WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast January 25, 2026

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today’s a snow day here in Atlanta. T
o warm things up, we countdown of the Top 11 Best Selling R&B Songs
for the week ending January 27, 1951 as reported to Billboard Magazine.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 25, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Pop Corn Paul Williams & His Hucklebuckers Savoy Records 1948

COUNTDOWN: BILLBOARD’S BEST SELLING R&B SONGS FOR LATE JANUARY, 1951

8-Little Red Rooster
Margie Day w/ The Griffin Brothers
Dot Records 1951

8-Blue Shadows
Lowell Fulson
Swingtime Records 1949

8-Telephone Blues
Floyd Dixon
Aladdin Records ‎1950

8-Lemonade
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1950

7-Rockin’ with Red
Piano Red
RCA Victor 1950

6-Old Time Shuffle Blues
Lloyd Glenn
Swing Time Records 1950

5-Anytime, Any Place, Anywhere
Joe Morris w/ Laurie Tate
Atlantic Records 1950

4-Bad, Bad Whiskey
Amos Milburn & His Aladdin Chickenshackers
Aladdin Records 1950

3-Please Send Me Someone To Love
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1950

1-Teardrops from My Eyes
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1950

Tainted Love Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
It Ain’t Necessarily So Cab Calloway Porgy & Bess (Original Broadway Cast) 1959
3 O’clock Blues B.B. King 1951 R.P.M. Records 1951
Wild Wig Big Jay McNeely Savoy Records 1949
The Wind is Blowin’ Jimmy Witherspoon Modern Records 1952
Going To The River Fats Domino Imperial Records 1952
Little Joe’s Boogie Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers Specialty Records 1950
Happy Hours Kid Ramos West Coast House Party 2000
Tell Me Who Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Deed I Do Ray Charles The Genius Of Ray Charles 1959
That’s All Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars The Great Women In Blues 2025
Strange Things Happen Everyday Sister Rosetta Tharpe Decca Records 1944
Li’l DogBuddy Johnson Decca Records 1947
Work Song Oscar Brown Jr. Sin & Soul …And Then Some 1961
Looped James Harman & Gene Taylor Band Live In Germany 2012
Stormy WeatherTony Bennett w/ Natalie Cole Playing With My Friends… 2001
Messin’ Around Memphis Slim At The Gate Of Horn 1959
Oh Babe Louis Prima & Keely Smith Robin Hood Records 1950
Porter’s Love Song Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1947
Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me Ella Fitzgerald …Duke Ellington Song Book 1958

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast January 18, 2026

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


We have two featured artists today.

Jay McShann was born James Columbus McShann in Muskogee, OK on January 12, 1916, and was a jaz pianist, songwriter, singer, and the leader of one of the original Kansas City jump and swing bands. The McShann organization served as a springboard for many of the great jazz and jump blues artists of the 1940s and 1950s including Charlie Parker, Al Hibler, Ben Webster, and Jimmy Witherspoon.

JAY McSHANN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikiepedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Hisctorcal Recordings
National Endowment for the Arts

Ruth Brown was born Ruth Alston Weston in Portsmouth, Virginia, on January 12, 1928. Brown was a singer, songwriter, and actor who scored 24 Top 10 R&B hits between
1949 and 1960. On Broadway, she starred in productions of “Amen Corner” and “Black
and Blue.” The latter earned her a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical in 1989.

RUTH BROWN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Ruth Brown – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Ruth Brown – The Blues Foundation
Ruth Brown – Rhythm & Blues Foundation

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Shuffle Woogie Joe Lutcher’s Jump Band Capitol Americana Records 1948

Ain’t Nobody’s Business
Jimmy Witherspoon w/ the Jay McShann Orchestra
Supreme Records 1949

The Thrill Is Gone
The Manhattan Transfer w/ Ruth Brown & B.B. King
The Thrill Is Gone 1994

Hey Little Girl Billy Wright Savoy Records 1951
Is You Is My Baby Veronica Lewis You Ain’t Unlucky 2021

