklin for increased profit (23:41). Under threats from Lavelle, Mary reluctantly agrees, believing it to be her only option to support her four sons (31:15).

Notable Quote:

"If you don't comply, it could cost you your life." — Georgia Hardstark (31:54)

d. The Rise and Consequences of the Impersonation Tour (35:38 - 39:32)

Mary tours under the guise of Aretha Franklin, performing in various small venues across Florida. Her performances are met with acclaim, leading to larger bookings. However, as her fame as an imposter grows, so do the risks. The scheme eventually attracts legal scrutiny when the real Aretha Franklin becomes aware of the impersonation through local gossip (40:12).

e. Legal Repercussions and Personal Struggles (39:32 - 44:06)

Lavelle Hardy is arrested for fraud, while Mary faces the stigma of her forced impersonation. Despite the legal challenges, including threats and a lack of financial compensation, Mary’s reputation is salvaged when Aretha Franklin herself intervenes, ensuring that Mary is not held criminally liable. However, the ordeal leaves Mary destitute and estranged from her family, leading her to retire from singing and dedicate her life to raising her sons (43:35).

f. Reflection and Legacy (44:06 - 51:16)

Decades later, Mary's story resurfaces through journalist Jeff Maish’s research and its feature on the Criminal podcast by Phoebe Judge. Mary's legacy is highlighted by the love and memories her sons have of her, emphasizing her talent beyond the forced impersonation. Georgia and Mary reflect on the broader implications of Mary’s story, noting the changes in the entertainment industry that have made such impersonation schemes nearly impossible in the digital age (50:05).

Notable Quote:

"When her son Gregory agreed to talk about his mother, he was so emotional and so happy that someone finally called him because he'd obviously been telling this story over the decades, but people wouldn't believe it." — Georgia Hardstark (50:05)

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5. Closing Remarks and Final Reflections (51:16 - End)

As the story concludes, Karen and Georgia express their admiration for Mary Jones, celebrating her resilience and vocal prowess. They offer heartfelt condolences and reflections on the tragic aspects of her life, tying back to the holiday themes with a poignant reminder of Mary’s legacy. The hosts encourage listeners to honor Mary’s memory by recognizing the struggles and talents of individuals who have been exploited (51:25).

Final Quote:

"Light a candle for Mary Jones." — Georgia Hardstark (51:25)

---

Key Takeaways:

• Mary Jones' Talent: Despite the adversity she faced, Mary possessed an extraordinary vocal talent that closely mimicked Aretha Franklin, making her a prime target for Lavelle Hardy’s impersonation scheme.

• Exploitation and Coercion: Mary’s story is a stark example of how talented individuals can be exploited and coerced into dangerous situations, especially when vulnerable and in need of financial support.

• Legacy and Recognition: While Mary’s career was cut short and marred by manipulation, her legacy is preserved through the memories of her family and the dedication of true crime enthusiasts who uncover and honor her story.

• Impact of Technology: The narrative underscores how advancements in technology and media have made it increasingly difficult to sustain impersonation schemes, enhancing the protection of artists and their likenesses.

---

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

1. Georgia Hardstark on Rare Holiday Overlap:

   "It's very rare event when Christmas and the beginning of Hanukkah land on the same day. It's something to mark your calendar over." (02:33)

2. Donation Emphasis from Georgia:

   "Tell women they are not second class citizens. In fact, they're very important." (05:53)

3. Georgia on Mary Feeling Safe and Cared For:

   "I feel really seen right now. I feel really cared for right now, for sure." (17:12)

4. Threat During Impersonation Deal:

   "If you don't comply, it could cost you your life." (31:54)

5. Prosecutor’s Support for Mary:

   "I wanted to protect this girl. It was obvious she was a victim. I asked her to sing like Ms. Franklin. And she did it in the courtroom just like her. But she has a sound and a style of her own. She has talent, too." (43:00)

6. Reflection on Mary’s Legacy:

   "When her son Gregory agreed to talk about his mother, he was so emotional and so happy that someone finally called him because he'd obviously been telling this story over the decades, but people wouldn't believe it." (50:05)

7. Closing Tribute:

   "Light a candle for Mary Jones." (51:25)

---

Conclusion

Episode 460 of My Favorite Murder delivers a compelling and tragic narrative of Mary Jones, a remarkable vocalist whose gift led her into a perilous impersonation scheme. Through detailed storytelling and poignant reflections, Karen and Georgia shed light on Mary’s life, emphasizing the blend of talent, exploitation, and personal resilience. This episode not only entertains but also educates listeners on the vulnerabilities faced by artists and the enduring impact of their legacies.

Transcript

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is exactly right.

[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Karen Kilgariff]

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[Sponsor]

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[Mary Jones]

Hello and welcome to my favorite murder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's Georgia Hardstark.

[Mary Jones]

That's Karen Kilgariff.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's Christmas.

[Mary Jones]

It's officially not Christmas anymore. While you're listening. But.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's the but it's definitely Hanukkah.

[Mary Jones]

But it's definitely the first night of Hanukkah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Get ready.

[Mary Jones]

Congratulations.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Hey, all you half Catholic, half Jews out there, what's up?

[Mary Jones]

Oh, man, I love that idea of those couples together. The half Catholic, half Jewish. Cause, like, both families were like, what are you fucking talking about? You know, it's like both families were like those people. Yeah. We have some adorable holiday decorations. Thank you to Asia again. She's like our. She's like our stylist now.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. But also the first one I just credit where credit's due. Alejandra did the autumnal Halloween show.

[Mary Jones]

That's right.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She had ran her ass down to Target, like last second.

[Mary Jones]

Okay. I thought it was Asia.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Well, this time Asia went and really did it up nicely.

[Mary Jones]

I'm definitely stealing the Hanukkah decorations when we leave today.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I think you should.

[Mary Jones]

And I have my faux Christmas sweater on. Oh, those look great on you.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Are these really me Christmas glasses?

[Mary Jones]

Are you? Who knew?

[Georgia Hardstark]

I can see so much better now.

[Mary Jones]

Can you see the spirit of Christmas?

