WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast September 27, 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.

isten 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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

https://wrfg.org/donate/

It’s time for our annual two part tribute to Ray Charles. Today, we focus on his early years when he was part of the Maxin Trio and just launching his solo career.

RAY CHARLES RESOURCES

Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
THE RAY CHARLES FOUNDATION
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Tonk
WDR Big Band feat. Maceo Parker
A Tribute To Ray Charles 2008

Confession Blues
The Maxin Trio
Down Beat Records 1949

Funny, but I Still Love You (Charles)
Diane Schuur
Talkin’ ‘Bout You 1988

Rock Little Daddy Freddie Mitchell Derby Records 1950
Real Pretty Mama Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1949
Bottom’s Up Illinois Jacquet Apollo Records 1945
Everything’s Cool Babs Gonzales Apollo Records 1947
Home At Last Little Willie John King Records 1955
Baby You’re Always On My Mind Buddy & Ella Johnson Decca Records 1952

Late In The Evening Blues
Ray Charles
Swing Time Records 1950

Sinner’s Prayer
Lloyd Glenn & Lowell Fulson
Swing Time Records 1949

Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand (Charles)
Hank Crawford
From The Heart 1962

Hey Now (Charles)
Guy King
Truth 2016

Come Back To Me Baby Blues T-Bone Walker Mercury Records 1946
I’ll Never Be Free Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1950
The Wrong Yo-Yo Piano Red RCA Victor 1951

Baby Let Me Hold Your Hand
Ray Charles Trio
Swing Time Records 1951

I’ll Drown In My Tears
Lula Reed w/ Sonny Thompson
King Records 1951

Two Years Of Torture
Monroe Tucker & His Orchestra w/ Percy Mayfield
Hollywood Records 1947

Mess Around
Dr. John
Gumbo 1972

That’s All Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars The Great Women In Blues 2025
Orange Colored Sky King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1950
The Huckle-Buck Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1949
Why Don’t You Eat Where You Slept Last Night ZuZu Bollin Torch Records 1952
Poppa Stoppa Pee Wee Crayton Modern Records 1951
Kilroy Has Been Here Memphis Slim & His House Rockers Miracle Records 1947

Losing Hand (Charles)
Willie Nelson & Wynton Marsalis w/ Nora Jones
Here We Go Again 2012

Jumpin’ In The Mornin’
Ray Charles
Atlantic Records 1953

Makin’ Whoopee
Ray Charles
Live in Concert 1964

(sign off)

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





WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast September 20, 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.

isten 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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

We have two featured artists today.

Guitarist, singer, songwriter, and record producer B.B. King was born
Riley B. King near Itta Bena, Mississippi on September 16, 1925.

B.B. KING RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
BLUES HALL OF FAME
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME
OFFICIAL RHYTHM & BLUES HALL OF FAME
(Bill) Clinton Digital Library

Singer, pianist, and songwriter Charles Brown was born
Tony Russell Brown in Texas City, Texas on September 13, 1922.

CHARLES BROWN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Charles Brown discography @ discogs.com
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers discography @ discogs.com
Charles Brown obituary – Los Angeles Times

THE WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Palomino Hop Big Jay McNeely Honkin’ & Jivin’ at the Palomino! 1989

3 O’clock Blues
B.B. King
R.P.M. Records 1951

Woke Up This Morning (King)
Ike & Tina Turner
(unreleased) 1970-1973?

