Category Archives: Fifties Country

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.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Rosemary ClooneyHey ThereMagic Moments – The Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 1)Amazon
2Peggy LeeBali Ha'iAmerican BeautyAmazon
3Doris DayWhatever Will Be, Will Be (Que Sera, Sera)Magic Moments – The Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 1)Amazon
4Sarah VaughanLover ManGreat American SongbookAmazon
5Chet BakerMy Funny ValentineBlue Note Blend: On The Count Of 3Amazon
6The Dave Brubeck QuartetTake FivePop Memories of the '60sAmazon
7The ChampsTequilaRock Instrumental Classics vol. 1 – The '50SAmazon
8Duane EddyRebel RouserTwang Thang: The Duane Eddy Anthology [Disc 1]Amazon
9Santo & JohnnySleepwalkBillboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959Amazon
10Hank WilliamsHey, Good Lookin'24 GreatestAmazon
11Johnny CashI Walk The LineOriginal Greatest HitsAmazon
12Porter WagonerA Satisfied MindA Slice Of Life & Satisfied MindAmazon
13DionI Wonder WhyDoo Wop Box Disc 3Amazon
14Frankie Lymon & The TeenagersWhy Do Fools Fall In LoveGlory Days Of Rock 'N' Roll: Doo-Wop [Disc 1]Amazon
15The BobbettesMr. LeeThe Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 Disc 2Amazon
16The FleetwoodsCome Softly To MeMalt Shop Memories – Top Down Convertible Sound ( Disc 1)Amazon
17The PlattersOnly You (And You Alone)All-Time Greatest HitsAmazon
18The PlattersThe Great PretenderDoo Wop Box Disc 1Amazon
19Fats DominoBlueberry HillThis Is Fats DominoAmazon
20Frankie AvalonVenusBillboard Top Rock & Roll Hits: 1959Amazon
21Ricky NelsonLonesome TownDestination Lonely StreetAmazon
22Ricky NelsonPoor Little FoolRicky NelsonAmazon
23Paul AnkaDianaGems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1Amazon
24Elvis PresleyDon't Be CruelMemories: Jukebox Gems (Disc 1)Amazon
25Chuck BerryRoll Over BeethovenBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
26Little RichardTutti FruttiPure R&B: Vol. 1- Got My Mojo Workin [Disc 1]Amazon
27Eddie CochranSummertime BluesLoud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 3Amazon
28Bill Haley & The CometsRock Around The ClockRock N' Roll Greats Volume 1Amazon
29Elvis PresleyJailhouse RockCan't Help Falling In Love (Remastered)Amazon
30Danny & the JuniorsAt the HopThe Rock 'N' Roll Era: 1957Amazon
31Chuck BerryJohnny B. GoodeJohnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess RecordingsAmazon
32Big Joe TurnerShake, Rattle & RollAtlantic Rock & RollAmazon
33Little RichardLong Tall SallyBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
34Shirley & LeeLet The Good Times RollBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
35Ray CharlesWhat'd I SayThe Soul Story, Vol. 1 [Disc 2]Amazon

Cheatin’ Country Tales

There are a handful of common story threads that run through classic country songs. I’m not talking about trucks, beer the ‘merica that seems to have overwhelmed modern so-called country with autotune and synth pop. The heartbreak of cheating situations that were among the most common storylines in the Golden Age of country at a time when family unity was of paramount importance. It was country music’s frank portrayal of infidelity that offered a counterpoint which was both relatable and controversial. Cheating songs became a central theme, reflecting the complexities and emotional intensity of love, betrayal, and heartbreak. Dave will share as many as will fit in two hours in this week’s episode with early tearjerkers from Kitty Wells, The Louvin Brothers, Billy Walker, Bonnie Owens and George Jones. There will also be the very best of the classics from Charley Pride, Dolly Parton, and Loretta Lynn to take us into the 70s and beyond. . .

