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.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1John PrineNine Pound HammerSweet Revenge197300:00
2The Louvin BrothersAre You Teasing MeCapitol Country Music Classics005:15
3Willie NelsonHouse Of GoldCountry Music201008:05
4The Grateful DeadOperatorAmerican Beauty197012:37
5Elvis PresleyThe Girl of My Best FriendArtist of the Century Disc 2199914:57
6Ral DonnerGirl Of My Best FriendAmerican Music Library: The Hits Of 1961196117:13
7The BandJemima SurrenderThe Band196919:21
8Johnny CashI Will Rock And Roll With YouThe Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2]197828:06
9Ivory Joe HunterYou Can't Stop This Rocking and RollingIvory Joe Hunter200530:49
10Chuck WillisCaldoniaRoots of Rock 'n' Roll:Rough and Rowdy Vol. 3195233:03
11The DebsWhaddaya WantRhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2200535:22
12VideosTrickle TrickleDoo Wop Box Disc 3199437:52
13Jackie WilsonThat's Why (I Love You So)7 Classic Albums195945:55
14The SheppardsElevator OperatorGolden Classics198947:54
15Howlin' WolfMy LifeSmokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960195649:26
16John Lee HookerOne Bourbon One Scotch One BeerThe Definitive Collection196652:23
17Dusty OwensHello OperatorTalking on the Telephone Vol. 2195355:16
18Freddy CannonBuzz Buzz-A-Diddle ItTalking on the Telephone Vol. 3196157:33
19Steve ForbertComplicationsJackrabbit Slim19791:05:20
20Steve GoodmanSomebody Else's TroublesSomebody Else's Troubles19991:08:59
21Jo-el SonnierCajun WomanThe Complete Mercury Sessions19921:12:40
22Lil' Band Of GoldCajun TwistAmericana Roots Songbook: Louisiana20021:15:12
23Skeets McDonaldThe Tattooed LadyDirty Boogie: The Fortune Records Story19501:19:20
24Sam CookeOut In The Cold AgainThe Rhythm And The Blues19611:25:03
25The Amazing Rhythm AcesAmazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song)Stacked Deck19751:27:26
26The Blind Boys of AlabamaAmazing GraceHear Music volume 601:30:41
27Edd PresnellAmazing GraceBluegrass Roots20031:34:59
28The Valiants and Sandy ValeSuntan TattooBanana Split for My Baby19591:36:39
29Eddie CochranHallelujah I Love Her SoThe London American Story – 196019591:38:41
30David Bromberg; Dr. JohnSuch a NightThe Last Waltz [Rhino Box Set] Disc 120021:40:58
31The Band(I Don't Want To Hang Up My) Rock 'N' Roll ShoesA Musical History [Disc 4]19711:45:37
32Randy NewmanI'm DifferentTrouble in Paradise19831:55:13
33Randy NewmanMaybe I'm Doin' It WrongSail Away19701:57:43

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.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1Louie InnisSing Your Song BabyHillbilly Bop 'n' Boogie: King/Federal Roots of Rockabilly 1944 – 56200200:10
2Tex WilliamsLet's Go RockabillyThe Hillbillies – They Tried to Rock Vol.2195705:28
3Johnny GarnerDidiDidiEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195807:30
4Lew WilliamsCat WalkEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195609:32
5Gene VincentCat ManBluejean Bop-And His Blue Caps011:40
6Sonny FisherPink And BlackClassic Rockabilly-Cool Cats & Hot Chicks195613:56
7Ronnie SelfRocky Road Blues100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks201015:53
8Ronnie DawsonAction PackedRockin' Bones: The Legendary Masters [Disc 1]024:29
9The StrikesIf You Can't Rock MeEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195726:36
10Bob LumanMake Up Your MindEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195729:03
11Dave RichRed SweaterGrady Martin195731:29
12Laura Lee PerkinsI Just Don't Like This Kind Of Lovin'Essential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195833:40
13Dave RichBurn On Love FireCountry & Western Nuggets195835:27
14Sid King & The Five StringsGonna Shake This Shack Tonight100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks201037:15
15Wanda JacksonWhole Lotta Shakin' Goin' OnQueen Of Rockabilly196445:25
16Ricky NelsonStood UpEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story195748:05
17Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll TrioPlease Don't Leave MeTear It Up195649:53
