page_title: Billy McClain
section_title: Work
hierarchical_section_title: Billy McClain / Work
caption_attribution_description: English: Sheet music cover for Billy McClain's Great Plantation Songs
context_page_description: William C. McClain was an African-American acrobat, comedian and actor who starred in minstrel shows before World War I.
  He wrote, produced and directed several major stage and outdoor extravaganzas, and wrote a number of popular songs.
  He was influential in extending the range of minstrel shows far beyond the traditional conventions of the time, giving them appeal to much wider audiences.
  He toured in the USA, Canada, Australia and Europe.
  Later he promoted boxing and played several minor roles in movies.
caption: Sheet music cover c. 1910
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