Category Archives: Early Rock

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Jazz, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Urban Blues

Heartland R&B

June 28, 2026 Dave

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.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Ivory Joe Hunter	I Got Your Water On	The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950	1949	00:00
2	Jimmie Lunceford & His Orchestra	Harlem Shout	Swingsation: Jimmie Lunceford	1998	05:56
3	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Intro 1	Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3]	1945	08:47
4	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Three Bones	Big Band Jazz Jubilee Sessions [Disc 3]	1945	10:01
5	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	Shout Sister Shout	Shout Sister Shout [[Disc 1]] The Original Soul Sister	1941	19:00
6	Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe	Trouble in Mind	The Gospel of Blues	2003	21:40
7	Lucky Millinder; Sister Rosetta Tharpe	I Want a Tall Skinny Papa	The Gospel of Blues	2003	24:05
8	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra w/Myra Johnson	Silent George	Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B	1950	26:54
9	Wynonie Harris; Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra	Teardrops From My Eyes	All She Wants To Do Is Rock	1950	29:29
10	Wynonie Harris	Hard Ridin? Mama	Playful Baby	1947	37:12
11	Wynonie Harris	I Don't Know Where to Go	Women Whiskey & Fish Tails	0	39:42
12	Eddie Durham	Swingin' the Blues	King Cole Trio: Legendary 1941-44 Broadcast Transcriptions (The)	2011	41:57
13	Count Basie	Topsy	Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie	1937	43:57
14	Count Basie	Swingin' The Blues	Ken Burns Jazz: Count Basie	1938	47:07
15	Joe Liggins	Daddy on My Mind	Joe Liggins 1948-1950	1950	53:54
16	Joe Liggins	Rag Mop	The Chronological Joe Liggins 1948 – 1950	1950	56:35
17	Bull Moose Jackson	Shorty's Got To Go	Bad Man Jackson	1946	59:56
18	Bull Moose Jackson	If You Ain't Lovin' (You Ain't Livin')	Badman Jackson Thats Me	1955	1:02:35
19	Bull Moose Jackson	Why Don't You Haul Off and Love Me	Badman Jackson Thats Me	1949	1:04:57
20	Big Jay McNeely & His Blue Jays	Deacon's Hop	Jump Jive & Swing	1948	1:13:30
21	Big Jay McNeely	All That Wine Is Gone	Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' [Disc 1]	1951	1:16:16
22	Big Mcneely Jay	Willie And The Cool Cat	Swing-O-Rama : Beautiful Babies	1949	1:19:08
23	The Swallows	It Ain't the Meat	Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2	2005	1:21:50
24	Tiny Bradshaw	The Train Kept A-Rollin'	Sentimental Journey	1951	1:26:26
25	Tiny Bradshaw	Intro 2	Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions	1944	1:29:08
26	Tiny Bradshaw	It's Sand Man	Big Band Jazz: The Jubilee Sessions	1944	1:29:26
27	Freddie Slack & His Orchestra w; T-Bone Walker	Rifette	R&B Jukebox Hits 1943	1943	1:32:05
28	Freddie Slack With The Will Bradley Trio	Down The Road A Piece	Juke Joint Jump: A Boogie Woogie Celebration	1940	1:35:05
29	Ivory Joe Hunter	Stop Rockin' That Train	The Chronological Ivory Joe Hunter : 1947 – 1950	1947	1:38:09
30	Earl Bostic	Flamingo	Artist's Choice: Rolling Stones	1946	1:40:52
31	Earl Bostic	Always	The E.P. Collection	1999	1:43:31
32	Big Joe Turner	Sun Risin' Blues	Big Bad & Blue: Anthology [Disc 1]	1940	1:46:26
33	The Cab Calloway Orchestra	Cab Calloway Introducing Illinois Jacquet	Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973	1973	1:54:40
34	The Cab Calloway Orchestra w; Illinois Jacqauet	Jumpin' Jacquet	Carnegie Hall 7/6/1973	1973	1:54:58

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Soul

Let’s Do It!