18Roy DukeBehave Be Quiet Or Be Gone100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks201052:05
19The Collins KidsI'm In My Teens100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks201054:05
20Billy & Don HartRock-A-Bop-A-Lina100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks201056:20
21Johnny HortonI'm Coming HomeAmerican Originals19561:02:45
22Johnny HortonHonky Tonk Mind (The Woman I Need)100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks20101:04:48
23Jerry Lee LewisReal Wild Child (Wild One)A Half Century Of Hits [Disc 1]19581:06:58
24Warren SmithGot Love If You Want ItThe Best of Sun Rockabilly Vol. 219581:08:49
25Sonny BurgessItchyThe Best of Sun Rockabilly Vol. 219991:10:53
26Johnny CashRockabilly Blues (Texas 1955)The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 Disc 319921:13:09
27Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll TrioHoney HushTear It Up19561:16:26
28Carl PerkinsHamboneGrady Martin19621:22:33
29Carl PerkinsWhere The Rio De Rosa Flows100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks20101:24:51
30Charlie FeathersMatchboxGood Rockin' Tonight01:27:51
31Tommy BlakeYou Better Believe ItSun Rockabilly Meltdown [Disc 2]20091:30:20
32Tommy BlakeYou Better Believe ItKoolit: The Sun Years Plus19581:32:05
33Unknown Rockabilly BandZynnin'Boppin' By The Bayou – Baby Dolls & Drive-Ins01:34:36
34Conway TwittyI Vibrate (From My Head to My Feet)The Rock 'N' Roll Years CD219971:36:03
35Conway TwittyDon't Cry No MoreGrady Martin19631:38:03
36Mac CurtisGrandaddy's Rockin'Classic Rockabilly19561:40:33
37Skeets McDonaldYou Oughta See Grandma RockClassic Rockabilly19561:42:31
38Gene HensleeRockin BabyEssential Rockabilly The Imperial Story19541:44:27
39Johnny Burnette Rock n Roll TrioYour Baby Blue EyesTear It Up19561:46:25
40Joe ClayDucktailClassic Rockabilly-Cool Cats & Hot Chicks19561:53:26
41Johnny BurnetteDo Baby DoThe Train Kept a-Rollin' Memphis to Hollywood – CD201:55:50
42The Collins KidsWhistle Bait100 Rare '50s Rockabilly Tracks20261:57:33

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.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1Elvis PresleyElvis [Excerpt From Interview Held Sept.22 1958]Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 1195800:00
2Pat SmithElvis ElvisGals of the Big D Jamboree195800:25
3Billy BoyleMy Baby's Crazy 'Bout ElvisThe Greatest Novelty Songs196205:31
4Nervous NorvusElvis You're A G.I. NowStone Age Woo195808:03
5Bobby BareAll American BoyAll American Boy – CD 1196310:14
6The Hunt SistersElvis Is Rocking AgainDirty Boogie:The Fortune Records Story196013:09
7Janis MartinMy Boy ElvisLoud Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1199914:40
8George JonesThe King Is Gone (So Are You)One Woman Man198923:33
9Steve GoodmanElvis ImitatorsArtistic Hair198326:47
10Syd Straw & The Del LordsListening To Elvis200 Cadillacs200329:36
11Horace LoganAnnouncements (& Elvis Has Left the Building)At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight (Disc 7)201733:19
12Gillian WelchElvis Presley BluesArtist's Choice: Emmylou Harris033:52
13Dan ReederClean ElvisOh Boy! A Sampler043:56
14Cris CuddyDear ElvisDear Elvis201546:31
15Greg BrownJesus and ElvisPoet Game199449:49
16John StewartI Want To Be ElvisHavana200353:17
17Loudon Wainwright IIIHappy Birthday ElvisCareer Moves199356:39
18Leon RussellElvis and MarilynAmericana19781:00:37
19Sonny BurgessBigger Than ElvisSonny Burgess19961:09:05
20Stray CatsElvis on VelvetRunaway Boys: A Retrospective '81-'9219971:11:43
21Mojo NixonElvis Is EverywhereBo-Day-Shus!!!19861:15:59
22DerailersI Love Me Some ElvisGenuine20031:20:50
23Hayes CarllJesus and ElvisWhat It Is20191:27:07
24The TractorsThe Elvis ThingFarmers in a Changing World19981:30:25
25Alannah MylesBlack VelvetThe Atlantic Story [UK] Disc 201:35:42
26Kacey MusgravesVelvet ElvisGolden Hour20181:39:38
27Marc CohnWalking in MemphisVH1 Classic: The Cuts20031:42:07
28Paul SimonGracelandGraceland19861:46:11
29Cowboy JunkiesBlue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis)The Trinity Session19881:54:27

Tears On The Vinyl

