All posts by Dave

Trouble Bound

Free form and completely eclectic—that is the absolute best way to introduce this week’s episode of Deeper Roots. Every so often, we love to shake things up by forgoing our usual archival explorations of specific genres, artists, or historical themes. Instead, Dave is opening up his personal vault for a special curation of deep tracks and personal favorites that he has been setting aside over the past couple of months just to share with you.  We are bridging eras and styles in a way only Deeper Roots can. Expect a magical blend of sounds, including early Cotton Club sounds of Cab Calloway alongside beach music from The Catalinas, rocking guitar fuzz with Grady Martin paired with the Buckaroo guitar sounds of Don Rich, and some Dylan, Merle, Berigan and Clooney. Join us for a scenic, unpredictable journey through the back roads of American music each and every Friday morning at 9am Pacific on KOWS Community Radio, streaming 24/7 at kowsfm.com/listen.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Elvis Presley A Mess Of Blues The Essential 60's Masters I [Disc 1] 1960 00:00
3John Hiatt Dust Down a Country Road Walk On 1995 05:01
4Jay & The Americans This Magic Moment Come A Little Bit Closer – The Best of Jay and The Americans 1968 08:59
5Emmylou Harris Save The Last Dance For Me Profile II: The Best Of Emmylou Harris 1978 11:50
6The Neville Brothers Sitting in Limbo Fiyo on the Bayou 1981 15:23
7Jackson Browne Everywhere I Go I'm Alive 1993 19:18
8Grady Martin The Fuzz I Got A Woman : Gems From The Decca Vaults [Disc 3] 1961 28:31
9Ricky Nelson My Babe James Burton – The Early Years 1957-1969 0 30:48
10Don Rich & The Buckaroos I'm a-Comin' Back Home to You Guitar Pickin' Man 2016 33:20
11Merle Travis Pretty Girl (Jolie Fille) The Guitar Picker CD4 (1954-56) 0 35:17
12Chet Atkins Blue Angel The Essential Chet Atkins [RCA] 1996 37:16
13Doc Watson Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar 1964-1965 (Warped 6411F) 2016 39:35
14The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Wreck on the Highway Will the Circle Be Unbroken [Bonus Tracks] Disc 1 1972 48:30
15Red Simpson The Highway Patrol Swing West 1: Bakersfield 1966 51:50
16The Blasters Trouble Bound Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (1981-1985) (2 of 2) 2002 54:00
17Dave Edmunds Trouble Boys Single Trax 1970-1981 1978 57:43
18Lee Hazlewood Trouble Is A Lonesome Town 400 Miles From L.A. 1955-56 1956 1:00:54
19Buck Owens Hello Trouble Buck 'Em: The Music of Buck Owens (1955-1967) 1964 1:03:07
20Ernest Tubb & The Texas Troubadors This Troubled Mind O'Mine Daddy of 'Em All 1957 1:04:52
21Bob Dylan If Not for You Biograph Disc 1 1985 1:12:00
22Ruben Blades Ollie's Doo-Wop Nothing But The Truth 1988 1:14:37
23The Treniers Go! Go! Go! The Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin' 1951 1:17:01
24The Chanters No No No Doo Wop Box Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 1 2000 1:19:21
25The Catalinas You're Driving Me Crazy Dance The Night Away 1999 1:21:30
26Cab Calloway Mama I Wanna Make Rhythm Chronological 1937-38 1937 1:30:40
27Peggy Lee Alright OK You Win Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2) 2004 1:33:42
28Rosemary Clooney Botch-A-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina) Tenderly 1952 1:36:32
29Bunny Berigan & His Boys I Can't Get Started Columbia Records' 125th Anniv. 1936 1:38:46
30Bob Dylan 4th Time Around Blonde on Blonde 1966 1:42:06
31Buddy Holly Bo Diddley [1963 Album Version] Rave On: The Very Best Of ? 1963 1:46:33
32Bo Diddley Don't Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got) 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best Of Bo Diddley 1959 1:48:50
33Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys (I've Got A) Humpty Dumpty Heart Vintage Collections 1947 1:54:44
34Dean Martin I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine Capitol Records' From The Vaults 1950 1:57:05