So Long
Ruth Brown & The Eddie Condon’s NBC Television Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949

Teardrops From My Eyes
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1951

Jumpin’ the Blues
Jay McShann w/ Charlie Parker
Decca Records 1942

King Size Papa
Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends w/ Jay McShann
Capitol Records 1948

Hot Biscuits
Jay McShann
Downbeat Records 1949

Don’t Explain Southside Johnny Detour Ahead the Music of Billie Holiday 2018
Jones Law Blues Planet D Nonet Kings Of Kansas City Swing… 2019

Old Kidney Stew Is Fine
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson w/ T-Bone Walker & Jay McShann
Kidney Stew Is Fine 1969

Mambo Baby
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1954

Hands Off
Jay McShann w/ Priscilla Bowman
Vee Jay Records 1955

Back Water Blues
Jay McShann w/ Maria Muldaur & Duke Robillard
Still Jumpin’ The Blues 1999

I Can’t Get Started
Slim Gaillard w/ Buddy Tate & Jay McShann
Anytime, Anyplace, Anywhere 1983

I’ve Got A Feelin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Pool Playing Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1947

This Little Girl’s Gone Rockin’
Ruth Brown w/ Mickey Baker & King Curtis
Atlantic Records 1958

McShann’s Bounce Part 1
Jay McShann
Supreme Records 1947

Bye, Bye Blackbird
Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, & Ruth Brown
The Big Band Sound of Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Featuring Miss Ruth Brown 1968

Evenin’ Tony Bennett w/ Ray Charles Playing With My Friends… 2001
Playful Baby Wynonie “Blues” Harris Apollo Records 1946

No Name Boogie Boogie
Jay McShann as “Woogie Jackson”
Down Beat Records 1948

He May Be Your Man
Helen Humes w/ Jay McShann & Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Let The Good Times Roll 1973

If I Can’t Sell It (I’ll Keep Sittin’ On It)
Ruth Brown
Blues On Broadway 1989

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast January 11, 2026

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today, we celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth of jump blues legend
Buddy Johnson. Born Woodrow Wilson Johnson in Darlington, South Carolina,
on January 10, 1915. Johnson took piano lessons as a child and developed a passion
for classical music. He moved to New York City in 1938 and toured Europe with the
Cotton Club Revue until being expelled from Nazi Germany.

Johnson returned to New York and signed a contract with Decca Records.
Johnson’s sister Ella signed on as a vocalist and they formed a nine-piece band.
Johnson scored numerous R&B hits in the 1940s and 1950s and either wrote or
was the first artist to record many pop and jazz standards including
“If I Fell for You” and “Baby, Don’t You Cry.”

BUDDY JOHNSON RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Historical Recordings

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Groovin’ With Grimes Tiny Grimes Savoy Records 1944

Please Mr. Johnson
Buddy Johnson w/ Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1940

One of Them Good Ones
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Decca Records 1945

Save Your Love For Me
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Duke Records 1968

Don’t Worry ’bout That Mule Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1945
I Want to Hug You John Lee Hooker Mr. Lucky 1991
Pretty Baby Margie Day w/ The Griffin Brothers Dot Records 1951
The Chase (part 1) Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray Dial Records 1947
When the Lights Go Out Jimmy Witherspoon Checker Records 1954

It’s Obdacious
Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
Jonny Lang 1995

I’ll Get Along Somehow – Parts 1
Ruth Brown w/ The Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949

Breaking My HeartJoe Liggins & His Honeydrippers Exclusive Records 1946
Shake Rattle And Roll Doug James & Sax Gordon Swing Jump Jive 2006
Baby, I Love Your WayDeborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
It’s Later Than You Think Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1951
The Hip Cowboy Slim Gaillard Mercury Records 1951

Since I Fell for You
Van Morrison
It’s Too Late to Stop Now…Volume IV 1973

Fine Brown Frame
Nellie Lutcher
Capitol Records 1948

That’s The Stuff You Gotta Watch
Buddy & Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1944

