Category Archives: Americana

Havin’ a Blast!

It’s finger poppin’ time…time to have a blast with some breakout party rockers from the mid-century.  All for a good time with soul and roll and rhythm as the main course in today’s show. It’s all about those percussive rocking beats. Call it a party full of boogie, mojo, twistin’ and shaking. We’ve lit the fuse for a dynamite celebration of rebellious rock and cool upbeat soul rhythms with the music of Freddy Cannon, The Swingin’ Medallions, The Showstoppers and Ann Cole with an out of control party mix…just in time for our first show of May. KOWS Community Radio brings the fresh sounds of today, yesterday and tomorrow 24/7, with the very best of political and community discourse. You can tune us in on 92.5 FM in West Sonoma County or just drop by our stream on your Radio Rethink app, Alexa, Radio Garden, Tunein, or Radio Box. We’re here for you and Deeper Roots will be pitching a wang dang doodle this coming Friday morning here on member-supported radio for planet Earth.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1The Isley Brothers Shout (Part One) Motor City Soul Amazon
2Wanda Jackson Let's Have a Party Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
3Ray Charles Mess Around Atlantic Rock & Roll Amazon
4The Swingin' Medallions Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love) Nuggets Sampler 1965-1968 Amazon
5The Strangeloves I Want Candy Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party Amazon
6Claudine Clark Party Lights The Best Of The Girl Groups, Vol. 1 Amazon
7Martha & The Vandellas Mickey's Monkey Dance Party Amazon
8Hank Ballard & the Midnighters Finger Poppin' Time Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 Amazon
9Johnnie Morisette Meet Me At The Twistin' Place The Forgotten 45's 1960-1962 Amazon
10Chubby Checker Dancin' Party Chubby Checker (Mr Twister) Amazon
11Chubby Checker The Twist Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1960 Amazon
12Sam Cooke Twistin' the Night Away The Man Who Invented Soul [Box Set] (2 of 4) Amazon
13Dave Edmunds Do You Wanna Dance Porky's Revenge! [Expanded] Amazon
14The Contours Do You Love Me Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party Amazon
15Jerry Lee Lewis Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 Amazon
16Matchbox Rockabilly Rebel Rockabilly Rebel Amazon
17Freddy Cannon Buzz Buzz A Diddle It His Latest And Greatest Amazon
18Tommy James & the Shondells Mony Mony The Very Best of Tommy James & the Shondells Amazon
19Louis Jordan Choo Choo Ch'Boogie Number Ones Amazon
20The Showstoppers Ain't Nothing But A House Party Ultimate Northern Soul – The Classics Amazon
21Ann Cole Got My Mojo Workin' (But It Just Won't Work On You) Blues Masters Vol. 6 – Blues Originals Amazon
22Koko Taylor Wang Dang Doodle Blues Classics '27_'69 [Disc 3] Amazon
23The Champs Tequilla Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party Amazon
24Tarheel Slim Number Nine Train Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
25Chan Romero The Hippy Hippy Shake Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
26Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs Wooly Bully Memphis Celebrates 50 Years Of Rock 'n' Roll Amazon
27Arthur Conley Sweet Soul Music Billboard Top Pop Hits: 1967 Amazon
28Link Wray/Robert Gordon Summertime Blues Robert Gordon with Link Wray/Fresh Fish Specials Amazon
29Johnny Kidd Shakin' All Over Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 2 Amazon
30The Kingsmen Louie Louie In Person ('64) Amazon
31Nick Todd At The Hop Chills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962 Amazon
32The Isley Brothers Twist And Shout Dick Van Dyke's Dance Party Amazon
33Little Richard Good Golly Miss Molly Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
34Gene Vincent & His Blue Caps Cruisin' Destination Freeway Amazon
35Elvis Presley Party 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records – Volume 2 Amazon
36Wanda Jackson Man, We Had A Party Queen Of Rockabilly Amazon
37Tommy Tutone 867-5309/Jenny Party Starter: 80s Mix Amazon
38The Marcels Blue Moon Doo Wop Love Songs Amazon

