WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast May 31, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


T-Bone Walker is today’s featured artist. Aaron Thibeaux Walker was born just
west of the Louisiana state line in Lindon, Texas on May 28, 1910. Walker came
from a musical family and got his start as a professional musician in Dallas where,
as a teenager, he played with Blind Lemon Jefferson. Walker was a pioneer and
innovator of the jump blues, West Coast blues, and electric blues sounds.

In 2018 Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 67 on its list of
“The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time”

T-BONE WALKER RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Blues Foundation
The Story of Stormy Monday @ wikipedia.org


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Riffette
Freddie Slack & His Orchestra w/ T-Bone Walker
Capitol Records 1943

Long Skirt Baby Blues
T-Bone Walker
Black & White Records 1948

Alimony Blues
Duke Robillard
A Tribute To T-Bone Walker 2004

Hurry, Hurry Baby Lucky Millinder w/ Wynonie Harris Decca Records 1944
One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer Delbert McClinton Outdated Emotion 2022
That Was Your Last Mistake Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1951
I’ll Love You Just The Same Kieran Brown Loving You 2026
Oop-Pop-A-Da Three Bips & A Bop Blue Note Records 1947

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

Blues Aint Nothing but a Woman
Helen Humes & All-Star Band
American Folk and Blues Festival, 1962
Personnel: Helen Humes, vocals; T-Bone Walker, MC & guitar; Sonny Terry, harmonica; Brownie McGhee, guitar; Willie Dixon, bass; Memphis Slim, piano;
Jump Jackson, drums

I Want A Roof Over My Head Louis Jordan Decca Records 1950
Every Dog Has Its Day Jump 66 Every Dog Has Its Day 2026
Okie Dokie Stomp Cornell Dupree Teasin’ 1974

West Side Baby
Dinah Washington
Mercury Records 1948

Bobby Sox Blues
T‐Bone Walker
Black & White Records 1947

Gee Baby Ain’t I Good To You
Johnny Big Stone & the Blues Workers
DOWNBEAT RECORDS PRESENTS… Plays T-Bone Walker 2020

Juke Joint Blues Joe Turner, Milt Jackson & Roy Ethridge Nobody In Mind 1976
You Go To My Head Ledisi For Dinah 2025
Nice Work If You Can Get It Sarah Vaughan w/ Miles Davis Columbia Records 1950
Talkin’ Bout You Ray Charles At Newport 1958

Tell Me What’s The Reason
The Knickerbocker All-Stars
Texas Rhody Blues 2016

T-Bone Shuffle
The Amos Garrett, Doug Sahm, Gene Taylor Band
Live in Japan 1991

Woman You Must Be Crazy & Stormy Monday
T-Bone Walker & Jazz at the Philharmonic
Recorded in London, November 1966
Personnel: T-Bone Walker, guitar & vocals; Dizzy Gillespie & Clark Terry, trumpets; James Moody & Benny Carter, altos; Coleman Hawkins & Zoot Sims, tenor;
Teddy Wilson, piano; Bob Cranshaw, bass; Louis Bellson, drums

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast May 24, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


Today, we celebrate the 115th anniversary of Big Joe Turner, the Boss of the Blues.
Born Joseph Vernon Turner, Junior, in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 18, 1911 Turner began his musical career as a singing bartender at Piney Brown’s legendary Sunset Club. Pete Johnson was Brown’s piano player and soon became
Turner’s musical partner.

In December 1938 Turner and Johnson traveled to New York to perform at the first
From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnage Hall. During that visit they made their
first record, “Roll ’em Pete,” which became their signature song.

Always well respected by the jazz and blues audience, Turner’s greatest fame was
from his rock & roll records in the 1950s. According to songwriter Doc Pomus,
“Rock and roll would have never happened without him.”