I Don’t Care Who Knows (Baby, I’m Yours)
Roberta Flack
Roberta 2015

Mambo With Moody James Moody & His Band Prestige Records 1954
Moody’s Mood For Love King Pleasure Specialty Records 1952
Stagger Lee Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025

I Still Love You
Annie Laurie w/ Paul Gayten’s Band
De Luxe Records 1947

Hittin’ on Me
Etta Jones & Houston Peterson
…Sings the Songs of Buddy Johnson 1997

I’m Tired of Crying Over You
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra w/ Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1947

Blues NocturneJohnny Otis w/ Big Jay McNeely Savoy Records 1950
Real Pretty Mama Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1949
Corrina Candice Ivory New Southern Vintage 2025
What’d I Say Ray Charles What’d I Say 1959
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It)Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast January 4, 2026

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


For our first show of 2026, we countdown the top R&B songs in
Los Angeles for this week in 1951.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 4, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Red Boy At The Mardi Gras Todd Rhodes Sensation Records 1949

COUNTDOWN: TOP 10 R&B SONGS ON CENTRAL AVENUE, LOS ANGELES
JANUARY 1951
Cash Box Magazine

10-The Sun Went Down
T-Bone Walker
Imperial Records 1950

9-Rockin’ Blues
Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1951

8-Back Breaking Blues
Big Joe Turner
Aladdin Records 1950

7-Old Time Shuffle Blues
Lloyd Glenn w/ The Fulson Unit (Lowell Fulson)
Swing Time Records 1950

6-Telephone Blues
Floyd Dixon & Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers w/ Oscar Moore
Aladdin Records ‎ 1950

5-Every Night About This Time
Fats Domino
Imperial Records 1950

4-Please Send Me Someone To Love
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1950

3-Bad, Bad Whiskey
Amos Milburn & His Aladdin Chickenshackers
Aladdin Records 1950

2-Teardrops from My Eyes
Ruth Brown
Atlantic Records 1950

1-Once There Lived A Fool
Jimmy Grissom
Recorded in Hollywood Records 1951

Every Breath You Take Deborah Silver & Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
Birth of the Blues Ray Charles w/ Count Basie Genius + Soul = Jazz 1961
That Lucky Old Sun Louis Armstrong Decca Records 1949
Those Things Money Can’t Buy The King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1947
I Don’t Want Your Money Honey Frantic Fay Thomas Exclusive Records 194
She Winked Her Eye Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1951
Ain’t Nobody Here But Us Chickens Lamont Cranston Band (self-titled) 1976
Hastings Street Bounce Paul Williams Sextette Savoy Records 1947
Boogie’s The Thing Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Riding High Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1949
TV Is The Thing This Year Dianne Reeves Good Night & Good Luck 2005
Blind Love B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953
Take The “A” Train Ella Fitzgerald …Sings The Duke Ellington Songbook 195
Queen Bee Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson King Records 1950
Time Out For Tears Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1950
Happy Blues Lynwood Slim & Junior Watson Back to Back 2010
It’s Nothing Charles Brown Aladdin Records 1949
Caldonia Boogie Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1945
Marijuana Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends Premier Records 1945
You’ve Got What It Takes Ledisi w/Gregory Porter For Dinah 2025

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast December 28, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today’s show is the last Route 66 for 2025. And we close our the year
with a dual tribute to Johnny Otis and Esther Phillips.

Band leader, producer, songwriter, TV host, Congressional aide, political
candidate, preacher, and restauranteur Johnny Otis, who was born in
Vallejo, California, on December 28, 1921.
JOHNNY OTIS RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

Jazz, blues, and R&B vocalist Esther Phillips (aka Little Esther) was born
Esther Mae Washington in Galveston, Texas, on December 23, 1935.
Phillips was discovered by Otis when she sang in a talent show in the
late 1940s and scored a series of hits with him in 1950 & 1951.
ESTHER PHILLIPS RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Blues Foundation

