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.
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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 