Turn the Lamps Down Low Little Esther & Little Willie Federal Records 1953
It’s Later Than You Think Roomful of Blues Let’s Have a Party 1979
Junco Partner Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1952

Driftin’ Blues
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers / Charles Brown
Philo Records 1945

Seven Long Days (Brown)
Janiva Magness
My Bad Luck Soul 1999

Groovy Movie Blues
Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers / Charles Brown
Exclusive Records 1948

Please Hurry Home
B.B. King
R.P.M. Records 1953

Long About Sundown
Roy Brown
De Luxe Records 1950

Young Man’s Blues Wynonie Harris Apollo Records 1945
East of The Sun (and West of The Moon) Catherine Russell Send For Me 2022
One Mint Julep Joey deFrancesco Singin’ & Swingin’ 2002
Tainted Love Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
Smack Dab In The Middle Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor …Japan 1991

Get Yourself Another Fool
Charles Brown Trio
Aladdin Records ‎ 1948

Moonlight & Shadows (Brown)
Diane Schuur
Blues for Schuur 1997

Tell Me, Daddy Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends Capitol Records 1948
Night Train Louis Prima The Wildest! 1956
Money Honey John Hammond Ready For Love 2003

Story From My Heart & Soul
B.B. King
R.P.M. Records 1952

Let the Good Times Roll
Tony Bennett w/ B.B. King
Playing With My Friends – Bennett Sings The Blues 2001

Black Night
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1951

Tell Me You’ll Wait For Me (Brown)
Ray Charles
The Genius Of Ray Charles 1959

There Is Something On Your Mind
B.B. King & Etta James
Blues Summit 1993

A Virus Called the Blues
Charles Brown & Dr. John
All My Life 1990

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast September 13, 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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

Today’s featured artist is blues shouter and songwriter Roy Brown on either
the 101st or 106th anniversary of his birth in Kinder, Louisiana.
Brown scored 14 national R&B hits between 1947 and 1951,
then made a brief comeback in 1957 with his recording of
Fats Dominoes and Dave Bartholomew’s “Let the Four Winds Blow.”

ROY BROWN ARCHIVES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Profile @ Spontaneous Lunacy

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
New Orleans Shuffle Johnny Otis Savoy Records 1949

Train Time Blues
Roy Brown & The Griffin Brothers
De Luxe Records 1951

Along About Midnight (Brown) (aka Long About Midnight)
The Knickerbocker All-Stars
Open Mic At The Knick 2014

She Winked Her Eye Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1951
They Call Me Big Mama Big Mama Thornton Peacock Records 1953
You Don’t Learn That In School King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1946
B-Sharp You’ll See Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers Exclusive Records 1947
Comin’ Home Baby Jennifer Madsen Girl Talk 2026
Papa Ain’t Salty Yates McKendree Buchanan Lane 2022
Elevator Boogie Mabel Scott w/ Charles Brown Exclusive Records 1948
McShann’s Bounce Jay McShann Supreme Records 1947

Bar Room Blues
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
Deluxe Records 1951

Lollipop Mama (Brown)
Wynonie Harris
King Records 1948

School Street Shuffle Kirk Fletcher I’m Here & I’m Gone 2005
Chicken Shack Boogie James Harman & Gene Taylor Live In Germany 2012
I Don’t Hurt Anymore Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1954
Yes Dear! Big Harp George No Shortcuts 2026

Hard Luck Blues
Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men
DeLuxe Records 1950

Beautician Blues (Brown)
B.B. King
Kent Records 1964

Mess Around Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1953
The Storm Little Esther Phillips Federal Records 1952
Thunderbird Hal Paige & The Whalers J & S Records 1957
Jump, Jive, An’ Wail Louis Prima The Wildest! 1956
Come Rain Or Come Shine Christian McBride,,, Without Further Ado… 2025
Straighten up and Fly Right Oscar Brown Jr. Sin & Soul …And Then Some 1961
Kidney Stew Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson Mercury Records 1947
What A Wonderful World Louis Armstrong ABC Records 1967
You Run Your Mouth & I’ll Run My Business Louis Jordan Decca Records 1940
Gabbin’ Blues Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952

Love Don’t Love Nobody (Brown)
James Brown
King Records 1961

Good Rockin’ Tonight
Roy Brown w/ Bob Ogden & His Orchestra
Deluxe Records 1947

Boogie Woogie Blues
Hollywood Fats Band w/ Roy Brown
Larger Than Life 1980

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast September 6, 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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


Memphis Slim is today’s featured artist.