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Barrelhouse Stomp
The Johnny Otis Orchestra w/ Big Jay McNeely
Excelsior Records 1947

Double Crossing Blues
The Johnny Otis Quintette w/ The Robins & Little Esther
Savoy Records 1950

That’s Your Last Boogie
Joe Swift w/ Johnny Otis & His Orchestra
Exclusive Records 1948

I’ve Got A Feelin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Lonesome Woman Blues T-Bone Walker Comet Records 1948
T-Bone Shuffle Roy Gaines I Got The T-Bone Walker Blues 1998
When I Grow Too Old To Dream Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Miltone Records 1946
Billie’s Blues Janiva Magness My Bad Luck Soul 1999
Sure Had A Wonderful Time Last Night B.B. King Let The Good Times Roll… 1999

Mambo Boogie
Johnny Otis w/ Mel Walker
Savoy Records 1951

Cock-A-Doodle-Doo
Wynonie “Mr. Blues” Harris & the Johnny Otis All Stars
Philo Records 1945

Mistrusting Blues
Johnny Otis Orchestra w/ Little Esther & Mel Walker
Savoy Records 1950

A Slick Chick (On The Mellow Side) Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1946
The Wildest Gal in Town Billy Eckstine MGM Records 1947
Blues In B Flat Oscar Moore Trio Oscar Moore Trio 1954
Route 66 King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1946
Orange Colored Sky Natalie Cole Unforgettable: With Love 1991
I Want A Roof Over My Head Van Morrison Accentuate The Positive 2023

Cupid’s Boogie
Little Esther & Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1950

Every Beat Of My Heart
The Royals
Federal Records 1952

Pledging My Love
Johnny Ace & The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Duke Records

Bags Groove Milt Jackson Quartet Wizard of the Vibes 1952
The Comeback Joe Williams Nothin’ But the Blues 1984
You Go To My Head Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Stagger Lee Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025
You Can’t Get That No More Louis Jordan & His Tympani Five Decca Records 1945

Turn the Lamps Down Low
Little Esther & Little Willie Littlefield
Federal Records 1953

Directly From My Heart
Little Richard & the Johnny Otis Band
Peacock Records 1956

Rock-A-Bye Basie
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra
Spirit of the Black Territory Bands 1992

See See Rider Ray Charles Trio Swing Time Records 1949
Honky Tonk King Records 1956
Paint It Black Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast December 21, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


December 25, 2025, isn’t just Christmas, it’s the 118th anniversary
of the birth of Cab Calloway.

This is our annual Christmas and Calloway show.

If you missed the live broadcast or would like to hear the show again,
check out the podcast below the playlist at the bottom of the page.

CAB CALLOWAY RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia,org
Discography @ discogs.com
Cab Calloway’s Hepster’s Dictionary

WRFG ROUTE 66 FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Basie’s Jingle Bells The Count Basie Orchestra A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! 2015

Minnie The Moocher
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
Brunswick Records 1931

Dig That Crazy Santa Claus Oscar McLollie Modern Records 1955
Christmas BoogieFrankie “Sugar Chile” Robinson Capitol Records 1950
The Christmas Song Carmen McRae Sings Loverman… 1962
O Christmas Tree Oscar Peterson An Oscar Peterson Christmas 2002
May Every Day Be Christmas Louis Jordan & His Orchestra Decca Records 1951
Blue Christmas Fats Domino Christmas Gumbo 1993

The Hi-De-Ho Man
Cab Calloway
Columbia Records 1947

Reefer Man
Big Bad Voodoo Daddy
How Big Can You Get?: The Music Of Cab Calloway 2009

Joy to the World! Mahalia Jackson Silent Night 1950
White Christmas Charlie Parker Savoy Records 1948
I’ll Be Home For Christmas Etta Jones Christmas with Etta Jones 2009
Christmas Time Blues Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1950
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong ABC Records 1967
It Came Upon A Midnight Clear Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald’s Christmas 1967

