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.
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