BIG JOE TURNER RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

The Tout Sam Butera Groove Records 1954

Roll ‘Em Pete
Joe Turner & Pete Johnson
Vocalion Records 1938

Someday After Awhile (Joe Turner)
Coco Montoya
Gotta Mind to Travel 1995

Mama Don’t Allow It Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends Capital Record 1951
Is You Is Or Is You Ain’t My Baby Taj Mahal Savoy 2023
Hallelujah, I Love Him So Kieran Brown Loving You 2025
The Richest Guy In The Graveyard Etta Jones Victor Records 1947

My Gal’s A Jockey
Big Joe Turner w/ Wild Bill Moore’s Lucky Seven Band
National Records 1946

Milk and Water Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1954
Quiet Whiskey Catherine Russell Inside This Heart of Mine 2010
My Baby’s Barrel House Wynonie “Mr. Blues” Harris Apollo Records 1946
Let’s Do It Billie Holiday Columbia Records 1941
Caravan Billy Eckstine MGM Records 1948
Down But Not Out Joe Houston & Otis Grand The Return Of Honk! 1994
Let’s Have a Natural Ball Jump 66 Every Dog Has His Day 2026

Shake, Rattle & Roll
Big Joe Turner
Atlantic Records 1954

Flip, Flop And Fly
Van Morrison
Accentuate The Positive 2023

Wee Baby Blues (Joe Turner)
Lynwood Slim
Last Call 2006

My Mother Told Me Nat King Cole Capitol Records 1950

Rocket 88 Boogie, Pt 1
Pete Johnson
Swing Time Records 1947

Rocket 88 Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats Chess Records 1951
Hop, Skip and Jump Kim Wilson My Blues 1997
Standing On The Corner Ruth Brown Atlantic Records 1950

TV Mama (Joe Turner)
Champion Jack Dupree
From New Orleans to Chicago 1962

Switchin’ in the Kitchen (Joe Turner)
Roomful Of Blues
Under One Roof 1997

Piney Brown (K.C.)
Big Joe Turner, Sonny Stitt, Pee Wee Crayton
Every Day I Have the Blues 1975

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast May 17, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


We have two featured artists today.

Big Maybelle was born Mabel Louise Scott in Jackson, Tennessee on May 1, 1924.
She began performing when she was a teenager, then toured and recorded with the International Sweethearts of Rhythm, the first racially-integrated all-female band
in the U.S. In 1952, Smith went solo as “Big Maybelle” and scored a number of R&B
hits including “Candy.” She was the first artist to record “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” which later became a hit for Jerry Lee Lewis.

BIG MAYBELLE RESOURCES
Biography @ Wikipedia.Com
Discography @ Discogs.Com
Blues Foundation bio

Born in Barnwell, South Carolina on May 3, 1933, James Brown is known as
the Godfather of Soul, but his roots were in gospel and jump blues. In 1944,
a young James Brown sang “So Long” at a talent show in Augusta, Georgia. He won.
It was his first public appearance. He was either 10 or 11 at the time.
Brown said he was inspired to become a professional musician
when he heard Louis Jordan’s “Caldonia Boogie.”

JAMES BROWN RESOURCES
jamesbrown.com
biography @ wikipedia.org
discography @ discogs.com
ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MAY 17 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Bouncing With Benson Paul Williams Savoy Records 1948

Good Rockin’ Tonight
James Brown & the Famous Flames
King Records 1967

Caldonia Boogie
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1945

Piece of My Heart Deacon John’s Jump Blues Music From the Film 2002
The Congregation The Interplay Jazz Orchestra Bite Your Tongue 2026

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
Big Maybelle
Okeh Records 1955

One Monkey Don’t Stop No Show
Big Maybelle
Okeh Records 1955

D’Natural Blues (The Hucklebuck) Lucky Millinder RCA Victor 1949
Going Back Home To New Orleans Joe Liggins Specialty Records 1950
The Darktown Strutters’ Ball Catherine Russell Bring It Back 2014
Crazy About A Jukebox Taj Mahal & The Phantom Blues Band Time 2026
Smack Dab In The Middle Count Basie /w Joe Williams Clef Records 1956
(Opportunity Knocks But Once) Snatch & Grab It Julia Lee Americana Records 1947
I’ll Always Be In Love With You X-Rays Savoy Records 1948

Night Train
James Brown
James Brown Presents His Band – Night Train 1961

Have Mercy Baby
James Brown
King Records 1964

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

Twisted Annie Ross Specialty Records 1952
Moanin’ Christian McBride Big Band w/ Jose James Without Further Ado, Vol 1 2025

Baby Please Don’t Go
Big Maybelle
Newport Jazs Festival 1958, Vol III: Blues in the Night No. 1 1958

Gabbin’ Blues
Big Maybelle
Okeh Records 1952

The House Of Blue Lights Ella Mae Morse Capital Record 1946
I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead (You Rascal You) Duke Robillard BLAST OFF! 2026
King For A Day Blues Van Morrison Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge 2026
Wait A Minute, Baby Eddie Vinson & Jay McShann Jumpin’ The Blues 1969

Talk To Me, Talk To Me
James Brown
Thinking About Little Willie John And A Few Nice Things 1968

Candy
Big Maybelle
Blues, Candy & Big Maybelle 1958

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast May 10, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


In honor of this special holiday,
we countdown the top R&B songs in the U.S.
on Mother’s Day 1948 and 1950.