They say that tears are the safety valve of the heart when too much pressure is laid on it. Whether they are shed in the dark of a midnight heartbreak, the overwhelming light of a spiritual awakening, or the quiet ache of a memory that just won’t fade, these tiny drops of salt water carry the weight of our history. Today, we’re tracing those trails down the cheeks of American music. with a show whose theme is ‘tears’.  We’ve got two hours of the lonesome, the joyful, and the broken-hearted. Featured artists include Etta James, Mac Wiseman, Big Maybelle, Faron Young and The Pilgrim Travelers, spanning the past century of America’s music from the mid-1930s to a cover of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s Ocean of Tears from 2019. We’ll experience tears that take us from remorse to pure joy and pleasant surprise full circle to tears brought on by physical pain. So pull up a chair, settle in, and let’s let the music do the weeping for us.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1Little Anthony & The ImperialsTears on My PillowThe Best of Little Anthony & The Imperials195800:00
2Chuck JacksonTears Of JoyThe Very Best Of Chuck Jackson 1961-1967196305:35
3Gladys Knight & The PipsLetter Full Of TearsSoul Grooves200208:13
4Tammi TerrellTears At The End Of A Love AffairCome On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection196910:52
5Smokey Robinson & the MiraclesTears of a ClownMotown: The Classic Years Disc 2197013:48
6Johnny RiversThe Tracks of My TearsGreatest Hits [Capitol]196716:45
7Etta JamesTears Of JoyThe Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1195624:59
8Bonnie RaittRiver Of TearsGreen Light198227:25
9Big MaybelleOcean Of TearsThe Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-'55195532:10
10Pee Wee CraytonEyes Full Of TearsPee Wee's Blues – The Complete Aladdin And Imperial Recordings195434:37
11Ray CharlesDrown in My Own TearsPure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) (1 of 8)195936:42
12The Jackson SouthernairesNo Tears in HeavenGreat Gospel – No Tears in Heaven200444:04
13The Pilgrim TravelersGod Shall Wipe All Tears AwayGood News Vol. 4: Glory Glory Hallelujah194949:10
14The Staple SingersI Can't Help From Cryin' SometimeGreat Day196251:27
15Robert Plant and The Soweto Gospel ChoirValley Of TearsGoin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino [Disc 2]200753:43
16Jean ShepardCrying Holy24 Greatest Gospel Hits200955:51
17Bad LiversCrying Holy Unto The LordDust On The Bible199857:52
18Mac WisemanCrying Heart BluesGrassroots To Bluegrass19901:07:57
19Country GentlemenSilence or TearsWarped 6119 – Country Gentlemen – 196119611:10:20
20David Grisman; Emory Gordy; Herb Pedersen; Jim Buchanan; Vince GillThe Children Are CryingHere Today19821:12:56
21Dolly PartonEndless Stream of TearsThe Grass Is Blue19991:15:28
22Faron YoungTrail Of TearsHello Walls / The Young Approach19611:18:01
23Dick CurlessTears Instead of CheersA Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD6 (1950-1969)19961:20:10
24Tennessee Ernie FordOcean Of TearsThe History Of Country & Western Music (Disc 20)01:24:50
25JP HarrisOcean of Tears (feat. Miss Tess)Why Don't We Duet in the Road (Again) – EP20191:27:23
26Skeets McDonaldCurtain Of TearsSkeets McDonald – One Classic Album & Singles Collection19521:29:57
27Ray CampiCurtain Of TearsCountry Boy's Dream19881:32:17
28Ella FitzgeraldCrying My Heart Out For YouCryin' Mood19391:36:02
29Anita O'DayAnd Her Tears Flowed Like WineSentimental Journey: Great Ladies of Song19441:39:08
30Dinah WashingtonYou're Crying (from The Swingin' Miss D)Dinah Washington: Eight Classic Albums19561:42:12
31Chris ConnorTime Out For TearsWarm Cool: The Atlantic Years [Disc 1]19991:45:39
32Dinah ShoreLaughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)Your Hit Parade: 194619461:48:18
33Lula ReedI'll Drown In My Own TearsBob Dylan's Theme Time Radio19511:53:57
34Johnny RayCryColumbia Records 125th Anniversary19511:56:47

Backbeat ’50

