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 