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MAY 10, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Mad Lad Sir Charles & HIs All Stars Apollo Records 1947

TOP R&B SONGS IN THE U.S. – MOTHER’S DAY 1948

10) Temptation
Earl Bostic
Gotham Records 1948

TIE 8) Come And Get It, Honey
Nellie Lutcher
Capital Records 1948

TIE 8) Good Rockin’ Tonight
Wynonie Harris
King Records 1948

7) Nature Boy
Nat King Cole
Capitol Records 1948

(6TH PLACE BLANK)

(5 – I Want a Bowlegged Woman – Bull Moose Jackson – not played)

4)All My Love Belongs To You
Bull Moose Jackson & His Buffalo Bearcats
King Records 1948

3) Fine Brown Frame
Nellie Lutcher
Capitol Records 1948

2) Tomorrow Night
Lonnie Johnson
King Records 1947

1) King Size Papa
Julia Lee & Her Boy Friends
Capitol Records 1948

Bags Groove Milt Jackson Quartet Wizard of the Vibes 1952
I’d Rather Drink Muddy Water Lou Rawls & Les McCann Ltd Stormy Monday 1962
Every Breath You Take Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orch. Basie Rocks 2025
Saturday Night Fish Fry Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1950
I Got It Bad (And That Ain’t Good) Ella Fitzgerald …Ellington Song Book 1958

TOP R&B SONGS IN THE U.S. – MOTHER’S DAY 1950

10) Pink Champagne
Joe Liggins & The Honeydrippers
Specialty Records 1950

9) Cry, Cry Baby
Mel Walker & The Blue Notes w/ Johnny Otis
Regent Records 1950

8) Rag Mop
Lionel Hampton
Decca Records 1950

7) Sitting by the Window
Billy Eckstine
MGM Records 1950

6) I Almost Lost My Mind
Ivory Joe Hunter
MGM Records 1950

5) 3 x 7 = 21
Jewel King
Juke Jam Records 1950

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

3) Information Blues
Roy Milton & His Solid Senders
Specialty Records 1950

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

1) I Need You So
Ivory Joe Hunter
Atlantic Records 1950

Jumpin’ In The Mornin’ Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1953
The Danger Zone Rick Vito Slidemaster 2026
Lover Come Back To Me Dinah Washington Dinah Jams 1954

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast May 3, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


It’s a tradition! We celebrate the birthdays of Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington
together each year at the very end of April or the first Sunday in May.

Duke Ellington was born Edward Kennedy Ellington on April 29, 1899.

DUKE ELLINGTON RESOURCES
DukeEllington.com (Official Site)
Discography @ Discogs.com
Biography @ Wikipedia

Ella Fitzgerald was born Ella Jane Fitzgerald in Newport News,
Virginia, on April 25, 1917.

ELLA FITZGERALD RESOURCES
EllaFitzgerald.com (Official Site)
Biography @ Wikipedia
Discography @ discogs.com

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MAY 3, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Main Stem
Duke Ellington & His Famous Orchestra
RCA Victor 1944

I Like the Sunrise
Duke Ellington & Al Hibler
Liberian Suite 1947

Smooth Sailing
Ella Fitzgerald & The Bill Dogett Orchestra w/ the Ray Charles Singers
Decca Records 1951

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

Love Don’t Love Nobody Roy Brown DeLuxe Records 1950
Early in The Morning B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1957
That’ll Just About Knock Me Out Louis Jordan Decca Records 1943
Rock Daniel Lucky Millinder & Sister Rosetta Tharpe Decca Records 1941

Take the A Train
Planet D Nonet
Blues to Be There: A Salute to Duke Ellington 2023

Mack the Knife
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington
Live At The Cote d’Azur, 1966

Stop That Dancing Up There Harry ‘The Hipster’ Gibson …In Blue 1944
Keep Cool (aka Be Cool) Johnny Moore & Mari Jones Recorded in Hollywood 1953
But I Was Cool Oscar Brown Jr. Sin & Soul …And Then Some 1961
Tell Me Who Roomful Of Blues Steppin’ Out 2025