Born John Len Chatman in Memphis, Tennessee, on September 3, 1915,
Memphis Slim who was a blues pianist, singer, and composer,
Memphis Slim led a series of bands that, reflecting the popular appeal of
jump blues, including saxophones, bass, drums, and piano. He made over
500 recordings during a career that spanned more than five decades.

Two years before his death in 1988, Slim was named a Commander in the
Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of France.
The U.S. Senate honored Slim with the title of Ambassador-at-Large
of Good Will.

MEMPHIS SLIM RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
BLUES HALL OF FAME

Plus, we count down the Top 10 songs from one of the very first R&B charts
published in Cash Box Magazine.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 2026

Name
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Midnight Jump
Memphis Slim & His House Rockers
Miracle Records 1948

“BURNING THE JUKES IN HARLEM”
As reported to Cash Box Magazine for the week ending September 9, 1946
(All songs released in 1946)

10-R.M. Blues Roy Milton Juke Box Records
9-Petootie Pie Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Jordan Decca Records
8-Leap Frog Blues Buster Bennett Trio Columbia Records
7-That’s the Groovy Thing Pt. 1 Earl Bostic & His Orchestra Gotham Records
6-The Very Thought of You Luis Russell & His Orchestra Apollo Records
5-After Hours Ace Harris Hub Records
4-You Are My First Love Johnny Moore’s Three Blazers Aladdin Records
3-To Each His Own The Ink Spots Decca Records
2-Choo Choo Ch’Boogie Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records
1-Playful Baby Wynonie “Blues” Harris Apollo Records

———

I Can’t Stop It Jimmy Liggins & His Drops of Joy Specialty Records 1947
Country Boy Dave Bartholemew De Luxe Records 1947
Strange Things Happening Every Day Valerie June I Am Everything (Soundtrack) 2023
Boogie To Gloryland Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne Jumpin’ & Boppin’ 2016
Inspiration Blues T-Bone Walker Comet Records 1948
Call It Stormy Monday Nancy Wilson Something Wonderful 1960
Something You Got Yates McKendree Need to Know 2025

Nobody Loves Me (Every Day I Have The Blues)
Memphis Slim
Miracle Records 1948

Rockin’ Chair Blues
Big Bill Broonzy w/ Memphis Slim
Okah Records 1940

Crazy About A Jukebox Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band Time 2026
Bad Tale Boogie Jay McShann & His Jazz Men Philo Records 1945
Talk Is Cheap Sandra Hall Miss Red Riding Hood 2001

The Comeback (Memphis Slim)
Count Basie & Joe Williams
Count Basie Swings & Joe Williams Sings 1956

Rock This House (Memphis Slim)
Hollywood Fats Band
Hollywood Fats Band 1979

Good As Gone Yates McKendree Need to Know 2025
Let the Good Times Roll Linda Hopkins The Living Legend Live! 2006
Call The Police King Cole Trio Decca Records 1941

Call Before You Go Home
Memphis Slim & His House Rockers
United Records 1953

I’m Lost Without (Memphis Slim) You
Janiva Magness
Use What you Got 2004

Mother Earth
Memphis Slim & His House Rockers
Premium Records 1951

(sign off)

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




WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast August 30, 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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


TRIBUTE TO DINAH WASHINGTON
Born Ruth Lee Jones in Tuscaloosa, Alabama on August 29, 1924
Dinah Washington began her recording career in 1944 as a member of the
Lionel Hampton Orchestra and went on to score 45 entries on the Billboard
R&B Chart between 1948 and 1961.

DINAH WASHINGTON RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
ALABAMA JAZZ HALL OF FAME
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

TRIBUTE TO CHARLIE PARKER
Born Charles Parker, Junior, in Kansas City, Kansas, on August 29, 1920, Parker
was one of the creators of bebop in the 1940s. The radical new style made
jazz less about dancing and more about listening.

