Irma Thomas is an American singer from New Orleans. She is known as the "Soul Queen of New Orleans".  Thomas is a contemporary of Aretha Franklin and Etta James. In 2007, she won the Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Blues Album for After the Rain, her first Grammy in a career spanning over 50 years. She began recording on the Minit label, working with songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint on songs including "It's Raining" and "Ruler of My Heart", which was later reinterpreted by Otis Redding as "Pain in My Heart". Thomas had a string of successful releases including, "Wish Someone Would Care", her biggest national hit.