[Georgia Hardstark]

I can see Jesus soul. I was gonna say, just as a fun factoid, Turns out it's very rare event when Christmas and the beginning of Kanuka land on the same day. It's something to mark your calendar over. Yeah, and that's why we've done this.

[Mary Jones]

It's fun for us because when Hanukkah is, like, sometimes it's in. Like, it starts in November and it's over by Christmas break for everyone else. And it's kind of a bummer every year where it's like, the spirit of holidays is already over or it's, like, hasn't started even, you know, like, it's just, like, doesn't matter to us anymore.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's almost like the majority, or at least the cultural people that are taking up the most space are doing it over there. And you're like, right. But we have a thing, too.

[Mary Jones]

Totally. And it's, like, done by, you know, after Thanksgiving. It's not as fun for. For me, personally, as a Jewish person, but I love it that it's around the same time this year.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. This time it's like, there's just a lot of potential to do some nice combinations.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah. You can't help it being a little resentful when you have someone else's holiday off when you've already celebrated your holiday. You know what I mean?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes.

[Mary Jones]

It's a little like, well, this is sitting in front of the tv. This isn't, like, warming my soul in any way.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right.

[Mary Jones]

You know what does?

[Georgia Hardstark]

I was told by several Jewish friends that Hanukkah isn't the major holidays.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, no.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's like. It's kind of thrown in there where it's like, yeah, we get one, too.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I don't mean to say, like, I shouldn't say it like that, but it's just not the. It's not the. It's not the Christmas of.

[Mary Jones]

We get one, too, Even though we had ours first.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right. First book.

[Mary Jones]

And it has. Yeah, yeah, yeah. You know, there's other big ones, so.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right.

[Mary Jones]

But it's fun. But it's a fun one. What are they, Passover Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Purim.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Nice.

[Mary Jones]

There we go.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I was really calling you onto the mat.

[Mary Jones]

Right.

[Georgia Hardstark]

There's the big test. You passed.

[Mary Jones]

My bat mitzvah was the biggest of them all.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Is that true?

[Mary Jones]

No.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Did you get one?

[Mary Jones]

Oh, I had a bat mitzvah, yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, nice. Was it at, like, the local, you know, women's club or something?

[Mary Jones]

No. My mom was a property manager at the time for this, like, really nice apartment building in Venice beach, and so they let her use the clubhouse for that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Perfect.

[Mary Jones]

I know, it was great.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's great.

[Mary Jones]

No alcohol was allowed, which was like, now I'd be like, well, we can't have it there then.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But yeah. You mean if you were your mom, you would have been like.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah. I'm surprised she was cool at that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Not having that.

[Mary Jones]

Should we do our latest December donation announcement? So, as you guys know, we've been making donations to these incredible charities all month long. We do it every December, and we are so grateful to be able to do so.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And that's because of you guys, our listeners. So for this, our final donation on Christmas, we're gonna $10,000 to an organization called Girls, Inc. Their nonprofit that empowers girls to be strong, smart, and bold.

[Mary Jones]

And since 1864, they've supported girls through mentorship and programs designed to help them overcome barriers and become confident leaders. Girls Inc. Also advocates for policies that promote equity, giving every girl the opportunity to succeed.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It feels like the time is now to be supporting things like Girls, Inc. Yeah. And really telling women they are not second class citizens. In fact, they're very important.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah. You can do anything.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes, you can. So if you would like to join us in giving to Girls, Inc. Please go to their [e-mail] it's only the future of women.

[Mary Jones]

NVD. NVD. And there are other ways to give. You can volunteer to become an advocate, start a fundraiser, or enroll with a local affiliate. It's all on their website, girlsinc.org so.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Let'S keep showing up for each other in 2025. This is how we're gonna do it.

[Mary Jones]

Yes, let's.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Oh, speaking of, I have a little email I think you will enjoy. The subject line is goth cloth Co on my favorite murder. Is this a dream? Did I die? Am I a ghost? And it says, hello, MFM ladies, critters, creepers, ghosts and ghouls. Wowza, what a morning. Jordan Cahill here. Owner, founder, and designer for the brand Gothcloth company.

[Mary Jones]

Yay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

When I heard Karen not only say my brand's name this morning, but also my name on the podcast, I thought for a moment that I was dead. This can't possibly be real, can it? First and foremost, I just want to express my insane gratitude that MFM would take the time to check out my company and my personal statement. Long story short, I've been designing and making my own clothes since I was a kid. Oh, my God. And when I got laid off as a creative director for a dog toy company that got bought out back in 2023, it was finally time to make my dream of having my own goth brand a reality.

[Mary Jones]

What a dream. To go from designing dog toys, which is awesome to begin with. And then being like, you know what I really want to do? Can we get a line of goth dog clothes?

[Georgia Hardstark]

I was just thinking, do you think Jordan may have been doing a little bit of that while she was at the dog toy company?

[Mary Jones]

Definitely. I mean, dogs see black and white, right? So, like, give them black toys.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And they also love 808 state. Right. I mean, that's a band from when I was 20. I'm not sure.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah, I don't know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I guess if they count. Alejandra, will you see if I'm hip and look that up. The rest is. Never in a million years did I think my favorite podcast would be sharing my brand with their community. I am floored, honored, blessed, and actually deceased. I started listening to MFM way back in 2016. Not quite a day one listener, but close. I don't day one listener. I think people literally think they had to be there for the first episode.

[Mary Jones]

It's like the same thing as hometowns. It's not hometowns anymore. We want to hear any story. And day one listener means, like, early days. Early, yeah, early ish days.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Although to be there, to be an.

[Mary Jones]

Actual daylight, something else.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So I think that's what Jordan's talking about. But close. As I started my work from home freelance journey after grad school. Almost nine years later, I continue to have so much love for Karen and Georgia. They're the cool, enlightened aunties that this southern goth always wished she had. When I heard the minisode story Find a Goth, I thought, we have to repost this on the goth cloth page. Because one, it was so on brand for the community I've built and the alternative community as a whole. They really are the best folks. And two, and more importantly, lol, it'll help me find other Murderinos. I love, love, love that it could help bring exposure to the show and Nick Terry's work. And honestly, I just thought it was so cool that the story and message resonated with so many people. Goth's rock. It's so sweet. From the bottom of my spooky heart. Thank you, MFM Jordan.

