Category Archives: Fifties Country

Country Hotshots

This Friday on Deeper Roots, we’re tipping our hats to some of the finest country artists of the 20th century with a journey far beyond the familiar hits. From the outlaw spirit of Waylon Jennings and the wit of Roger Miller to the Bakersfield fire of Dwight Yoakam, the timeless charm of Little Jimmy Dickens, and many more, we’ll dig into the deep tracks, hidden gems, and overlooked performances that helped define country music’s rich legacy. If you enjoy discovering songs that deserve another listen—or hearing legendary artists from a fresh perspective—this is a show you won’t want to miss. Join us Friday morning at 9:00 AM on KOWS Community Radio for two hours of classic country, unexpected favorites, and the stories behind the music. Come along as we celebrate the deeper roots of country music, one great song at a time.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Porter Wagoner I'll Go Down Swinging The Essential Porter Wagoner 1964 00:00
2Buck Owens I Washed My Hands in Muddy Water Honky Tonk Man: Buck Sings Country Classics 2013 05:06
3Buck Owens Close Up the Honky Tonks Buck 'Em: The Music of Buck Owens (1955-1967) 1964 07:34
4Charlie Walker Close All the Honky Tonks Charlie Walker – 1959-1964 2013 09:55
5Merle Haggard And The Strangers Honky Tonk Night Time Man (24-Bit Digitally Remastered 06) Hag: The Best of Merle Haggard 2006 12:03
6Merle Haggard Honky Tonkin' Roots Vol. 1 2001 14:37
7Dale Watson Heaven's Gonna Have A Honky Tonk Call Me Insane 2015 17:24
8Dale Watson Wine Don't Lie An Empty Glass: A Collection of Drinkin' Songs 2001 19:54
9Joshua Hedley Mr. Jukebox Mr. Jukebox 2018 27:41
10Joshua Hedley This Time Mr. Jukebox 2018 30:51
11James Hand Baby Baby Don't Tell Me That The Truth Will Set You Free 2006 33:21
12James Hand Banks of the Brazos The Truth Will Set You Free 2006 36:39
13Little Jimmy Dickens Crazy Worried Mind Country Boy [Disc 1] 1949 38:40
14Little Jimmy Dickens I Wish You Didn't Love Me So Much [Album Version] Various Artists The Essential Little Jimmy Dickens 1951 41:24
15Faron Young Face to the Wall The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (2 of 2) 2000 48:51
16Bill Anderson Goodbye Cruel World Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter 1961 51:07
17Gary Stewart Can't You See Oxford American 10th Anniversary Southern Music CD [Disc 2] Past Masters [2008] 1978 53:36
18Gary Stewart Honky-Tonkin' Out of Hand 1975 56:14
19Dwight Yoakam Train in Vain Reprise Please Baby: The Warner Bros. Years Disc 2 2002 59:40
20Dwight Yoakam It Only Hurts When I Cry If There Was a Way 1990 1:02:56
21Wynn Stewart Come On Very Best of: 1958 – 1962 1958 1:09:58
22Wynn Stewart Big City Very Best of: 1958 – 1962 1960 1:12:04
23Waylon Jennings Will The Wolf Survive? Complete MCA Recordings 1986 1:14:24
24Waylon Jennings Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line: The RCA Years Disc 1 1993 1:17:47
25Willie Nelson Bubbles in My Beer Lost Highway 2009 1:20:04
26Willie Nelson Three Days Mr. Record Man – The Early Singles As & BS 2016 1:22:49
27Ferlin Husky I Feel Better All Over The Other Side of Bakersfield Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West' 1954 1:27:51
28Ferlin Husky Draggin' the River Ferlin Husky Singles 0 1:30:22
29George Jones I'm Ragged But I'm Right George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection 1956 1:32:27
30George Jones I'm a One Woman Man The Essential George Jones: The Spirit of Country Disc 2 1994 1:34:44
31Webb Pierce I Ain't Never 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Webb Pierce 1959 1:36:56
32Webb Pierce Crazy Wild Desire I Got A Woman : Gems From The Decca Vaults [Disc 2] 1962 1:38:48
33Lefty Frizzell If You've Got the Money Best 1950 1:41:06
34Lefty Frizzell Shine Shave Shower (It's A Saturday) Best 1950 1:44:00
35Roger Miller Lou's Got The Flu King Of The Road – The Genius Of Roger Miller (CD1) 1964 1:46:26
36Johnny Cash Tennessee Flat Top Box Classic Cash 1961 1:48:10
37Johnny Cash Understand Your Man I Walk The Line 1964 1:54:01
38Willie Nelson The Party's Over Naked Willie 1966 1:56:40

