We turn once again down that dark and dusty road in country music history—where temptation rides shotgun, regret sits in the back seat, and the Devil just might be waiting at the crossroads. From ballads of fear and heartfelt tales to outlaw confessions and modern Americana shadows, we’ll be sharing tracks that flirt with fire, bargain with fate, and wrestle with salvation. The Devil, or if you will Satan, drops on by as our recurring country music theme this morning with selections from a host of favorites: BR5-49, The Louvin Brothers, Cowboy Copas, and Bob Wills as well as some off-brands like Ray Winfree, Kitty Lee and Powder River Jack, Jesse Floyd and a couple dozen others. They’re all bemoaning the Devil’s due. So pour a drink, dim the lights, and listen close… because in country music, when the Devil comes calling, he often sounds a lot like the truth. Tune in Friday mornings at 9am Pacific for yet another spoonful of your favorite Deeper Roots concoction.
| No. | Artist |
Title |
Album |
Buy |
|---|
| 1 | George Jones |
Take The Devil Out Of Me |
George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection |
 |
| 2 | Hank Williams |
The Devil's Train |
Lovesick Blues August 1947 – December 1948 |
|
| 3 | David Beatty And The Harmonettes |
I Just Got Off The Devil's Train |
Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) |
|
| 4 | Billy Strange |
The Devil In Me |
Crossroads In Cowtown |
|
| 5 | The Carter Family |
Never Let the Devil Get the Upper Hand of You (Remastered) |
Golden Selection (Remastered) |
|
| 6 | Powder River Jack, Kitty Lee |
Tying A Knot In The Devil's Tail |
When I Was A Cowboy: Early American Songs Of The West, Classic Recordings From The 1920's & 30's. Vol. 1 |
|
| 7 | Bob Wills |
The Devil Ain't Lazy |
Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 3] It Ain't Far To The Bar) |
|
| 8 | The Sons Of The Pioneers |
The Devil's Great Grandson |
My Saddle Pals And I |
|
| 9 | Billy Barton |
The Devil, My Conscience And I |
Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) |
|
| 10 | The Statesmen With Hovie Lister |
Get Thee Behind Me, Satan |
Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture |
|
| 11 | Wayne, Pat & Keith |
I'm Tired Of You, Satan |
Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) |
|
| 12 | The Tune Wranglers |
Up Jumped The Devil |
Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 1] Hot Mama Stomp) |
|
| 13 | Dave Edwards |
Done Sold My Soul to the Devil |
Chronological Classics 1937 (Warped 3795) |
|
| 14 | Ray Winfree |
Devil Hang Me High |
Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 |
|
| 15 | The Louvin Brothers |
Satan's Jeweled Crown |
Long Play Collection |
|
| 16 | Roy 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 |
|
| 17 | Loretta Lynn |
The Devil Gets His Due |
Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1] |
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| 18 | Rusty Dean |
Sinner Beware |
Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 |
|
| 19 | Jesse Floyd |
Satan's Wife |
Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture |
|
| 20 | BR5-49 |
The Devil In Me |
Dog Days |
|
| 21 | Butch Hancock |
The Devil in Us All |
War and Peace |
|
| 22 | The Louvin Brothers |
Satan and the Saint |
Long Play Collection |
|
| 23 | Buck Owens |
Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me |
Dust On Mother's Bible |
|
| 24 | Jimmie Davis |
I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me 'Round |
Nobody's Darlin' But Mine |
|
| 25 | The Louvin Brothers |
Satan Is Real |
Close Harmony [Disc 5] |
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| 26 | Dolly Parton |
Satan's River |
1972 |
|
| 27 | Lee Ann Womack |
Take The Devil Out Of Me |
The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone |
|
| 28 | Lefty Frizzell |
From An Angel To A Devil |
Selected Sides – 1953-57 |
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| 29 | Ernest Tubb |
Saturday Satan, Sunday Saint |
Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 |
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| 30 | The Sunshine Boys Quartet |
The Devil Can't Harm A Praying Man |
Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter |
|
| 31 | Johnny Horton |
(I Wished for an Angel) The Devil Sent Me You |
Warped 5332 – Johnny Horton – 1952 – 1955 |
|
| 32 | Spade Cooley & His Orchestra |
Swingin' The Devil's Dream |
Spadella! The Essential Spade Cooley |
|
| 33 | Lawton Williams |
Satan's Bell |
Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter |
|
This week we’ll look a little deeper under the charts, focusing on the year 1959, a time when teenage targeted music encouraged new dances, new forms of self-expression and a sound whose influence went beyond the sweetheart, white bread sounds of middle America. To say the least, older generations associated it all with some sort of moral decline. But the sounds of the post-rock explosion laid the foundation for everything that followed: the rise of the teen market, generational conflict as a defining social theme and a sound that was a vehicle for identity and change. Adolescence itself was being redefined. We’ll tune into one of our favorite themes: under the charts. Songs you likely haven’t heard but a few I’m sure you have; tune in for music from Robin Luke, Tommy Sands, Chuck Berry, Carl Mann, Joe Antel and over two dozen others in a two hour sock hop blast here on KOWS Community Radio.