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Hank WilliamsYour Cheatin' Heart24 GreatestAmazon
2Patsy ClineYour Cheatin' Heart20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – Classic Patsy ClineAmazon
3Charlie WalkerCheaters Never Win1952-1958 (Warped 5230)Amazon
4Billy WalkerOne Heart's Beatin' One Heart's Cheatin'1949-1952 (Warped 4960)Amazon
5Hank ThompsonI Find You Cheatin' on Me1946-1949 (Warped 4660)Amazon
6Lee ElliottCheaters Never WinCountry & Western NuggetsAmazon
7Jerry Lee LewisShe Even Woke Me Up To Say GoodbyeThe Definitive CollectionAmazon
8Sanford ClarkA CheatChills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962Amazon
9The Rockin' SaintsCheat On Me BabyThat'll Flat Git It, Vol. 6 (Us Decca, Vol. 2)Amazon
10Bonnie OwensHow Can Our Cheatin' Be Wrong1968-1971 (Warped 6947)Amazon
11The Louvin BrothersWhile You're Cheating On MeClose Harmony [Disc 4]Amazon
12Kitty WellsCheated Out of LoveLonely Street/Dust On the BibleAmazon
13Kitty WellsCheatin's a SinThe Complete Country HitsAmazon
14George JonesThe Window Up AboveGeorge Jones The Absolutely Essential 3 CD CollectionAmazon
15Loretta LynnYou Ain't Woman EnoughLoretta Lynn Legendery Country SingerAmazon
16Billie Jo SpearsThe Cheating KindCountry Greats #2Amazon
17Crystal GayleTalking In Your SleepSuperstars Of Country: Easy Loving [Disc 1]Amazon
18Dolly PartonJoleneDolly [Disc 3]Amazon
19Charley PrideDoes My Ring Hurt Your FingerGolden Age of Country Volume 4: Honky-Tonk Man [Disc 1]Amazon
20Gary StewartShe's Acting Single (I'm Drinkin' Doubles)Superstars Of Country: Good Ol Songs [Disc 2]Amazon
21Del McCouryCheater's in the Soup1975-1976 (Warped 7553F)Amazon
22Ricky SkaggsDon't Cheat In Our Hometown [Album Version]Country Gentleman: The Best Of Ricky SkaggsAmazon
23T.G. SheppardLast Cheater's WaltzContemporary Country: The Late '70s Pure GoldAmazon
24Moe BrandyI Cheated Me Right Out Of YouContemporary Country: The Late 70's – Hot HitsAmazon
25Moe BandyIt's A Cheating SituationThe Late '70sAmazon
26John Prine With Dolores KeaneIt's A Cheating SituationIn Spite Of OurselvesAmazon
27John AndersonShe Just Started Liking Cheatin' SongsAnthologyAmazon
28Dale WatsonCheatin' Heart AttackCheatin' Heart AttackAmazon
29Mickey GilleyMy Baby's Cheatin' On MeBoppin' By The Bayou – Made In The ShadeAmazon
30Dwight YoakamKing of FoolsReprise Please Baby: The Warner Bros. Years Disc 2Amazon
31Porter WagonerThe Cold Hard Facts of LifeThe Essential Porter WagonerAmazon
32Emmylou HarrisThe Last Cheaters WaltzSongbird: Rare Tracks & Forgotten Gems Disc 1Amazon
33Kenny RogersRuby, Don't Take Your Love To Town20 Great YearsAmazon
34Kitty WellsHey JoeCheatin's a SinAmazon

Also Rans 1956

The charts for the year 1956 were overtaken by Elvis. No question. There were a few others that illuminated the jukebox namely Fats Domino, Webb Pierce, Little Richard, and The Platters. Rock ‘n roll’s impact swept the floor with most burying some fairly incredible performances in it’s wake. Call it an avalanche. Call it a mudslide. Call it what you like. As I began to assemble a show looking at the top of the charts for the year, I found that starting at the bottom and working my way up was a revelation. Whether it was country, rhythm & blues, rock ‘n roll or pop…there were some delicious also-rans that I could not ignore so chose to ignore the Top 30 and focused today’s show on the so-called losers below the waterline of the Top 40. And what a joy it was! We’ll hear from some of them including Big Joe Turner, The Dells, LaVern Baker, Clyde McPhatter, Carl Smith and Kitty Wells in today’s show. I hope you’ll find some time, morning, noon or night, to listen in.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1The Ernie Freeman ComboJivin' Around, Part 1Blowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
2Bo DiddleyPretty ThingBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
3Chuck BerryToo Much Monkey BusinessJohnny B. Goode-His Complete 50's Chess RecordingsAmazon
4Big Joe TurnerThe Chicken and the HawkBig Joe RocksAmazon
5LaVern BakerI Can't Love You EnoughRock & RollAmazon
6Clyde McPhatterSeven DaysRock & RollAmazon
7Chuck WillisJuanitaI Remember Chuck Willis / The King Of The StrollAmazon
8Chuck WillisIt's Too LateBlowing The Fuse: 1956Amazon
9The CloversDevil or AngelDoo Wop Box Disc 2Amazon
10The DellsOh What A NiteThe Vee-Jay Story [Disc 1]Amazon
11The MoonglowsSee SawDancin' And Romancin' In The 50s And 60s [Disc 1]Amazon
12Little Willie JohnHome At LastFever: The Best Of Little Willie JohnAmazon
13Ray CharlesLonely AvenueRay Charles – 93 Essential TracksAmazon
14Otis Williams & His CharmsIvory TowerRhythm & Blues 1952-1959 – Music Sampler, Vol. 2Amazon
15The Five KeysOut Of Sight, Out Of MindDoo Wop Vocal Group GreatsAmazon
16The G-ClefsKa-Ding DongGems from the Columbia Vaults, Pt. 1Amazon
17Clarence "Frogman" HenryAin't Got No HomeChess New Orleans [Disc 2]Amazon
18Sil AustinSlow WalkGreat Instrumental Hits Of The 50s-80s (10 Songs)Amazon
19Hugo Winterhalter And His Orchestra With Eddie HeywoodCanadian SunsetMagic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2)Amazon
20June Carter CashJuke Box BluesKeep on the Sunny Side: Her Life in Music Disc 1Amazon
21Eddy ArnoldYou Don't Know MeWarped 5543 – Eddy Arnold – 1955Amazon
22Webb PierceTeenage BoogieAll Hits! [Disc 2]Amazon
23Johnny Horton093-Honky Tonk ManColumbia Records' 125th Anniv.Amazon
24The Louvin BrothersCash On The BarrelheadCapitol Country Music ClassicsAmazon
25Kitty WellsThe Lonely Side of TownThe Complete Country HitsAmazon
26Sonny JamesThe Cat Came BackSinglesAmazon
27Marty RobbinsI Can't Quit (I've Gone Too Far)The Essential Marty Robbins: 1951-1982Amazon
28Porter WagonerTryin' to Forget the BluesThe Essential Porter WagonerAmazon
29Tennessee Ernie FordThat's AllMasters 1949-1976 [Disc 3]Amazon
30Hank ThompsonI'm Not Mad, Just HurtMost Of AllAmazon
31Sanford ClarkThe FoolChills & Fever: The Dot Records Story 1955-1962Amazon
32Choir / Faron Young / Hubert LongTurn Her DownThe Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young (1 of 2)Amazon
33Carl SmithWicked LiesKisses Don't LieAmazon
34Wanda JacksonI Gotta KnowRockin' With Wanda [US Bonus Tracks]Amazon
35Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers/Jimmy WrightThe ABC's of LoveThe Doo Wop Box, Vol. 2 Disc 2Amazon
36The ChordettesBorn To Be With YouFour By Four – Girl GroupsAmazon

