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 