Get On Board

From a song about dirty little religions to a song about Joanie the Jehovah Witness Stripper, we’ll be going all out from up and down with genre celebrations from the past century where music reflects the inspiration from church on Sunday mornings following the barroom sinners of Saturday night. This week’s Deeper Roots takes a bit of a free form shuffle featuring Bo Diddley, The Ramones, Johnny Mercer, and a whole host of rhythm makers. Performances this morning will span some covers from Chris Smither, David Lindley and an answer song from Barbara Lewis. KOWS radio wants to thank all of you who came out to the Comedy fundraiser at Barrel Proof Lounge last week. It was a great success for us and also a validation of community radio here in the North Bay. KOWS is free form, free speech, no bull community radio; just the kind of thing we need in a country gone mad with lies, deceit and hate. There is always hope. Tune into your radio voice, any time of the day or night. We’ll always welcome you.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Martha and the Vandellas Quicksand The Motown Sound Vol. 1 Amazon
2Faye Adams Witness To The Crime (Herald 470) R&B Humdingers Volume 11 Amazon
3Warren Zevon Dirty Little Religion Life'll Kill Ya Amazon
4Paul Thorn Joanie The Jehovah Witness Stripper Hammer & Nail Live Amazon
5Marvin Gaye Can I Get A Witness I'll Take You There Amazon
6Alphabetical Four Get On Board, Little Children Complete Recorded Works 1938-1943 Amazon
7Tiny Mayberry Oh That Nasty Man (Take A) Vol. 2-Vocal Blues & Jazz Amazon
8Johnny Mercer Small Fry With Victor Young's Small Fryers Bing Crosby And Friends Amazon
9The Golden Gate Quartet Dipsy Doodle Travelin' Shoes Amazon
10Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five Keep A Knockin' But You Can't Come In Louis Jordan And His Tympany Five / 1938 – 1940 Amazon
11Little Richard Keep A Knockin' The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection Amazon
12Chris Smither Maybellene Call Me Lucky Amazon
13Chuck Berry Maybellene Roots Of Rock & Roll – Rough And Rowdy [Disc 10] Amazon
14David Lindley Mercury Blues El Rayo-X Amazon
15K.C. Douglas Mercury Blues Classic Blues From Smithsonian Folkways Amazon
16Violet Hall Six Foot Papa (I'm A Whole Lot Of Woman) The Mercury Blues Story (1945-1955) – Southwest Blues, Vol. 2 Amazon
17Big Maybelle So Good To My Baby The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-'55 Amazon
18George Thorogood Bo Diddley 2120 South Michigan Avenue Amazon
19Bo Diddley Don't Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got) The Chess Box [Disc 1] Amazon
20Sam & Dave Hold On! I'm a Comin' The Very Best of Sam & Dave Amazon
21Sam Cooke Bring It On Home To Me Portrait Of A Legend 1951-1964 Amazon
22Barbara Lewis I'll Bring It Back Home To You Don't Forget About Me: The Atlantic & Reprise Recordings Amazon
23Jack Nitzsche The Lonely Surfer Teen Beat 5 Amazon
24Mink Deville Just Your Friends The Mink De Ville Collection Amazon
25The Ramones Needles & Pins [Single Version][Version] Ramones Mania Amazon
26The Books Feat. Jose Gonzalez Cello Song Dark Was The Night: A Red Hot Compilation [Disc 1] Amazon
27T-Bone Burnett House Of Mirrors Twenty Twenty: The Esssential T-Bone Burnett Disc 2 Amazon
28Lorne Greene Ringo Nipper's Greatest Hits: The 60's. Vol. 2 Amazon
29Marty Robbins The Hanging Tree The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982 Amazon
30Dickson Hall Cowboy My Rifle, My Pony And Me Amazon
31Johnny Cash The Rebel – Johnny Yuma The Essential Johnny Cash 1955-1983 Disc 2 Amazon
32Louis Prima Banana Split for My Baby Banana Split for My Baby Amazon
33The Allman Brothers Band Jessica [Single Edit] Stand Back: The Anthology Disc 2 Amazon

