Category Archives: Free Form

Trouble Bound

Free form and completely eclectic—that is the absolute best way to introduce this week’s episode of Deeper Roots. Every so often, we love to shake things up by forgoing our usual archival explorations of specific genres, artists, or historical themes. Instead, Dave is opening up his personal vault for a special curation of deep tracks and personal favorites that he has been setting aside over the past couple of months just to share with you.  We are bridging eras and styles in a way only Deeper Roots can. Expect a magical blend of sounds, including early Cotton Club sounds of Cab Calloway alongside beach music from The Catalinas, rocking guitar fuzz with Grady Martin paired with the Buckaroo guitar sounds of Don Rich, and some Dylan, Merle, Berigan and Clooney. Join us for a scenic, unpredictable journey through the back roads of American music each and every Friday morning at 9am Pacific on KOWS Community Radio, streaming 24/7 at kowsfm.com/listen.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Elvis Presley A Mess Of Blues The Essential 60's Masters I [Disc 1] 1960 00:00
2John Hiatt Dust Down a Country Road Walk On 1995 05:01
3Jay & The Americans This Magic Moment Come A Little Bit Closer – The Best of Jay and The Americans 1968 08:59
4Emmylou Harris Save The Last Dance For Me Profile II: The Best Of Emmylou Harris 1978 11:50
5The Neville Brothers Sitting in Limbo Fiyo on the Bayou 1981 15:23
6Jackson Browne Everywhere I Go I'm Alive 1993 19:18
7Grady Martin The Fuzz I Got A Woman : Gems From The Decca Vaults [Disc 3] 1961 28:31
8Ricky Nelson My Babe James Burton – The Early Years 1957-1969 0 30:48
9Don Rich & The Buckaroos I'm a-Comin' Back Home to You Guitar Pickin' Man 2016 33:20
10Merle Travis Pretty Girl (Jolie Fille) The Guitar Picker CD4 (1954-56) 0 35:17
11Chet Atkins Blue Angel The Essential Chet Atkins [RCA] 1996 37:16
12Doc Watson Gonna Lay Down My Old Guitar 1964-1965 (Warped 6411F) 2016 39:35
13The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Wreck on the Highway Will the Circle Be Unbroken [Bonus Tracks] Disc 1 1972 48:30
14Red Simpson The Highway Patrol Swing West 1: Bakersfield 1966 51:50
15The Blasters Trouble Bound Testament: The Complete Slash Recordings (1981-1985) (2 of 2) 2002 54:00
16Dave Edmunds Trouble Boys Single Trax 1970-1981 1978 57:43
17Lee Hazlewood Trouble Is A Lonesome Town 400 Miles From L.A. 1955-56 1956 1:00:54
18Buck Owens Hello Trouble Buck 'Em: The Music of Buck Owens (1955-1967) 1964 1:03:07
19Ernest Tubb & The Texas Troubadors This Troubled Mind O'Mine Daddy of 'Em All 1957 1:04:52
20Bob Dylan If Not for You Biograph Disc 1 1985 1:12:00
21Ruben Blades Ollie's Doo-Wop Nothing But The Truth 1988 1:14:37
22The Treniers Go! Go! Go! The Dawn Of Doo-Wop Vol. 4: Doo-Wop Dancin' 1951 1:17:01
23The Chanters No No No Doo Wop Box Vol. 3: 101 More Vocal Group Gems from the Golden Age of Rock-N-Roll Disc 1 2000 1:19:21
24The Catalinas You're Driving Me Crazy Dance The Night Away 1999 1:21:30
25Cab Calloway Mama I Wanna Make Rhythm Chronological 1937-38 1937 1:30:40
26Peggy Lee Alright OK You Win Magic Moments: Best Of 50's Pop (Disc 2) 2004 1:33:42
27Rosemary Clooney Botch-A-Me (Ba-Ba-Baciami Piccina) Tenderly 1952 1:36:32
28Bunny Berigan & His Boys I Can't Get Started Columbia Records' 125th Anniv. 1936 1:38:46
29Bob Dylan 4th Time Around Blonde on Blonde 1966 1:42:06
30Buddy Holly Bo Diddley [1963 Album Version] Rave On: The Very Best Of ? 1963 1:46:33
31Bo Diddley Don't Let It Go (Hold On To What You Got) 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection – The Best Of Bo Diddley 1959 1:48:50
32Hank Thompson & His Brazos Valley Boys (I've Got A) Humpty Dumpty Heart Vintage Collections 1947 1:54:44
33Dean Martin I Don't Care If The Sun Don't Shine Capitol Records' From The Vaults 1950 1:57:05