June 13, 2026 Dave

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.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	The Four Blazes	Do The Do	Mary Jo	1954	00:00
2	Howlin' Wolf	Do The Do	Muddy & The Wolf	1969	05:13
3	Mabel Franklin	Let's Do The Wiggle	Stompin' 2	1965	07:22
4	Lightnin' Hopkins	Do The Boogie	Lightnin' Sam Hopkins	1962	09:37
5	B.B. King	Let's Do the Boogie	Do the Boogie! B.B. King's Early '50s Classics	1994	14:00
6	Rufus Thomas	Can Your Monkey Do the Dog	The Complete Stax-Volt Singles 1959-1968 (3 of 9)	1964	16:23
7	Rufus Thomas	(Do the) Push and Pull (Part 1)	Stax Number Ones	2010	18:44
8	Junior Walker & The All Stars	Do The Boomerang	The Ultimate Collection	1965	27:55
9	Sugar Pie DeSanto	Do The Whoopie	Brunswick Lost Soul – Volume 1	1967	30:13
10	Sugar Sweet	Do the Dive	Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 12]	1963	32:36
11	Dee Dee Sharp	Do The Bird	Girls Of Rock & Roll	0	34:56
12	Bobby Dunn	Do The Bobby Dunn	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	2015	37:08
13	The Olympics	Baby Do The Philly Dog	Northern Soul Originals	1999	40:15
14	Jackie Lee	Do The Temptation Walk	All Nighter Hits	0	47:19
15	Dave Baby Cortez	Do the Slop	Happy Organs Wild Guitars	1994	49:46
16	Little Joe Cook	Let's Do the Slop	Peanuts and Other Delicacies: The Little Joe Cook Story (1951-1962)	1956	52:58
17	March Wind	Do The Sweetback	Stax 50th Anniversary Collection [Disc 3]	1994	55:21
18	The Matta Baby	Do the Pearl Girl (Part 2)	All Night Long: Northern Soul Floor Fillers	2016	58:34
19	The 5 Royales	Do the Cha Cha Cherry	The Complete Singles 1952-1962	1958	1:05:58
20	The Hilltoppers	Do The Bop	Chills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962	1955	1:08:10
21	Isaac Clark	Do The Dog Funk	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	2015	1:10:16
22	Rosco Gordon	Do The Chicken (Dance With You)	Rockin' Memphis [Disc 1]	1956	1:13:14
23	The Isley Brothers	Do The Twist [Remastered 1991]	Complete United Artists Sessions	1963	1:15:45
24	The Staple Singers	Do The Cissy [Stingers]	The Complete Stax/Volt Soul Singles Vol. 2: 1968-1971 [Disc 2]	1969	1:18:27
25	The Meters	Do The Dirt	Cabbage Alley	1972	1:21:12
26	Bill Doggett	Lets Do The Continetal	New Discgems From Warner Brothers	1961	1:27:21
27	The Dovells	Do the New Continental	Cameo Parkway 1957-1967 Disc 2	2005	1:30:00
28	Fox Hall	Do The Rock And Roll	Sugar Jump	2019	1:32:36
29	Johnny Thunder	Everybody Do The Sloopy	The Very Best Of Johnny Thunder	1965	1:35:11
30	Bobby Freeman	(I Do The) Shimmy Shimmy	American Music Library: The Hits Of 1960	1960	1:37:49
31	Gary U.S. Bonds	Do The Bumpsie	Gary U.S Bonds – 30 Original Greatest Hits	1965	1:40:19
32	Chubby Checker	Do The Freddy	Classic Rock 1965	1965	1:42:43
33	Little Bobby Moore	Do The Ginger Snap	The King Records Story Part2	1962	1:44:56
34	Randy & the Rockets	Lets Do the Cajun Twist	Swamp Gold Volume 1	1991	1:47:33
35	Dee Dee Sharp	Mashed Potato Time	Rare Soul: Groove & Grind 1963-1973 [Disc 4]	1967	1:54:15
36	Chubby Checker	Let's Twist Again	Oldies But Goodies	2022	1:56:44

