Born Ida M. Prather on February 25, 1988 (or 1896 depending on the source) in
Taccoa, Georgia, Ida Cox was a vaudeville performer and singer once referred to
as ‘The Uncrowned Queen of the Blues’. As a young girl, she joined the African
Methodist Choir and became interested in gospel music and performing. She left
home at 14 to tour with White and Clark’s Black & Tan Minstrels. She also
performed with other African-American minstrel shows. In 1908 (or 1916 depending
on the source), she married Adler Cox. Although Adler Cox was killed in World
War 1, Ida retained his surname for t...