Travelin’ Blues 2026

This Friday, Deeper Roots presents an encore broadcast from February 2020, exploring the rich intersection of gospel, blues, and tradition through the theme of the “Travelin’ Blues.” Whether the journey leads down the King’s Highway toward salvation or along a lonely back road toward temptation, we’ll steer clear of the toll roads and follow the winding paths where sacred and secular music have traveled side by side for generations. Along the way you’ll hear performances from Rory Block, Chris Smither, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, The Golden Gate Quartet, and many more. Originally conceived as the first installment in a series of programs about songs of the road, this episode explores highways and journeys through the language of the blues and gospel. Join us for two hours of American roots music where every mile has a story to tell.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Maria Muldaur Travelin' Shoes 1974 00:00
3Blind Sammie (Blind Willie McTell) Travelin' Blues 1929 05:42
4Taj Mahal Farther On Down The Road 2000 08:49
5Roland Stone Down The Road 1960 11:56
6Freddie Slack Down The Road 2003 14:15
7Eric Clapton Further On Down the Road 2013 20:57
8Chris Smither Look Down the Road 0 26:32
9Mattie Delaney Down The Big Road Blues 1930 29:06
10Unidentified Quartet I Look Down The Road And Wonder 2010 36:43
11The Golden Gate Quartet I Looked Down The Road And Wondered 1939 39:49
12Rory Block If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road 2014 44:12
13Paul Butterfield's Better Days Highway 28 1972 52:29
14Johnny Guitar Watson Highway 60 2006 55:28
15Lowell Fulson Highway 99 2008 57:47
16Gatemouth Moore Highway 61 Blues 2000 1:00:42
17Honeyboy Edwards Strollin' Down Highway 61 0 1:03:13
18Snooks Eaglin Traveling Mood 1995 1:08:42
19Doc Pomus Traveling Dog 1949 1:10:54
20Ella Johnson & Buddy Johnson Get On Down The Road 1958 1:13:19
21Ernie Andrews With Maxwell Davis Orchestra Travelin' Baby 1951 1:16:17
22Slim Gaillard & His Boogiereeners Travelin' Blues 1945 1:18:44
23T-Bone Walker Travelin' Blues 1950 1:21:44
24Smiley Lewis Lonesome Highway 2010 1:28:47
25Howling Wolf Driving This Highway 1952 1:31:00
26Freddie King Key To The Highway 1970 1:33:51
27Freddie King Living On The Highway 1971 1:37:11
28Little Walter Key To The Highway 0 1:41:20
29Eric Clapton Traveling Riverside Blues 2004 1:44:04
30Tommy McLennan Travelin' Highway Blues 1941 1:50:03
31Cripple Clarence Lofton Travelin' Blues 1939 1:52:58
32Eric Bibb/Rory Block/Maria Muldaur Travelin' Woman Blues 2004 1:55:03

Wake Up Everybody

Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee; it’s a promise we keep to one another. In times when the airwaves and headlines feel crowded with division, hatred, and the loud noise of demagoguery, all in reaction to barbarous and vile language from the highest quarters, the antidote has always been found in the music. This week on Deeper Roots, we are celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary by stepping directly into the storm with a playlist designed to uplift, fortify, and remind us of what’s worth fighting for.  Count on sounds from Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Chet Baker and a few dozen more as we dive deep into a century of American music, bringing you powerful songs of the spirit from the gospel canon alongside timeless anthems of resistance that call on us to rise above the attacks on our shared democracy. This isn’t just a look back at history—it’s a toolkit for the present.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Mahalia Jackson I Will Move On Up A Little Higher Folk Blues & Gospel: Will the Circle Be Unbroken 1999 00:00
3The Edwin Hawkins Singers I'm Going Through Oh Happy Day: The Best Of The Edwin Hawkins Singers 1969 08:19
4The Blind Boys Of Alabama I Shall Not Be Moved I'll Find A Way 2013 13:20
5Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder I Shall Not Be Moved Get On Board 2022 15:56
6Connie Smith Farther Along Connie Smith 1965-1966 2011 20:10
7Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers Farther Along The Complete Specialty Recordings [Disc 3] 1956 22:59
8Larry Campbell Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams 2015 30:59
9The Browns Fair and Tender Ladies Classics 1963-1964 (Warped 6384) 2010 34:59
10Willie Nelson Healing Hands of Time Wanted! The Outlaws [Bonus Tracks] 1996 37:25
11Elvis Presley (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) Elvis By The Presleys [Disc 1] 1957 39:39
12The Impressions Keep On Pushing Ultimate Collection: The Impressions 1964 42:58
13Joe Ely The Road Goes On Forever The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection 1992 50:29
14Sara Evans Born To Fly Laying Tracks 2003 54:56
15B.B. King & Dr. John There Must Be A Better World Somewhere Deuces Wild 1997 58:46
16The Bronzemen Hold On (Keep Yo' Hand On The Plow) The Bronzemen – Radio Transcriptions (1939) 1939 1:03:24
17Mahalia Jackson Keep Your Hand on the Plow The World's Greatest Gospel Singer 1954 1:10:33
18Sam Cooke A Change Is Gonna Come Hard To Find Jukebox Classics 1960-64: 30 Amazing Stereo Hits 2016 1:12:58
19Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions People Get Ready Akeelah And The Bee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2006 1:15:32
20Fats Domino Walking To New Orleans The Rock 'n' Roll Era: 1960 1960 1:18:08
21The Four Tops Reach Out I'll Be There The Classic Sixties: 1966 1966 1:20:02
22Ray Charles I Believe to My Soul Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1 1997 1:22:58
23Keb' Mo' Wake Up Everybody Peace…Back By Popular Demand 2004 1:30:06
24The Staple Singers I'll Take You There I'll Take You There 1972 1:34:07
25Jo Stafford On The Sunny Side of the Street Candy 1944 1:37:14
26Chet Baker Look for the Silver Lining Chet Baker Sings 1956 1:40:07
27Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World Lifetime Of Romance: Falling In Love [Disc 2] 1967 1:42:44
28The Band The Weight Northern Songs – Canada's Best And Brightest 1968 1:44:59
29Sly & the Family Stone Everyday People Anthology 1981 1:52:11
30Bruce Springsteen Streets of Minneapolis Streets of Minneapolis – Single 2026 1:54:30

