Billie Pierce

Wilhelmina “Billie” Goodson (1907-1974) was from Marianna, Florida. She worked in the vaudeville circuit around Pennsicola, accompanying Ma Rainey and Bessie Smith. Billie came to New Orleans in 1929 when her sister Sadie Goodson found her a job filling in as a pianist in Buddy Petit’s band on the lake steamer Madison. She stayed in New Orleans after that and met Dede Pierce in 1933 while performing with George Lewis’ band at venues in the French Quarter such as Kingfish Dance Hall and Popeye Beer Parlor. Billie and Dede married in 1935.

Billie was a part of the revival in Preservation Hall in the 1961 and recordings she made became appreciated by a new generation of jazz music fans.