[Mary Jones]

Yay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Isn't that the sweetest?

[Mary Jones]

I love that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I do too.

[Mary Jones]

I was talking to Nick Terry at our holiday party just last week about the. About them reposting it. And he was so excited. And I was like, I knew that one would be a good one. Sometimes we'll start talking and I'll be like, this is going to be a. This needs to be a Nick Terry. And then I Go like, what? What should I do to make it easier for you?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right?

[Mary Jones]

And he was like, make things. Have voices. Give voices to inanimate or, you know, random objects. So, like, that's our cue is like when you were talking about, like a lockbox or a fucking money tunnel. We need to, like, give those voices. I love being a lockbox or whatever. It's like that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I'm not performing for Nick Terry. He's not my director. I love Nick Terry and his face so much.

[Mary Jones]

My God, he's so cute.

[Georgia Hardstark]

He's a great man and a true artist, truly.

[Mary Jones]

Do you want to do some, erm, highlights real quick?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Let's do it.

[Mary Jones]

Okay. We have a. We still even on the first night of Hanukkah, we still have a podcast network called Exactly Right Media. Even now, Even now in today's day and age. So here are some highlight.

[Georgia Hardstark]

We have new videos. Have you seen them? And would you like to see more? Well, then join the fan cult and you will never miss anything ever again, ever in life. Visit fancult.supercast.com and get in on the action.

[Mary Jones]

And you can follow us, please. We really appreciate it. Our handle is exactly right on all social media. And there you'll get updates for shows like this Podcast Will Kill youl and ghosted by Roz Hernandez. Just give us a follow. It helps us out.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, it helps everyone in the podcast world. Yeah.

[Mary Jones]

And we follow us.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. We can't follow you. It's too. It would be too hard. Also, please rate, review, and follow all of our shows wherever you like to listen. Just if you listen on the Like iTunes app, when you're listening, it's there. You just don't pay attention to things like that. I don't for sure, but if you just look, it'll give you the opportunity. Just hit five stars as you're listening.

[Mary Jones]

Or there's like a little heart. If you could heart that. Yeah, that just helps us out a lot.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Add to show, follow, show, follow, subscribe.

[Mary Jones]

Something along those lines.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Get in there, you know, learn what your phone does.

[Mary Jones]

Please, please. Wow, that was weird.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Is your home security strategy basically a kid with a blowtorch and some paint cans on strings?

[Mary Jones]

Well, if so, it's time for an upgrade with Simplisafe.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Simplisafe is a new way to protect your home that stops intruders before they break in. And right now you can get a new system for 50% off.

[Mary Jones]

Old school systems only take action when someone is already inside your home, and that's too late.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

There are no long term contracts, no cancellation fees, and it's around $1 a day for all that protection.

[Mary Jones]

And I'm telling you, like, one of the top things in my life that I've done to make myself feel better is get a security system for my home. Yeah, it's so nice. In the middle of the night when I can't sleep, Cookie starts barking. Who knows why? I can open up my app. I can look outside of my cameras. It'll notify me if someone's there. It notifies me if, like I leave the door open or a window open. It's like, it's just so much peace of mind. I love it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And Simplisafe is extending its massive Black Friday deal for our listeners this week.

[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

This is your last chance to claim their best offer of the year. Head to simplisafe.com fave that's simplisafe.com fave.

[Mary Jones]

There's no safe like Simplisafe. Goodbye. The holidays may be over, but the gray skies of winter are just getting started.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

These classy, beautiful bags, I am not a label person. I can't stand them. But these like Italian leather, the quilted crossbody bag, which I own, the satchel. I mean, these are gorgeous without, like yelling some stupid brand name that, like nobody cares about. They're like beautiful.

[Georgia Hardstark]

They're beautiful. They're also really sturdy. Like that's a purse. You're actually getting what my mom used to call key pieces where they're going to laugh last in your wardrobe for a long time.

[Mary Jones]

That's right. So treat yourself this winter without the luxury price tag.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Go to Quince.com MFM for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns.

[Mary Jones]

That's Q U-I-N-C-E.com MFM to get free shipping and 365 day returns.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Quince.com MFM Goodbye. Well, do you want me to tell you a story?

[Mary Jones]

I'm eating the Christmas candy that's on the table.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You get to.

[Mary Jones]

Okay, good. Yes.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because it's my day. This is a short, a short one. Even though Asia decorated, we went all out. We're themed out. But it's just gonna be me telling a story on this one.

[Mary Jones]

Karen Solo. I'm so excited about it. I can just chill out and eat fucking candy.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Throw your feet as high up in the air as you can and wave em around.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Like you just think it's Christmas and Hanukkah at the same time. I'm very, very excited about this story.

[Mary Jones]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because I don't know if you know this about me, but I'm a real big fan of Aretha Franklin. When I was in college is kind of when her greatest hits album came into my life and never left. And I really. My favorite thing that I started doing, which I now have learned as a coping mechanism and a way to self soothe your nervous system is sing along with her album.

[Mary Jones]

Oh.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Singing is a kind of like a somatic healing practice.