Americana, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rockabilly

Rockabilly Shakin’ Goin’ On

May 22, 2026 Dave

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

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Jazz, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Theme Time, Urban Blues

Backbeat ’50

May 2, 2026 Dave

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.	Artist	Title	Album	Year	Start At
1	Sister Wynona Carr	Don't Miss That Train	Dragnet For Jesus	1950	00:00
2	Buddy & Ella Johnson	Walk the Chalk Line	Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2 [Disc 7]	1950	05:22
3	Ella Johnson	No More Love	Voodoo Voodoo: Feisty Fifties Females	1950	07:56
4	Jimmy McCracklin	Rockin? All Day (a/k/a Rockin? and Reelin?)	Electric Blues?Part 1: Beginnings 1939-1954	1950	10:56
5	Bull Moose Jackson	Big Fat Mamas Are Back In Style Again	Bull Moose Jackson 1947-1950	1950	13:34
6	Cleo Brown	Roll It Boogie	Boogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57	1950	15:54
7	Eunice Davis	Rock Little Daddy	Boogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57	1950	25:17
8	Austin McCoy	Happy Pay Day Part 1	More Mellow Cats & Kittens	1950	27:46
9	Lucky Millinder & His Orchestra w/Myra Johnson	Silent George	Risque Rhythm: Nasty 50s R&B	1950	30:56
10	Jewel King	3×7=21	Get Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 3	1950	33:32
11	Jewel King	I Broke My Mother's Rule	Gettin' Funky [Disc 4]	1950	36:04
12	Julia Lee	Can't Get Enough Of That Stuff	Kansas City Star [Disc 5]	1950	38:17
13	Violet Hall	He's An Ivory Beating Baby (On The Baby Grand)	Boogie Woogie Gals – 1939-57	1950	41:16
14	Johnnie Brown	I'm Gonna Stop (Foolin' Around)	Jumpin' The Blues:MCA Label(ACE CD)	1950	48:49
15	Tiny Bradshaw	Breaking Up the House	Breaking Up the House [Disc 2]	1950	51:12
16	Tiny Bradshaw	Well Oh Well	Breaking Up the House [Disc 2]	1950	53:51
17	Wynonie Harris	I Want To Love You Baby	All She Wants To Do Is Rock	1950	56:29
18	Dave Bartholomew	Ain't Gonna Do It (Rest Of My Life)	Gettin' Funky [Disc 2]	1950	59:21
19	Connie Jordan	I'm Gonna Rock (Till My Rocker Breaks Down)	Jumpin' The Blues:MCA Label(ACE CD)	1950	1:07:07
20	Ruth Brown	I'll Wait For You	Miss Rhythm Greatest Hits And More Disc 1	1950	1:09:52
21	Ivory Joe Hunter	We're Going to Boogie	Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll Vol 2 [Disc 13]	1950	1:12:25
22	King Perry	Everything's Gonna Be Alright Tonight	Various Artists: Rhythm & Blues Goes Rock & Roll/Volume 2/[Disc 1]	1950	1:15:25
23	Gene Phillips	Women Women Women	Hot R&B and Cool Blues 1946-52	1950	1:17:46
24	Erline Harris	Jump And Shout	Get Hot Sleazy Rhythm & Blues Vol. 3	1950	1:20:35
25	Percy Mayfield	Strange Things Happening	Poet of the Blues	1950	1:25:26
26	The Robins	If It's So	The Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin'	1950	1:28:12
27	The Dominoes	Chicken Blues	The Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin'	1950	1:31:14
28	H-Bomb Ferguson	Rock H-Bomb Rock	Stompin' 14	1950	1:34:02
29	Roy Brown & His Mighty Mighty Men	Love Don't Love Nobody	Original Blues/Greatest Hits	1950	1:36:10
30	Little Esther & Mel Walker w; Johnny Otis Orchestra	Cupid's Boogie	Roots of Rock 'n' Roll – Rough and Rowdy Vol. 3	1950	1:38:51
31	The Ravens	My Baby's Gone	OKeh Rhythm & Blues	1950	1:41:24
32	The Three Riffs	Cherry In My Lemon And Lime	Hot Harmony Groups 1932-1951: Vol 1: That's the Rhythm	1950	1:44:09
33	Harry Van Walls	Tee-nah-nah	Atlantic Rhythm & Blues: 1947-1974 [Disc 1]	1950	1:46:34
34	Fats Domino	Hey La Bas Boogie	Gettin' Funky [Disc 3] – The Hitmakers	1950	1:53:53
35	Fats Domino	The Fat Man	Gettin' Funky [Disc 3] – The Hitmakers	1950	1:56:14