Spring Fever

Every year about this time there’s a quick burst of blossom, a promise of renewal and that first pitch of the national pastime. I don’t know about you but it’s my favorite time of year, a time when winter’s cold is shut down and we’ve got that Spring Fever. This week’s show will take time out for a couple sets celebrating and remembering baseball’s past through music with the likes of The Treniers, Danny Kaye, and Dr. John with some early rapping from Mel Allen of all people. And that’s just the half of it because the fever goes beyond the diamond: we’ll share songs of April love with Shirley Jones, Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White with Perez Prado, Nina Simone, Martha Tilton, and a run of classic country with Johnny Horton, Sons of the Pioneers and the Sons of the San Joaquin. From stickball to kite-flying to the first frisbees of the year in the local park. Let’s get away from it all.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Radio Commercial 'Spring Time Fever Time' Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
2The Velvets Spring Fever Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
3Shirley Jones & Pat Boone April Love (Film Version) Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
4The Pentagons It's Spring Again Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
5Martha Tilton I'll Remember April The Liltin' Miss Tilton [Disc 1] Amazon
6Perez Prado And His Orchestra Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2) Amazon
7Count Basie April in Paris Pure Jazz Amazon
8Naturals & Mel Allen Baseball Dreams Baseball's Greatest Hits Amazon
9Johnny Darling Baseball Baby Radio Radio Vol.5 [Disc 1] Bob Dylan Amazon
10Dr. John Take Me Out To The Ballgame Baseball A Film By Ken Burns – Original Soundtrack Recording Amazon
11The Treniers Say Hey (The Willie Mays Song) Baseball Anthems Amazon
12Sister Wynona Carr The Ball Game Baseball Anthems Amazon
13Russ Hodges Bobby Thomson's Shot Heard 'Round The World Baseball Anthems Amazon
14Terry Cashman Talkin' Baseball (Willie, Mickey & "The Duke") 61* [Box Set] Disc 1 Amazon
15Mickey Mantle & Teresa Brewer I Love Mickey Baseball's Greatest Hits Amazon
16Danny Kaye D-O-D-G-E-R-S Song (Oh, Really? No, O'Malley) Baseball's Greatest Hits Amazon
17Stormy Weather The Land Of Wrigley Baseball's Greatest Hits Amazon
18Steve Goodman A Dying Cub Fan's Last Request Baseball's Greatest Hits Amazon
19Betty Bonney & Les Brown and His Orchestra Joltin' Joe Dimaggio Baseball Anthems Amazon
20Little Willie John I've Got Spring Fever Little Willie John Amazon
21Birdlegs & Pauline And Their Versatility Birds Spring Birth Of Soul: 2 Amazon
22Jerry Duane & The Monarchs It Might As Well Be Spring Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
23Nina Simone It Might As Well Be Spring The Best Of Nina Simone: The Colpix Years Amazon
24Craig Douglas Hello Spring Spring Fever – 28 Easter Nuggets For Your Spring Season Amazon
25The Cadillacs It's Spring For Collectors Only (Disc 3) Amazon
26Delbon Johnson It's Always Springtime in Nassau Putumayo Presents: Calypso Amazon
27The Browns Springtime Classics 1964-1966 (Warped 6529) Amazon
28Johnny Horton When It's Springtime In Alaska (It's Forty Below) 36 All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon
29Sons of the Pioneers Springtime On the Range 1941 vol 1 (Warped 4108) Amazon
30Sons Of The San Joaquin Ridin' For The Roundup In The Springtime From Whence Came The Cowboy Amazon
31Charlie Monroe Springtime in Glory 1950-1956 (Warped 5079) Amazon
32Billie Holiday Some Other Spring Ken Burns Jazz Amazon
33Mose Allison Spring Song Mose Allison [2-fer] Amazon
34Mose Allison Fires Of Spring Gimcracks and Gewgaws Amazon
35Tony Perkins April Fool On a Rainy Afternoon Amazon

Something in the Air

Spring is knock-knock-knocking…and our Supreme Court is push-push-pushing back on the idea of Emperor Grandpa McFuddlepants. And why not? They created it. But here, we’re busy painting the town with hope and there’s a sense that there’s something in the air as this week’s show leans on the fabric of Americana sounds to get us through yet another week of hate speech from Pennsylvania Avenue. We’ll apply an salve of sweet sounds from Jerry Garcia, Jackie Wilson, Townes Van Zandt, Billie Holiday, and that late local luminary and bard about town Dan Hicks in this week’s show. It’s a free form dance we’re taking on so I hope you make time or, if you can’t catch us live on KOWS, you can catch up on our archives posted on Podomatic at https://deeperroots.podomatic.com

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers Something in the Air Greatest Hits Amazon
2Marshall Crenshaw Who Stole That Train Miracle of Science Amazon
3Them Baby Please Don't Go Them Featuring Van Morrison Amazon
4Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings Anyway The Wind Blows Anyway The Wind Blows Amazon
5John Hiatt Radio Girl Slug Line Amazon
6Townes Van Zandt (Quicksilver Daydreams Of) Maria Townes Van Zandt Amazon
7Charley Crockett Jamestown Ferry Lonesome Drifter Amazon
8Ray Charles Take These Chains from My Heart Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 3 Amazon
9Jackie Wilson I Just Can't Help It The Jackie Wilson Story [Sony] Amazon
10Little Jimmy Dickens I Can't Help It The Old Country Church/Raisin' The Dickens Amazon
11James Hunter Six Can't Help Myself Nick of Time Amazon
12Ella Mae Morse w/Big Dave and His Orchestra Big Mamou Barrell House Boogie and the Blues Amazon
13David Lindley Your Old Lady El Rayo-X Amazon
14Aereo-Plain Band/John Hartford Keep on Truckin' Steam Powered Aereo-Takes Amazon
15Hot Tuna Keep On Truckin' Burgers Amazon
16Jorma Kaukonen Big River Blues Blue Country Heart Amazon
17Maria Muldaur It Ain't The Meat, It's The Motion Maria Muldaur Amazon
18Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks I'm An Old Cowhand (From The Rio Grande) The Blue Thumb Years 1971-1973 Amazon
19Dan Hicks & The Hot Licks Canned Music The Blue Thumb Years 1971-1973 Amazon
20Jerry Garcia Deal Garcia Amazon
21The Youngbloods Grizzly Bear Get Together: The Essential Youngbloods Amazon
22Sonny James Innocent Lies Singles Amazon
23Billie Holiday God Bless the Child Columbia Records' 125th Anniv. Amazon
24Jackson Browne These Days The Next Voice You Hear: The Best of Jackson Browne Amazon
25Wayne Hancock Life's Lonesome Road A-Town Blues Amazon
26Steve Forbert Lonesome Cowboy Bill Young Guitar Days Amazon
27Levon Helm Move Along Train Electric Dirt Amazon
28Tom Petty I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better Full Moon Fever Amazon
29Patsy Montana My Poncho Pony Cowgirl's Best Amazon