Do You Wanna Jump Children
Cab Calloway w/ Chu Berry
Vocalion Records 1938

Far Away Blues (Christmas Blues) Johnny Otis Savoy Records 1950
Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Joe Williams That Holiday Feelin’ 1990
Santa Claus Is Coming to Town Etta James 12 Songs of Christmas 1998
Sugar Rum Cherry Duke Ellington The Nutcracker Suite 1960
Smile Nat King Cole Capitol Records 1954
Boogie Woogie Santa Claus Mabel Scott Exclusive Records 1948
Rudolph The Red Nosed ReindeerRay Charles The Spirit Of Christmas 1985

Harlem Holiday
Cab Calloway & His Orchestra
Brunswick Records 1932

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm Billie Holiday Vocalion Records 1938
Merry Christmas, Baby Charles Brown w/ Johnny Moore Exclusive Records 1948
Silent Night Little Jimmy Scott Christmas

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast December 14, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today, we bring you a mix of jump and holiday cheer, along with a Top 10 countdown
and a short tribute to Georgia’s own Joe Williams.
JOE WILLIAMS RESOURCES
Biography @ Wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Count Basie Medley The Count Basie Orchestra A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! 2015

COUNTDOWN: CASH BOX’S WHAT’S HOT IN HARLEM R&B TOP 10
DECEMBER 11, 1948

10-You Had Better Change Your Ways
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Decca Records 1948

9-It’s Too Soon To Know
The Orioles
Jubilee Records 1948

8-I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles
Charlie Ventura
National Records 1948

7-The Christmas Song
King Cole Trio
Capitol Records 1946

6-Chicken Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

5-Wrapped Up In A Dream
Do-Re-Me Trio
Reet Records 1949

4-Bewildered
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

3-Trees
Al Hibbler
Miracle Records 1949

2-I’ll Always Be In Love With You
The Ray-O-Vacs
Coleman Records 1948

1-A Little Bird Told Me
Paula Watson
Supreme Records 1948

Morning Glory Big Joe Turner Aladdin Records 1948
Let It Snow Roomful Of Blues Roomful Of Christmas 1997
I Want a Present for Christmas Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1958
Waxie Maxie Paul Williams & His Band Savoy Records 1948
Up Above My Head Gina Coleman Unequivocally Blue 2025
Merry Christmas, Baby B.B. King A Christmas Celebration of Hope 2001
What A Wonderful World Harpdog Brown Xmas 2022
Dance of the Floreadores (Waltz of the Flowers) Duke Ellington The Nutcracker Suite
Oh Babe Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1950

Every Day I Have the Blues
Count Basie & Joe Williams
Count Basie Swings & Joe Williams Sings 1955

Christmas In New Orleans Louis Armstrong Decca Records 1952
What a Difference a Day Made Ledisi For Dinah 2025
God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen Oscar Peterson An Oscar Peterson Christmas 2022
Good Morning Blues Ella Fitzgerald Swinging Christmas 2018
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas Lou Rawls Christmas Will Be Christmas 2001
Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool Little Jimmy Scott Over the Rainbow 2001
Moten Swing Planet D Nonet Kings Of Kansas City Swing… 2019
What Child Is This Ray Charles The Spirit Of Christmas 1985

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005



WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast December 7, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today, we celebrate December heavenly birthdays.

Pee Wee Crayton was born Connie Curtis Crayton in Rockdale, Texas, on December
18, 1914. He moved to Oakland, California, in 1935 and learned the basics of the electric guitar from T-Bone Walker. Crayton developed his own style and recorded numerous vocal and instrumental numbers from the mid-1940s until shortly before
his death in 1985.

