While Shug Avery is on the road building her own singing career, she marries Grady, and they come back from Memphis for a Christmas visit. As she has become increasingly involved in music, Shug develops an interest in other singers as well. Hearing Mary Agnes sing, she is impressed by her talent. She also discourages Harp from denigrating her, including using the nickname Squeak. Shug suggests that Mary Agnes take her music seriously and branch out into different genres. Turning away from church music and the “funny” voices in which it is sung, Shug encourages Mary Agnes to sing the blues—or the “devil’s music.” Shug sees the earthy, sensual character of blues as a better fit for both Mary Agnes’s personality and her voice.