Heartland R&B

We revisit a show from ten years back that focused on R&B, sax, and a time before rock ‘n’ roll shook the world. A time of honkers and shouters. This week on Deeper Roots, we dig into the wild, joyful, and groundbreaking world of mid-century rhythm and blues through the lens of Arnold Shaw’s classic book Honkers and Shouters: The Golden Years of Rhythm and Blues. From the jump bands and saxophone blowouts to the gospel-fueled vocalists and hard-driving dance records that packed juke joints and ballrooms, we’ll explore the artists, producers, and cultural forces that gave birth to modern popular music. Join us for two hours of the sounds and stories that laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll and changed American music forever. We’ve got a wild one in store for you, one that we first tackled a decade ago here on Deeper Roots.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Ivory Joe Hunter I Got Your Water On The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950 1949 00:00
3Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra Harlem Shout Swingsation: Jimmie Lunceford 1998 05:56
4Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra Intro 1 Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3] 1945 08:47
5Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra Three Bones Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3] 1945 10:01
6Sister Rosetta Tharpe Shout Sister Shout Shout Sister Shout [[Disc 1]] The Original Soul Sister 1941 19:00
7Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe Trouble in Mind The Gospel of Blues 2003 21:40
8Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe I Want a Tall Skinny Papa The Gospel of Blues 2003 24:05
9Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra w/Myra Johnson Silent George Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B 1950 26:54
10Wynonie Harris; Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra Teardrops From My Eyes All She Wants To Do Is Rock 1950 29:29
11Wynonie Harris Hard Ridin? Mama Playful Baby 1947 37:12
12Wynonie Harris I Don't Know Where to Go Women Whiskey & Fish Tails 0 39:42
13Eddie Durham Swingin' the Blues King Cole Trio: Legendary 1941-44 Broadcast Transcriptions (The) 2011 41:57
14Count Basie Topsy Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie 1937 43:57
15Count Basie Swingin' The Blues Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie 1938 47:07
16Joe Liggins Daddy on My Mind Joe Liggins 1948-1950 1950 53:54
17Joe Liggins Rag Mop The Chronological Joe Liggins 1948 – 1950 1950 56:35
18Bull Moose Jackson Shorty's Got To Go Bad Man Jackson 1946 59:56
19Bull Moose Jackson If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin') Badman Jackson Thats Me 1955 1:02:35
20Bull Moose Jackson Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me Badman Jackson Thats Me 1949 1:04:57
21Big Jay McNeely & His Blue Jays Deacon's Hop Jump Jive & Swing 1948 1:13:30
22Big Jay McNeely All That Wine Is Gone Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' [Disc 1] 1951 1:16:16
23Big Mcneely Jay Willie And The Cool Cat Swing-O-Rama : Beautiful Babies 1949 1:19:08
24The Swallows It Ain't the Meat Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2 2005 1:21:50
25Tiny Bradshaw The Train Kept A-Rollin' Sentimental Journey 1951 1:26:26
26Tiny Bradshaw Intro 2 Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions 1944 1:29:08
27Tiny Bradshaw It's Sand Man Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions 1944 1:29:26
28Freddie Slack & His Orchestra w; T-Bone Walker Rifette R&B Jukebox Hits 1943 1943 1:32:05
29Freddie Slack With The Will Bradley Trio Down The Road A Piece Juke Joint Jump: A Boogie Woogie Celebration 1940 1:35:05
30Ivory Joe Hunter Stop Rockin' That Train The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950 1947 1:38:09
31Earl Bostic Flamingo Artist's Choice: Rolling Stones 1946 1:40:52
32Earl Bostic Always The E.P. Collection 1999 1:43:31
33Big Joe Turner Sun Risin' Blues Big Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 1] 1940 1:46:26
34The Cab Calloway Orchestra Cab Calloway Introducing Illinois Jacquet Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973 1973 1:54:40
35The Cab Calloway Orchestra w; Illinois Jacqauet Jumpin' Jacquet Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973 1973 1:54:58

