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Huntington native Diamond Teeth Mary, born Mary McClain, overcame a troubled childhood and began performing at 13. Her early life, marked by abuse, led her to disguise herself as a boy and join a circus. McClain's career spanned decades, including performances with legends like Billie Holiday and Bessie Smith, though she didn’t gain full recognition until later in life.
Known for wearing diamonds in her front teeth, McClain became an iconic blues figure. She released her first recording at age 91 and continued performing until her death at 97 in 2000. Her ashes were spread on railroad tracks in Huntington, symbolizing her life's journey. She was posthumously inducted into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame in 2011.