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock

Berry Covers

April 3, 2026 Dave

This week’s episode finds the heart of rock ‘n roll; that recipe of a rhythm and blues with just the right pinch of just about everything else. Chuck Berry’s legacy stands as one of the most important stories in rock ‘n roll’s 75 or so years. His music, particularly in those early years, was covered ad nauseum but it was always done best in an artist’s own voice. Why? Because the music speaks for itself. We’ll share music from Sleepy Labeef to Nina Simone, Linda Ronstadt to Peter Gammons (!), and Conway Twitty to the late, great John Hammond. Covers include You Never Can Tell, Sweet Little Sixteen, Nadine, and No Money down with another dozen, all honoring the King (or is it the Prime Minister) of Rock ‘n Roll whose 100th birthday will be celebrated later this year.

No.	Artist	Title
1	Aaron Neville	You Never Can Tell
2	Peter Gammons	Carol
3	Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers	Around and Around (Live at the Fillmore 1997)
4	Nina Simone	Brown Eyed Handsome Man
5	Lyle Lovett	Brown Eyed Handsome Man
6	Elvis Presley	Maybelline
7	Marty Robbins	Maybelline
8	Hard Working Americans	School Day (Ring! Ring! Goes The Bell)
9	Elvis Presley	Memphis Tennessee
10	George Benson	Memphis Tennessee
11	Angela Strehli	You Never Can Tell
12	Emmylou Harris	You Never Can Tell
13	George Thorogood & The Destroyers	No Particular Place To Go
14	Jerry Lee Lewis	Roll Over Beethoven
15	Sleepy Labeef	Roll Over Beethoven
16	Buck Owens	Johnny B. Goode
17	Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers	Johnny B. Goode (Live at the Fillmore 1997)
18	Arlen Roth	Sweet Little Sixteen
19	Jerry Lee Lewis; Ringo Starr	Sweet Little Sixteen
20	Ronnie Wood with his Wild Five	Rock 'n' Roll Music (featuring Imelda May)
21	Linda Ronstadt	Back In The U.S.A.
22	Reckless Kelly	Back In the USA
23	Kevin Russell	Nadine
24	John Hammond	Nadine
25	John Hammond	No Money Down
26	Duane Allman	No Money Down
27	Conway Twitty	Reelin' and Rockin'
28	Johnnie Allan	Promised Land
29	The Band	Promised Land
30	Ronnie Hawkins & The Hawks	Thirty Days
31	Jeff Lynne	Let It Rock
32	Dion	Sweet Little Rock and Roller (Album)