The Ladies of Americana

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

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

Country Shed Shakers

This week’s show peels back the velvet curtain of the Golden Age of Country music and introduces some lower chart shed shakers from the outskirts of Nashville. While the charts were full of polished crooners and weeping violins, there was a different sound brewing in and around the perimeter—a raw, frantic energy that didn’t belong in a ballroom. These are the tracks that blurred the line between the honky-tonk and the garage. We’ll deliver the distorted side of that golden age with some familiar names (Buck Owens, Jerry Reed, Johnny Bond) and some of those who were lost to those dusty Ernest Tubb Record Shop dollar bins (Eddie Zack, Jimmy Swan, Benny Barnes), all  in a package meant to get those fingers poppin’. Hope you can join us for some gritty, low-fi country vibes.

No.Artist Title Album
1Luke Wills' Rhythm Busters Shut Up And Drink Your Beer Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 3] It Ain't Far To The Bar)
2Luke Wills' Rhythm Busters High Voltage Gal Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 3] It Ain't Far To The Bar)
3Sheb Wooley Mule Boogie Country & Western Nuggets
4Smokey Hogg And His Guitar Crawdad Rhythm & Western Volume 1 – When Two Worlds Collide
5Billy Strange Hell Train Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974)
6Hawkshaw Hawkins Waitin' for My Baby Country & Western Nuggets
7Bobby Lord No More No More No More Country & Western Nuggets
8Buck Owens Hot Dog Bound for Bakersfield 1953-56
9Wanda Jackson Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad Queen Of Rockabilly
10The Hurricanes Pistol Packin' Mama Rhythm & Western Volume 1 – When Two Worlds Collide
11Johnny Bond Somebody's Pushin' Put Me To Bed
12Jerry Reed When I Found You Country & Western Nuggets
13Jerry Reed Mister Whizz Country & Western Nuggets
14Eddie Zack I?m Gonna Roll and Rock Country & Western Nuggets
15Jimmy Murphy Sixteen Tons Rock `n? Roll Country & Western Nuggets
16Jimmy Swan Country Cattin? Country & Western Nuggets
17Johnny Bond Lonesome Train Put Me To Bed
18Skeets McDonald I Got A New Field To Plow Skeets McDonald – One Classic Album & Singles Collection
19Dusty Payne My Walkin' Shoes The Other Side of Bakersfield Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'
20The Farmer Boys Somehow Someway Someday The Other Side of Bakersfield
21Billy Walker I've Got Leavin' On My Mind Whirlpool – Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight
22Jimmie Peters Rhythm of Love Country & Western Nuggets
23Titus Turner A Knockin' At My Baby's Door Rhythm & Western Volume 1 – When Two Worlds Collide
24Dave Rich Tuggin? At My Heart Strings Country & Western Nuggets
25Freddie Hart Heaven Only Knows Country & Western Nuggets
26Faron Young Honey Stop Country & Western Nuggets
27Benny Barnes King for a Day Country & Western Nuggets
28Ferlin Husky Wang Dang Do Country & Western Nuggets
29Little Jimmy Dickens Hey Ma (Hide the Daughter) Country & Western Nuggets
30Dave Rich Burn On Love Fire Country & Western Nuggets
31Lee Bonds Home Coming Country & Western Nuggets
32Johnny David Race With The Devil Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974)
33Steve Bledsoe Bang Bang You're Dead Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter
34Jimmie Pearson And The Melody Makers Nobody Cares Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter
35Cowboy Copas Bury Me Face Down Hillbillies in Hell Country Music?s Tormented Testament Volume 5
36Black Jack Wayne Red Silk Stockings and Green Perfume Country & Western Nuggets
37Mel Tillis You Are The Reason Country & Western Nuggets
38Rink Hardin What Did I Do Country & Western Nuggets
39Wynn Stewart Big Big Love Country & Western Nuggets