Let’s Duet

Country duets have been a hallmark of the genre and this week we’ll spend a couple of hours sampling some old, some new, some sappy and some without peer. From Rose and Buck to George and Tammy, we’ll be spending time with some real down home pairings singing songs of loose talk, booze, suspicion, holding on to what you’ve got and a whole lot more. There’s a range of topics beyond that and most involve cheatin’, lovin’ and fightin’…just what you’d expect from the base. The pairings are not necessarily all husband and wife as we’ve got a few that go beyond that rail like Dwight and Buck, the Hanks, and Waylon and Willie. Tune in Friday morning for a countrified, if not rarified, journey with some classic country duets.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1John Prine/Iris DementIn Spite of OurselvesIn Spite of OurselvesAmazon
2John Prine With Melba MontgomeryMilwaukee Here I ComeIn Spite Of OurselvesAmazon
3Johnny Cash & June Carter CashJacksonClassic Country Great Duets [Disc 1]Amazon
4Johnny Cash & June CarterIt Ain't Me, BabeCarryin' on With Johnny Cash & June CarterAmazon
5Bob Dylan & Johnny CashGirl From The North CountryCountry Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 2]Amazon
6Buck Owens & Rose MaddoxLoose TalkClassic Country: Great Duets [Disc 2]Amazon
7Buck OwensUnder Your Spell Again (Duet With Dwight Yoakam)Hot DogAmazon
8Buck Owens/Dwight YoakamStreets of BakersfieldReprise Please Baby: The Warner Bros. Years Disc 1Amazon
9Dwight Yoakam/Sheryl CrowBaby Don't GoReprise Please Baby: The Warner Bros. Years Disc 2Amazon
10Emmylou Harris & The BandEvangelineDuetsAmazon
11Linda RonstadtI Can't Help It (If I'm Still In Love With You) (w/Emmylou Harris)DuetsAmazon
12Emmylou Harris & Gram ParsonsLove HurtsDuetsAmazon
13k.d. lang (with Roy Orbison)CryingRecollection CD 2Amazon
14Hank Williams & Hank Williams, Jr.There's A Tear In My BeerFifty Years Of Hits – Vol 10Amazon
15Patsy Cline & Jim ReevesI Fall To Pieces [Album Version (Manufactured Duet)]RememberingAmazon
16Alison Krauss/Gillian WelchI'll Fly AwayO Brother, Where Art Thou?Amazon
17Robert Plant & Alison KraussPlease Read The LetterRaising SandAmazon
18Waylon Jennings & Willie NelsonMamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be CowboysRCA Country Legends [Disc 2]Amazon
19Waylon Jennings & Jessi ColterSuspicious MindsClassic Country: Great Duets [Disc 2]Amazon
20George Jones & Tammy WynetteWe're Gonna Hold OnClassic Country: Great Duets [Disc 2]Amazon
21Porter Wagoner & Dolly PartonThe Last Thing On My MindDolly [Disc 1]Amazon
22Ashley MonroeYou Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter) [Duet with Blake Shelton]Like A RoseAmazon
23Ray Charles & Willie NelsonSeven Spanish AngelsThe Many Sides Of Willie Nelson [Cd 3 "Duets"] (1992)Amazon
24Marty StuartThis One's Gonna Hurt You (For A Long, Long Time)20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best of Marty StuartAmazon
25George Jones/Merle HaggardYesterday's Wine [Duet]The Essential Merle Haggard: The Epic YearsAmazon
26John C. Reilly & Angela CorreaLet's DuetWalk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) [Deluxe Edition]Amazon
27Dottie West Duet with Don GibsonThere's A Story (Goin' Round)The Essential Dottie WestAmazon
28Randy TravisHappy Trails (Duet With Roy Rogers)Heroes & FriendsAmazon

