Biography

“Algia Mae is a great example of what is called in and throughout the African diaspora, ‘Original Joe.’ This is an innovative character who survives and creates anew under all circumstances. Algia Mae Hinton is someone not to be missed!” -Taj Mahal

How We Helped:
Since becoming a member of the Music Maker Relief Foundation family, Algia Mae Hinton has received guitars and a banjo, a monthly stipend for food and medicine, and help producing her CD. Music Maker has given Algia Mae the opportunity to perform at shows throughout North Carolina, featured her in the documentary film “Living the Blues,” and shared her story in the book Music Makers: Portraits and Songs from the Roots of America (2004).

Algia Mae Hinton was born on August 29, 1929 in Johnston County, North Carolina. Her parents, Alexander and Ollie O’Neal, were farmers who raised tobacco, cotton, cucumbers and sweet potatoes. Mother Ollie could play many stringed instruments and began teaching Algia when she was just nine years old. She was the youngest of fourteen children and worked the fields from an early age. Her musical and agricultural upbringing set the stage for her adult life. Algia married Millard Hinton in 1950. Her husband died in 1965, forcing Algia to raise her seven children alone by working long hours on the farm. Despite these trying circumstances, Algia kept the music alive and passed it on to her children. Together, they fought off the hard times by entertaining the people of their community. Over the years Algia’s music has gained international recognition. -Lightnin’ Wells

“If you kill a chicken save me the head. When you thinking I’m working, I’m walking down the street.”  – Algia Mae Hinton