The Ladies of Americana

This week on Deeper Roots, we’re celebrating the women who helped shape Americana music. From pioneering artists who blazed trails through country, folk, blues, and gospel to the remarkable performers carrying those traditions into the 21st century, we’ll spend two hours exploring voices that transformed the sound of American roots music. We’ll begin with some of the giants of the genre—artists such as the Carter Family, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton—women whose talent, determination, and vision helped create the foundation upon which generations would build. Then we’ll follow the road they paved through the work of contemporary Americana artists including Gillian Welch, Lucinda Williams, Margo Price, Sierra Ferrell, and others who continue to redefine and expand the genre today.Join us for a journey through the past, present, and future of Americana music, celebrating the women whose stories, songs, and spirit remain at the very heart of the American musical experience.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Patsy Cline Strange Her Legendary Recordings #1 0 00:00
3Anita Carter Ring Of Fire Country Boy's Dream 1962 04:44
4June Carter Cash Church In The Wildwood / Lonesome Valley Church In The Wildwood 2006 06:36
5Dolly Parton Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me 1968-1969 1969 09:29
6Tammy Wynette Your Good Girl's Gonna Go Bad Classic Country Vol. 15 The Sixties Legends Disc 1 1999 11:18
7Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers Half As Much At The Ryman [Live] 1992 13:16
8k.d. lang & the Reclines Full Moon Full of Love Absolute Torch and Twang 1989 15:34
9Carlene Carter Me and the Wildwood Rose Hindsight 20/20 1996 24:40
10Rosanne Cash The Way We Make A Broken Heart It'll Come To You: The Songs Of John Hiatt 2003 28:25
11Lucinda Williams Hard Road Happy Woman Blues 1980 32:11
12Neko Case Bowling Green The Virginian 1997 34:29
13Gillian Welch Acony Bell Coal Country Music 1996 42:13
14Eliza Gilkyson Borderline Paradise Hotel 2005 45:13
15Carolina Chocolate Drops Cornbread and Butterbeans Songs from Sing Out! v.53#3 2010 47:48
16Rhiannon Giddens You're the One You're The One 2023 50:54
17Carrie Rodriguez & The Sacred Hearts Perfidia Lola 2016 54:12
18Mavis Staples Anytime We Get By 2019 57:08
19Tami Neilson Pretty Paper Pretty Paper (Single) 2020 1:04:35
20Sierra Ferrell In Dreams In Dreams – Single 2021 1:07:09
21Loretta Lynn/Margo Price One's On the Way (feat. Margo Price) One's On the Way (feat. Margo Price) 2021 1:09:45
22Connie Smith Here Comes My Baby Back Again Here Comes My Baby Back Again – Single 2021 1:12:21
23Mary Gauthier Fall Apart World Dark Enough to See the Stars 2022 1:15:56
24Tanya Tucker Breakfast In Birmingham (ft. Brandi Carlile) Sweet Western Sound 2023 1:19:47
25Eilen Jewell The Pill Butcher Holler 2024 1:26:15
26Lindi Ortega The Spiritual Advisor From The Ether 2024 1:29:20
27Hurray For The Riff Raff Hawkmoon The Past Is Still Alive 2024 1:31:51
28Sweet Megg Canberra (Baby Blue) Never Been Home 2025 1:35:28
29Sierra Hull Boom A Tip Toe High Wire 2025 1:39:36
30Larkin Poe Little Bit Bloom 2025 1:43:22
31Bonnie Raitt I Will Not Be Broken Bonnie Raitt: Opus Collection 2011 1:47:24
32Margo Price Don't Let The Bastards Get You Down (Clean Edit) Hard Headed Woman 2025 1:53:52
33Samantha Fish Sweet Southern Sounds (Radio Edit) Paper Doll 2025 1:56:38

Let’s Do It!

This week on Deeper Roots, the records come with instructions. From dance crazes and rhythm commands to songs about not knowing what comes next, we’re asking — and answering — ‘Let’s Do It!.’ Two hours of blues, rock ’n’ roll, soul, and jukebox rhythm from the past century, all with a demand that we get our booties moving or our bodies boogie’n. From Howlin’ Wolf and B.B. King to The Dovells, Chubby Checker and Rosco Gordon, we’re digging deep with some classic blues and rare soul. But we’ve also got some rockin’, stompin’, rompin’, swingin’ to do with dances like the swim, the twist, the slop, and the boomerang…and we’ve even got Bobby Dunn pleading that we “Do The Bobby Dunn”. Nothing’s off limits and it’s nothing but fun on this week’s show as we explore something thematic that we’re excited to share with you. Whether it’s a party you’re hosting or you’re just out there in the yard prepping for the coming summer, turn it up. That’s right…do it!