Ladies of Rockabilly

Sweatin’ with the oldies…that’s all we can say. This week’s Deeper Roots focuses on both the vintage and the contemporary performances by women who took on the rockabilly mantle. While a male-dominated genre, particularly when the boys (and record companies) were chasing the next Elvis, gave us hundreds (thousands?) of gyrating hips and raw rock in the form of pounding piano, thrashing guitar and duck tails, there was barely enough room for the ladies. But we’ve made some room on this morning’s show where we’ll be featuring the likes of Wanda Jackson, Janis Martin, Laura Lee Perkins and a bevy of brash rocking women from the early days of rock ‘n roll. We’ll do our best to balance the show with late breakers of the rockabilly kind:  Kim Lenz, Linda Gail Lewis, Imelda May and Rosie Flores are some of the contemporary sounds we’ll be hearing from on this September morning. Tune in for a wild two hours…guaranteed.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Patsy ClineStop, Look And ListenGrady MartinAmazon
2Brenda LeeLittle Jonah (Rock On Your Steel Guitar)Grady MartinAmazon
3Joyce GreenBlack CadillacWild Streak, Vol. 1Amazon
4Mimi RomanLittle Lovin'100 Rare '50s Rockabilly TracksAmazon
5Laura Lee PerkinsI Just Don't Like This Kind Of Lovin'Essential Rockabilly The Imperial StoryAmazon
6Laura Lee PerkinsOh La BabyEssential Rockabilly The Imperial StoryAmazon
7Maddox Brothers & RoseThe Death of Rock 'n' RollClassic RockabillyAmazon
8Janis MartinDrugstore Rock 'n' RollClassic RockabillyAmazon
9Janis MartinWill You WillyumGrady MartinAmazon
10Wanda JacksonThere's A Party Goin' OnQueen Of RockabillyAmazon
11Wanda JacksonLet's Have A PartyQueen Of RockabillyAmazon
12The Collins KidsParty100 Rare '50s Rockabilly TracksAmazon
13The Collins KidsI'm In My Teens100 Rare '50s Rockabilly TracksAmazon
14Ann JonesHi-ballin' DaddyHillbilly Bop 'n' Boogie: King/Federal Roots of Rockabilly 1944 – 56Amazon
15Barbara PittmanSentimental FoolThe Best of Sun Rockabilly, Vol. 2Amazon
16Sparkle MooreRock-a-BopClassic RockabillyAmazon
17Jean ChapelI Won't Be Rockin' TonightClassic RockabillyAmazon
18Charline ArthurHello BabyBig "D" Jamboree, Gals Of TheAmazon
19Charline ArthurBurn That CandleWelcome To The ClubAmazon
20Robert GordonHot Dog! That Made Her Mad (feat. Rosie Flores)Rockabilly for LifeAmazon
21Rosie Flores & The TalismenI've Got A Right To CrySo SadAmazon
22Kim Lenz & the JaguarsHowl at the MoonThe One and OnlyAmazon
23Kim LenzBury Me DeepSlowly SpeedingAmazon
24Kim Lenz & the JaguarsRock & Roll GuitarThe One and OnlyAmazon
25Ronnie Wood with his Wild FiveRock 'n' Roll Music (featuring Imelda May)Mad Lad: A Live Tribute to Chuck BerryAmazon
26Imelda MayBig Bad Handsome ManLove TattooAmazon
27Samantha FishIt's Your Voodoo WorkingChills & FeverAmazon
28Linda Gail Lewis, Slim Jim Phantom & Danny B. HarveyDiggin' My Way out of HellDiggin' My Way Out Of Hell – SingleAmazon
29Linda Gail LewisRocking My Life AwayHard Rocking WomanAmazon
30Robbie Fulks & Linda Gail LewisBoogie Woogie Country GalWild! Wild! Wild!Amazon
31Van Morrison & Linda Gail LewisLet's Talk About UsYou Win AgainAmazon
32Tammy Lynn & Myles HighGood Rockin' TonightTurn My Music OnAmazon
33Tammy Lynn & Myles HighSweet As My BabyTurn My Music OnAmazon
34Wanda JacksonMean Mean ManRocket In My PocketAmazon
35Wanda JacksonLong Tall SallyQueen Of RockabillyAmazon
36Wanda JacksonTwo Shots (feat. Elle King and Joan Jett)EncoreAmazon
37Janis MartinMy Boy ElvisLoud, Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1Amazon