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Theme Time

The Hijacked Jukebox

March 7, 2026 Dave

Join Dave Stroud for a look at a fascinating, if somewhat cringey, slice of music history, where white cover versions of black R&B nuggets were whitewashed across the pop charts in the 1950s. While the ‘cover version’ was a standard industry practice, so were the ‘sanitized’ versions of R&B hits by black artists that made them more ‘palatable’ for white radio audiences, spotlighting white artists while the original creators stayed in the shadows. It’s certainly something that could be the topic of numerous Deeper Roots episodes but we’ll limit our scope to a two hour exploration, measuring the original against the cover. On one side of the house we’ll hear from Fats Domino (a popular source for the practic), Big Joe Turner, The Moonglows and a handful of others. The other side of the house has the names of Pat Boone, Art Mooney, The Fontane Sisters and others among the dubious roster ‘favorites’. Radio and media helped to democratize the landscape but today’s parallels with the frothing ‘look over thereness’ of right wing hate is unmistakable and hard to ignore. It was George Santayana who observed that “those who do not learn from history, are bound to repeat it.“

No.	Artist	Title	Album
1	The Fontane Sisters	Hearts Of Stone	Vintage Music " Vols 3 & 4
2	The Jewels	Hearts of Stone	Doo Wop Box Disc 1
3	The Fontane Sisters	Rock Love	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
4	Lula Reed	Rock Love	Rhythm & Western Volume 4 – I Hang My Head and Cry
5	Eileen Barton	Fujiyama Mama	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
6	Annisteen Allen	Fujiyama Mama	From the Ghetto
7	The Crew Cuts	Sh-Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)	Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2)
8	The Chords	Sh-Boom	Glory Days Of Rock 'N' Roll: Doo-Wop [Disc 1]
9	The McGuire Sisters	Sincerely	Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2)
10	The Moonglows	Sincerely	Pure R&B: Vol. 1- Got My Mojo Workin [Disc 2]
11	The Crew Cuts	Don't Be Angry	High School Favorites
12	Nappy Brown	Don't Be Angry [1955 Version]	Down In The Alley – The Complete Savoy Singles A's & B's
13	The Fontane Sisters	Please Don't Leave Me	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.3
14	Fats Domino	Please Don't Leave Me	Rock And Rollin
15	Pat Boone	The Fat Man	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
16	Fats Domino	The Fat Man	Martin Scorsese Presents The Blues: Piano Blues – A Film By Clint Eastwood
17	Pat Boone	Long Tall Sally	The London American Story Disc 1
18	Little Richard	Long Tall Sally	Specialty Profiles: Larry Williams
19	Art Mooney	Tutti Frutti	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
20	Little Richard	Tutti Frutti	Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3
21	Johnnie Ray	Flip Flop And Fly	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
22	Big Joe Turner	Flip Flop And Fly	Big Joe Turner: The Definitive Blues Collection [[Disc 2]]
23	Bill Haley & His Comets	Shake, Rattle and Roll	From The Original Master Tapes
24	Big Joe Turner	Shake, Rattle & Roll	Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1
25	Teresa Brewer	Tweedle Dee	The Best Of Teresa Brewer
26	LaVern Baker	Tweedlee Dee	Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 2]
27	Gale Storm	Why Do Fools Fall in Love	The London American Story Disc 1
28	Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers	Why Do Fools Fall in Love	Gems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1
29	Georgia Gibbs	Dance With Me Henry	Georgia Gibbs Greatest Hits
30	Etta James	The Wallflower	The Best of Etta James [EMI-Capitol Special Markets]
31	Jean Dinning	Bo Diddley	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
32	Bo Diddley	Bo Diddley	Pure R&B: Vol. 2- Somethings Got a Hold on Me [Disc 2]
33	The Hilltoppers	Teardrops From My Eyes	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
34	Ruth Brown	Teardrops From My Eyes	Ruth Brown: The Definitive Soul Collection [[Disc 1]]
35	Jaye P Morgan	Baby Don't Do It	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.3
36	The 5 Royales	Baby Don't Do It	The Complete Singles 1952-1962
37	Perry Como	Ko Ko Mo	They Tried To Rock – The Popsters Vol.4
38	The Flamingos	Ko Ko Mo	The Best Of The Flamingos
39	Ricky Nelson	I'm Walkin'	Legacy [Disc 1]

