The Dixiebelles were an American girl group. On record, specifically for their first single “(Down at) Papa Joe's” (1963), the vocals were performed by members of the Anita Kerr Singers, while the Memphis, Tennessee-based touring group consisted of Mary Hunt, Mildred Pratcher, and Shirley Thomas. These touring members had prior experience as backup singers, with several having performed in the group The Tonettes. The group's breakthrough came in 1963 with the single “(Down at) Papa Joe's”, which was produced by Bill Justis for Sound Stage 7 Records and reached number 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. Their follow-up single “Southtown U.S.A.” (1964) reached number 15 on the chart. In addition to a full-length album, they released the single “New York Town” (1964), which peaked at number 119 on the Billboard Bubbling Under chart. After their contract with Sound Stage 7 ended, the group disbanded and never released another single. Hunt and Pratcher later joined Barbara McCoy and Eula Jean Rivers to form the soul group The Charmels, recording four singles with Stax Records between 1966 and 1968. The Charmels’ 1967 song “As Long As I've Got You” later achieved a cult following after being sampled in the Wu-Tang Clan’s single “C.R.E.A.M.” (1994). Shirley Thomas died on May 9, 2018.