[Mary Jones]

Sure.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Which I never did. Personally. I think she's the greatest singer of all time. She's really done it. If you've never done it, go onto YouTube and go into a Aretha Franklin video wormhole. You will not regret it. There's some unbelievable stuff, especially from like the 60s and 70s that she did. There's one thing where she made a video walking. It's like a live shot of her from a TV show. But she's walking down like side streets in Manhattan singing a song to camera. Basically like it's one of my favorite things of all time. And it's like she's got like a 70s plaid coat on and it's like 70s New York around her. It's the best. She also did the thing where she stood in for Pavarotti when he got sick like last minute. She sang the song Nesun Dorma with a full orchestra. She sang opera.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Like she is a true insane talent.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And so I'm gonna tell you a little story related to that. I'll set the scene. It's 1969 in a packed club in Fort Myers, Florida and the show tonight is guaranteed to be unforgettable. There's a sold out crowd of 1,400 people buzzing with anticipation to see the one and only queen of Sou, Aretha Franklin. The lights go down and Aretha's introduced. But as she steps onto the stage, something feels a little bit off. For a split second, this legendary performer actually looks nervous. Then she starts to sing, and that voice is unmistakable. Everyone knows they're in the presence of a legend. Except they're not. What this packed crowd doesn't know is that it's not Aretha Franklin that they're listening to and watching. The woman on stage is an imposter, and she is here under duress. She's being forced to impersonate Aretha Franklin, and if she doesn't comply, it could cost her her life.

[Mary Jones]

The fuck?

[Georgia Hardstark]

This is the story of singer Mary Jones.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God. Twisty Turney. Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I was. This is my researcher Mary McGlashan's suggestion, and I was just like, I feel really seen right now. Ye feel really cared for right now, for sure.

[Mary Jones]

Wow. Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right. So the main source of today's research is reporting by a journalist named Jeff Maish, and that includes a Smithsonian magazine article that he wrote called the Counterfeit Queen of Soul, which is heavily cited throughout what I'm about to read you. He also did an episode of our friend Phoebe Judge's podcast, Criminal in 2023, and that episode is called the Impersonator. And the rest of the sources are in our show notes. Okay, so it all starts in the early 40s when Mary Jones is born in West Petersburg, Virginia. It's a small town about 30 miles south of the state capital of Richmond. And like so many incredible vocalists, Mary gets her start singing in the choir of her Baptist church. It's here that her reverend, a man named Billy Lee, takes note of her incredible talent. Mary has a phenomenal soulful voice, and she's undeniably gifted. So Reverend Lee forms an all black gospel group called the Great Gate, and they perform at churches around the region. And the Reverend will later say, quote, I had to teach most of the folk in my groups, but there was one young lady I did not have to teach soul, end quote. And that young lady is Mary Jones. Mary spends six years performing with the Great Gate, and as she does, she sharpens her vocal skills by listening to Aretha Franklin records just like me.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Except for I didn't get better. I just kept singing the same way. It felt louder, kind of like. And Annie sings Aretha Franklin. Anyway, for context, this is the mid-1960s. Now, Aretha is. She's huge. Of course, in 1967 alone, Aretha Franklin released Respect, Natural Woman and Chain of Fools, just to name a few of the string of her mega hits, like, incredible songs one after the other. So of course, Mary Jones really admires Aretha. And as Jeff Mash notes, quote, aretha Franklin was a role model for so many women in that culture because she made it. She was scouted in a church. She'd been spotted singing gospel and had gone on to become an incredible success. Gold, platinum records, Grammys. She had all the trappings of success, the limousines, the fancy frocks. She was a superstar on the front cover of magazines, end quote. There's also an amazing clip where she walks on stage and drops her fur like she's wearing this insane fur coat. And then she just kind of like drops it like it's an old. And you're just like, you're the queen. You are a queen. So Aretha's music injects so much joy and soul into Mary Joan's life that she actually likes to run a speaker out of her house and into her yard so that the people who live nearby can listen with her as she sings along and belts out Aretha tunes. And if you know Aretha's music, there's real heartache at the core of a lot of it. And Mary's life was no different. By 1969, 27 year old Mary has been widowed once, then divorced from her second husband who was an abusive alcoholic. So now she's raising four young sons as a single mom.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God. Like not even 34 young sons.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Sing, sing, sing self.

[Mary Jones]

Sue for your supper.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Get it out. Yeah, exactly as you're saying. So to earn some extra money, Mary starts taking gigs at local nightclubs. But because she's a very deeply committed member of her church, she has to keep that part of her life. Drink, dance, listen to blues music at these clubs. Who knows what they get up to? But it's all jazz cigarettes, jazz cigarettes, hugs. It's all the things the Baptist church does not approve of for people's lifestyles. So when Reverend Lee finds out about Mary's double life, he sneaks into a venue called the Mousetrap to watch her sing a set.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, dear.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The Reverend sits in the dark corner, stone cold sober, of course, and he prays that what he watches Mary do, what she's about to do, will not disappoint him. He tells himself, quote, don't lecture her, don't preach to her. She'll be all right. End quote. Mary has no idea he's there. And what Reverend Lee sees that night is a shock. She's introduced as Vicki Jane. Sometimes she goes as Vicki Jones. Also, she walks on stage wearing a wig and a costume that all but completely disguise churchgoing Mary Jones. And she has morphed into an absolute diva.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

With a backing ban, Mary begins to perform all of the great Aretha Franklin hits. And she sounds exactly like her.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The crowd goes nuts. And we can only assume the Reverend did too.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So then In January of 1969, Mary performs at a club in Richmond called the Pink Garter.

[Mary Jones]

These names are great.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, you know, the Reverend didn't go to the Pink Garter.

[Mary Jones]

No, he would never.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The Mousetrap he congested.

[Mary Jones]

Mousetrap's okay, right? Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And that show changes the course of her life because there she has a chance encounter with a singer named Lavelle Hardy. So Lavelle is a 24 year old singer from New York City. He's a hairdresser by trade, but he's trying to break into the music business and he has had some success. In 1968, he released a record that Jeff Maish describes as, quote, a minor hit in the uk. End quote. But. But the act that really gets him booked the most is the one where he sports a 6 inch pompadour and impersonates James Brown.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So Lavelle's situation is very similar to Mary's in that they're both making money covering the hit songs of famous vocalists. But there's a key difference. Jet Magazine later estimates that where mary earns around 10 or $20 on a good night, which is worth around 60 in the 60s.

[Mary Jones]

10 to 20. 150.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Close. 85 to 170.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You were in the pocket. Okay, so that's how much she would be getting. Lavelle makes 200 a night.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Which is $1,700 in today's money.

[Mary Jones]

Damn. That's pay your bills money.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's super pay your bills money. And it's like, was he a better singer than her?