Two Glasses Joe

We’re heading on over to the Alibi Room, or Red’s Recovery Room, or whatever your local watering hole might be named and we’ll be doing so with the idea that the hair of the dog is what’s in order this Friday morning, recalling if we can the previous night’s bar hop celebrating country music’s favorite songs of cigareets, whiskey and wild wild women. Songs about whiskey and the glasses on the bar where stories and faces go from long to bright as the jukebox fires up. We’ll hear some classic songs from Webb Pierce, George Jones, Roger Miller and Merle Haggard alongside some contemporary sounds from the late Bill Staines, Chris Stapleton, and Dale Watson, all celebrating Johnnie Walker, Jim Beam, and Maker’s Mark…alongside a little bit of scotch and rye…neat or on the rocks. The honky tonk joints we’ll visit will likely have sawdust on the floor and a well-worn bar. Tune for the very best from the past century with your host, Dave Stroud, on KOWS Community Radio.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Cal SmithThe Lord Knows I'm Drinking20 HitsAmazon
2Ernest TubbTwo Glasses JoeErnest Tubb: The Definitive CollectionAmazon
3[dialogue]…People Condemn Whiskey…Heartworn HighwaysAmazon
4Johnny BushWhiskey RiverCountry USA 1972Amazon
5Dale WatsonWhiskey or GodBlackjackAmazon
6Merle HaggardThe Bottle Let Me DownThe Lonesome Fugitive: The Merle Haggard Anthology 1963-1977 [Disc 1]Amazon
7Bill StainesRye Whiskey JoeJust Play One Tune MoreAmazon
8Misisipi Mike WolfWhiskey Warm and MellowThe Cold Hard Facts of MikeAmazon
9Marty Stuart/Travis TrittThe Whiskey Ain't Workin'Compadres: An Anthology of DuetsAmazon
10Willie NelsonWhiskey RiverShotgun WillieAmazon
11Chris StapletonTennessee WhiskeyTravellerAmazon
12Tex RitterRye WhiskeyHigh NoonAmazon
13Merle HaggardI Think I'll Just Stay Here And Drink20 HitsAmazon
14Webb PierceThere Stands The Glass20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: Best Of Webb PierceAmazon
15Jerry Garcia & David GrismanWhiskey in the JarShady GroveAmazon
16Blue MountainLittle Stream Of WhiskeyRootsAmazon
17Osborne BrothersHey Hey Bartender1963-1965 (Warped 6361)Amazon
18Dale WatsonHair Of The DogA Collection Of Drinking SongsAmazon
19Dale WatsonWine Don't LieA Collection Of Drinking SongsAmazon
20Roger MillerChug A Lug20 HitsAmazon
21Hank ThompsonScotch And SodaA Collection Of Drinking SongsAmazon
22George JonesTennessee WhiskeyLegendary Country SingersAmazon
23Hayes CarllKnockin' Over WhiskeysTrouble In MindAmazon
24The Bootleg HoneysLittle WhiskeyPaint It RedAmazon
25Emmylou HarrisBottle Let Me DownPieces Of The SkyAmazon
26Joe ElyWhiskey And Women And Money To BurnNew Country January 1995Amazon
27Red Ingle & His Natural SevenCigareets, Whiskey and Wild Wild Women (Smoking)Bob Dylan Presents: Radio Radio, Theme Time Radio Hour, Vol. 3Amazon
28Jerry Lee LewisIt Was The Whiskey Talkin' (Not Me)A Half Century Of Hits: Rockin' My Life Away [Disc 3]Amazon
29David LuningWhiskey BottleJust Drop On ByAmazon
30Hank Williams Jr.Whiskey Bent And Hell BoundContemporary Country: The Late '70s Pure GoldAmazon
31Asleep at the WheelChug-A-Lug (feat. Huey Lewis)King of the Road: A Tribute to Roger MillerAmazon
32Chris StapletonWhiskey SunriseStarting OverAmazon