Devil’s Country Side

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
1George Jones Take The Devil Out Of Me George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection Amazon
2Hank Williams The Devil's Train Lovesick Blues August 1947 – December 1948 Amazon
3David Beatty And The Harmonettes I Just Got Off The Devil's Train Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) Amazon
4Billy Strange The Devil In Me Crossroads In Cowtown Amazon
5The Carter Family Never Let the Devil Get the Upper Hand of You (Remastered) Golden Selection (Remastered) Amazon
6Powder 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 Amazon
7Bob Wills The Devil Ain't Lazy Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 3] It Ain't Far To The Bar) Amazon
8The Sons Of The Pioneers The Devil's Great Grandson My Saddle Pals And I Amazon
9Billy Barton The Devil, My Conscience And I Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) Amazon
10The Statesmen With Hovie Lister Get Thee Behind Me, Satan Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture Amazon
11Wayne, Pat & Keith I'm Tired Of You, Satan Hillbillies In Hell (Country Music's Tormented Testament 1952-1974) Amazon
12The Tune Wranglers Up Jumped The Devil Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 1] Hot Mama Stomp) Amazon
13Dave Edwards Done Sold My Soul to the Devil Chronological Classics 1937 (Warped 3795) Amazon
14Ray Winfree Devil Hang Me High Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 Amazon
15The Louvin Brothers Satan's Jeweled Crown Long Play Collection Amazon
16Roy 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 Amazon
17Loretta Lynn The Devil Gets His Due Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1] Amazon
18Rusty Dean Sinner Beware Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 Amazon
19Jesse Floyd Satan's Wife Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Rapture Amazon
20BR5-49 The Devil In Me Dog Days Amazon
21Butch Hancock The Devil in Us All War and Peace Amazon
22The Louvin Brothers Satan and the Saint Long Play Collection Amazon
23Buck Owens Satan's Gotta Get Along Without Me Dust On Mother's Bible Amazon
24Jimmie Davis I Ain't Gonna Let Ol' Satan Turn Me 'Round Nobody's Darlin' But Mine Amazon
25The Louvin Brothers Satan Is Real Close Harmony [Disc 5] Amazon
26Dolly Parton Satan's River 1972 Amazon
27Lee Ann Womack Take The Devil Out Of Me The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone Amazon
28Lefty Frizzell From An Angel To A Devil Selected Sides – 1953-57 Amazon
29Ernest Tubb Saturday Satan, Sunday Saint Hillbillies in Hell Country Musics Tormented Testament Volume 5 Amazon
30The Sunshine Boys Quartet The Devil Can't Harm A Praying Man Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter Amazon
31Johnny Horton (I Wished for an Angel) The Devil Sent Me You Warped 5332 – Johnny Horton – 1952 – 1955 Amazon
32Spade Cooley & His Orchestra Swingin' The Devil's Dream Spadella! The Essential Spade Cooley Amazon
33Lawton Williams Satan's Bell Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter Amazon