[Mary Jones]

Right.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I wonder why he's making so much more than her. That's weird. So tonight at the Pink Garter Club in Richmond, Virginia, Lavelle watches Mary absolutely crush it on stage. He is blown by her ability to channel Aretha both vocally and visually. Lavelle will later say, quote, she's identical from head to toe. She's got the complexion, she's got the looks, she's got the height, she's got the tears, she's got Everything.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

As Lavelle witnesses the incredible talent that is Mary Jones, he senses an opportunity. He wants to take Mary on tour, but not as Vicky Jane or Vicki Jones. He knows that he can make way more money, way faster. So for context and just for the young people who forget the years before the Internet, they did exist. There was a time where you couldn't just look someone up with a click of a button. For most fans back then in like the 50s and 60s, knowing what your favorite musical artist looks like would basically be based on their album covers, maybe a three minute set on tv, maybe pictures and magazines. If they're lucky enough to be able to afford a ticket, they might be able to go see them in person.

[Mary Jones]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But for the most part, fans recognize their favorite performers by their voices.

[Mary Jones]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So if someone's voice sounds like a well known artist and they even slightly resemble them, it's not hard to pass them off as that famous performer back then. And for what it's worth, Mary didn't think she looked like Aretha Franklin. Jeff Maysh couches that she looked enough like Aretha for the scheme to work. But Mary was not like a dead ringer for Aretha. It wasn't like it wasn't a full impersonation in that way.

[Mary Jones]

Like you had to have not known exactly what she looks like to believe it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. And the kind of. I think it's a testament to the power of her voice because it would be like, is that. And then she'd start singing and then they wouldn't even worry about it. Not only that, but as the 50s and 60s is a time when many performers, especially black artists, do not have enough legal power or protection. So impersonators start popping up all around the black music scene, billing themselves as the real deal to unsuspecting audiences. So that, I guess is like a common thing that happened back then. And because you can make a lot of money off of a good impersonator, some of them even eventually have connections to organized crime. Like a system starts being put in place of how to find these people and how to like exploit and put.

[Mary Jones]

These people on tour and everything, like managing. But it's shady.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. So in his Smithsonian magazine article, Jeff Mash mentions a guy named Roy Tempest, a London based promoter who collaborated with the New York Mafia to employ, quote, the world's greatest singing postmen, window cleaners, bus drivers, shop assistants, bank robbers, and even a stripper, unquote.

[Mary Jones]

I want to go to that party.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Well, they were to pose as bands like the Temptations during European tours.

[Mary Jones]

Okay. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So they're maybe even a step further away. And so it's just like all these wildly talented people that are like, okay, we'll send you over there and you'll be the Temptations.

[Mary Jones]

Amazing.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Crazy. In other cases, the dupes are actually sanctioned by the industry itself. One famous example of that is in 1955 in Alabama, when James Brown is sent to fill in for a double. At the time, both artists share the same booking agent. So it basically became James Brown's job to impersonate the more famous Little Richard when he couldn't be there. But there was one show where the audience caught on and they got really angry. And James Brown was literally performing backflips to appease him. Like, I'll just entertain you in another way.

[Mary Jones]

Can you imagine going to a show and, like, you're mad that James. James Brown is the fucking stand in. Are you kidding me?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. It's like the kind of people who. There's a lot of people who. They go to a concert and they're only there for the band that they wanna see. But there are the people who love music, and they're like, I could be there the first night that the next James Brown, you know.

[Mary Jones]

Exactly.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, you wanna see that? You wanna be there for that.

[Mary Jones]

You did not talk over the opener is what we're saying.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. Okay. So Lavelle Hardy seems convinced that when it comes to impersonators, Mary Jones is the best. But the night he sees her that first night at the Pink Garter, he lays low and he comes to her next show the following weekend at a Richmond venue called the Executive Motor Inn. So sexy.

[Mary Jones]

So sexy. Oh, wow. Did they have a T bone steak night and everything?

[Georgia Hardstark]

You can kind of have steak and then Aretha Franklin's there. So after Mary set that night, Lavelle approaches her and asks if she'd be interested in touring Florida with. But Mary turns him down. She has hardly enough money to feed her family, let alone buy a bus ticket out of state. It just doesn't seem worth it to her. So Lavelle won't take no for an answer. He then calls Mary at her house, impersonating a booking agent for the real Aretha Franklin. And he offers Mary $1,000 to perform six shows in Florida as Aretha's opening act.

[Mary Jones]

Okay, sick. A thousand dollars. We're gonna go. Do you know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Do you have it? Are you asking me to do long division?

[Mary Jones]

No, I'm asking you if you have the number if I guess it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Oh, yes, I do. Have it.

[Mary Jones]

Great.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I thought you were saying, like, how much would that be a night where I'm like, oh, my God, how?

[Mary Jones]

No, no, no. I would never. I would never and I won't ever. Even though you asked me about Jewish holidays earlier, I would never.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You're right. You could have really countered right there and gotten your revenge.

[Mary Jones]

Thousand. I'm gonna go 7,000, 8,000. Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Really close. Which is great money.

[Mary Jones]

It's like such great money.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Doing what you love, singing the songs of a person you adore. That's like a dream.

[Mary Jones]

And when I hear four sons, I just. I can't help but think about how much my one brother, my one skinny ass brother ate when he was a kid. That would put, like, the groceries would be gone the first night because of my brother's appetite.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes.

[Mary Jones]

So to have that times four is fucking expensive.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So expensive. Yeah. So it's good money. It's Mary's dream come true. Singing on the same bill as her idol. You know, it's a payday. It's everything. My thing is this. And it's like, when stuff like this happens, it's hard to be kind of a critical thinker. But why would anybody hire you to sing Aretha Franklin songs before Aretha Franklin comes out and sings her song songs.

[Mary Jones]

I wonder if that was, like, a thing then.

[Georgia Hardstark]

No, be like, one more time. And now one more time. The real one.

[Mary Jones]

Fair enough, fair enough, fair enough.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I don't know. I think it steps on it a little bit.