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2The Four Blazes Do The Do Mary Jo 1954 00:00
3Howlin' Wolf Do The Do Muddy & The Wolf 1969 05:13
4Mabel Franklin Let's Do The Wiggle Stompin' 2 1965 07:22
5Lightnin' Hopkins Do The Boogie Lightnin' Sam Hopkins 1962 09:37
6B.B. King Let's Do the Boogie Do the Boogie! B.B. King's Early '50s Classics 1994 14:00
7Rufus Thomas Can Your Monkey Do the Dog The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968 (3 of 9) 1964 16:23
8Rufus Thomas (Do the) Push and Pull (Part 1) Stax Number Ones 2010 18:44
9Junior Walker & The All Stars Do The Boomerang The Ultimate Collection 1965 27:55
10Sugar Pie DeSanto Do The Whoopie Brunswick Lost Soul – Volume 1 1967 30:13
11Sugar Sweet Do the Dive Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 12] 1963 32:36
12Dee Dee Sharp Do The Bird Girls Of Rock & Roll 0 34:56
13Bobby Dunn Do The Bobby Dunn Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4] 2015 37:08
14The Olympics Baby Do The Philly Dog Northern Soul Originals 1999 40:15
15Jackie Lee Do The Temptation Walk All Nighter Hits 0 47:19
16Dave Baby Cortez Do the Slop Happy Organs Wild Guitars 1994 49:46
17Little Joe Cook Let's Do the Slop Peanuts and Other Delicacies: The Little Joe Cook Story (1951-1962) 1956 52:58
18March Wind Do The Sweetback Stax 50th Anniversary Collection [Disc 3] 1994 55:21
19The Matta Baby Do the Pearl Girl (Part 2) All Night Long: Northern Soul Floor Fillers 2016 58:34
20The 5 Royales Do the Cha Cha Cherry The Complete Singles 1952-1962 1958 1:05:58
21The Hilltoppers Do The Bop Chills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962 1955 1:08:10
22Isaac Clark Do The Dog Funk Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4] 2015 1:10:16
23Rosco Gordon Do The Chicken (Dance With You) Rockin' Memphis [Disc 1] 1956 1:13:14
24The Isley Brothers Do The Twist [Remastered 1991] Complete United Artists Sessions 1963 1:15:45
25The Staple Singers Do The Cissy [Stingers] The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 2: 1968-1971 [Disc 2] 1969 1:18:27
26The Meters Do The Dirt Cabbage Alley 1972 1:21:12
27Bill Doggett Lets Do The Continetal New Discgems From Warner Brothers 1961 1:27:21
28The Dovells Do the New Continental Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 Disc 2 2005 1:30:00
29Fox Hall Do The Rock And Roll Sugar Jump 2019 1:32:36
30Johnny Thunder Everybody Do The Sloopy The Very Best Of Johnny Thunder 1965 1:35:11
31Bobby Freeman (I Do The) Shimmy Shimmy American Music Library: The Hits Of 1960 1960 1:37:49
32Gary U.S. Bonds Do The Bumpsie Gary U.S Bonds – 30 Original Greatest Hits 1965 1:40:19
33Chubby Checker Do The Freddy Classic Rock 1965 1965 1:42:43
34Little Bobby Moore Do The Ginger Snap The King Records Story Part2 1962 1:44:56
35Randy & the Rockets Lets Do the Cajun Twist Swamp Gold Volume 1 1991 1:47:33
36Dee Dee Sharp Mashed Potato Time Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4] 1967 1:54:15
37Chubby Checker Let's Twist Again Oldies But Goodies 2022 1:56:44


