Stepping Out of a Music Legend's Shadow with Sharon Preston- Folta | Ep. #90

Listen in as we explore a deeply guarded piece of music history and the profound emotional toll of family secrets. In this episode, you'll hear Sharon Preston-Folta share her extraordinary journey of growing up as the unacknowledged daughter of jazz legend Louis Daniel Armstrong, and how she transformed a legacy of shadows into a testament of resilience. In this episode, you'll hear: The untold history of Black Vaudeville, the Apollo chorus girls, and the reality of touring the Chitlin Circuit in the 1940s and 50s. The shocking moment a 10-year-old Sharon discovered her father's "other" life and wife while watching the Johnny Carson show. How she navigated the complex feelings of betrayal, anger, and teenage acting out after realizing she was being kept a secret. Her inspiring pivot to channel her theatrical DNA into a successful 30-year broadcasting career as a single mom. The powerful journey to write Little Satchmo and produce an award-winning documentary, ensuring she was no longer erased from her father's history. If you discovered a massive, world-altering family secret, how do you think you would handle it?  Tag us on social media and let us know! And if you loved this conversation, please remember to follow the podcast and leave us a rating and review! LISTEN TO THE PODCASTApple PodcastsSpotifyAmazon Music CONNECT WITH Sharon Preston-Folta LinkedIn Instagram  CONNECT WITH THE PODCASTInstagramFacebookLinkedInWebsite Got feedback or a guest recommendation? Email: [email protected]