[Mary Jones]

It's a question that that one would ask. It's like if you had two comics and, like, one was more famous and the first one did the exact same set, and they're like, okay, here it is again. But, like, better.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, exactly.

[Mary Jones]

It doesn't make sense.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You'd just be like, I think I actually like the first guy better. Like, okay, fair. So as Jeff Mash notes, quote she'd never seen. Mary had never seen that amount of money in her life, so she went for it. She decided to take a risk and go open for the real Aretha.

[Mary Jones]

Incredible.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So Mary leaves her kids with her mother and goes to a local lending company to borrow the bus fare.

[Mary Jones]

I know.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. And she makes her way down to Melbourne, Florida. I wonder if they pronounce it Melbourne.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah, I wonder, Bunder.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I wonder. But when she arrives, she learns that lavelle does not work for Aretha Franklin. Mary's not gonna be opening for Aretha Franklin. Instead, she'll be impersonating the Queen of Soul for oblivious audiences. Mary refuses to comply. She would later say, quote, that Lavelle threatened to throw me in the bay.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She doesn't know how to swim. And he said to her, quote, your body can easily be disposed of in the water.

[Mary Jones]

Oh my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. So she has no choice.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, how terrifying.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Not only that, but she does not have the money for the bus fare home.

[Mary Jones]

I was just thinking that, like, she got enough. She thought she was going to get paid so she'd pay for the bus ride. Oh my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Horrible.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And the trick of I'm going to live my dream. So you're not really focusing on, like, what if something bad happens? You're like, here I go.

[Mary Jones]

Totally.

[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

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[Mary Jones]

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[Georgia Hardstark]

So now she's in an unfamiliar southern state. As a black woman in the 60s, right?

[Mary Jones]

You're not gonna fucking hitchhike home.

[Georgia Hardstark]

No, it's logistics. It's personal safety. Mary has no recourse. She's forced to go along with Lavelle's scam. And it works. It works so well that Lavelle starts shopping, quote, unquote, Ms. Franklin around venues in small Florida towns, claiming to be her agent. He offers to book Aretha Franklin for just $7,000 a night, which would be.

[Mary Jones]

Worth about 22, $260,000.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's what I meant in today's money.

[Mary Jones]

I meant 22,000.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah, 22,000. But it's 60. And even then it's a steep discount from what the real Aretha is charging a night, which is more around 20 grand a night, which would be how much today?

[Mary Jones]

360.

[Georgia Hardstark]

170.

[Mary Jones]

Damn it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

$170,000. She was making holy shit, bank. So there's a guy that's like, do you want to come to a small, intimate show with.

[Mary Jones]

You'd think that they would question it too, right? But they didn't.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But I think it's a thing of like, suddenly someone's going, do you want to go do the thing that you really want to do and would love to do? It's real cheap. And you're like, yeah, I'd love to.

[Mary Jones]

But maybe the owners knew also were in on it also, and then just didn't tell the patrons.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Absolutely. Could be. I mean, they're going to make bank.

[Mary Jones]

Because there's probably a lot of mob business going around where it's like, don't fucking lie to me.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right? Also just like, hey, it's nice to have a sellout night. It's nice to get some consistent money and sell all your drinks, you know, Tip your waitress. Yeah, please. So Lavelle puts together a tour of small Black clubs in Florida that he calls, quote, the Aretha Franklin Revue. At her first gig, Mary goes on stage in a long yellow gown that Lavelle buys for her. It looks like a cheaper version of something the real Aretha Franklin might wear. She also wears a wig and very heavy makeup, but it's her voice that makes it all work. Mary performs as Aretha. Like her life depends on it, because she thinks it does. The audiences are completely fooled. Jet magazine reports. In 1969, quote, when she sang the second song, baby, baby, sweet baby, they roared as one. That's her. That's Aretha. They gave her a standing ovation at the end of the set, she's being.

[Mary Jones]

Held hostage and forced. And she's like, okay, watch this.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. Like, she's like, well, there's nothing she can do about it.

[Mary Jones]

It's terrifying. That's terrifying.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And then she's actually getting to do a thing where she gets the jolt. She gets the feeling, wow, okay, that some of us are lucky enough to know where you're, like, standing ovation. Felt that. When Mary gets off stage, Lavelle doesn't want anyone to get too close of a look at her. So in case they put two and two together, she's rushed out of the venue. She's rushed to a cheap motel room. Lavelle gets her a hamburger and just, like, hold her over to the next show. He doesn't give her any of the money that they earn that night. So she basically still has no way to get away, even if she wanted to.

[Mary Jones]

She's been kidnapped.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yes. And this is how the tour starts.

[Mary Jones]

Jesus.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Once Mary performs a string of successful shows, Lavelle starts to get cocky. He decides to book Mary at big in larger towns, including the 1400 seat High Hat Club in Fort Myers, where this story began. That show sells out, but it's a bigger town, and there are more people in this crowd who have already seen Aretha Franklin perform live. So when Mary steps on stage, there are murmurings that something seems off. And Mary must have sensed this energy because she gets nervous, and she'll later say, quote, I wanted to tell everybody beforehand that I was not Ms. Franklin. But Lavelle said, the show promoters would do something awful to me if they learned who I really was. Fuck, yeah. So Mary eventually settles into the set and, of course, nails it once again. Jeff Mash writes this in his Smithsonian piece, quote, the hoodwinked conductor urged his band to play the Franklin song since you've been gone. And as it always did, the music transformed Jones with every note, her fears melted away. She closed her eyes and sang. Her powerful voice a mixture of Saturday night sin and Sunday morning salvation. Wow, that's such a good line. Any doubters in the crowd were instantly convinced. End quote. So that's like, this is a true talent. This is a person who should be heard. And like, in whatever style that she wants to sing, the show is happening. It's not like a person who's like, my face looks like her and I've got the right wig.

[Mary Jones]

Right.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And then it's also disappointingly kind of embarrassing.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because there's. To me, there's nothing really more embarrassing than. Than, like, mid singing, when someone's just like, here we go.