Americana, Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Theme Time

Party Goin’ On

February 21, 2026 Dave

Spring’s just around the corner but we’re all holding out with rain, wind and more California sunshine in our forecast until then. Don’t you think that this might call for a party? Well, some of us do and we’re going to mix up the country with the blues, the rock with the rockabilly, and the brassy with the sass as we prepare for the holiday known as President’s Day. I suppose the toddler in the basement wants that named after him, too. Can someone explain the rules of common decency and sense to President McFuddlepants? Please. I beg of you. We’ll leave him out of the party today, though, as we hang in there with a delicious spread of the very best music from the past century, including Mitty Collier, Dr. John, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, John Fogerty and Elvin Bishop. We’ll also hear from a local favorite, Doug Blumer and The Bohemian Highway, with a reminder that “The Party’s At Our House”.

No.	Artist	Title	Album
1	Marty Stuart and His Fabulous Superlatives	Sad House Big Party	Saturday Night / Sunday Morning
2	Roque Baños	Party at the Restaurant	Sexy Beast
3	Dr. John	Party Hellfire	The Best Of The Parlophone Years
4	Amos Milburn	House Party (Tonight)	Amos Milburn Rocks
5	Amos Milburn	Let's Have A Party	ABC Of The Blues Vol 30
6	Hugo and Luigi	Rockabilly Party	The Forgotten 45s 1957-1959 (CD1)
7	Eddy "The Chief" Clearwater	Party at My House	Mean Case of the Blues
8	Jesse Allen	Let's Party	Stompin' 34
9	Sam Cooke	Having A Party	100 Northern Soul Classics
10	Mink DeVille	Party Girls	Cabretta
11	Helena Ferguson	Where Is The Party	Dave Godin's Deep Soul Treasures – Vol. 5
12	Claudine Clark	Party Lights	The Best Of The Girl Groups, Vol. 1
13	Tammi Terrell	Two Can Have A Party	Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection
14	Mitty Collier	My Party	Talking With Her Man: The Chess Singles 1961-1968
15	Lesley Gore	It's My Party	20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection: The Best of Lesley Gore
16	Charlie Wilson & His Hayloft Gang	The Beer Party (1933)	Work Hard, Play Hard, Pray Hard: Hard Time, Good Time, And End Time Music, 1923-1936
17	Dale Watson	Pity Party	The Best of the HighTone Years
18	Don Gibson	Give Myself A Party	The Complete Recordings 1952-1962
19	Doug Blumer And The Bohemian Highway	The Party's At Our House	Doug Blumer And The Bohemian Highway
20	Charline Arthur	I'm Having A Party All By Myself	Welcome To The Club
21	Wanda Jackson	There's A Party Going On	There's A Party Goin' On
22	Elvin Bishop	Party Till The Cows Come Home	Tulsa Shuffle
23	Whitney Rose	The Last Party	Heartbreaker of the Year
24	Merle Haggard	Goin' Away Party	Unforgettable
25	Rosanne Cash	I Don't Want To Spoil The Party	Hits: 1979-1989
26	Porter Wagoner	The Party & Dolly Parton	1967-1968 (Warped 6797)
27	John Fogerty	Garden Party (With Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmidt)	The Blue Ridge Rangers Rides Again
28	Charlie Faye & The Fayettes	You Gotta Give It up (Party Song)	The Whole Shebang
29	The Jades with the Pacer's Music	The Big Beach Party	Banana Split for My Baby
30	Annette	Beach Party	Cowabunga! The Surf Box Disc 3
31	The Super Stocks	Muscle Beach Party	Surf Route 101
32	Fats Domino	What a Party	My Blue Heaven: The Best of Fats Domino
33	Smiley Lewis	Caldonia's Party	Smiley Lewis Vol 1

Country, Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Pop, Early Rock, Free Form, Oldies, Rock

Shake Your Hips

January 11, 2026 Dave

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
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