Music Goes ‘Round

Put another nickel in that nickelodeon ‘cause rhythm saved the world. This week on Deeper Roots we’re spinning up songs about the jukebox, hit records, little bitty records, disc jockey pleas, and swinging syncopated rhythms from across the past century. That’s right, we’re taking a trip across ninety years featuring jazz from Jimmie Lunceford, country from the Sons of the Pioneers, gospel from the Chuck Wagon Gang, and swinging send-ups from Louis Armstrong, NRBQ, Slim Gaillard, and The Sensations. Well, you can also count on more from the usual suspects in this week’s thematic celebration of the very best of Americana. Whether that’s reaching out to the jukebox, the DJ or that record hawker…we’ve got two hours of rhythm here on KOWS Community Radio. Spend your time with music, not your hard earned dough on this day of resistance.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Commercial Nuclear Survival Course Record Album (1954) Rock'N'Roll & Rock-A-Billy Inferno Amazon
2The Sensations Please Mr Disc Jockey Atlantic Vocal Groups – [Disc 3] – The Rock 'n' Roll Era Amazon
3Fred Astaire Music Makes Me American Songbook Series Amazon
4Tommy Dorsey & His Clambake Seven The Music Goes Round And Round Me & Orson Welles (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Amazon
5Louis Prima The Music Goes 'Round and Around Capitol Collectors Series Amazon
6Louis Armstrong Rhythm Saved The World Rhythm Saved The World Amazon
7Tex Beneke, The Modernaires Jukebox Saturday Night Stagedoor Canteen Music Of The War Years Vol 1 Amazon
8Jimmie Lunceford Rhythm Is Our Business An Introduction To Jimmie Lunceford Amazon
9The Boswell Sisters That's How Rhythm Was Born Music From The Motion Picture – The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button Amazon
10Three Sharps And A Flat That's The Rhythm Hot Harmony Groups 1932-1951: Vol 1: That's the Rhythm Amazon
11Ella Fitzgerald Vote For Mr Rhythm The Millenium Anthology – Ella Fitzgerald [Disc 3] Amazon
12Ella Fitzgerald My Last Affair The Millenium Anthology – Ella Fitzgerald Amazon
13Fats Waller Music Maestro Please Music Maestro Please Amazon
14The Cats & The Fiddle Mr. Rhythm Man The Very Best Of Amazon
15Slim Gaillard Jumpin' At The Record Shop Vout For Voutoreenes Amazon
16The Mills Brothers Rhythm Saved The World The 1930's Recordings – Chronological Volume 4 Amazon
17George Kent Hello, I'm A Jukebox The Beginning Of The End – The Existential Psychodrama In Country Music (1956-1972) Amazon
18Boyd Bennett & His Rockets Cool Disc Jockey Bob Dylan – Radio Radio Vol.5 Amazon
19Sons of the Pioneers Syncopated Rhythm Songs of the Prairie – CD4 Amazon
20Jerry Lee Lewis Jukebox Junky Killer Country Amazon
21Brook Benton Hit Record Mercury 1962 Amazon
22Charles Senns Dig Me A Crazy Record One More Record Please Amazon
23Norma Jean I Heard the Jukebox Playing 1965-1966 Amazon
24Willie Nelson Mr. Record Man One More Record Please Amazon
25Gal Holiday and the Honky Tonk Revue Jones On the Jukebox Set Two Amazon
26Chuck Wagon Gang/George Jones Turn Your Radio On 70th Anniversary Amazon
27Bill Kirchen Little Bitty Record King of Dieselbilly: Classic Kirchen Amazon
28NRBQ Music Goes Round And Around Tiddly Winks Amazon
29BR5-49 A1 On The Jukebox Dog Days Amazon
30The Blasters Border Radio Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (1981-1985) (1 of 2) Amazon
31Dillard & Clark The Radio Song The Fantastic Expedition Of Dillard & Clark Amazon
32Teresa Brewer Music ! Music ! Music ! Music ! Music ! Music ! Amazon
33Gene Kelly I Got Rhythm The Big Picture: Great Music from Films You Love Amazon