[Mary Jones]

But, like, really believes in themselves.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Mary Jones]

That's why I don't believe in myself and I would never try. That's the best. When you have a voice like mine, that's the best course of action, you know?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right.

[Mary Jones]

I know my attributes in singing is not one.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I mean, I feel like. It's not like I can't sing. I just know you're a good singer. But there's so many people that are really, really good at singing where it's like, let them do it and I'll stay in my front room.

[Mary Jones]

No, you're one of the good ones. What are you talking about?

[Georgia Hardstark]

I'm not. It's not even like that. I'm just saying it's great to be good. But then you've got people who are either Aretha Franklin or Exactly like Aretha Franklin.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Or fucking Jennifer Hudson or Kelly Clarkson where you're like, yeah, that. Let them do it. Got it. Let them do it.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I don't want to do karaoke. Okay. So this gets even riskier because this set goes off without a hitch. So Lavelle decides to up the ante.

[Mary Jones]

Stop it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

He can't stop it. He books a 4200 seat venue.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion in Ocala, Florida.

[Mary Jones]

You're fucking. No.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Mary Jones]

Pushing it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I feel like the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, the smell.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's. There's sawdust on the floor.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's where you show your sheep at the fair. Like, what are we doing? How big is this place?

[Mary Jones]

Get the 4H club out of here. Because Aretha's coming in.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Because. Because Aretha's younger sister is coming in.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

When Okala hears that the Queen of Soul is coming, they find flip out. Jeff Mesh says, quote, they stuck posters up all over town. DJs were talking about it in the local area, and it was gonna be one of the biggest shows of the year.

[Mary Jones]

You can't do that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

He got too far out. Over a skis.

[Mary Jones]

Exactly.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But, of course, all this publicity has consequences. It turns out the real Aretha Franklin is on vacation in Miami. Shut the fuck up.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, no. And she's like, wait a minute.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Even though this is hundreds of miles south of Ocala, she even hears about it. Like, it's that. The murmurings of. She's around.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And she hears the gossip about. She's about to play a live show in Ocala.

[Mary Jones]

Okay.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So she calls her attorneys, they call a prosecutor, and they call that prosecutor just in time, because it turns out the prosecutor had two tickets to the fake Aretha Franklin show.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So now investigators are on the. They trace the scheme back to Lavelle Hardy, and at this point, he's booked nine shows in Florida as part of this Aretha Franklin review. Guy, he's like, gotta get that bag while you can. Sure. Fine.

[Mary Jones]

In any way possible.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So Lavelle and Mary are both arrested and put in jail for suspected fraud. And, of course, the story makes national news. Lavelle Hardy is handed false advertising charges and given a $500 bond, which is about a $4,000 bond today. Mary, meanwhile, tells police that she's not in on this scheme. She's been kidnapped. She's been held captive by Le Vell, and that she's only basically been fed a few hamburgers.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God. Let me guess. They don't believe her.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Well. To which Le Vell responds, quote, there wasn't anybody standing over her with a gun and a knife. She wasn't forced to do anything. And about those hamburgers. We all ate hamburgers now, not because we had to, but because they taste good, end quote. Don't you think that's very. Just one of those personality types where it's like, first of all, you're saying it's no big deal and she wasn't forced, but now you're arguing the weirdest point of this story, and now you're, like, arguing it like that's also important.

[Mary Jones]

Right? And if I can prove that part wrong, then the rest of it's somehow wrong, too, when that's not the case.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Right.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Luckily, the prosecutor believes Mary Jones and her side of the story. And the prosecutor later tells Jet Magazine, quote, I wanted to protect this girl. It was obvious she was a victim. I asked her to sing like Ms. Franklin. And she did it in the courtroom just like her. But she Has a sound and a style of her own. She has talent, too. No doubt about that.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The prosecutor.

[Mary Jones]

That's pretty moving.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I know. They're like, she's been taken advantage of. So now Lavelle, who's been sitting on a ton of cash, all the cash they made from these shows, winds up giving most of that money, which is around $7,000, to an attorney. And that attorney then convinces prosecutors to turn him loose, and he immediately leaves Florida. That means Mary never gets the money she was promised or any money at all for her performances. And so she doesn't have any money to get a lawyer. But luckily, she's let off the hook by none other than Aretha Franklin herself. Aretha only wanted Lavelle Hardy to be held criminally liable. So she, like, they come to her basically, and say, you wanna press charges? I guess. And then she's like, not against her.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But Mary's problems don't end there because she's right back where she started. She doesn't have a penny to her name, and now she has no way to get back to her family in Virginia.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And this is where the story takes another turn. One of the many people following this story is a white lawyer from Jacksonville, Florida, named Ray Greene. And like Lavelle Hardy once did, Ray Clear senses an opportunity with Mary. But unlike Lavelle, he pitches himself as an above board business manager. And he offers her a $500 advance right on the spot so she can get back to Virginia. Then he promises to take her on a nationwide tour performing as herself. Okay, so it takes a little while, but Ray is able to earn Mary's trust. And within weeks of meeting him, Mary is booked on her own tour and finally earning some serious money.

[Mary Jones]

Hell, yeah. Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Performing under the name Vicky Jane, Mary gets as much as $1,500 a performance. And that is how much in today's money.

[Mary Jones]

You already told me seven. Tell me.

[Georgia Hardstark]

$13,000 a show.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

And these audiences are excited to see the Aretha Franklin imposter that they've been reading about in the news.

[Mary Jones]

That's your press that you already got.

[Georgia Hardstark]

You did it. No such thing as bad press. So back in New York, Lavelle Hardy's trying to stretch his 15 minutes of fame. He gives an interview declaring that he's looking for an agent, saying, quote, the news is now nationwide and everybody wants to see Vicky and everybody wants to see me.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

But as Jeff Mash points out, quote, nobody cared about Lavelle Hardy. After a week this is my favorite line. We're still in the quote. About a week after his boast, he was back on stage at the Pink Garter.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, they'll always take him back. That old pink garter, you fall all.

[Georgia Hardstark]

The way back down to the Pink Garter. Mary, on the other hand, is going strong. Several weeks after first making the news, she then catches the eye of the legendary Duke Ellington.

