BILLIE PIERCE was a marvelous blues, ragtime, and jazz pianist and a very expressive singer, who grew up in Florida where she accompanied BESSIE SMITH at a Pensacola theatre In the early 20's. She later moved to New Orleans where Billie played professionally in honky tonks and later spent much time working in preservation hall working with the Preservation Jazz Band. Her husband DEDE PIERCE was one of the most joyful and powerful New Orleans trumpeters, as well as a superb vocalist.