PEE WEE CRAYTON RESOURCES
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com

Born in Chicago on December 1, 1933, and raised on gospel, jazz, jump, and blues,
Louis Allen Rawls sold more than 40 million records and won three Grammys for
Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
LOU RAWLS RESOURCES
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Shipyard Social Function Lucky Millinder Decca Records 1945

Do Unto Others
Pee Wee Crayton
Imperial Records 1956

My Idea About You
Pee Wee Crayton
Imperial Records 1955

Fiddle De Dee
Kid Ramos w/ Lynwood Slim
Kid Ramos 1999

I’m Waiting For My Man Jazzified The Velvet Undergrounds 2025
Pink Champagne Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers Specialty Records 1950

I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water
Lou Rawls
Black & Blue 1963

In The Evening When The Sun Goes Down
Lou Rawls & Les McCann Ltd
Stormy Monday 1962

Postman Blues Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1946
Christmas Date Boogie Big Joe Turner Down Beat Records 1948
The Things That I Used to Do Guitar Slim Specialty Records 1954
Christmas Rain Ben Levin Still Here 2021
VIP Boogie/Jam with Sam Planet D Nonet Blues to Be There… 2023
Along About Midnight Knickerbocker All-Stars Open Mic At The Knick 2014
After Hours Joint Jimmy Coe States Records 1953
Dont Worry About Me Helen Humes Songs I Like to Sing! 1961
Good Rockin’ Daddy Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025

Texas Hop
Pee Wee Crayton
Modern Records 1948

I Love You So
Pee Wee Crayton
Modern Records 1949

Let Me Go Home Whiskey Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1952
Let’s Do It Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Flying Saucer The Solid Senders Specialty Records 1952

Southside Blues – Tobacco Road (Medley)
Lou Rawls w/ The Tommy Stroke Quartet
Live! 1966

The Christmas Song
Lou Rawls
Christmas Is The Time 1993

All For The Love Of Lil Louis Jordan Decca Records 1948
A-Tisket, A-Tasket Ella Fitzgerald Decca Records 1938
Winter Wonderland Count Basie Orchestra A Very Swingin’ Basie Christmas! 2015
What’d I Say Ray Charles In Person 1959
Let the Good Times Roll Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025
Slippin’ & Slidin’ (Peepin’ & Hidin’) Little Richard Specialty Records 1956

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 30, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.

Today, we wrap up our survey of Aladdin Records, the top R&B label
from 1948 to 1952. On our live show, we only made it through 1951,
but as a special treat our podcast goes through 1952.

You’ll find the podcast at the bottom of this post.

ALADDIN RECORDS RESOURCES
history @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com
Spontaneous Lunacy – Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records Story – Both Sides Now


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Head Hunter Johnny Otis Orchestra Savoy Records 1949
Mop-Mop Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1944
West Side Baby Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1948
T-Bone Shuffle T-Bone Walker Capitol Records 1947
Later For You Baby Guitar Slim Specialty Records 1954
Fore Day In The Morning Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1948
Well Oh Well Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025
Jet Propulsion Illinois Jacquet RCA Victor 1948
Shout the Boogie Candice Ivory New Southern Vintage 2025
Whirly Bird Count Basie The Atomic Mr. Basie 1957
Makin’ Whoopee Ray Charles Live in Concert 1964
Them There Eyes Roy Milton Roy Milton Records 1947
Caravan Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Orange Colored Sky Nat King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1950
Take It And Git Andy Kirk & His Clouds of Joy Decca Records 1942
After You’ve Gone Linda Hopkins Me and Bessie 1976

SURVEY: ALADDIN RECORDS 1949 TO 1951

Kicks (Scotty Can Blow)
Jay McShann & His Band
Aladdin Records 1949

Trouble Blues
Charles Brown Trio
Aladdin Records 1949

St James Infirmary Blues
Saunders King & Orchestra
Aladdin Records 1949

Roomin’ House Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1949

Nightmare Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1949

Be-Bop Daddy
Lil Green
Aladdin Records 1949

My Baby’s Gone
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1950

Safronia B
Calvin Boze
Aladdin Records 1950

Just Cooling
Lester Young
Aladdin Records 1950

Shotgun Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1950

Sax Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn & His Aladdin Chickenshackers
Aladdin Records 1950

Get High
La Melle Prince
Aladdin Records 1950

Back Breaking Blues
Big Joe Turner
Aladdin Records 1950

Telephone (Operator) Blues
Floyd Dixon & Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers
Aladdin Records ‎ 1950

I Got Loaded
Peppermint Harris
Aladdin Records 1951

I’ll Always Be In Love With You
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1951

Rocky Mountain Blues
Billie Holiday w/ the Tiny Grimes Sextet
Aladdin Records 1951

Detour Ahead
Billie Holiday w/ the Tiny Grimes Sextet
Aladdin Records 1951

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005








WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast November 23, 2025

WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll & R&B Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.

Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.

Become a WRFG Route 66 Supporter

Follow us on Facebook @ WRFG Route 66 Jumps

Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today we survey the early years of Aladdin Records, a small independent west coast label that turned out some of the biggest jump blues and R&B hits of the late 1940s
and early 50s. Aladdin Records was the brainchild of two brother Eddie and
Leo Mesner, who owned the Philharmonic Music Shop in Los Angeles.
When they started their company in 1945, they originally called it Philo Records
after their shop, but had to change the name for legal reasons in early 1946.

It seems the Mesner brothers could do no wrong that first year, hitting it out of the
park with release after release, but their batting average went down in 1946 and
1947, partly because they lost, Helen Humes, Johnny Moore and Charles Brown.

Amos Milburn and others brought the label out of the doldrums in
1948 with hits like “Chicken Shack Boogie.”

ALADDIN RECORDS RESOURCES
history @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com
Spontaneous Lunacy – Aladdin Records
Aladdin Records Story – Both Sides Now


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2025

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Real Gone Sam Taylor Tease! The Beat of Burlesque 1956
Slippin’ And Slidin’ Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025

Ain’t That Good News
Duces of Rhythm & Tempo Toppers / Little Richard
Peacock Records 1953

Blind Love B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953

She’s The No-Sleepin’est Woman
Planet D Nonet
Blowin’ Away The Blues, Vol 2 2015

You’ve Got What It Takes Ledisi w/ Gregory Porter For Dinah 2025
Smack Dab In The Middle Count Basie w/ Joe Williams Clef Records 1956

Walk That Walk Daddy-O
Jewel Brown w/ Bloodest Saxophone
Roller Coaster Boogie 2015

I Left A Good Deal In Mobile Joe Liggins Exclusive Records 1945
Ain’t That Just Like A Woman Louis Jordan Decca Records 1946
(They Call It) Stormy Monday Lou Rawls Stormy Monday 1962
God Bless The Child Billie Holiday Lady Sings The Blues 1956
Bye Bye Young Men Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1955
Drivin’ And Jivin’ (Flyin’ Saucer Boogie) Tiny Grimes Gotham Records 1949
Milton’s Boogie Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Juke Box Records 1946

HIGHLIGHTS: ALADDIN RECORDS 1946-1948

New Lester Leaps In
Lester Young & His Band
Aladdin Records 1946

Disgusted
Jo-Jo Adams
Aladdin Records 1946

Down The Road Apiece
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1946

Katie May Blues
Lightnin’ Hopkins
Aladdin Records 1946

A Jacquet For Jack The Bellboy
Illinois Jacquet
Aladdin Records 1947

How Could You
Lonnie Johnson
Aladdin Records 1947

Gatemouth Boogie
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Aladdin Records 1947

Hard Ridin’ Mama
Wynonie Harris
Aladdin Records 1947

Blow Illinois Blow
Illinois Jacquet & His All Stars
Aladdin Records 1948

Bean-A Re-Bop
Coleman Hawkins All Stars
Aladdin Records 1948

Washboard Blues
Crown Prince Waterford
Aladdin Records 1948

Blowin’ Red’s Top
Gene Ammons Quintet
Aladdin Records 1948

Morning Glory
Big Joe Turner
Aladdin Records 1948

Chicken Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

It Took a Long Long Time
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

Get Yourself Another Fool
Charles Brown Trio
Alladin Records 1948

Everybody Eats When They Come to My House
Cab Calloway
Columbia Records 1948

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005