Twisted Country Tales

We’re taking an encore spin this morning…going back to a show first broadcast as “Country Leftovers” in late 2019. But it deserved a better name “…and I fell asleep with a troubled dream and dreamed I road on the hellbound train.” Just one line from one track from our Friday morning Deeper Roots show which focuses on some country songs ‘from the edge’. An eclectic blend of sometimes morose and other times kitschy stories of mid-century country singers looking for the next “Big Bad John” with stories of engine mishaps, disturbances of mind and relationships, and the general consensus of lyrical country that ‘the world is a monster’. Hillbillies, rabble rousers, and would-be crooners give us those tormented testimonies of country music. Join us for a very unusual collection of sounds from the archives of the fifties and sixties, when country blossomed; the songs we’ll feature had a hard time cracking the Top 100 because the stories told are ‘out there’, even for country music.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Dick Flood Hellbound Train Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 0 00:00
3Bill Anderson Goodbye Cruel World Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1961 06:53
4Rocky Porter The World Is A Monster The World Is A Monster 0 09:47
5Johnny Tyler God's Gonna Turn Us To Dust Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1957 12:05
6Buck Ritchey The Slave Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1968 14:10
7Anita Carter Satan's Child Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1963 21:03
8Art Kilmer & The Up-Town Four The Devil's Twist Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1964 23:57
9Roy And Georgia And The SO And SO's Devil Get Away From Me Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture 1966 25:57
10David Ingles (Satan Has Been) Paralyzed Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1977 28:43
11Jimmy Minor Satan's Chauffeur Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1960 31:06
12Steve Bledsoe Bang Bang You're Dead Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1971 37:26
13The Looper Trio Life Beyond Death Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture 1970 39:51
14Danny Dill The Eyes Of Death The Hangman's Blues: Prison Songs In Country Music (1956-1972) 1960 42:00
15Faron Young Live Fast Love Hard Die Young 1953-1956 (Warped 5455) 2012 44:30
16Autry Inman Six Rounds Of Love And Hate Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1964 46:47
17Johnny Price Marijuana The Devil Flower Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1969 55:52
18Don Bowman Spanish Weed 1967 (Warped 6706) 1967 58:32
19Wendell Austin (And The Country Swings) LSD Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1968 1:00:38
20Bud Freeman & The Summa Cum Laude Orchestra Please Tell The World (A Message From The Grave) Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1970 1:02:58
21Travelin' Texans Beating On The Bars Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands Volume 2 0 1:03:52
22Red River Dave California Hippie Murders Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1970 1:05:40
23Mel Tillis Loco Weed (Single Version) The Best of Mel Tillis 1990 1:07:49
24Olin Bingham They Wouldn't Listen To A Kid Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1971 1:16:58
25Jack Cook My Evil Mind Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands Volume 1 0 1:20:08
26Ray Sanders Graveyard Dance Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1966 1:22:16
27Bill Carter Shot Four Times And Dyin' Twisted Tales From The Vinyl Wastelands Volume 2 0 1:23:58
28Len Barrow Hades Highway Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 0 1:32:50
29Don Bailey Fourteen Stories Down Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) 1966 1:35:10
30Charlie Gore Sin City Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1968 1:38:00
31Eddie Noack Ain't The Reaping Ever Done Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1973 1:41:09
32Eddie Noack Before You Use That Gun Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1973 1:43:54
33Johnny Bond & His Red River Valley Boys All I Can Do Is Cry The World Is A Monster 0 1:46:21
34Troy Hess Please Don't Go Topless Mother Hillbillies in Hell 1972 1:46:21
35Jimmy Dean Big Bad John (Uncensored Version) Best of Answer Songs vol 3 1961 1:53:05
36Wanda Jackson Jesus Put A Yodel In My Soul Hillbillies in Hell 1974 1:56:01

Nine Pound Hammer

We’ve got ourselves a musical breadcrumb trail show featuring songs connected by titles, themes, characters, occupations, relationships, Cajun culture, tattoos, grace, summer romance, and a healthy dose of American eccentricity. We’ll be taking our journey from country to rockabilly, some Howlin’ Wolf, classic doo-wop, folk, gospel, swamp pop, and everything in between. It’s a scenic route through a century of American music. Starting with John Prine’s “Nine Pound Hammer,” we’ll follow a trail that winds through the Louvin Brothers, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, The Band, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, and many others. Join us for another Friday morning two hours winding through the back roads. Because that’s where the roots run deepest. 

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2John Prine Nine Pound Hammer Sweet Revenge 1973 00:00
3The Louvin Brothers Are You Teasing Me Capitol Country Music Classics 0 05:15
4Willie Nelson House Of Gold Country Music 2010 08:05
5The Grateful Dead Operator American Beauty 1970 12:37
6Elvis Presley The Girl of My Best Friend Artist of the Century Disc 2 1999 14:57
7Ral Donner Girl Of My Best Friend American Music Library: The Hits Of 1961 1961 17:13
8The Band Jemima Surrender The Band 1969 19:21
9Johnny Cash I Will Rock And Roll With You The Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2] 1978 28:06
10Ivory Joe Hunter You Can't Stop This Rocking and Rolling Ivory Joe Hunter 2005 30:49
11Chuck Willis Caldonia Roots of Rock 'n' Roll:Rough and Rowdy Vol. 3 1952 33:03
12The Debs Whaddaya Want Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2 2005 35:22
13Videos Trickle Trickle Doo Wop Box Disc 3 1994 37:52
14Jackie Wilson That's Why (I Love You So) 7 Classic Albums 1959 45:55
15The Sheppards Elevator Operator Golden Classics 1989 47:54
16Howlin' Wolf My Life Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 1956 49:26
17John Lee Hooker One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer The Definitive Collection 1966 52:23
18Dusty Owens Hello Operator Talking on the Telephone Vol. 2 1953 55:16
19Freddy Cannon Buzz Buzz-A-Diddle It Talking on the Telephone Vol. 3 1961 57:33
20Steve Forbert Complications Jackrabbit Slim 1979 1:05:20
21Steve Goodman Somebody Else's Troubles Somebody Else's Troubles 1999 1:08:59
22Jo-el Sonnier Cajun Woman The Complete Mercury Sessions 1992 1:12:40
23Lil' Band Of Gold Cajun Twist Americana Roots Songbook: Louisiana 2002 1:15:12
24Skeets McDonald The Tattooed Lady Dirty Boogie: The Fortune Records Story 1950 1:19:20
25Sam Cooke Out In The Cold Again The Rhythm And The Blues 1961 1:25:03
26The Amazing Rhythm Aces Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song) Stacked Deck 1975 1:27:26
27The Blind Boys of Alabama Amazing Grace Hear Music volume 6 0 1:30:41
28Edd Presnell Amazing Grace Bluegrass Roots 2003 1:34:59
29The Valiants and Sandy Vale Suntan Tattoo Banana Split for My Baby 1959 1:36:39
30Eddie Cochran Hallelujah I Love Her So The London American Story – 1960 1959 1:38:41
31David Bromberg; Dr. John Such a Night The Last Waltz [Rhino Box Set] Disc 1 2002 1:40:58
32The Band (I Don't Want To Hang Up My) Rock 'N' Roll Shoes A Musical History [Disc 4] 1971 1:45:37
33Randy Newman I'm Different Trouble in Paradise 1983 1:55:13
34Randy Newman Maybe I'm Doin' It Wrong Sail Away 1970 1:57:43