| No. | Artist |
Title |
Album |
Buy |
|---|
| 1 | The Bobbettes |
I Shot Mr. Lee |
Atlantic Vocal Groups – [Disc 4] – Group Revival |
|
| 2 | Sam Cooke |
Just For You |
Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 |
|
| 3 | Fats Domino |
Howdy Podner |
Let's Play Fats Domino |
|
| 4 | Jesse Belvin & The Chargers |
Dandilyon |
Guess Who (CD1) |
|
| 5 | LaVern Baker |
Humpty Dumpty Heart |
Blues Ballads |
|
| 6 | Dappers |
Baby You Know…Wrong |
The Epic Story 1960 |
|
| 7 | Joe & Ann Trio |
Gee Baby (You're So Fine) |
The History of New Orleans Rhythm & Blues [Disc 4] |
|
| 8 | The 5 Royales |
Tell Me You Care |
The Complete Singles 1952-1962 |
|
| 9 | Chuck Berry |
Almost Grown |
The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD3) |
|
| 10 | The Argyles |
Vacation Days Are Over |
Discovered Volume 2 |
|
| 11 | The Lemon Drops |
Lo-O-Ve |
Rave On: The Coral Story |
|
| 12 | The Danleers |
Your Love |
The Best Of The Danleers: The Mercury Years |
|
| 13 | The Cinderellas |
Yum Yum Yum |
Teenage Rebels |
|
| 14 | Tommy Dee |
Three Stars |
Midnight Cryin' Time: Teen Angst Classics From The Rock 'n' Roll Era |
|
| 15 | Ricky Nelson |
I Wanna Be Loved |
The London American Story – 1960 |
|
| 16 | Robin Luke |
Bad Boy |
The Precious Years |
|
| 17 | Freddy Cannon |
Okefenokee |
The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD3) |
|
| 18 | Carl Mann |
Pretend |
The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD3) |
|
| 19 | Wanda Jackson |
A Date With Jerry |
Four Classic Albums Plus |
|
| 20 | The Chordettes |
A Girl's Work Is Never Done |
The Best Of The Chordettes |
|
| 21 | The Virtues |
Guitar Boogie Shuffle |
The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD3) |
|
| 22 | Johnny Wright |
Look At That Chick |
Destination Lust – Chicksville U.S.A. |
|
| 23 | Ronnie Hawkins |
Mary Lou |
Feelin Fine |
|
| 24 | Brenda Lee |
Just Because |
Brenda Lee Rocks |
|
| 25 | Frankie Ford |
Geronimo |
Very Best Of Frankie Ford |
|
| 26 | Earl Bostic |
Deep Purple |
Dance to The Best Of |
|
| 27 | Ernie Fields Orch. |
In The Mood |
Teen Beat 1 |
|
| 28 | Mack Vickery |
Goin' Back To St. Louis |
War Paint – The Gone Records Story |
|
| 29 | Charlie Gracie |
Hurry Up Buttercup |
Rave On: The Coral Story |
|
| 30 | Johnny Carroll |
Bandstand Doll |
Gems from the Warner Brothers Vault (Pt. 1) |
|
| 31 | James Gallagher |
Ford and Shaker |
So-Cal Speed Shop's Hot Rod Classics Disc 4 |
|
| 32 | Joe Antel |
How Much I Love You |
War Paint – The Gone Records Story |
|
| 33 | The Browns |
We Should Be Together |
Warped 5773 – The Browns – 1956 – 1959 |
|
| 34 | Huey "Piano" Smith & His Clowns |
Dearest Darling |
Having A Good Time with Huey 'Piano' Smith & His Clowns – The Very Best Of, Volume 1 |
|
| 35 | Sonny James |
Talk Of The School |
The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD3) |
|
| 36 | The Everly Brothers |
Take A Message To Mary |
Heartaches & Harmonies [Disc 1] |
|
| 37 | The Falcons |
You're So Fine |
Stampede! The United Artists Story |
|
We’re going to be excavating the country archives, dusting off the 45s and 78s with abandon and making it a morning of deep tracks while the dust on the needle collects. Country music storytelling was often smeared with the tangled webs of cheatin’, drinkin’ and Sunday mornin’s blinding gleam of redemption…and the stories would start all over Sunday night. This week’s show doesn’t look for the hits so much as it looks for examples of classic themes from the late forties right into the seventies. Post-war hillbilly developed into what we know as country music and you’ll be treated this morning to the likes of Tony Douglas, Carl Butler, Anita Carter, Carl Belew and a host of others…some known, some hardly recognized. The selections are a special lot. So drop in why don’t you?