Old Records

Country, gospel, and rhythm and blues are the major arteries that flow to the heart of Americana musical traditions, each influencing the other through shared themes of storytelling, emotion, and spirituality. Gospel’s uplifting harmonies and spiritual fervor inspired both the heartfelt narratives of country music and the soulful expressions of rhythm and blues. Similarly, rhythm and blues infused gospel energy into secular music, while country music borrowed melodic and vocal elements from both genres. The “golden age” of these genres is often considered to be the mid-20th century, roughly the 1940s through the 1960s, when their innovation and cross-pollination laid the groundwork for modern popular music, including rock and roll. This week on Deeper Roots we’re going to flip through some classic old records (as we love to do) and highlight the morning with performances from the likes of Otis Spann, Merle Travis, Sue Foley, Sturgill Simpson, and a few dozen others.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Margie Singleton Old Records One More Record Please Amazon
2Seasick Steve Dark Man from Another Time (Bonus Version) Amazon
3Sturgill Simpson Breakers Roar A Sailor's Guide To Earth Amazon
4The Everly Brothers Bowling Green Walk Right Back: The Everly Brothers on Warner Bros. Disc 2 Amazon
5The Kossoy Sisters Bowling Green Bluegrass Jamboree Amazon
6Merle Travis Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) Ash Grove 12/9/1966 Amazon
7Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen Smoke! Smoke! Smoke! (That Cigarette) We've Got a Live One Here! Amazon
8The Louvin Brothers There's A Grave In The Wave Of The Ocean Close Harmony [Disc 7] Amazon
9Hart Valley Drifters Nine Pound Hammer Folk Time Amazon
10Van Morrison Dark Night Of The Soul Three Chords And The Truth Amazon
11The Riders Of The Purple Sage Cool Water (Radio) Cowboy Crooners Sing Songs Of The West Cd 1 Amazon
12The Harmonizing Four Wade In The Water Jesus Rocked The Jukebox: Small Group Black Gospel (1951-1965) Amazon
13The Soul Stirrers Jesus I'll Never Forget [Album Version] The Ladykillers Music From The Motion Picture Amazon
14Mahalia Jackson Dark Was The Night Moving On Up A Little Higher Amazon
15Bing Crosby Down to the Old Ox Road Bing Crosby in Hollywood (1930-1934), Vol. 1 Amazon
16Sue Foley Freight Train One Guitar Woman Amazon
17Porter Wagoner Banks of the Ohio 1968 (Warped 6846) Amazon
18Roy Rogers with Country Washburne My Chickashay Girl 26 All-Time Country Classics Amazon
19Merle Haggard Time Changes Everything The Peer Sessions Amazon
20Jimmie Dolan The Wheel That Does The Squeakin' Juke Box Boogie Amazon
21Raul Malo Weary Blues from Waitin' The Nashville Acoustic Sessions Amazon
22Ted Daffan's Texans Born To Lose 26 All-Time Country Classics Amazon
23Norridge Mayhams And The Blue Chips I'm A Rattlesnakin' Daddy Norridge Mayhams and The Blue Chips Amazon
24Mae West I'm An Occidental Woman In An Oriental Mood For Love The Mae West Collection Amazon
25Jewel Paige & Her Brown Brownies Give It Up If You Take Me Back Amazon
26Julia Lee Snatch It And Grab It (06-11-47) 1947 Amazon
27Slim Gaillard Thunderbird ABC Of The Blues Vol 12 Amazon
28John Hiatt Thunderbird Master of Disaster Amazon
29Chuck Berry Jaguar and Thunderbird The Chess Box Disc 2 Amazon
30Otis Spann Mule Kicking In My Stall Cryin' Time Amazon
31Lowell Fulson Blue Shadows Chess Blues Disc 4 Amazon

Legend: Grady Martin

He was a member of Nashville’s A-Team. He invented the electric guitar ‘fuzz’ effect by accident in a Marty Robbins recording session. He played on some of the most recognizable hit songs and landmark albums; not just country but rock, soul, folk, country rock and released some jazz guitar albums of his own. You can hear his work day in and day out: the Spanish-style acoustic work on Marty’s El Paso, the opening and unforgettable lick on Roy Orbison’s Oh Pretty Woman, plus dozens upon dozens more. He was one of the most sought after session men in the industry. Oh, and his jazz work with Mancini, Hirt and Fountain were followed by a gig as session leader for Vanguard Records’ album releases of Joan Baez, Buffy Sainte-Marie and Country Joe. If there’s a word that goes a step beyond prolific, it describes Grady Martin. Join us for a show that celebrates the legend. 