Rockabilly Shakin’ Goin’ On

Roll down the windows and put that pedal to the metal because we’ve got two hours of wild rhythms and deep cuts this coming Friday. We’ll be digging into those slap-back echo, train-beat rhythms and wild-eyed energy of rockabilly music — that explosive blend of country, blues, boogie and early rock ’n’ roll that rattled America in the 1950s and helped redraw the cultural map for a generation of teenagers looking for something loud, fast and a little dangerous. Now sure, everybody knows the giants — Elvis, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis — but tonight’s show leans into the side roads and back highways of rockabilly history. Alongside a few familiar names, we’ll spend two hours with the obscure cats, regional stars, one-hit wonders and forgotten firebrands producing some of the wildest sounds ever pressed onto vinyl. From Sonny Fisher and Ronnie Self to Roy Duke, Sonny Burgess, Johnny Garner and Laura Lee Perkins, this is the sound of American youth culture before it was polished, corporate or safe.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Louie Innis Sing Your Song Baby Hillbilly Bop 'n' Boogie: King/Federal Roots of Rockabilly 1944 – 56 2002 00:10
3Tex Williams Let's Go Rockabilly The Hillbillies – They Tried to Rock Vol.2 1957 05:28
4Johnny Garner DidiDidi Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1958 07:30
5Lew Williams Cat Walk Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1956 09:32
6Gene Vincent Cat Man Bluejean Bop-And His Blue Caps 0 11:40
7Sonny Fisher Pink And Black Classic Rockabilly-Cool Cats & Hot Chicks 1956 13:56
8Ronnie Self Rocky Road Blues 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 15:53
9Ronnie Dawson Action Packed Rockin' Bones: The Legendary Masters [Disc 1] 0 24:29
10The Strikes If You Can't Rock Me Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1957 26:36
11Bob Luman Make Up Your Mind Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1957 29:03
12Dave Rich Red Sweater Grady Martin 1957 31:29
13Laura Lee Perkins I Just Don't Like This Kind Of Lovin' Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1958 33:40
14Dave Rich Burn On Love Fire Country & Western Nuggets 1958 35:27
15Sid King & The Five Strings Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 37:15
16Wanda Jackson Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Queen Of Rockabilly 1964 45:25
17Ricky Nelson Stood Up Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1957 48:05
18Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll Trio Please Don't Leave Me Tear It Up 1956 49:53
19Roy Duke Behave Be Quiet Or Be Gone 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 52:05
20The Collins Kids I'm In My Teens 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 54:05
21Billy & Don Hart Rock-A-Bop-A-Lina 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 56:20
22Johnny Horton I'm Coming Home American Originals 1956 1:02:45
23Johnny Horton Honky Tonk Mind (The Woman I Need) 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 1:04:48
24Jerry Lee Lewis Real Wild Child (Wild One) A Half Century Of Hits [Disc 1] 1958 1:06:58
25Warren Smith Got Love If You Want It The Best of Sun Rockabilly Vol. 2 1958 1:08:49
26Sonny Burgess Itchy The Best of Sun Rockabilly Vol. 2 1999 1:10:53
27Johnny Cash Rockabilly Blues (Texas 1955) The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 Disc 3 1992 1:13:09
28Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll Trio Honey Hush Tear It Up 1956 1:16:26
29Carl Perkins Hambone Grady Martin 1962 1:22:33
30Carl Perkins Where The Rio De Rosa Flows 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2010 1:24:51
31Charlie Feathers Matchbox Good Rockin' Tonight 0 1:27:51
32Tommy Blake You Better Believe It Sun Rockabilly Meltdown [Disc 2] 2009 1:30:20
33Tommy Blake You Better Believe It Koolit: The Sun Years Plus 1958 1:32:05
34Unknown Rockabilly Band Zynnin' Boppin' By The Bayou – Baby Dolls & Drive-Ins 0 1:34:36
35Conway Twitty I Vibrate (From My Head to My Feet) The Rock 'N' Roll Years CD2 1997 1:36:03
36Conway Twitty Don't Cry No More Grady Martin 1963 1:38:03
37Mac Curtis Grandaddy's Rockin' Classic Rockabilly 1956 1:40:33
38Skeets McDonald You Oughta See Grandma Rock Classic Rockabilly 1956 1:42:31
39Gene Henslee Rockin Baby Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story 1954 1:44:27
40Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll Trio Your Baby Blue Eyes Tear It Up 1956 1:46:25
41Joe Clay Ducktail Classic Rockabilly-Cool Cats & Hot Chicks 1956 1:53:26
42Johnny Burnette Do Baby Do The Train Kept a-Rollin' Memphis to Hollywood – CD2 0 1:55:50
43The Collins Kids Whistle Bait 100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks 2026 1:57:33