Streets of Bakersfield

It was Nashville West but with a decidedly more amount of midwestern flavoring. Bakersfield was the terminus of most of the migrant traffic from the dust bowl where the hope for a better life was not always fulfilled. So many landed square on the Central Valley and for those who grew up it became a whirlwind post-war prosperity that was familiar: oil drilling, agriculture, almond orchards, cattle raising, and a transportation industry to support it. Those who were raised on country swing and the classic country sounds coming out of Nashville were lucky given Bakersfield’s proximity to the studios of Hollywood and Los Angeles. We’ll hear from many of them, digging into the early years of Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Tommy Collins, Wynn Stewart and a host of other performers who made that blend of rough country, trucking songs, and honky-tonk swing what it would become.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Buck OwensStreets of BakersfieldAll-Time Greatest Hits, Vol. 1Amazon
2Bill Woods & His Orange Blossom PlayboysHave I Got A Chance With YouSwingbilliesAmazon
3Joe Maphis & Rose LeeDim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)Swing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
4Jean Shepard with Ferlin HuskyA Dear John LetterSwing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
5Bud HobbsLouisiana SwingDefining Country Music – The Sounds of BakersfieldAmazon
6Billy MizeWho Will Buy the WineBilly Mize and the Bakersfield Sound (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)Amazon
7Rose & The Maddox BrothersWhy Don't You Haul Off & Love MeMaddox Brothers & RoseAmazon
8Alvadean CokerWe're Gonna BopThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 1; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
9Tommy CollinsWhat'cha Gonna Do Now?Swing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
10Ferlin HuskyI Feel Better All OverThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
11Bonnie Blue Bell & Leon Reach & Chic Adams BandLet's GoThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 1; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
12Billy MizeSolid SenderThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 1; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
13Bill CarterI Wanna Feel GoodThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
14Johnny BondThree Or Four NightsThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
15Herb HensonGoodbye, Baby, GoodbyeThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
16Wynn StewartPlayboyCome On – Gonna Shake This ShackAmazon
17Buck OwensHot Dog (with Danny Dedmon)The Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 1; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
18Buck OwensThe Key's In The MailboxBuck Owens Sings Harlan HowardAmazon
19Buck OwensLove's Gonna Live HereBuck 'Em: The Music of Buck Owens (1955-1967)Amazon
20Buck OwensTogether AgainThe Very Best Of Buck Owens, Volume 1Amazon
21Ferlin HuskySix Days on the RoadDefining Country Music – The Sounds of BakersfieldAmazon
22Red SimpsonTruck Drivin' ManThe Best of Red Simpson: Country Western Truck Drivin' SingerAmazon
23Red SimpsonThe Highway PatrolSwing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
24Bonnie OwensJust for the Children's SakeWarped 6534 – Bonnie Owens – 1964 – 1966Amazon
25Bobby AustinApartment #9Swing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
26Merle HaggardOkie From MuskogeeCapitol Collector's SeriesAmazon
27Merle Haggard And The StrangersMama Tried (2006 Digital Remaster)Hag: The Best of Merle HaggardAmazon
28Dallas FrazierCalifornia Cotton FieldsSinging My SongsAmazon
29Abe MulkeyPacked Up And Shoved OffThe Other Side of Bakersfield, Vol. 2; 1950s & 60s Boppers and Rockers from 'Nashville West'Amazon
30Wynn StewartIt's Such A Pretty World TodaySwing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
31Wynn StewartDonna On My MindCalifornia CountryAmazon
32Buck OwensAct NaturallyThe Buck Owens Collection (1959-1990) [Disc 1]Amazon
33Merle Haggard & the StrangersPlease Mr. D.J.Swing West 1: BakersfieldAmazon
34Buck OwensStreets of Bakersfield [With Dwight Yoakam]The Buck Owens Collection (1959-1990) – Disc 3Amazon
35Maddox Brothers & RoseThe Death of Rock 'n' RollClassic RockabillyAmazon

