Everything may have turned quite out differently if she's been able to agree an equitable deal with record promoter par excellence, Barney Ales; the man who Berry Gordy acknowledges as being a major contributor to the success of Motown.

Johnnie Mae recalled how it unfolded, "Barney - he was supposed to be my partner. When I went down to Record Row on Woodward Avenue to the distributors - he and I would go out and have lunch. He tried to come into partnership with me, before Motown. But I couldn't see it because I built up my company. I couldn't see a person just coming in who didn't have anything to put into the company - just freeload. We couldn't see eye to eye."

In the late 50s she used to drive Berry around town before he had a car, introducing him to all the jocks. She also helped him to get a deal with Chess Records, who released "Bad Girl" by The Miracles in '59. "I'm the one took Berry Gordy's record to Chicago, I knew them (the Chess brothers) from coming in and out of Chicago."

Apparently Berry didn't forget the favors because when Johnnie Mae needed help, she didn't have to ask. "When I had an accident on the road in Delaware in '62 - he sent flowers to my bed everyday. And when I got back into Detroit he also gave me X amount of cash."