CHARLIE PARKER RESOURCES
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Swingmatism
Jay McShann w/ Charlie Parker
Decca Records 1941

Salty Papa Blues
Dinah Washington
Keynote Recordings 1944

What a Diff’rence a Day Made
Aretha Franklin
Unforgettable. A Tribute to Dinah Washington 1964

Cadillac Baby Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1950
Standing On The Corner Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1950
Sweet Little Angel B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1956
Hoppin’ John Paul Williams Savoy Records 1949
True Blues Roy Milton Specialty Records 1947
Blackjack Ray Charles Yes Indeed! 1958

TV Is The Thing This Year
Dinah Washington
Mercury Records 1953

Baby, Get Lost
Queen Latifah
The Dana Owens Album 2004

Ornithology
Charlie Parker Septet
Dial Records 1946

Whiskey Women & Loaded Dice Stick McGhee King Records 1953
Way Back Home Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1953
Love Is a Gamble Duke Robillard A Tribute To T-Bone Walker 2004
See See Rider Yates McKendree Need to Know 2025

Billie’s Bounce
Charlie Parker’s Re-Boppers
Savoy Records 1945

Evil Gal Blues
Lionel Hampton w/ Dinah Washington
Keynote Recordings 1944

This Bitter Earth
Ledisi
For Dinah 2025

Saturday Night Fish Fry Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Open The Door, Richard Count Basie RCA Victor 1947

I Love The Way (My Baby Sings The Blues)
Big Joe Turner, Roomful Of Blues, Dr John
Blues Train 1983

Ain’t Misbehavin’ Billie Holiday Stay With Me 1955

Barbados
The Charlie Parker All Stars
Savoy Records 1948

Easy Living Little Jimmy Scott I Go Back Home 2012

West Side Baby
T-Bone Walker
Comet Records 1948

I Don’t Hurt Anymore
Lisa Mann’s Northwestern All-Stars
The Great Women In Blues 2025

All Of Me
Dinah Washington
Newport Jazz Festival 1958

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcasts for August 23, 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

To listen to past programs, click on the Route 66 – Archive Index

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

Wynonie Harris is today’s featured artist.
Born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 24, 1915, Wynonie Harris was a blues shouter
best remembered as a singer of upbeat songs with humorous, often ribald lyrics.
He had fifteen Top 10 R&B hits between 1946 and 1952 and is considered
one of the founding fathers of rock and roll.

WYNONIE HARRIS RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com

ARTICLES
Central High School Hall of Fame
Encyclopedia of the Great Plains
Harlem World
Rubber City Review
Spontaneous Lunacy

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 23, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Through for the Night Johnny Hodges Mercury Records 1953

I Feel That Old Age Coming On
Wynonie Harris All Stars
King Records 1948

Lovin’ Machine (Harris)
Dana Gillespie
Below the Belt 1984

Boogie Woogie Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1951
Never Let Me Go Ruth Brown A Good Day For The Blues 1999
There Is Something On Your Mind Big Jay McNeely Savoy Records 1958
Mother Earth Mudcat (digital single) 2026
The Comeback Memphis Slim United Records 1953

Wynonie’s Blues
Wynonie “Blues” Harris w/ Illinois Jacquet & His All-Stars, Bill Doggett
Apollo Records 1945

Quiet Whiskey (Harris)
Catherine Russell
Inside This Heart of Mine 2010

West Side Baby T-Bone Walker Comet Records 1948
School Days (When We Were Kids) Louis Jordan Decca Records 1949
Hold Me Baby Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1949
Boogie Chillen John Lee Hooker Modern Records 1948
I Ain’t Gonna Let You In Annie Laurie & Paul Gayten Regal Records 1949
Take The “A” Train Duke Ellington Victor Records 1941
Every Dog Has Its Day Jump 66 Every Dog Has Its Day 2026