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Roy Orbison Oh, Pretty Woman Shades of Roy Orbison Amazon
2Grady Martin & Don Cherry Long John Boogie Grady Martin Amazon
3Mimi Roman Little Lovin' Foot Tappin' & Dance At Screamin' Festival Vol. 1 Amazon
4Patsy Cline Stop, Look and Listen Rockin' Patsy Amazon
5Janis Martin Will You Willyum Grady Martin Amazon
6Roy Hall Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Grady Martin Amazon
7Red Foley Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy Hillbilly Fever [Disc 3] Amazon
8Red Foley, Grady Martin Pinball Boogie Hillbilly Fever [Disc 4] Amazon
9Red Foley My Window Faces South Hillbilly Fever [Disc 4] Amazon
10Burl Ives With Grady Martin & His Slew Foot Five Diesel Smoke, Dangerous Curves Roughneck Blues 1949 – 1956 Amazon
11Marvin Rainwater Whole Lotta Woman Whole Lotta Woman Amazon
12Jimmy Lloyd Where The Rio De Rosa Flows Grady Martin Amazon
13Red Sovine How Do You Think I Feel Grady Martin Amazon
14Brenda Lee Little Jonah (Rock On Your Steel Guitar) Brenda Lee Rocks Amazon
15Johnny Horton I'm Coming Home Honky Tonk Man: The Essential Johnny Horton 1956-1960 (1 of 2) Amazon
16Johnny Burnette The Train Kept A Rollin' Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 4 Amazon
17Warner Mack Roc-A-Chicka Rock'N'Roll & Rock-A-Billy Inferno Amazon
18Autry Inman Mary Nell Grady Martin Amazon
19Marty Robbins Don't Worry American Music Library: The Hits Of 1961 Amazon
20Lefty Frizzell Saginaw, Michigan (Grady Martin) Classic Country Amazon
21Marty Robbins El Paso A Lifetime of Song (1951-1982) Amazon
22Elvis Presley Please Don't Drag That String Around From Nashville To Memphis: The Essential 60's Masters [Disc 2] Amazon
23Joe Henderson Snap Your FIngers Oxford American Music Issue #13-Mississippi Amazon
24Ray Price For The Good Times Columbia Country Classics – Volume 4: The Nashville Sound Amazon
25Brenda Lee I'm Sorry Miss Dynamite Amazon
26Jeanne Pruett Satin Sheets Classic Country: 1970-1974 [Disc 2] Amazon
27Loretta Lynn Coal Miner's Daughter Classic Country: 1970-1974 Amazon
28Willie Nelson On The Road Again One Hell Of A Ride Amazon
29Sammi Smith Help Me Make It Through The Night Country Ladies Amazon
30Conway Twitty Don't Cry No More Grady Martin Amazon
31Johnny Horton Honky Tonk Man Columbia Country Classics Volume 2: Honky Tonk Heroes Amazon
32Johnny Horton The Battle Of New Orleans Classic Country Amazon
33Mervin Shiner & Grady Martin Settin' The Woods On Fire Grady Martin Amazon
34Johnny Burnette Rock Billy Boogie Roughneck Blues 1949 – 1956 Amazon