It’s a 1950 heatwave of rhythm and blues sounds this morning on Deeper Roots. We’ll move away from anything that might be polite or polished and turn our attention to the sweat-soaked, neon-lit world of rhythm and blues, a sound that was the early morning thunder and lightning just ahead of the dawn of rock ‘n roll. We’re focusing on the year 1950 where jump blues started to grow teeth — where the saxophones were honking, the backbeats hitting harder, and indie labels from Memphis to LA were capturing lightning in a bottle. From the smoky corners of the Delta to the high voltage clubs of the North, we’re digging deep into the crates for the some pounding rhythms from Dave Bartholomew, Julia Lee, Bull Moose Jackson, Jimmy McCracklin as well as Buddy and Ella Johnson…oh, and some Tiny Bradshaw’s Breaking Up The House. As Chuck Berry pointed out: “…it’s got a backbeat, you can’t lose it, any old time you use it”.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumYearStart At
1Sister Wynona CarrDon't Miss That TrainDragnet For Jesus195000:00
2Buddy & Ella JohnsonWalk the Chalk LineRhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2 [Disc 7]195005:22
3Ella JohnsonNo More LoveVoodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females195007:56
4Jimmy McCracklinRockin? All Day (a/k/a Rockin? and Reelin?)Electric Blues?Part 1: Beginnings 1939-1954195010:56
5Bull Moose JacksonBig Fat Mamas Are Back In Style AgainBull Moose Jackson 1947-1950195013:34
6Cleo BrownRoll It BoogieBoogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57195015:54
7Eunice DavisRock Little DaddyBoogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57195025:17
8Austin McCoyHappy Pay Day Part 1More Mellow Cats & Kittens195027:46
9Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra w/Myra JohnsonSilent GeorgeRisque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B195030:56
10Jewel King3×7=21Get Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 3195033:32
11Jewel KingI Broke My Mother's RuleGettin' Funky [Disc 4]195036:04
12Julia LeeCan't Get Enough Of That StuffKansas City Star [Disc 5]195038:17
13Violet HallHe's An Ivory Beating Baby (On The Baby Grand)Boogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57195041:16
14Johnnie BrownI'm Gonna Stop (Foolin' Around)Jumpin' The Blues:MCA Label(ACE CD)195048:49
15Tiny BradshawBreaking Up the HouseBreaking Up the House [Disc 2]195051:12
16Tiny BradshawWell Oh WellBreaking Up the House [Disc 2]195053:51
17Wynonie HarrisI Want To Love You BabyAll She Wants To Do Is Rock195056:29
18Dave BartholomewAin't Gonna Do It (Rest Of My Life)Gettin' Funky [Disc 2]195059:21
19Connie JordanI'm Gonna Rock (Till My Rocker Breaks Down)Jumpin' The Blues:MCA Label(ACE CD)19501:07:07
20Ruth BrownI'll Wait For YouMiss Rhythm Greatest Hits And More Disc 119501:09:52
21Ivory Joe HunterWe're Going to BoogieRhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 13]19501:12:25
22King PerryEverything's Gonna Be Alright TonightVarious Artists: Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2/[Disc 1]19501:15:25
23Gene PhillipsWomen Women WomenHot R&B and Cool Blues 1946-5219501:17:46
24Erline HarrisJump And ShoutGet Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 319501:20:35
25Percy MayfieldStrange Things HappeningPoet of the Blues19501:25:26
26The RobinsIf It's SoThe Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin'19501:28:12
27The DominoesChicken BluesThe Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin'19501:31:14
28H-Bomb FergusonRock H-Bomb RockStompin' 1419501:34:02
29Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty MenLove Don't Love NobodyOriginal Blues/Greatest Hits19501:36:10
30Little Esther & Mel Walker w; Johnny Otis OrchestraCupid's BoogieRoots of Rock 'n' Roll – Rough and Rowdy Vol. 319501:38:51
31The RavensMy Baby's GoneOKeh Rhythm & Blues19501:41:24
32The Three RiffsCherry In My Lemon And LimeHot Harmony Groups 1932-1951: Vol 1: That's the Rhythm19501:44:09
33Harry Van WallsTee-nah-nahAtlantic Rhythm & Blues: 1947-1974 [Disc 1]19501:46:34
34Fats DominoHey La Bas BoogieGettin' Funky [Disc 3] – The Hitmakers19501:53:53
35Fats DominoThe Fat ManGettin' Funky [Disc 3] – The Hitmakers19501:56:14