Dust On The Needle

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
1Ray Price I've Got to Hurry, Hurry, Hurry 1950-1952 (Warped 5000) Amazon
2George Morgan In Your Eyes Warped 6365 – George Morgan – 1963 – 1964 Amazon
3Dick Curless (With Kay Adams) Terrible Tangled Web A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD4 (1950-1969) Amazon
4Dick Curless (With Kay Adams) Old Standby A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD4 (1950-1969) Amazon
5Billy Walker Millie My Darling 1949-1952 (Warped 4960) Amazon
6Bonnie Owens How Can Our Cheatin' Be Wrong 1968-1971 (Warped 6947) Amazon
7Stonewall Jackson This World Holds Nothing (Since You're Gone) Warped 6742 – Stonewall Jackson – 1966-1967 Amazon
8Carl Smith Please Come Back Home 1950-1952 (Warped 5040) Amazon
9Carl Butler Grief in My Heart 1958-1963 (Warped 6025) Amazon
10Carl Butler Baby I'm a Waitin' 1958-1963 (Warped 6025) Amazon
11Conway Twitty Let Me Be the Judge Warped 6224 – Conway Twitty – 1961 – 1962 Amazon
12Don Gibson There She Goes (Let Her Go) Warped 6489 – Don Gibson – 1963 – 1965 Amazon
13Tony Douglas Take The Hands Off The Clock Take The Hands Off The Clock – Single Amazon
14Tony Douglas Portrait of a Fool The Versatile Tony Douglas Amazon
15Leon Ashley Laura (What's He Got That I Ain't Got) Hillbillies In Hell – Country Music's Tormented Testament (1952-1974) The Final Chapter Amazon
16Jean Shepard Another (Just Like Me) Warped 6035 – Jean Shepard – 1960 – 1961 Amazon
17Porter Wagoner (I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle Warped 6653 – Porter Wagoner – 1966 – 1967 Amazon
18Porter Wagoner Wine 1967-1968 (Warped 6797) Amazon
19Dolly Parton Gonna Hurry (As Slow As I Can) Dolly [Disc 1] Amazon
20Dolly Parton It's Sure Gonna Hurt Dolly [Disc 1] Amazon
21Norma Jean Meanwhile, Down at Joe's 1965-1966 (Warped 6599) Amazon
22Marty Robbins I'll Go On Alone The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982 Amazon
23Marty Robbins You Don't Owe Me A Thing Singles, 1952 – 1956 Amazon
24Stonewall Jackson I Wish I Could Fall in Love Today Warped 6742 – Stonewall Jackson – 1966-1967 Amazon
25Ferlin Husky Lose Your Blues 1949-1950 (Warped 498F) Amazon
26Bobby Bare I'd Fight the World 1962-1964 (Warped 6291) Amazon
27Anita Carter Maybe Warped 5627 – Anita Carter – 1956 – 1962 Amazon
28Carl Belew The End of Time 1958-1961 (Warped 6051) Amazon
29Jeanne Pruett Satin Sheets Country Ladies Amazon
30The Browns A Little Too Much to Dream Classics 1964-1966 (Warped 6529) Amazon
31John D. Loudermilk Rhythm and Blues Blue Train Amazon
32Hank Snow The Boogie Woogie Flying Cloud The Chronogical Classics 1951-1952 (Warped 5244) Amazon
33George Jones Oh Lonesome Me George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection Amazon
34George Jones It's Been So Long George Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD Collection Amazon
35Bonnie Owens Number One Heel Warped 6534 – Bonnie Owens – 1964 – 1966 Amazon
36Tony Douglas State Trooper Sammy Young There Stands the Man – Single Amazon
37Marty Robbins Call Me Up (And I'll Come Calling On You) Talking on the Telephone Vol. 2 Amazon
38Willie Nelson Three Days Mr. Record Man – The Early Singles As & BS Amazon
39Willie Nelson Darkness On The Face Of The Earth Crazy: The Demo Sessions Amazon


High On The Hog!