Listen To The Music

October 24, 2025 Dave

Friday mornings feature a two-hour journey through sound, soul, and even a dash of storytelling from the past century of America’s music. Tune in as Dave Stroud weaves an eclectic blend of genres that don’t always share a shelf, but definitely share a spirit. From the aching twang of country ballads to the velvet grooves of soul, as well as the thumping rhythms of rock…we’ve got it all. We’ll also be adding a touch of gospel to uplift and some shimmering pop in the show today. Legends and unsung heroes side by side—think John Fogerty easing into a track from BR5-49, or some classic Charlie Musselwhite introducing the soulful sounds of Solomon Burke. This isn’t a greatest hits show—it’s a feeling. It’s about the moments when music surprises you, connects you, and makes you feel more you. So whether you’re tuning in from the road, the living room, or somewhere in between, turn it up and let the music take you somewhere new..

No.	Artist	Title	Album
1	Mel Blanc	Money	Bob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four
2	Louis Armstrong	It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)	Pottery Barn Dinner At Eight Just Desserts
3	Frank Sinatra	(Love Is) The Tender Trap	The Complete Capitol Singles Collection [Disc 2]
4	Elvis Presley	Can't Help Falling In Love	Elvis 30 #1 Hits
5	Elvis Presley With The Jordanaires	Never Ending	From Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters [Disc 2]
6	Robert Gordon	Fire	Robert Gordon with Link Wray/Fresh Fish Specials
7	The Supremes	Nothing But Heartache	Gold Disc 1
8	Marvin Gaye	Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)	The Promised Land – Original Soundtrack [Disc 2]
9	Candi Staton	In The Ghetto	Evidence: The Complete Fame Records Masters [Disc 2]
10	Charlie Musselwhite	Siboney	Continental Drifter
11	Solomon Burke	What Good Am I?	Make Do With What You Got
12	Little Willie John	Leave My Kitten Alone	ABC Of The Blues Vol 25
13	Fats Domino	Please Don't Leave Me	Fats Domino Out of New Orleans
14	Cookie & the Cupcakes	Mathilda	Swamp Gold, Volume 1
15	Charles Senns	Dig Me A Crazy Record	One More Record Please
16	Johnny Burnette	The Train Kept A Rollin'	Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4
17	Brenda Lee	That's All You Gotta Do	The Brenda Lee Story: Her Grea
18	Marshall Crenshaw	Donna the Prima Donna (Bonus Track)	Jaggedland
19	Leon Russell	Dixie Lullaby	Leon Russell [Bonus Track]
20	The Bobby Fuller Four	Love's Made A Fool Of You	The Best Of The Bobby Fuller Four
21	John Fogerty	Almost Saturday Night (with Keith Urban)	Wrote a Song for Everyone
22	BR5-49/Kay Adams	Mama Was A Rock (Daddy Was A Rolling Stone)	Rig Rock Deluxe
23	Southern Culture on the Skids	Too Much Pork for Just One Fork	Exposed Roots: Best of Alt. Country Disc 2
24	The Doobie Brothers	Listen To The Music	Toulouse Street
25	Buffalo Springfield	On The Way Home	Retrospective – The Best of Buffalo Springfield
26	Elvin Bishop	Fooled Around and Fell In Love	20th Century Masters – The Millennium Collection The Best of Elvin Bishop
27	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	My Journey To The Sky	Vol. 3-1946-47 Complete Record
28	Professor Johnson & His Gospel Singers	Where Shall I Be	1950s Gospel Classics
29	Mahalia Jackson	I'm On My Way	The Promised Land – Original Soundtrack [Disc 1]
30	Stephen Stills	Do for the Others	Stephen Stills
31	Steve Earle & The Dukes (& Duchesses)	Pocket Full Of Rain	The Low Highway [+digital booklet]
32	Emmylou Harris	Leaving Louisiana In The Broad Daylight (Remastered LP Version)	Quarter Moon In A Ten Cent Town (Remastered)

Deeper Roots on KOWS, Early Rock, Oldies, Rhythm and Blues, Rock, Theme Time, Urban Blues

