{"product_id":"vaudevilles-wildflower-the-many-lives-of-cora-youngblood-corson-9780807186770","title":"Vaudeville's Wildflower: The Many Lives of Cora Youngblood Corson","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eVaudeville's Wildflower\u003c\/i\u003e uncovers the extraordinary story of one of early twentieth-century America's most dynamic and overlooked entertainers. Drawing on rare archives, family records, and vivid period accounts, James P. Gregory Jr. restores Cora Youngblood Corson--a trailblazing brass musician, bandleader, and vaudeville performer--to her rightful place in performing arts history. This richly detailed biography showcases a woman who transformed obstacles into opportunities by challenging the gender, ethnic, and cultural boundaries of her time. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFrom humble beginnings on the Oklahoma plains, Corson rose from small-town prodigy to nationally celebrated figure on the vaudeville circuit through talent, determination, and an unshakable belief in her art. As a virtuosic tuba and euphonium player, she led renowned all-woman brass bands and captivated audiences with elaborate productions that blended Western, military, and Native American themes, reflecting both the imagination and contradictions of her era. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eYet behind the glamour was a story of courage and complexity. Corson's adoption of a Native American persona reflected both the allure and tension of identity in American popular culture. Through her layered performances, she navigated questions of representation, race, and gender--sometimes reinforcing, sometimes subtly challenging prevailing stereotypes. Her career longevity stemmed not only from musical brilliance but also from an ability to adapt to a rapidly changing entertainment landscape. Beyond the spotlight, Corson also became a passionate advocate for performers' rights. A fearless union activist, she fought against powerful theatrical monopolies, enduring blacklisting and setbacks while remaining committed to fair treatment and creative independence for working artists. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSet against the backdrop of vaudeville's golden age, the First World War, and Oklahoma's evolving identity, \u003ci\u003eVaudeville's Wildflower\u003c\/i\u003e paints a compelling portrait of a woman ahead of her time. Blending biography, cultural history, and storytelling, this book celebrates a forgotten star whose life continues to inspire audiences and artists while illuminating the broader struggle for equality, artistry, and identity in early American entertainment.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e James P. Gregory Jr\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e LSU Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/23\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 198\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.6lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.45d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780807186770","brand":"LSU Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48460509806729,"sku":"9780807186770","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0636\/9240\/6921\/files\/img_33d188ba-3d1a-4f9e-9564-f03427e1b8a0.jpg?v=1790664150","url":"https:\/\/sonsanddaughtersbooks.com\/products\/vaudevilles-wildflower-the-many-lives-of-cora-youngblood-corson-9780807186770","provider":"Sons and Daughters Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}