Caravan
Ledisi
For Dinah 2025

Rocks In My Bed
Joe Turner w/ Freddie Slack Trio
Decca Records 1941

I Let a Song Go Out of My Heart
Ella Fitzgerald & Duke Ellington
Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Duke Ellington Song Book 1958

I’m Just A Lucky So And So
Tony Bennett
Bennett Sings Ellington: Hot & Cool 1999

Knock Me A Kiss Eddie Tigner Slippin’ In 2009
Million Dollar Smile Catherine Russell Send For Me 2022
Rag Mop Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1950

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

Skin Deep & Mood Indigo
Duke Ellington
At Newport 1956

Perdido
Ella Fitzgerald
Twelve Nights In Hollywood 1961

(sign off)

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

WRFG Playlist & Podcast April 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


Today, we have three featured artists.

Big Jay McNeely, “The King of the Honkers” was born Los Angeles on April 29, 1927.
Big Jay made his recording debut playing sax on Johnny Otis’s
“Barrel House Boogie” in 1947

BIG JAY MCNEELY RECOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Life Story @ JazzWax.com
Obituary @ AmericanBluesScene.com
Profile @ SpontaneousLunacy.net

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown was born in Vinton, Louisiana on April 18, 1924. “Mary Is Fine” was his first national hit. The song was release on Peacock Records in 1949.

CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipidia.org
Discography @ discogs.com

Amos Milburn was born in in Houston on April 1, 1927. Milburn was one of the most popular singers and pianists of the jump blues era.

AMOS MILBURN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
The Blues Foundation Inductees Bio
Overview @ spontaneouslunacy.net

WRFG PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 26, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

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

Mary Is Fine
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown w/ Jack McVee
Peacock Records 1949

Voo-It! Voo-It! The Blues Woman Juke Box Records 1946
Gone Again Lionel Hampton Decca Records 1948
If I Never Get To Heaven Ledisi For Dinah 2025

Deacon’s Hop
Big Jay McNeely
Savoy Records 1948

Texas Flood Roomful of Blues Roomful of Blues 1977
Blue Skies Lyle Lovett Smile 2003
They Raided The Joint Helen Humes Mercury Records 1947

Ain’t That Dandy
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Live From Austin, TX 2019

Caldonia Boogie Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1945
I’m An Errand Boy For Rhythm King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1945
Roulette Oscar Moore Trio Oscar Moore Trio 1954
I Cross My Fingers Dinah Washington Mercury Records 1950

One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer
Amos Milburn & His Chickenshackers
Aladdin Records 1953

Chicken Shack Boogie
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1948

My Time Is Expensive
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
Peacock Records 1949

Hot Special
Bloodest Saxophone /Big Jay McNeely
Blow Blow All Night Long 2017

One O’Clock Jump Lester Young w/ The Revisionists Late Night Basie 2023
Say It Isn’t So Big Maybelle Okeh Records 1959
Everyday (I Have The Blues) Tony Bennett …Bennett Sings The Blues 2001
I’ll Get Along Somehow Julia Lee Capitol Records 1947
Lady Be Good Joe Carrol & Dizzy Gillespie Dee Gee Records 1951

There Is Something On Your Mind
Big Jay McNeely & Little Sonny Warner
Savoy Records 1958

Greyhound
Amos Milburn
Aladdin Records 1952

Don’t Get Around Much Anymore
Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown
American Music Texas Style 1999

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 April 19, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org

Today, we pay tribute to Bessie Smith , the original Empress of the Blues,
to mark the 134th anniversary of her birth.

BESSIE SMITH RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
National Women’s Hall of Fame
National Museum of African American History & Culture
Bessie Smith Cultural Center in Chattanooga
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame

WRFG ROUTE PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2026

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Down Yonder Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra Decca Records 1949

Down Hearted Blues
Bessie Smith
Columbia Records 1923

Nobody Knows You When You’re Down And Out
Nina Simone
Pastel Blues 1965

The Two Little Squirrels (Nuts to You) Louis Jordan Decca Records 1941
Open The Door, Richard! The Three Flames Columbia Records 1947
Juice Head Baby Eddie Vinson & Jay McShann Jumpin’ The Blues 1969

