Diamond Teeth Mary Medicine Show

August 23, 2025 | 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Heritage Station, Huntington, WV
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The Diamond Teeth Mary Blues Festival: Free Show Tonight happened in August 2025 and celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the legacy of the late blues singer Diamond Teeth Mary. Read on to learn about the history and see the 2025 event photos!

History

The Diamond Teeth Mary Blues Festival celebrated its 16th year, honoring the legacy of the late blues singer Diamond Teeth Mary Smith McClain. Since 2009, the festival has been a vibrant part of Huntington's cultural scene, bringing an evening of blues music and community to the heart of the city. The free event, open to the public, took place on Saturday, August 23, from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM at Heritage Station in Huntington, WV.

West Virginia native “Diamond Teeth” Mary Smith McClain was a blues and gospel singer as well as a vaudeville entertainer. Her career spanned 85 years, from 1915-2000.

Born in Huntington, WV in 1902, Mary was the half-sister of famed blues singer Bessie Smith. To escape an abusive household, Mary hopped a train at modern-day Heritage Station when she was just 13 years old. To be permitted to travel by herself, she had to disguise herself as a boy.

She found work as a chorus girl in various circuses and minstrel shows throughout the south and midwest with troupes such as Irvin C. Miller’s Brown Skin Models, the Davis S. Bell Medicine Show, and F.S. Wolcott’s Rabbit Foot Minstrels. She was quickly nicknamed “Walking Mary” for her habit of walking out on unscrupulous promoters.

In the 1940s, Mary had diamonds from a bracelet set in her front teeth, creating a dazzling stage effect and giving her a new nickname: “Diamond Teeth Mary.”

A look back the 2025 Diamond Teeth Mary Show

The 2025 Diamond Teeth Mary (DTM) Blues and Medicine Show was a joyful and soulful celebration at Heritage Station, honoring the legacy of the legendary blues singer. Sponsored by the Huntington Blues Society, Whizzbang, Huntington Parks and Rec District, Marshall School of Music, WMUL, Double Tree by Hilton, and Marshall University's School of Journalism and Mass Communications, this year’s show once again brought music, community, and heritage together.

The Medicine Show workshops were led by Nate Adam from Terra Fate Exotics and Farmer Shane from Pheonix Farmacy, who shared knowledge and traditions that connected music, storytelling, and folk healing practices.

On stage, the energy was electric with performances by 4LYP, Huntington Blues Society, Corduroy Brown, Liz Pennock and Dr. Blues, and the Kitchen Sink-O-Paters, giving the audience a blend of blues, roots, and community-driven sound.

Heritage Station—final resting place of Diamond Teeth Mary—remained a powerful and fitting backdrop for the festivities. The Huntington Blues Society also sold event merchandise, with proceeds supporting local arts and music initiatives for youth. Check out the photos from the 16th Annual DTM Blues and Medicine Show below.

We can’t wait to see you again next year for another unforgettable celebration!