| No. | Artist |
Title |
Album |
Buy |
|---|
| 1 | Ray Price |
I've Got to Hurry, Hurry, Hurry |
1950-1952 (Warped 5000) |
|
| 2 | George Morgan |
In Your Eyes |
Warped 6365 – George Morgan – 1963 – 1964 |
|
| 3 | Dick Curless (With Kay Adams) |
Terrible Tangled Web |
A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD4 (1950-1969) |
|
| 4 | Dick Curless (With Kay Adams) |
Old Standby |
A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD4 (1950-1969) |
|
| 5 | Billy Walker |
Millie My Darling |
1949-1952 (Warped 4960) |
|
| 6 | Bonnie Owens |
How Can Our Cheatin' Be Wrong |
1968-1971 (Warped 6947) |
|
| 7 | Stonewall Jackson |
This World Holds Nothing (Since You're Gone) |
Warped 6742 – Stonewall Jackson – 1966-1967 |
|
| 8 | Carl Smith |
Please Come Back Home |
1950-1952 (Warped 5040) |
|
| 9 | Carl Butler |
Grief in My Heart |
1958-1963 (Warped 6025) |
|
| 10 | Carl Butler |
Baby I'm a Waitin' |
1958-1963 (Warped 6025) |
|
| 11 | Conway Twitty |
Let Me Be the Judge |
Warped 6224 – Conway Twitty – 1961 – 1962 |
|
| 12 | Don Gibson |
There She Goes (Let Her Go) |
Warped 6489 – Don Gibson – 1963 – 1965 |
|
| 13 | Tony Douglas |
Take The Hands Off The Clock |
Take The Hands Off The Clock – Single |
|
| 14 | Tony Douglas |
Portrait of a Fool |
The Versatile Tony Douglas |
|
| 15 | Leon Ashley |
Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) |
Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter |
|
| 16 | Jean Shepard |
Another (Just Like Me) |
Warped 6035 – Jean Shepard – 1960 – 1961 |
|
| 17 | Porter Wagoner |
(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle |
Warped 6653 – Porter Wagoner – 1966 – 1967 |
|
| 18 | Porter Wagoner |
Wine |
1967-1968 (Warped 6797) |
|
| 19 | Dolly Parton |
Gonna Hurry (As Slow As I Can) |
Dolly [Disc 1] |
|
| 20 | Dolly Parton |
It's Sure Gonna Hurt |
Dolly [Disc 1] |
|
| 21 | Norma Jean |
Meanwhile, Down at Joe's |
1965-1966 (Warped 6599) |
|
| 22 | Marty Robbins |
I'll Go On Alone |
The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982 |
|
| 23 | Marty Robbins |
You Don't Owe Me A Thing |
Singles, 1952 – 1956 |
|
| 24 | Stonewall Jackson |
I Wish I Could Fall in Love Today |
Warped 6742 – Stonewall Jackson – 1966-1967 |
|
| 25 | Ferlin Husky |
Lose Your Blues |
1949-1950 (Warped 498F) |
|
| 26 | Bobby Bare |
I'd Fight the World |
1962-1964 (Warped 6291) |
|
| 27 | Anita Carter |
Maybe |
Warped 5627 – Anita Carter – 1956 – 1962 |
|
| 28 | Carl Belew |
The End of Time |
1958-1961 (Warped 6051) |
|
| 29 | Jeanne Pruett |
Satin Sheets |
Country Ladies |
|
| 30 | The Browns |
A Little Too Much to Dream |
Classics 1964-1966 (Warped 6529) |
|
| 31 | John D. Loudermilk |
Rhythm and Blues |
Blue Train |
|
| 32 | Hank Snow |
The Boogie Woogie Flying Cloud |
The Chronogical Classics 1951-1952 (Warped 5244) |
|
| 33 | George Jones |
Oh Lonesome Me |
George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection |
|
| 34 | George Jones |
It's Been So Long |
George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection |
|
| 35 | Bonnie Owens |
Number One Heel |
Warped 6534 – Bonnie Owens – 1964 – 1966 |
|
| 36 | Tony Douglas |
State Trooper Sammy Young |
There Stands the Man – Single |
|
| 37 | Marty Robbins |
Call Me Up (And I'll Come Calling On You) |
Talking on the Telephone Vol. 2 |
|
| 38 | Willie Nelson |
Three Days |
Mr. Record Man – The Early Singles As & BS |
|
| 39 | Willie Nelson |
Darkness On The Face Of The Earth |
Crazy: The Demo Sessions |
|
Another free form musical delight is ready and waiting for your ears this coming Friday morning. We dig into some mid-century nuggets from the country genre with Red Foley and Ernest Tubb as well as Merle Haggard, Asleep at the Wheel and Joe Ely. That, of course, hardly covers the two hours. There’s also some hot rhythms from NRBQ, Daddy Cleanhead, Slim Harpo, Fats Domino and the sweet and brassy sounds from Billie Holiday, Johnny Mercer, and Babs Gonzales. Our new year won’t make promises but our hopes are all we’ve got, remembering that hate will never win if you don’t let it. There’s been wars fought for much less.