Gulf Coast Blues
Ella Fitzgerald & Her Famous Orchestra
Decca Records 1940

You’ve Been a Good Ole Wagon
Candye Kane
Swango 1998

St. Louis Blues
Bessie Smith
Columbia Records 1925

Empty Bed Blues
Linda Hopkins
Me and Bessie 1976

Morning Glory Big Joe Turner Aladdin Records 1948
Do It Again Kieran Brown Loving You 2025
Caravan Roomful Of Blues Hot Little Mama 1981

Preachin’ The Blues
Queen Latifah & Trombone Shorty
Performance at the White House (PBS Special) 2016

Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair
Bessie Smith & Her Blue Boys
Columbia Records 1927

Don’t Cry Baby
Ray Charles
Sweet & Sour Tears 1964

Straighten Up & Fly Right Nat King Cole Capitol Records 1943
Frim Fram Sauce Slim Gaillard Xavier Records 1963
Blues For The Red Boy Todd Rhodes Sensation Records 1947
Them There Eyes Roy Milton Roy Milton Records 1947

Do Your Duty
Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women
Old, New, Borrowed & Blue 1994

Night and Day The Interplay Jazz Orchestra Bite Your Tongue 2026
Boogie Woogie Woman B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1952
Paradise Squat Count Basie Mercury Records 1952

Trombone Butter
Dinah Washington
Sings Bessie Smith 1958

Gimme a Pigfoot
Bessie Smith
Okah Records 1934

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast April 12, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


Our featured artist was born Eleanora Fagan in Philadelphia on April 7, 1915 and nicknamed “Lady Day” by her music partner, Lester Young. We remember her as
Billie Holiday, one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the mid-20h century.

BILLIE HOLIDAY RESOURCES

Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography @ Jazz Discography Project
Lady Sings The Blues (Book) @ wikipedia.org
The Best Books About Billie Holiday @ Rolling Stone
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
The Hunting of Billie Holiday @ Politico Magazine

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 12, 2O26

Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

You’re Driving Me Crazy
Lester Young & His Band
Aladdin Records 1946

Them There Eyes & Lover Man
Billie Holiday & Count Basie
At Carnegie Hall 1954

Crazy She Calls Me
Tony Bennett
On Holiday: A Tribute to Billie Holiday 1996

It Should’ve Been Me Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1954
Deacon’s Hop Bloodest Saxophone Rhythm and Blues 2014
Long Skirt Baby Blues T Bone Walker Black & White Records 1948
A&M Blues Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1948

You’ve Changed
Billie Holiday
Lady In Satin 1958

Don’t Explain
Southside Johnny
Detour Ahead the Music of Billie Holiday 2018

Beware Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1946
She’s Dynamite B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1951
Every Time I Think Of You Big Mama Thornton Peacock Records 1952
Kidney Stew Blues Van Morrison Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge 2026
Oh Babe! Wynonie Harris w/ Lucky Millinder King Records 1950

God Bless The Child
Billie Holiday
Lady Sings The Blues 1956

Good Morning Heartache
Charlie Watts w/ Bernard Fowler
Long Ago & Far Away 1996

What’ll I Do (Nat) King Cole Trio Capitol Records 1948
Let’s Do It Ledisi For Dinah 2025
I’ll Be Glad When You’re Dead (You Rascal You) Duke Robillard BLAST OFF! 2026
Blue Light Boogie Taj Mahal Dancing the Blues 1993
Heavy Juice Tiny Bradshaw King Records 1953

Willow Weep For Me
Lou Rawls & Les McCann Ltd
Stormy Monday 1962

Gimme a Pigfoot and a Bottle of Beer
Billie Holiday
Decca Records 1950

Fine And Mellow
Billie Holiday & Lester Young
The Sound of Jazz – CBS Television Network 1957

(sign off)

Tag (You’re It) Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2025

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast April 5, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 5, 2026
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date

Bangin’ The Boogie
Camille Howard
Specialty Records 1951

Born Deasy Browning in Galvison, Texas, on March 29, 1914,
Camile Howard scored hit records both as a solo artist
and as the pianist and vocalist for Roy Milton’s Solid Senders.