Good Night’s Sleep

A sleepy time themed collection this week as we take a deep dive into classic sounds from the past and present, all with a blend of sentiments we hold close as midnight approaches. We’ll have some old doo wop and early rock chestnuts from Jesse Belvin, The Fleetwoods, The Valentines and The Spaniels with just the right amount of rock, R&B and country. That means a little bit of Fats Domino, some rockabilly from Charline Arthur and Sonny Burgess, middling pop from Doris Day, Jimmy Durant and Dean Martin in store. Little Jimmy Dickens, Milton Brown and Swamp Dogg will also fill the air with country and blues. Friday mornings are the time to tune in for a fresh dose of America’s music from the past 100 years hear on KOWS-LP, Occidental, streaming to all of Planet Earth on kowsfm.com/listen. Be sure to install the Radio Rethink app on your Apple device and look us up. We’d be glad to have you.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Fats Domino Sleeping on the Job This Is Gold Disc 2 Amazon
2Doris Day A Little Kiss Goodnight The Vintage Years Part Two Amazon
3Jimmy Durante I'll See You in My Dreams As Time Goes By: Best of Amazon
4Dean Martin I Love the Way You Say Goodnight Cocktail Hour Disc 2 Amazon
5Les Paul and The Andrews Sisters feat Vic Schoen & His Orchestra It's A Pity To Say Goodnight Trio's Complete Decca Recordings Plus (1936-47) [Disc 2] Amazon
6Linda Scott Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed? The Complete Hits Of Linda Scott Amazon
7The Spaniels Goodnight Sweetheart, Goodnight Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55, vol. 2 Amazon
8The Valentines Don't Say Goodnight Doo Wop Box, Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 2 Amazon
9Jesse Belvin Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams) Doo Wop Vocal Group Greats Amazon
10The Fleetwoods (Goodnight My Love) Pleasant Dreams Come Softly To Me: The Very Best Of The Fleetwoods Amazon
11Roy Orbison Goodnight The Monument Singles: A-Sides (1960 – 1964) [Disc 1] Amazon
12Aaron Neville I Bid You Goodnight Warm Your Heart Amazon
13Los Lobos Goodnight My Love La Bamba Amazon
14North Mississippi Allstars Bid You Goodnight Prayer for Peace Amazon
15Harry Nilsson Are You Sleeping? The Point! Amazon
16The Tokens Dream Angel Goodnight Wimoweh!!! – The Best Of The Tokens Amazon
17The Weavers Goodnight Irene Best Of Decca Years Amazon
18Charline Arthur Kiss The Baby Goodnight Welcome To The Club Amazon
19Little Jimmy Dickens A-Sleeping At The Foot Of The Bed Roughneck Blues 1949 – 1956 Amazon
20Sonny Burgess A Kiss Goodnight Rock n' Roll Legend Amazon
21Swamp Dogg Sleeping Without You Is a Dragg (feat. Justin Vernon & Jenny Lewis) Sorry You Couldn't Make It Amazon
22Los Lobos Let's Say Goodnight El Cancionero: Mas y Mas (1 of 4) Amazon
23Loudon Wainwright III Where the Whippoorwill is Whispering Goodnight High Wide & Handsome – The Charlie Poole Project Amazon
24Milton Brown & His Musical Brownies A Thousand Goodnights Daddy of Western Swing, Vol. 4 : Keep a Knockin' Amazon
25Hank Snow Goodnight Little Buckaroo We'll Never Say Goodbye Amazon
26Johnnie Taylor Somebody's Sleeping In My Bed [Single Version] The Very Best Of Johnnie Taylor Amazon
27Shirelles Don't Say Goodnight and Mean Goodbye The Shirelles Amazon
28The McGuire Sisters Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight The Mid-'50s Amazon
29Barbara Mandrell Sleeping Single in a Double Bed Superstars Of Country Hello Darlin' [Disc 1] Amazon
30Vera Lynn Goodnight Children Everywhere A Tribute, Volume II: It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow Amazon
31The Gumm Sisters Where The Butterflies Kiss The Buttercups Goodnight The Sisters Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon

Rock Meets Country

It was without question a natural progression. All of the attributes that country inherited from gospel, blues, and jazz resulted in what amounted to competition in the charts (and in some mid-century cultural clashes). Although The Beatles had suggested a kinship with mid-sixties tributes to Buck Owens and Chet Atkins, the only comfortable way to make the marriage work was to have it come from other directions…specifically from cultural prods of Nudie suits, coupled with folk and country nudges, and the inevitable respect for the music. Gram Parsons’ influence on the late sixties rise of something they called ‘country rock’ is easy to find but Dylan’s John Wesley Harding album from 1968, The Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and Leon Russell’s alter-ego Hank Wilson opened the doors to a sound that swept the charts. We’ll hear some originals, covers, and a whole lot more in this week’s Deeper Roots. Hope y’all can join us.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Gram Parsons Streets Of Baltimore G.P. / Grievous Angel Amazon
2Gram Parsons The New Soft Shoe G.P. / Grievous Angel Amazon
3The Beatles Act Naturally Help! [UK] Amazon
4Buck Owens Act Naturally Remember the Titans: An Original Walt Disney Motion Picture Soundtrack (2000 Film) Amazon
5The Byrds You Ain't Goin' Nowhere Country Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 2] Amazon
6The Byrds The Christian Life Sweetheart of the Rodeo Amazon
7The Louvin Brothers The Christian Life Long Play Collection Amazon
8Tex Ritter Blue Canadian Rockies Have I Stayed Away Too Long Amazon
9The Byrds Blue Canadian Rockies Sweetheart of the Rodeo Amazon
10Bob Dylan John Wesley Harding John Wesley Harding Amazon
11Leon Russell She Thinks I Still Care Hank Wilson's Back [Bonus Tracks] Amazon
12Leon Russell I'll Sail My Ship Alone Hank Wilson's Back [Bonus Tracks] Amazon
13Leon Russell Uncle Pen Hank Wilson's Back [Bonus Tracks] Amazon
14Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys Uncle Pen Decca Country Classics 1934-1973 [Disc 2] Amazon
15Moon Mullican I'll Sail My Ship Alone The Very Best Of Amazon
16George Jones She Thinks I Still Care Swingers [Original Soundtrack] Amazon
17Emmylou Harris & Gram Parsons Love Hurts Duets Amazon
18The Louvin Brothers The Angels Rejoiced Last Night Close Harmony [Disc 4] Amazon
19Emmylou Harris/Gram Parsons The Angels Rejoiced Last Night Songbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems Disc 1 Amazon
20Hank Williams Half as Much 24 Greatest Amazon
21Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers Half As Much At The Ryman [Live] Amazon
22Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers Cattle Call At The Ryman [Live] Amazon
23Tex Owens Cattle Call Cattle Call-Early Cowboy Music And It's Roots Amazon
24Emmylou Harris & The Nash Ramblers Get Up John At The Ryman [Live] Amazon
25Bill Monroe & His Bluegrass Boys Get Up John Bill Monroe: Anthology Amazon
26Neil Young Oh, Lonesome Me After the Gold Rush Amazon
27Various Artists Don Gibson – Oh Lonesome Me Fifty Years Of Hits – Vol 7 Amazon
28Jackson Browne Red Neck Friend (LP Version) For Everyman Amazon
29Eagles Take It Easy Selected Works 1972-1999: The Early Years Amazon
30Bob Dylan I'll Be Your Baby Tonight John Wesley Harding Amazon
31Linda Ronstadt I Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) Fifty Years Of Hits – Vol. 4 Amazon
32Asleep at the Wheel Ida Red A Tribute To The Music Of Bob Wills (Dance Versions) Amazon
33George Jones You're Still On My Mind Complete Collection 1960-1962 [Disc 4] individual albums Amazon