| No. | Artist |
Title |
Album |
Buy |
|---|
| 1 | The Jarmels |
A Little Bit of Soap |
Doo Wop Box, Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 1 |
|
| 2 | Freddy Cannon |
Abigail Beecher |
His Latest And Greatest |
|
| 3 | NRBQ |
A Little Bit Of Bad |
Message For The Mess Age |
|
| 4 | NRBQ |
Hot Biscuits and Sweet Marie |
Kick Me Hard |
|
| 5 | Bo Diddley |
Don't Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got) |
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best Of Bo Diddley |
|
| 6 | Slim Harpo |
Shake Your Hips |
The Excello Singles Anthology Disc 2 |
|
| 7 | Wanda Jackson |
Dona'a Wan'a |
Rockin' With Wanda [US Bonus Tracks] |
|
| 8 | Fats Domino |
I Can't Go On Rosalie |
The Fabulous Mr D |
|
| 9 | The 5 Royales |
I Got to Know |
The Complete Singles 1952-1962 |
|
| 10 | Irma Thomas |
Look Up (AKA Whenever) |
Soul Queen of New Orleans |
|
| 11 | The Marigolds |
Rollin' Stone |
The Best Of Excello Records |
|
| 12 | Dave Bartholemew |
The Monkey (Speaks His Mind) |
Theme Time Radio Hour – Season 3 – [Disc 1] |
|
| 13 | Daddy Cleanhead |
Something's Goin' On In My Room |
Bob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four [Disc 2] |
|
| 14 | Babs Gonzales |
Professor Bop |
The Best Of Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio Hour Vol 2 |
|
| 15 | Louis Jordan |
If You're So Smart, How Come You Ain't Rich? |
Jivin' With Jordan |
|
| 16 | The Mills Brothers |
Across The Alley From The Alamo |
The Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 1 |
|
| 17 | Asleep At The Wheel |
Across The Alley From The Alamo |
Tribute To The Music Of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys |
|
| 18 | Red Foley & Ernest Tubb |
Hobo Boogie |
Hillbilly Fever [Disc 3] |
|
| 19 | Bill Kirchen |
Down to Seeds and Stems Again |
Seeds and Stems |
|
| 20 | Iris DeMent |
Big City |
Tulare Dust: Tribute to Merle Haggard |
|
| 21 | Merle Haggard |
Silver Wings |
The Complete '60s Capitol Singles |
|
| 22 | Joe Ely |
Dallas |
The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection |
|
| 23 | Joe Ely |
Dam Of My Heart |
Time For Travelin' – The Best Of Joe Ely |
|
| 24 | Jorma Kaukonen |
Red River Blues |
Blue Country Heart |
|
| 25 | Arlo Guthrie |
The City Of New Orleans |
Hobo's Lullaby |
|
| 26 | Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars |
Havana Moon |
Levon Helm & The RCO All-Stars |
|
| 27 | Chuck Berry |
Havana Moon |
Johnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess Recordings |
|
| 28 | Bonnie Raitt/Was (Not Was) |
Baby Mine |
Stay Awake: Interpretations of Vintage Disney Films |
|
| 29 | Marlene Dietrich |
No Love, No Nothin' |
Theme Time Radio Hour With Your Host Bob Dylan – Season 3 [[Disc 2]] |
|
| 30 | Johnny Mercer |
Jamoboree Jones |
Songsmith From Savannah |
|
| 31 | Billie Holiday |
Trav'lin' Light |
Johnny Mercer (1909 – 1976) |
|
| 32 | Frank Sinatra |
I Got Plenty O' Nuttin' |
Bob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four [Disc 2] |
|
| 33 | The Five Royales |
Someone Made Me For You |
Dedicated To You |
|
| 34 | The Haden Triplets |
Pretty Baby |
The Family Songbook |
|
This week’s Deeper Roots, our first show of 2026, is most appropriately built for fresh starts and open horizons—a musical reset button for the soul. Our Friday morning journey will wind its way across gospel, folk, jazz, swing, and Americana, all tied together by the promise of new beginnings and the belief that tomorrow can be better than today. You’ll hear voices of resilience and joy including The Staple Singers, poetic reinvention from Bob Dylan, the irrepressible optimism and swing of Louis Prima, the elegant, forward-moving guitar lines of Herb Ellis, and the border-crossing storytelling of Carrie Rodriguez. Settle in as we welcome brand new days with music that lifts spirits, opens doors, and reminds us that hope is always worth tuning in for. And you can do just that this Friday morning on KOWS.