Good Morning Judge
Wynonie Harris
King Records 1950

Oh Babe
Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Robin Hood Records 1950

Coming Out Swingin’ Candye Kane & Laura Chavez Coming Out Swingin’ 2013
Gate Walks To Board Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1953
Mary Ann Ray Charles Ray Charles 1957
It’s Only A Paper Moon (Nat) King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1944
Gee Baby… Maria Muldaur w/ Charles Brown Sweet & Slow 1983
Blast Off! Duke Robillard BLAST OFF! 2026
Buttermilk Jay McShann Down Beat Records 1949
Hallelujah, I Love Him So Kieran Brown Loving You 2026

Good Rockin’ Tonight (Roy Brown)
Solomon Burke
The Soul of the Blues 1993

All She Wants to Do Is Rock
Wynonie Harris
King Records 1949

Something You Got Yates McKendree Need to Know 2025

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast for August 16, 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 podcast for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today we celebrate the 122nd anniversary of the birth of pianist, bandleader, and composer William “Count” Basie, the man who put the “jump” in jump blues.

COUNT BASIE RESOURCES
Court Basie’s biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Count Basie discography @ discogs.com
Count Basie Orchestra discography @ discogs.com
Count Basie Center for the Arts


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 16, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Red Bank Boogie
Count Basie & His Orchestra
Columbia Records 1945

Oh, What A Beautiful Morning
Ray Charles & The Count Basie Orchestra
Ray Sings Basie Swings 1973

Jumpin’ at the Woodside (Basie)
Johnny Otis & His Orchestra
Spirit of the Black Territory Bands 1992

Cadillac Baby Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1950
Shout, Sister, Shout! Sister Rosetta Tharpe & Lucky Millinder Decca Records 1941
Straighten Up & Fly Right Lyle Lovett Smile 2003
Woke Up This Morning (My Baby She Was Gone) B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1953

Theme from M Squad (Basie)
Jay Geils
Toe Tappin’ Jazz 2009

Every Tub
Count Basie
Decca Records 1938

Evil Gal Blues
Count Basie Orchestra feat. Ledisi
Basie Swings the Blues 2023

Annie Laurie Tiny Grimes Quintet Atlantic Records 1948
I’ve Got A Right To Cry Joe Liggins & His Honeydrippers Exclusive Records 1946
I’m Waiting For Your Call T-Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
Good As Gone Yates McKendree Need to Know 2025

Blue And Sentimental (Basie)
Catherine Russell
Send For Me 2022

Mister Five By Five
Jimmy Rushing w/ Count Basie & His Orchestra
Parrot Records 1953

God Bless The Child & Now or Never
Billie Holiday w/ the Count Basie Sextet
Billie Holiday: Rare Live Recordings from 1935-1959

Blue Light Boogie Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1950
Lavender Coffin Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1949
I’m Still In Love With You Pee Wee Crayton Modern Records 1948

Hide & Seek
Big Joe Turner w/ Count Basie
Flip, Flop & Fly 1972

One O’Clock Jump
Count Basie
Count Basie At Newport 1957

Goin to Chicago Blues (Basie)
Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends
Capitol Records 1952

Good Morning Blues
Planet D Nonet
Kings Of Kansas City Swing: Bennie Moten & Count Basie 2019

Ain’t Misbehavin’
Ella Fitzgerald & Count Basie
Ella & Basie! 1962

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

(sign off)

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





WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast August 9, 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 podcast for this week at the bottom of this post.


Our featured artist is Percy Mayfield, who is often called “the poet of the blues.”
Mayfield was born in Minden, Louisiana, on August 12, 1910. An early gift for poetry led him to be a singer and songwriter. He first achieved success in 1947 with “Two Years of Torture” and had earned 10 Top 10 R&B hits by the mid-1950s. Although his performing career was cut short by an auto accident that left him disfigured, he continued recording and writing songs – and occasionally playing live – into the early 1980s. During the 1960s he was employed as a songwriter by Ray Charles, who recorded 15 of his compositions including “Hit the Road Jack.”