We’ll be rolling back our Hillbilly Wayback Machine to the year 1950 for romance in high pants at the barn dance. Country music really hadn’t yet caught on as a genre so a lot of the music we’ll share today had the misfortune of being coined “hillbilly music”; a blend of silver screen cowboy nostalgia for the lone prairie alongside swinging arrangements and occasional ballads of the heart. You even had yourself some down-home novelty and syncopated vocals that looked out at that land beyond the sun where the tumbleweeds bounced across the horizon. Without further waxing of the poetic, we’ll let you know that you’ll be treated to some very best from under the blanket of the prairie sky including the likes of Smiley Burnette, Jimmy Wakely, Tin Ear Tanner, Zeb Turner and Leon Chappel. These weren’t necessarily the big hits but they were honky tonk and jukebox favorites. Drop in and find out.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Gene Autry Dear Heart and Gentle People Sing Cowboy Sing [Disc 3] Amazon
2Hank Penny Wham! Bam! Thank You Ma'am King Of Hillbilly Bebop [Disc 2] Amazon
3The Sons Of The Pioneers Land Beyond The Sun My Saddle Pals And I ([Disc 4] – Riders In The Sky) Amazon
4Smiley Burnette and The Ewing Sisters It's My Lazy Day The Singing Cowboys Collection Amazon
5Ella Mae Morse The Blacksmith Blues Time-Life – Your Hit Parade: The Early '50S Amazon
6Tex Williams I Lost My Gal From Memphis Vintage Collections Amazon
7Hank Snow I'm Movin' On (Mono) Snow Country Amazon
8Jimmy Wakely Dust The Melody Kid – 1940-51 Amazon
9Audrey Williams I'm Telling You 1948-1951 (Warped 5021) Amazon
10Hank Williams Lovesick Blues 24 Greatest Amazon
11Leon Chappel You Hear Me Talkin' Automatic Mama Amazon
12Red Foley Choc'late Ice Cream Cone Hillbilly Fever [Disc 2] Amazon
13Tennesee Ernie Ford Anticipation Blues Southern Belle [Disc 2] Amazon
14Jimmie Dolan It Had To Come Someday Juke Box Boogie Amazon
15Bill Haley Susan Van Dusan Rock 'N' Roll Arrives CD1 Amazon
16Tennessee Ernie Ford Ain't Nobody's Business But My Own Masters 1949-1976 [Disc 1] Amazon
17Red Foley Don't Be Ashamed Of Your Age Tennessee Saturday Night Amazon
18Ernest Tubb The Lovebug Itch Ernest Tubb – The Texas Troubadour – Writers Galore [Disc 4] Amazon
19Zeb Turner Boogie Woogie Lou I've Got The Boogie Blues Amazon
20Al Dexter Hi-De-Ho Boogie On A Saturday Night Stompin' Singers & Western Swingers ([Disc 4] Saturday Night Rag) Amazon
21Casey Simmons Juke Box Boogie Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys: The West Coast Indies Amazon
22Johnny Bond Mean Mama Boogie Hillibilly Boogie! Amazon
23Hank Penny Bloodshot Eyes King Of Hillbilly Bebop [Disc 2] Amazon
24Hank Penny What You've Got King Of Hillbilly Bebop [Disc 2] Amazon
25Tin Ear Tanner I Used To Work In Chicago Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 1 Amazon
26Shot Jackson & Webb Pierce I Need You Like A Hole In The Head Steelin' It: Steeling The Mood Amazon
27Oakie Jones Love Fever Swinging Hollywood Hillbilly Cowboys Amazon
28Jimmie Davis The Poodle Dog Song Doggone Country Amazon
29Roy Rogers & Dale Evans with Foy Willing & The Riders Of The Purple Sage May the Good Lord Take a Likin' to You (Dale Evans Foy Willing Riders of the PS) The Roy Rogers Collection [Disc 3] Amazon
30Red Kirk It's Raining In My Heart Red Kirk "The Voice of The Country" Amazon
31Hank Snow Breakfast With the Blues (Stereo) Snow Country Amazon
32Little Jimmy Dickens Out Of Business The Essential "Little" Jimmy Dickens Amazon
33Lefty Frizzell My Baby's Just Like Money Hillibilly Boogie! Amazon
34Spade Cooley (voc. Ginny Jackson & Les Anderson) Hillbilly Fever Crossroads In Cowtown Amazon
35Johnny Bond It Ain't Gonna Happen To Me Put Me To Bed Amazon
36Red Foley Chattanoogie Shoe Shine Boy The Essential Recordings Amazon
37Hank Williams Cold, Cold Heart 24 Greatest Amazon