Over The Hill

While we often touch on the contemporary songs of our own and subsequent generations in the show, we also like to drill into the performers and sounds that contributed to our musical heritage. The foundation of America’s music is not just a single flavor. It is a melting pot of many from all corners: the British Isles, the African continent, the islands of the Caribbean, and points south and north. The resulting harmonies, topics, and musical celebrations have further woven themselves into the fabric of our culture. This week’s show leans on some pieces that were suggested by a listener and this allowed me to take liberties when digging a bit deeper for the show. We’ll hear from Pete Seeger, The Million Dollar Quartet, Buck Owens, Alison Krauss and Mississippi Fred McDowell. We’ll also take in the American Songbag’s In The Pines and then proceed down the river and over the hill in the show this week.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives 99-1/2 Won't Do [Live] The Gospel Music Of Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives [Live] Amazon
2Annie Mae & Fred McDowell I'm Going Over The Hill The Essential Guide To Gospel Amazon
3Stringbean Going Over the Hill Layin' Low Amazon
4John Martyn Over the Hill Couldn't Love You More Amazon
5Mahalia Jackson Just Over the Hill Sunday Morning Prayer Meeting with Mahalia Jackson Amazon
6Buck Owens Goin' Down To The River Buck Owens Four Classic Albums [Disc 4] Amazon
7Alison Krauss Down To The River To Pray Oxford American Southern Sampler 2000 Amazon
8Ray Charles I'm Going Down To The River Ain't That Fine Amazon
9Suzy Boggus It All Falls Down To The River w/ McCrary Sisters Prayin' For Sunshine Amazon
10Mississippi Fred McDowell Going Down The River The First Recordings Amazon
11Etta Baker & Taj Mahal Going Down The Road Feeling Bad Etta Baker With Taj Mahal Amazon
12Bobby Bare Going Down the Road (I Ain't Going to Be Treated This Way) fcc warning Darker Than Light Amazon
13Down Like Silver To the River Light That Match – Single Amazon
14Lead Belly Where Did You Sleep Last Night? Best Of Leadbelly Amazon
15The Browns In the Pines Classics 1960 (Warped 6062) Amazon
16Dave Van Ronk In the Pines The Folkway Years: 1959-1961 Amazon
17Robert Johnson Crossroads Blues Bob Dylan Presents: Cover to Cover – The Originals Amazon
18Elmore James Standing At The Crossroads Let's Cut It: The Very Best Of Elmore James Amazon
19The Million Dollar Quartet Great Speckled Bird The Million Dollar Quartet: 50th Anniversary Special Edition Amazon
20Buzz Cason Hats Off to Hank Rare Songs of a Tribute to Hank Amazon
21Hank Williams & Hank Williams, Jr. There's A Tear In My Beer Fifty Years Of Hits – Vol 10 Amazon
22Hank Williams, Jr. Tee Tot Song Almeria Club Amazon
23Dallas Wayne Crank the Hank Rare Songs of a Tribute to Hank Amazon
24Pat Johnson Hank And Tee Tot Acoustic Rainbow Roots Volume 48 Amazon
25Washboard Sam Bucket's Got a Hole in It [Remastered 2002] That's Chicago's South Side (When the Sun Goes Down series) Amazon
26Hank Williams My Bucket's Got A Hole In It Low Down Blues Amazon
27Waylon Jennings Hank Williams Syndrome Rare Songs of a Tribute to Hank Amazon
28Odetta Alabama Bound Sings Ballads And Blues Amazon
29Sister Rosetta Tharpe 99 1/2 Won't Do Gospel Train Amazon
30Buddy Greene Big Daddy's Alabama Bound A Tribute to John D. Loudermilk Amazon
31Bob Dylan Lay Lady Lay Nashville Skyline Amazon
32Bob Dylan I Threw It All Away Nashville Skyline Amazon