 Nettie Dorsey. Courtesy George T. Nierenberg. | Thomas Andrew Dorsey met Nettie Harper at Dorsey's uncle's rooming house, where Nettie and Thomas each boarded for a time. On August 1, 1925, they were married in Chicago and on August 2 they left to travel with Ma Rainey and her band. Ma hired Nettie to be her wardrobe mistress. Nettie and Thomas were on the road together and Thomas was arranging and playing for one of the biggest stars in his profession. Dorsey said, "It was a joy, just like a big long honeymoon." |