Burning Love Letters

From rocking celebrations to hard-earned reflections, this week’s episode of Deeper Roots turns its attention to the man they called “The King.” We’ve got two hours with songs about Elvis Presley — musical tributes, name-drops, eulogies, and love letters from artists across the past century. Some are playful, some reverent, and some wrestle with the contradictions that made Elvis both larger than life and painfully human. Together, they form a kind of American scrapbook around a figure who never really left the cultural conversation. From the wide-eyed devotion of artists like George Jones, Janis Martin, and Bobby Bare, to later songs reflecting on the strange and tragic arc that carried Elvis from hip-shaking revolutionary to Vegas spectacle, from the Nixon White House photo-op to a lonely and frightening decline, these recordings trace the many ways America mythologized him. Whether delivered as tribute, cautionary tale, obituary, or heartfelt fan letter, the songs on this morning’s show reveal just how deeply Elvis worked his way into the DNA of rock ’n’ roll mythology — and into the imagination of generations that followed.

No.
1Artist Title Album Year Start At
2Elvis Presley Elvis [Excerpt From Interview Held Sept.22 1958] Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 1 1958 00:00
3Pat Smith Elvis Elvis Gals of the Big D Jamboree 1958 00:25
4Billy Boyle My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Elvis The Greatest Novelty Songs 1962 05:31
5Nervous Norvus Elvis You're A G.I. Now Stone Age Woo 1958 08:03
6Bobby Bare All American Boy All American Boy – CD 1 1963 10:14
7The Hunt Sisters Elvis Is Rocking Again Dirty Boogie:The Fortune Records Story 1960 13:09
8Janis Martin My Boy Elvis Loud Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 1999 14:40
9George Jones The King Is Gone (So Are You) One Woman Man 1989 23:33
10Steve Goodman Elvis Imitators Artistic Hair 1983 26:47
11Syd Straw & The Del Lords Listening To Elvis 200 Cadillacs 2003 29:36
12Horace Logan Announcements (& Elvis Has Left the Building) At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight (Disc 7) 2017 33:19
13Gillian Welch Elvis Presley Blues Artist's Choice: Emmylou Harris 0 33:52
14Dan Reeder Clean Elvis Oh Boy! A Sampler 0 43:56
15Cris Cuddy Dear Elvis Dear Elvis 2015 46:31
16Greg Brown Jesus and Elvis Poet Game 1994 49:49
17John Stewart I Want To Be Elvis Havana 2003 53:17
18Loudon Wainwright III Happy Birthday Elvis Career Moves 1993 56:39
19Leon Russell Elvis and Marilyn Americana 1978 1:00:37
20Sonny Burgess Bigger Than Elvis Sonny Burgess 1996 1:09:05
21Stray Cats Elvis on Velvet Runaway Boys: A Retrospective '81-'92 1997 1:11:43
22Mojo Nixon Elvis Is Everywhere Bo-Day-Shus!!! 1986 1:15:59
23Derailers I Love Me Some Elvis Genuine 2003 1:20:50
24Hayes Carll Jesus and Elvis What It Is 2019 1:27:07
25The Tractors The Elvis Thing Farmers in a Changing World 1998 1:30:25
26Alannah Myles Black Velvet The Atlantic Story [UK] Disc 2 0 1:35:42
27Kacey Musgraves Velvet Elvis Golden Hour 2018 1:39:38
28Marc Cohn Walking in Memphis VH1 Classic: The Cuts 2003 1:42:07
29Paul Simon Graceland Graceland 1986 1:46:11
30Cowboy Junkies Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis) The Trinity Session 1988 1:54:27