Deeper Roots of Rock

August 10, 2025 Dave

Deeper Roots means just that…and this week we’re spinning some blues, gospel, r&b, and swing … all music that introduced the rhythm that would become known as rock ‘n roll. We’ll go as far back as the late 1930s with Joe Turner and Pete Johnson and make the picaresque journey across the alleys, juke joints, and house parties where tradition and urban electric blues became the foundation of a sound. We’ll share blues from Little Walter, Jimmy Reed, John Lee Hooker and a handful of others. Also on tap, Goree Carter, Sticks McGhee, Amos Milburn and Julia Lee with some rhythm and blues and jump whose beat and attitude would influence many a rock ‘n roll musician and songwriter. Also on board: Hadda Brooks, Ray Charles, Louis Jordan and Tiny Bradshaw. Don’t miss a wailin’, rockin’ morning here on KOWS Community Radio.

No.	Artist	Title	Album
1	Big Joe Turner	Roll 'em Pete	Malcolm X: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2	Champion Jack Dupree	Junker's Blues	Junker's Blues (The Blues Collection Vol.59)
3	Joe Liggins	The Honeydripper Part 1	The R&B Years – 1942-45 [Disc 3]
4	Sister Rosetta Tharpe	Strange Things Happening Every Day	Gospel Blues – the Very Best Of
5	Charles Brown	Driftin' Blues	Ray Charles – Music that Matters to Him
6	Hadda Brooks	Swingin' The Boogie	I've Got News For You [Disc 2]
7	The Ravens	Write Me A Letter	Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 3
8	T-Bone Walker	Call It Stormy Monday	Raw Blues
9	Julia Lee & Her Boyfriends	Snatch It And Grab It	Kuties And Krooners
10	Roy Brown	Good Rockin' Tonight	Sound Of The City, The – New Orleans [UK] Disc 1
11	John Lee Hooker	Boogie Chillen	The Definitive Collection
12	Amos Milburn	Chicken Shack Boogie	Devil in a Blue Dress
13	Goree Carter & His Hepcats	Rock Awhile	Electric BluesPart 1: Beginnings 1939-1954
14	Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup	My Baby Left Me [Remastered 2002]	That's All Right (When the Sun Goes Down series)
15	Percy Mayfield	Please Send Me Someone To Love	Blues Masters Vol. 3: Texas Blues
16	Tiny Bradshaw	The Train Kept a-Rollin'	Breaking Up the House [Disc 2]
17	Sticks McGhee	Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-o-Dee	The Atlantic Story [UK]
18	Lloyd Price	Lawdy Miss Clawdy	Pure R&B: Vol. 5- Pioneers [Disc 1]
19	Little Junior Parker	Mystery Train	MOJO: Rock! Rock! Rock!
20	Jimmy Liggins And His Drops Of Joy	Drunk	Vintage Songs of Sex, Drugs & Cigarettes
21	Muddy Waters	Got My Mojo Workin	Pure R&B: Vol. 1- Got My Mojo Workin [Disc 1]
22	Little Walter	My Babe	Pure R&B: Vol. 2- Somethings Got a Hold on Me [Disc 1]
23	Sonny Boy Williamson II	Don't Start Me Talkin'	Blues Masters, Vol. 2: Postwar Chicago Blues
24	Howlin' Wolf	Smokestack Lightnin'	Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 7]
25	Louis Jordan	Caldonia	Number Ones
26	John Lee Hooker	Dimples	The Ultimate Collection 1948-1990 [Disc 1]
27	Slim Harpo	I Got Love If You Want It	Roll Your Moneymaker
28	Lazy Lester	I'm a Lover, Not a Fighter	Louisiana & The Old New Orleans Sound
29	Ray Charles	Night Time Is the Right Time	Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1
30	Bo Diddley	Say Man	20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best Of Bo Diddley
31	Billy Boy Arnold	I Ain't Got You	Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 2]
32	Sonny Boy Williamson	Good Morning Little Schoolgirl	The History of Rhythm & Blues 1925-1942

A Century of America's Music