Country Heartaches

Someone once suggested that country songs about heartache and lost love sound the same as country songs about good times and happy days. Is it just the wailing fiddle intro often referred to as the “fiddle kickoff” that neutralizes the emotional jar of joy or grief that causes a reaction like that? Or is it just country songwriting is geared towards the simple task of expressing emotions in the terms of everyday life? No matter the reason, we’ll be taking on a country-themed collection of songs about heartaches this week in the show. We’ll do this by walking through some of the golden greats from the Golden Age of Country Music where the ways of the heart were a common theme and, thus, the heartache was an easy rhythmic mark for the country songwriter. We’ll share the Walkers’ Charlie and Billy, Jimmie Skinner, Buck Owens, Lefty Frizzell, Patsy, George and Stonewall among a couple dozen others, all with a message that speaks to country heartaches; and may we also say that there was plenty of fodder to draw from. Drop in…and don’t forget the hankies.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Lefty Frizzell I Never Go Around Mirrors (I've Got a Heartache to Hide) Life's Like Poetry (Disc 9) Amazon
2Buck Owens Excuse Me (I Think I've Got A Heartache) Classic Country Vol. 15 The Sixties Legends Disc 2 Amazon
3Dwight Yoakam The Heartaches Are Free Tomorrow's Sounds Today Amazon
4Wynn Stewart Heartaches For A Dime Come On – Gonna Shake This Shack Amazon
5Rose Maddox Sing A Little Song Of Heartache Swing West 1: Bakersfield Amazon
6Leon Russell Heartaches By The Number Best Of Hank Wilson Amazon
7Little Jimmy Dickens Happy Heartaches Four Classic Albums Plus Singles 1954-1962 Amazon
8Buddy Miller Looking For A Heartache Like You Cruel Moon Amazon
9Patty Loveless Looking For A Heartache Like You On Your Way Home Amazon
10Jimmie Skinner 100 Proof Heartaches One Dead Man Ago Amazon
11Carl Butler If I Could Spend My Heartaches The Chronogical Classics 1954-1958 (Warped 5592) Amazon
12Hawkshaw Hawkins A Heartache to Recall 22 Greatest Hits Amazon
13Billy Walker Headin' For Heartaches Whirlpool – Gonna Shake This Shack Tonight Amazon
14Charlie Walker Who's Giving You Heartaches Now 1952-1958 (Warped 5230) Amazon
15The Everly Brothers A Brand New Heartache Bob Dylan: Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 5 [Disc 4] Amazon
16Elvis Presley That's When Your Heartaches Begin Elvis Presley (8 Classic Albums Plus Bonus Singles) Amazon
17Guy Mitchell Heartaches By The Number The Sweetest Memories (Newsound) Amazon
18Patsy Cline Heartaches 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – Classic Patsy Cline Amazon
19Bobby Lewis Doggone This Heartache 30th Anniversary Collection Disc 2 Amazon
20Stonewall Jackson If Heartaches Were Wine (I'd Be Drunk All the Time) Warped 6742 – Stonewall Jackson – 1966-1967 Amazon
21George Jones & Melba Montgomery Multiply The Heartaches Vintage Collections Amazon
22Sonny James Somebody Else's Heartache Singles Amazon
23Mason Dixon Queen of My Heartaches Country & Western Nuggets Amazon
24The Mavericks Excuse Me (I Think I've Got a Heartache) From Hell to Paradise Amazon
25The Time Jumpers This Heartache Kid Sister Amazon
26Rosie Flores & Ray Campi A Little Bit Of Heartache A Little Bit Of Heartache Amazon
27Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh Brand New Heartache Holidin' Our Own Amazon
28Jimmie Dale Gilmore Don't Look For A Heartache Don't Look For Heartache Amazon
29Patsy Cline That's How A Heartache Begins The Patsy Cline Collection Amazon
30BR5-49 Heartaches By The Number One Long Saturday Night, Plus Amazon
31Nicki Bluhm & The Gramblers Heartache Loved Wild Lost Amazon
32Johnny Tillotson Suff'rin' from a Heartache The Tillotson Touch Amazon
33Cyndi Lauper Heartaches By the Number Detour Amazon
34Dane Stinit Heartache Catches Up with Me [Take 15] Original Sun Recordings 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