PERCY MAYFIELD RESOURCES
Biography @ Wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Blues Foundation
Spontaneous Lunacy
Percy Mayfield @ Second Hand Songs

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 9, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Single & Date

Please Send Me Someone to Love
Hank Crawford
The Soul Clinic 1962

The River’s Invitation
Percy Mayfield & His Orchestra
Specialty Records 1953

Give Me Time To Explain
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Alright Again 1981

Roland’s Theme Roland Kirk Triple Threat 1956
My Country Man Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1953
Ain’t That Loving You Bobby “Blue” Bland Duke Records 1962
Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee Stick McGhee Atlantic Records 1949
Mend Your Ways Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1953
I’ve Found My Peace Of Mind Louis Jordan Mercury Records 1957

Prayin’ For Your Return
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1951

Strange Things Happening
Guitar Slim
ATCO Records 1957

The Richest Guy In The Graveyard Etta Jones Victor Records 1947
You’re Drivin’ Me Crazy / Moten Swing Johnny Otis …Black Territory Bands 1992
Stormy Weather Tony Bennett w/ Natalie Cole …Sings The Blues 2001

At The Club
Ray Charles
ABC Paramount 1962

Loose Lips
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1954

The Big Question
Roomful Of Blues
Hot Little Mama 1981

Lost Mind
Mose Allison
Mose Allison Sings 1957

Honky Tonk Bill Doggett King Records 1956
Wrong Woman Blues Roy Brown De Luxe Records 1951
Bartender’s Blues Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1950

Never No More
Frank Bey
All My Dues Are Paid 2020

Stranger In My Own Home Town
Taj Mahal
Dancing the Blues 1993

Qualified Yates McKendree Buchanan Lane 2022
Ooh-Pop-A-Dah Dirty Dozen Brass Band w/ Dizzy Gillespie Voodoo 1989

Walking On a Tightrope
Diane Schuur
Running On Faith 2020

Lost Love (Baby, Please)
Percy Mayfield
Specialty Records 1951

Hit The Road Jack
Ray Charles
Live TV Concert 1981

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast August 2, 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 podcast for this week at the bottom of this post.


Today, we countdown the Top 10 R&B songs on the jukeboxes in the jazz and blues clubs along Central Avenue in Los Angeles for this week in 1951. Central Avenue was the heart of the Black business district in L.A. from the 1930s to the mid-1950s. This chart comes from the pages of The Cashbox Magazine for August 4, 1951. You’ll find a second countdown in the podcast for this week’s show, which is included in this post.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

COUNTDOWN: TOP 10 R&B SONGS IN LOS ANGELES FOR EARLY AUGUST 1951

10-Castle Rock
Johnny Hodges
Mercury Records 1951

9-T-Town Twist
Roy Milton w/ Johnny G. Rogers on guitar
Specialty Records 1951

8-All Night Long
Mel Walker w/ The Johnny Otis Orchestra
Savoy Records 1951

7-Sleep
Earl Bostic
King Records 1951

6-‘T-99’ Blues
Jimmy “T-99” Nelson & The Peter Rabbit Trio
RPM Records 1951

5-Don’t You Know I Love You
The Clovers
Atlantic ‎Records 1951

4-Shouldn’t I Know
The Cardinals
Atlantic Records 1951

3-Tend To Your Business
James Wayne
Sittin’ In With Records 1951

2-Chains of Love
Big Joe Turner
Atlantic ‎Records 1951

1-I’m Waiting Just For You
Annisteen Allen & John Carrol w/ Lucky Millinder
King Records 1951