Classic Country Covers

It may be Friday the 13th, but we won’t be bothered with the superstitious. Instead, we’ll go with traditional and popular country nuggets as our topics with some couplings of contemporary and vintage. We’ve gathered a collection of modern country covers from the likes of Rosanne Cash, Solitaire Miles, Charley Crockett, Chuck Mead and others and we’ll be coupling them up with originals and favorites from the distant past. Merle Travis, Red Foley, Hank Williams, and The Louvin Brothers take the stage from a dream-filled past. We’re celebrating country classics from fifties, sixties and seventies and having fun doing it while kicking back. You don’t need to be wearing pretentious boots and hats to appreciate the easy sway of classic country … you just need to close your eyes and appreciate the performances … well, unless you’re driving.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1The BandLong Black VeilMusic From Big PinkAmazon
2Rosanne Cash Featuring Jeff TweedyLong Black Veil (Feat. Jeff Tweedy)The ListAmazon
3Lefty FrizzellLong Black VeilColumbia Country Classics, Vol. 3: AmericanaAmazon
4Johnny BondGoodbye Old PaintStandard TranscriptionsAmazon
5Pharis and Jason RomeroGoodbye Old PaintA Wanderer I'll StayAmazon
6McKinley JamesWho Will The Next Fool BeWho Will The Next Fool Be (Single)Amazon
7Charlie RichWho Will the Next Fool BeSun Ballads 1953-62Amazon
8Johnny CashWe Must Believe In MagicThe Adventures Of Johnny CashAmazon
9Matt UrmyWe Must Believe in Magic (feat. Cowboy Jack Clement)Out of the AshesAmazon
10The Malpass BrothersHello WallsThe Malpass BrothersAmazon
11Willie NelsonHello WallsMr. Record Man – The Early Singles As & BSAmazon
12Henson CargillSkip a RopeSkip a RopeAmazon
13Charley CrockettSkip A RopeMusic City USAAmazon
14Kevin RussellAre You Teasing MePlain Dirt FashionAmazon
15The Louvin BrothersAre You Teasing MeCapitol Country Music ClassicsAmazon
16Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee PlowboysAnytimeNipper's Greatest Hits – The 40's Vol 2Amazon
17Chuck MeadAnytimeYou Don't Know Me: Rediscovering Eddy ArnoldAmazon
18Dirty CelloSixteen TonsI May Not Be PerfectAmazon
19Merle TravisSixteen TonsHot Pickin' [Disc 1]Amazon
20Spade Cooley & His Orchestra feat. Tex WilliamsCrazy 'Cause I Love YouThat's What I Like About The WestAmazon
21Solitaire MilesCrazy Cause I Love YouSusie Blue and the Lonesome FellasAmazon
22Whitney RoseThere's A Tear In My BeerHeartbreaker of the YearAmazon
23Hank Williams & Hank Williams, Jr.There's A Tear In My BeerFifty Years Of Hits – Vol 10Amazon
24Solitaire MilesI Hear You Talkin'Susie Blue and the Lonesome FellasAmazon
25Bob Wills & His Texas PlayboysI Hear You Talkin'The Tiffany Transcriptions Volume 1Amazon
26Hank WilliamsYou're Gonna ChangeFifty Years Of Hits – Vol 11Amazon
27Tom PettyYou're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)Timeless: Hank Williams TributeAmazon
28Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll BoysSettin' The Woods On FireBack At The Quonset HutAmazon
29Hank Williams & The Drifting CowboysSettin' The Woods On FireSteelin' It: Steeling The MoodAmazon
30Red FoleyTennessee BorderTennessee Saturday NightAmazon
31Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll BoysTennessee BorderBack At The Quonset HutAmazon
32BR5-49The Price of LoveThis Is BR549Amazon
33The Everly BrothersThe Price of LoveWalk Right Back: The Everly Brothers on Warner Bros. Disc 2Amazon

Loretta & Jerry

This past October, we lost a couple of very important ties to two whose stars shone bright in both the Golden Age of Country and the Golden Age of Rock ‘n Roll. We’ll take on a dual tribute to the passing of Loretta Lynn and Jerry Lee Lewis. The torch has surely passed but their fire burned white hot as their stars rose, both sharing controversy and almost overnight fame. They also continued to perform into their later years, teaming up with songwriters and performers who were relevant to new generations, but true to their core calling. Our first hour take time to visit Loretta Lynn’s humble but no-nonsense storytelling and the second hour will take us into the whirlwind of unapologetic badassness that was Jerry Lee Lewis.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Loretta LynnYou Ain't Woman EnoughHonky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1]Amazon
2Loretta LynnCoal Miner's Daughter (Recitation)Still Woman EnoughAmazon
3Loretta LynnCoal Miner's DaughterCountry Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 1]Amazon
4Loretta Lynn,Margo PriceOne's On the Way (feat. Margo Price)One's On the Way (feat. Margo Price)Amazon
5Loretta Lynn & Jack WhitePortland OregonVan Lear RoseAmazon
6Loretta LynnThe PillLoretta Lynn Legendery Country SingerAmazon
7Loretta Lynn & Conway TwittyAfter the Fire Is GoneDecca Country Classics 1934-1973Amazon
8Ernest Tubb & Loretta LynnAnswer The Phone (w/ Loretta Lynn)A Tribute To A LegendAmazon
9Ernest Tubb/Loretta LynnThanks a LotLegendary: It's Been So Long, DarlingAmazon
10Loretta Lynn & Conway TwittyYou're The Reason Our Kids Are UglyHonky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 3]Amazon
11Loretta LynnShe's Got YouLoretta Lynn Legendery Country SingerAmazon
12Loretta LynnSuccessI Got A Woman : Gems From The Decca Vaults [Disc 1]Amazon
13Loretta LynnThis Old HouseVan Lear RoseAmazon
14Loretta LynnFirst CityLoretta Lynn Legendery Country SingerAmazon
15Loretta LynnDon't Come Home A-Drinkin' (With Lovin' On Your Mind)Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection [Disc 1]Amazon
16Loretta LynnIn the Sweet Bye and ByeAll Time Gospel Favorites [Disc 1]Amazon
17Jerry Lee Lewis/Jimmy PageRock and RollLast Man StandingAmazon
18Jerry Lee LewisCrazy ArmsAll Killer, No Filler: The Anthology (Disc 1)Amazon
19Jerry Lee LewisEnd Of The RoadBob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four [Disc 4]Amazon
20Jerry Lee LewisWhole Lotta Shakin' Goin' OnA Half Century Of Hits [Disc 1]Amazon
21Jerry Lee LewisGreat Balls of FireRed, White & Rock Disc 1Amazon
22Jerry Lee LewisHigh School ConfidentialSun Recordings Greatest HitsAmazon
23Jerry Lee LewisBreathlessAll Killer, No Filler: The Anthology (Disc 1)Amazon
24Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl PerkinsI Saw The Light (With Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl Perkins)The SurvivorsAmazon
25Johnny Cash & Jerry Lee Lewis & Carl PerkinsWhole Lot Of Shakin' Going On (With Jerry Lee Lewis)The SurvivorsAmazon
26The Million Dollar QuartetYou're the Only Star in My Blue HeavenThe Million Dollar Quartet: 50th Anniversary Special EditionAmazon
27Jerry Lee LewisWhat's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out Of Me)The Definitive CollectionAmazon
28Jerry Lee LewisSomewhere Over the RainbowThe Oxford American Southern Sampler 1999Amazon
29Jerry Lee LewisMilkshake MademoiselleGood Old SummertimeAmazon
30Jerry Lee LewisBad Moon RisingMean Old ManAmazon
31Jerry Lee LewisWild One18 Original Sun Greatest HitsAmazon
32Bruce Springsteen/Jerry Lee LewisPink CadillacLast Man StandingAmazon
33Jerry Lee LewisBig Blue DiamondSouthern RootsAmazon