[Mary Jones]

Ooh.

[Georgia Hardstark]

He recognizes her musical gift, and he invites her on stage to sing with him at a show in Florida.

[Mary Jones]

She.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She wears that same yellow dress she wore impersonating Aretha earlier that year. And a photographer snaps the picture of the two together, and Jet magazine uses it in a feature about Mary.

[Mary Jones]

That detail that she wore that dress is such a great Fuck you.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yep.

[Mary Jones]

So good.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It's so good. Oh, my God. Duke Ellington becomes something of a mentor to Mary, and he urges her to, quote, break out of the Aretha. He even offers to write six songs for her. She's, of course, very eager to get out of the shadow of Aretha Franklin, and she desperately wants material that reflects her own life. And she will later say, quote, I've got my own bag. The way I feel is that people can buy Aretha for Aretha and they can buy Vicky Jane for Vicky Jane. It's going to be hard, but nothing's going to stop me from making it as a singer. I want to do songs straight about me, how I got started and how I love. Everything I write will be based on my life. I think people will be interested, end of quote. Yeah, and they really are. Mary is now flying on jets for the first time to do shows in places like Las Vegas.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Jet magazine also reports that in early March of 1969, quote, a hungry singer in Richmond, Virginia, is pretending to be Vickie Jones. And she did brisk business for a time.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Mary Jones gets her own imposter.

[Mary Jones]

Amazing.

[Georgia Hardstark]

So Mary tours for a year and earns some serious cash. But back at home, her mother is no longer able to care for her boys, and they wind up living with Mary's ex husband. He wastes no time in telling the children that their mom abandoned them and that she'd never come back for them. Mary's son becomes so distraught that he changes the station anytime an Aretha Franklin song comes on the radio. But when Mary gets back to her hometown of West Petersburg, she's there for a performance. And she's eating at a local diner when two of her sons run into the restaurant. The boys see their mom and they scream for her and the waiter tries to shoo them away, thinking that they're fans. And Mary yells, hey, those are my babies. And this whole experience is so awful for her that she quits her singing career on the spot.

[Mary Jones]

Wow.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She stays in Virginia, she fights to get full custody of her sons, and she devotes the rest of her life to raising them.

[Mary Jones]

Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

She just stops.

[Mary Jones]

Yeah.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Mary Jones never takes the stage again. What? She goes back to living a private life. She died in the year 2000 in her late 50s. And her incredible story fades into obscurity. And then, decades later, writer Jeff Maish stumbles upon the story he tells Phoebe Judge of the Criminal podcast. Quote, when her son Gregory agreed to talk about his mother, he was so emotional and so happy that someone finally called him because he'd obviously been telling this story over the decades, but people wouldn't believe it.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I know. So even beyond her brush with fame in the late 1960s, which is certainly extraordinary, Mary's boy is remembered the little things about their mother. How she sang her favorite songs while doing stuff around the house. And yes, they were often Aretha Franklin songs. Or how she kept her issue of Jet magazine in which she was pictured with Duke Ellington as a reminder that her sons could, quote, be anybody they wanted to be. Jeff Maish adds, quote, mary's sons told me that she wanted to be Aretha so much, but they always saw her as mom. They just loved being around their mom. By the late 1960s, right around the time Mary was forced to perform in Florida, American households started getting color TV en masse and access to shows like Soul Train, which regularly featured Motown superstars, making ripping off performers all the more difficult. And today, of course, with the Internet and social media and everything, the once viable imposter scheme is pretty much all but impossible to pull off. And that's the incredible story of Mary Jones, a world class vocalist worth remembering for who she was.

[Mary Jones]

Holy shit.

[Georgia Hardstark]

How about that?

[Mary Jones]

How about that?

[Georgia Hardstark]

Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah.

[Mary Jones]

It's a Hanukkah miracle. Oh, my God.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Light a candle for Mary Jones.

[Mary Jones]

That's right. Jesus, right? I'd never heard that. That is incredible.

[Georgia Hardstark]

I've never heard that.

[Mary Jones]

I can't wait to eat the photos of that.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah.

[Mary Jones]

Wow. Great job.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Thank you.

[Mary Jones]

Great solo story, right?

[Georgia Hardstark]

It gave us everything.

[Mary Jones]

It had to be. It had to be, you know, solo.

[Georgia Hardstark]

It was meant to be, as she.

[Mary Jones]

Is supposed to be solo as well.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That's right.

[Mary Jones]

Wow. All right, well, great job.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Thank you so much.

[Mary Jones]

Thank you guys all so much for listening.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Thank you. I hope you're either having a great holiday, that you had one already, that you're going to have one for the next.

[Mary Jones]

Next eight days, or, listen, maybe a great New Year instead. That's fine.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. You might need to just go out in the woods somewhere and not have any holiday at all.

[Mary Jones]

That sounds great.

[Georgia Hardstark]

That sounds. Not for me, but perfect. Do what you need to do.

[Mary Jones]

We're here for you. Unless you don't want us to be. That's fine, too.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Yeah. We'll leave you alone. You want to shut your door?

[Mary Jones]

We could totally leave you alone.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Honey, come downstairs. Oh, no, you don't have to.

[Mary Jones]

Don't have to. Stay in your pajamas like we support it.

[Georgia Hardstark]

We love you in whatever room you're in. I told Nora that one time.

[Mary Jones]

Stay sexy and don't get murdered. Goodbye. L'chaim. Elvis, do you want a cookie?

[Georgia Hardstark]

This has been an exactly right production.

[Mary Jones]

Our senior producer is Alejandra Keck.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Our managing producer is Hannah Kyle Crichton.

[Mary Jones]

Our editor is Aristotle Acevedo.

[Georgia Hardstark]

This episode was mixed by Liana Squillace.

[Mary Jones]

Our Researchers are Maren McLachan and Alex Elkin.

[Georgia Hardstark]

Email your hometowns to my favorite murdermail.com.

[Mary Jones]

Follow the show on Instagram and Facebook at. My favorite murder. Goodbye.