Wild Man On The Loose John Hammond Trouble No More 1994
Boogie Chillen John Lee Hooker Modern Records 1948
Rain Down Rain Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1952
My Man’s An Undertaker Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1954
The Danger Zone Rick Vito Slidemaster 2026
Every Breath You Take Deborah Silver & Count Basie Orch. Basie Rocks 2025
Waiting for You Call Johnny Big Stone Juke Joint Sessions Vol.1 2016
That’s Better For Me T-Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
It’s Nothing Charles Brown Aladdin Records 1949
Bad Tale Boogie Jay McShann Philo Records 1945
Salty Papa Blues Linda Hopkins How Blue Can You Get 2007
I’ve Got News for You Ray Charles Genius + Soul = Jazz 1961
Ain’t Gonna Do It Duke Robillard & Friends Blues Bash 2020
Shame, Shame, Shame Smiley Lewis Imperial Records 1955
C.C. Rider Jimmy Witherspoon …at the Renaissance 1960
Comin’ Home Baby Jennifer Madsen Girl Talk 2026
More Blues At Midnight Willis Jackson Apollo Records 1950
Open The Door Richard Louis Jordan Decca Records 1947
Fine Brown Frame Candye Kane Guitar’d & Feathered 2007
House of Blue Lights Chuck Berry Chess Records 1958
Please Mr. Jailor Jeff Beck w/ Imelda May Rock ‘n’ Roll Party 2010
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast July 26, 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 podcast for this week at the bottom of this post.

Roy Milton is our featured artist. He was born in Wynnewood, Oklahoma on
July 31, 1907, and grew up on Indian land in south-central Oklahoma.
Milton became a professional drummer in the 1920s. He moved to Los Angeles
and started the Solid Sender in 1933. Recognized as one of the creators
of west coast blues, Milton scored 19 back to back hits on the national R&B
chart between 1946 and 1953, along with two other hits in the mid 1950s.

ROY MILTON RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
The Milton Records Story
Roy Milton @ SecondHand Songs

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR JULY 26, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Flying Saucer
The Solid Senders
Specialty Records 1952

R.M. Blues
Roy Milton
Juke Box Records 1946

What Can I Do
Duke Robillard & Friends w/ Chris Cote
Blues Bash 2020

I Want You To Be My Baby Annie Ross Decca Records 1955
I Left A Good Deal In Mobile Joe Liggins Exclusive Records 1945
Grandma Plays the Numbers Wynonie Harris King Records 1949
Deacon Jones Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1944
The Deacon Moves In Little Esther Federal Records 1951

Information Blues
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
One More Mile 1983

Everything I Do Is Wrong
Roy Milton & his Solid Senders
Specialty Records 1948

Oh Babe
Louis Prima & Keely Smith
Robin Hood Records 1950

Drivin’ & Jivin’ Tiny Grimes Quartet Gotham Records 1949
Look The Whole World Over Johnny Adams Walking on a Tightrope… 1989
Walking On a Tightrope Diane Schuur Running On Faith 2020
Rag Mop Doc Sausage & His Mad Lads Regal Records 1950

You Don’t Love Me
Camille Howard w/ the Roy Milton Unit
Specialty Records 1948

Them There Eyes
Roy Milton & his Solid Senders
Roy Milton Records 1947

Million Dollar Secret
Helen Humes w/ the Roy Milton Band
Modern Records 1950

Safronia B Powerhouse Nightlife 1975
Don’t Be That Way Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong …Again 1957
Dream Girl Blues T-Bone Walker Capitol Records 1947
Call Operator 210 Johnny Otis & Mel Walker Savoy Records 1952
Dragnet For Jesus Sister Wynona Carr Savoy Records 1954
Hoppin’ John Paul Williams & His Hucklebuckers Savoy Records 1949
Sneaky Pete Bull Moose Jackson King Records 1948
Bird Lives Pete Mills This Is Now 2026
Summertime Ray Charles & Cleo Laine Porgy & Bess 1976

Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket
King Perry
United Artists 1947

Best Wishes
Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Specialty Records 1951

Hop, Skip and Jump
Anita Tucker
Capitol Records 1955

(sign off)

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