Spinnin’ The Fifties

The 1950s were an incredibly vibrant decade for music, clearly a reflection of a post-war energy and relief. Urban jazz, the bright lights of broadway, and the crooning magic moments that lept off the silver screen were a paradox to the golden age of country music, the passionate rhythm of swing and R&B and, of course, the new audiences celebrating youth at sock hops, malt shops and sleepovers. It was an age of celebration and discovery if you were young; an age of culture shock if you weren’t. This week on Deeper Roots, we’ll tiptoe through the sounds of Dave Brubeck, Dion, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry and a host of others who planted their flag in the decade of the fifties. An unusual playlist for sure. Drop on by and try to get past the fact that Black Friday will soon be over and holiday madness gets into full swing.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Rosemary Clooney Hey There Magic Moments – The Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 1) Amazon
2Peggy Lee Bali Ha'i American Beauty Amazon
3Doris Day Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera) Magic Moments – The Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 1) Amazon
4Sarah Vaughan Lover Man Great American Songbook Amazon
5Chet Baker My Funny Valentine Blue Note Blend: On The Count Of 3 Amazon
6The Dave Brubeck Quartet Take Five Pop Memories of the '60s Amazon
7The Champs Tequila Rock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50S Amazon
8Duane Eddy Rebel Rouser Twang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology [Disc 1] Amazon
9Santo & Johnny Sleepwalk Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959 Amazon
10Hank Williams Hey, Good Lookin' 24 Greatest Amazon
11Johnny Cash I Walk The Line Original Greatest Hits Amazon
12Porter Wagoner A Satisfied Mind A Slice Of Life & Satisfied Mind Amazon
13Dion I Wonder Why Doo Wop Box Disc 3 Amazon
14Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers Why Do Fools Fall In Love Glory Days Of Rock 'N' Roll: Doo-Wop [Disc 1] Amazon
15The Bobbettes Mr. Lee The Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 Disc 2 Amazon
16The Fleetwoods Come Softly To Me Malt Shop Memories – Top Down Convertible Sound ( Disc 1) Amazon
17The Platters Only You (And You Alone) All-Time Greatest Hits Amazon
18The Platters The Great Pretender Doo Wop Box Disc 1 Amazon
19Fats Domino Blueberry Hill This Is Fats Domino Amazon
20Frankie Avalon Venus Billboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959 Amazon
21Ricky Nelson Lonesome Town Destination Lonely Street Amazon
22Ricky Nelson Poor Little Fool Ricky Nelson Amazon
23Paul Anka Diana Gems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1 Amazon
24Elvis Presley Don't Be Cruel Memories: Jukebox Gems (Disc 1) Amazon
25Chuck Berry Roll Over Beethoven Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
26Little Richard Tutti Frutti Pure R&B: Vol. 1- Got My Mojo Workin [Disc 1] Amazon
27Eddie Cochran Summertime Blues Loud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3 Amazon
28Bill Haley & The Comets Rock Around The Clock Rock N' Roll Greats Volume 1 Amazon
29Elvis Presley Jailhouse Rock Can't Help Falling In Love (Remastered) Amazon
30Danny & the Juniors At the Hop The Rock 'N' Roll Era: 1957 Amazon
31Chuck Berry Johnny B. Goode Johnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess Recordings Amazon
32Big Joe Turner Shake, Rattle & Roll Atlantic Rock & Roll Amazon
33Little Richard Long Tall Sally Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
34Shirley & Lee Let The Good Times Roll Blowing The Fuse: 1956 Amazon
35Ray Charles What'd I Say The Soul Story, Vol. 1 [Disc 2] Amazon