Workin’ Man Blues

We’ll be spending two hours on a century of hard work, little pay, striking it rich as well as failing to do so. Songs about working the mines, panning in the mother lode, welfare and pittance wages, as well as the country sounds of Merle’s Working Man Blues. Plenty to keep us reflecting on a lifetime of keeping afloat knowing full well that you can’t take it with you. Not necessarily money for nothing and kicks for free but we’ve also got songs about blowing it all on a Saturday night. Join us for music from Johnny Horton, Wynn Stewart, Tex Ritter, Merle, Hazel Dickens, Roy Orbison and a cast of the very best of performances from the past century here on Sonoma County Community Radio.

No.ArtistTitleAlbumBuy
1Tex WilliamsMoneyBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
2Howard VokesThe MinerBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
3Tex RitterA Working Man's PrayerBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
4Doc WatsonDream of the Miner's Child1964-1965 (Warped 6411F)Amazon
5Loretta LynnCoal Miner's DaughterCoal Miner's DaughterAmazon
6Merle Haggard And The StrangersWorkin' Man Blues (2006 Digital Remaster)Hag: The Best of Merle HaggardAmazon
7Lyle LovettWorking Too HardMy Baby Don't TolerateAmazon
8Slaid CleavesWorking StiffUnsungAmazon
9Perry Tonightus And The Heart BurnLiving On The Welfare CheckBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
10Buck OwensWaitin' In Your Welfare LineThe Very Best Of Buck Owens, Volume 1Amazon
11Johnny PaycheckTake This Job And Shove ItSuperstars Of Country: Easy Loving [Disc 1]Amazon
12Roy OrbisonWorking for the ManThe All-Time Greatest Hits of Roy Orbison [Monument]Amazon
13Brennen LeighNorth To AlaskaToo Thin To PlowAmazon
14MudcrutchSix Days On the RoadMudcrutchAmazon
15Wynn StewartAnother Day, Another DollarCalifornia CountryAmazon
16The Westport KidsYou Kaint Take It With YouBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
17Billy ParkerIt Takes A Lot Of MoneyBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
18Bobby BarnettWorkin' ManBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
19Arlie DuffMoney HungryBirth / Work / Death – Work, Money And Status In Country Music (1950-1974)Amazon
20Faron YoungI've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night1953-1956 (Warped 5455)Amazon
21Al Clauser & His Oklahoma OutlawsI Ain't Lazy Baby I'm Just TiredThe Best Of Western SwingAmazon
22Jim NesbittWorking All My LifeCash-A-LikesAmazon
23Marty StuartHard Working ManGhost Train: The Studio B SessionsAmazon
24Dick CurlessI've Been Working On the RailroadA Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD3 (1950-1969)Amazon
25John Prine & Mac WisemanSaginaw MichiganStandard Songs for Average PeopleAmazon
26Dolly Parton9 To 5Dolly [Disc 4]Amazon
27Laurie Lewis And The Right HandsWorking Girl Blues (Featuring Andrew Conklin, Alice Gerrard, Tom Rozum & Patrick Sauber)The Hazel and Alice SessionsAmazon
28Tom WaitsHeigh HoOrphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards [Disc 3]Amazon
29Lee DorseyWorking In A Coal MineSoul MineAmazon
30Johnny HortonNorth To AlaskaColumbia Country Classics, Vol. 3: AmericanaAmazon
31The Dwarf ChorusHeigh-HoClassic Disney, Vol. II: 60 Years Of Music MagicalAmazon
32Adriana CaselottiWhistle While You WorkBob Dylan – Radio Radio – Theme Time Radio Hour Volume Four [Disc 2]Amazon