CAMILE HOWARD RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia
Solo discography @ discogs.com
Roy Milton & Solid Senders discography @ discogs.com

COUNTDOWN: TOP JUKE BOX R&B RECORDS IN EARLY APRIL 1946
As reported to Billboard by 500 juke box operators nationwide

4-The Frim Fram Sauce
Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong
Decca Records 1946

4-Voo-It
Helen Humes & Her All Stars
Philo Records 1945

3-Salt Pork, West Virginia
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1945

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

3-Reconversion Blues
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1946

3-Don’t Be A Baby, Baby
The Mills Brothers
Decca Records 1946

2-Don’t Worry ’bout That Mule
Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five
Decca Records 1945

1-Hey Ba Ba Re Bop
Lionel Hampton
Decca Records 1945

Gate Walks To Board Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1953
Cadillac Baby Colin James Colin James & The Little Big Band
Weather Man Sister Wynona Carr Specialty Records (1950s unreleased)
Honey Boy Bill Doggett King Records 1954
Down Yonder Buddy Johnson Decca Records 1949
Send Me To The ‘Lectric Chair Dinah Washington …Sings Bessie Smith
I Want You To Be My Baby Annie Ross Decca Records 1955

COUNTOWN TOP JUKE BOX R&B RECORDS FOR EARLY APRIL 1951

10-Tears Tears Tears
Amos Milburn & His Chicken Shackers
Aladdin Records 1951

9-I’ll Wait for You
Ruth Brown & The Eddie Condon Band
Atlantic Records 1951

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

7-Red’s Boogie
Piano Red
RCA Victor 1950

6-Chica Boo
Lloyd Glenn
Swing Time Records 1951

5-Tennessee Waltz Blues
Stick McGhee
Atlantic Records 1951

4-Don’t Take Your Love Away from Me
Joe Morris
Atlantic ‎Records 1951

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

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

1-Black Night
Charles Brown
Aladdin Records 1951

Hallelujah, I Love Him So Kieran Brown Loving You 2025
What Would I Do Without You Ray Charles Atlantic Records 1957
Day In Day Out Billie Holiday Songs for Distingue Lovers 1958

(sign off)

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

WRFG Route 66 Playlist & Podcast March 29, 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.

Contact: john.askins@wrfg.org


Today we cruise in the jazz lane of Route 66 as we pay tribute to Sarah Vaughan,
the Queen of Bebop, and tenor sax great Ben Webster.

Sarah Vaughan was born in Newark, New Jersey, on March 27, 1924.

SARAH VAUGHAN RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
National Endowment for the Arts

Ben Webster was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 27, 1909.

BEN WEBSTER RESOURCES
Biography @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Ben Webster Foundation

WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, MARCH 29, 2026

Song
Artist
Original album or label & date

Goomp Blues
Johnny Otis Orchestra w/ Ben Webster
Mercury Records 1951

Perdido
Sarah Vaughan
Columbia Records 1950

Pennies From Heaven
Ben Webster
The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster 1954

I Live My Life Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown Peacock Records 1951
I’m Ready Van Morrison Somebody Tried to Sell Me a Bridge 2026
Hold Me Baby Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1949

Jive At Six
Ben Webster
The Consummate Artistry of Ben Webster 1954

Embraceable You
Sarah Vaughan w/ Clifford Brown
Sarah Vaughan 1954

Bloodshot Eyes Wynonie Harris King Records 1951

The C-Jam Blues
Duke Ellington w/Ben Webster (no solo)
RCA Victor 1942

Paint It Black Deborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
Skronky Tonk Little Charlie & Organ Grinder Swing Skronky Tonk 2016
Orange Colored Sky Nat King Cole Trio w/ Stan Kenton Capitol Records 1950

Ain’t Misbehavin’
Sarah Vaughan w/ Miles Davis
Columbia Records 1950

Nice Work If You Can Get It
Sarah Vaughan w/ Miles Davis
Columbia Records 1950

Time’s Gettin’ Tougher Than Tough
Jimmy Witherspoon, Gerry Mulligan & Ben Webster
Jimmy Witherspoon at the Renaissance 1960

My Rough & Ready Man Annie Laurie Regal Records 1949
She’s Dynamite B.B. King R.P.M. Records 1951
School Days Dizzy Gillespie Regent Records 1951
You’ve Got What It Takes Ledisi & Gregory Porter For Dinah 2025
Fever Ray Charles & Natalie Cole Genius Loves Company 2004
Junior Jumps Roy Milton & The Solid Senders Specialty Records 1949
Kidney Stew Blues Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson Mercury Records 1947
Open The Door Richard Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1947

Soulville
Ben Webster
Soulville 2019

Lover Man (Oh Where Can You Be)
Sarah Vaughan
Live In Holland 1958

(sign off)

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