{"product_id":"vaudevilles-wildflower-james-p-gregory-jr-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\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0807186775\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780807186770\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e LSU Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/23\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 198\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.60lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.45d","brand":"James P. Gregory Jr","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48852774158591,"sku":"9780807186770","price":29.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/vaudevilles-wildflower-james-p-gregory-jr-9780807186770","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}