| No. | Artist |
Title |
Album |
Buy |
|---|
| 1 | Aretha Franklin |
A Change Is Gonna Come |
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You |
|
| 2 | Bruce Cockburn |
Sunrise on the Mississippi |
Dart to the Heart |
|
| 3 | Norah Jones |
Sunrise |
Feels Like Home |
|
| 4 | Louis Prima |
Until Sunrise |
Beepin' & Boppin' |
|
| 5 | Frankie Newton & Orchestra |
The World Is Waiting For The Sunrise |
Swing Is Here / Small-Band Swing 1935-1939 |
|
| 6 | The Midnight Minstrels |
There's a New Day Coming |
The Big Broadcast – Volume 5 |
|
| 7 | Herb Ellis |
Sunrise |
Down Home |
|
| 8 | Luther Dickinson |
Hurry up Sunrise |
Blues & Ballads (A Folksinger's Songbook) Volumes I & II |
|
| 9 | Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes |
Wake Up Everybody |
Sweet Soul Of The 70s: The Sounds Of Philedelphia Disc 1 |
|
| 10 | Keb' Mo' |
Wake Up Everybody |
Peace…Back By Popular Demand |
|
| 11 | Corinne Bailey Rae |
Put Your Records On |
2007 Grammy Nominees |
|
| 12 | Tracy Chapman |
New Beginning |
New Beginning |
|
| 13 | Ruthie Foster |
Brand New Day |
Promise of a Brand New Day |
|
| 14 | Esther Phillips With The Dixie Flyers |
Brand New Day (LP Version) |
Set Me Free |
|
| 15 | The Staple Singers |
Brand New Day |
The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles, Vol.2: 1968-1971 [Disc 6] |
|
| 16 | Jackie Lomax |
New Day |
Come And Get It – The Best Of Apple Records |
|
| 17 | Pete Seeger |
Keep Your Eyes On The Prize [Album Version] |
Pete Seeger: A Link In The Chain |
|
| 18 | Bruce Springsteen |
Eyes on the Prize |
We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions [DualDisc] Disc 1 |
|
| 19 | Mavis Staples |
Eyes On The Prize (Cd) |
We'll Never Turn Back |
|
| 20 | Carrie Rodriguez |
Eyes On The Prize |
Love and Circumstances |
|
| 21 | Flock Of Dimes |
Awake For The Sunrise |
Country Roots Oxford American Southern Music Issue Vol. 24 |
|
| 22 | Bob Dylan |
New Morning |
Chronicles, Vol. 1 |
|
| 23 | Florence + The Machine |
Dog Days Are Over |
Lungs |
|
| 24 | Carsie Blanton |
Hope |
After the Revolution |
|
| 25 | Dixie Chicks |
Wide Open Spaces |
Country: The American Tradition [Disc 2] |
|
| 26 | Elvis Presley |
There's a Brand New Day On the Horizon |
Elvis Double Features: Love in Las Vegas + Roustabout |
|
| 27 | Jackie DeShannon |
Put A Little Love In Your Heart |
It's My Party – The Great Girl Groups And Singers Of The 60's |
|
| 28 | Curtis Mayfield |
We Got To Have Peace |
The Very Best Of Curtis Mayfield |
|
A Century of America's Music