Travelin’ Blues 2026

This Friday, Deeper Roots presents an encore broadcast from February 2020, exploring the rich intersection of gospel, blues, and tradition through the theme of the “Travelin’ Blues.” Whether the journey leads down the King’s Highway toward salvation or along a lonely back road toward temptation, we’ll steer clear of the toll roads and follow the winding paths where sacred and secular music have traveled side by side for generations. Along the way you’ll hear performances from Rory Block, Chris Smither, Eric Clapton, Freddie King, The Golden Gate Quartet, and many more. Originally conceived as the first installment in a series of programs about songs of the road, this episode explores highways and journeys through the language of the blues and gospel. Join us for two hours of American roots music where every mile has a story to tell.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Maria Muldaur Travelin' Shoes 1974 00:00
2Blind Sammie (Blind Willie McTell) Travelin' Blues 1929 05:42
3Taj Mahal Farther On Down The Road 2000 08:49
4Roland Stone Down The Road 1960 11:56
5Freddie Slack Down The Road 2003 14:15
6Eric Clapton Further On Down the Road 2013 20:57
7Chris Smither Look Down the Road 0 26:32
8Mattie Delaney Down The Big Road Blues 1930 29:06
9Unidentified Quartet I Look Down The Road And Wonder 2010 36:43
10The Golden Gate Quartet I Looked Down The Road And Wondered 1939 39:49
11Rory Block If You Haven't Any Hay Get On Down The Road 2014 44:12
12Paul Butterfield's Better Days Highway 28 1972 52:29
13Johnny Guitar Watson Highway 60 2006 55:28
14Lowell Fulson Highway 99 2008 57:47
15Gatemouth Moore Highway 61 Blues 2000 1:00:42
16Honeyboy Edwards Strollin' Down Highway 61 0 1:03:13
17Snooks Eaglin Traveling Mood 1995 1:08:42
18Doc Pomus Traveling Dog 1949 1:10:54
19Ella Johnson & Buddy Johnson Get On Down The Road 1958 1:13:19
20Ernie Andrews With Maxwell Davis Orchestra Travelin' Baby 1951 1:16:17
21Slim Gaillard & His Boogiereeners Travelin' Blues 1945 1:18:44
22T-Bone Walker Travelin' Blues 1950 1:21:44
23Smiley Lewis Lonesome Highway 2010 1:28:47
24Howling Wolf Driving This Highway 1952 1:31:00
25Freddie King Key To The Highway 1970 1:33:51
26Freddie King Living On The Highway 1971 1:37:11
27Little Walter Key To The Highway 0 1:41:20
28Eric Clapton Traveling Riverside Blues 2004 1:44:04
29Tommy McLennan Travelin' Highway Blues 1941 1:50:03
30Cripple Clarence Lofton Travelin' Blues 1939 1:52:58
31Eric Bibb/Rory Block/Maria Muldaur Travelin' Woman Blues 2004 1:55:03

Wake Up Everybody

Tomorrow isn’t a guarantee; it’s a promise we keep to one another. In times when the airwaves and headlines feel crowded with division, hatred, and the loud noise of demagoguery, all in reaction to barbarous and vile language from the highest quarters, the antidote has always been found in the music. This week on Deeper Roots, we are celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary by stepping directly into the storm with a playlist designed to uplift, fortify, and remind us of what’s worth fighting for.  Count on sounds from Gillian Welch, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Chet Baker and a few dozen more as we dive deep into a century of American music, bringing you powerful songs of the spirit from the gospel canon alongside timeless anthems of resistance that call on us to rise above the attacks on our shared democracy. This isn’t just a look back at history—it’s a toolkit for the present.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Mahalia Jackson I Will Move On Up A Little Higher Folk Blues & Gospel: Will the Circle Be Unbroken 1999 00:00
2The Edwin Hawkins Singers I'm Going Through Oh Happy Day: The Best Of The Edwin Hawkins Singers 1969 08:19
3The Blind Boys Of Alabama I Shall Not Be Moved I'll Find A Way 2013 13:20
4Taj Mahal & Ry Cooder I Shall Not Be Moved Get On Board 2022 15:56
5Connie Smith Farther Along Connie Smith 1965-1966 2011 20:10
6Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers Farther Along The Complete Specialty Recordings [Disc 3] 1956 22:59
7Larry Campbell Keep Your Lamp Trimmed and Burning Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams 2015 30:59
8The Browns Fair and Tender Ladies Classics 1963-1964 (Warped 6384) 2010 34:59
9Willie Nelson Healing Hands of Time Wanted! The Outlaws [Bonus Tracks] 1996 37:25
10Elvis Presley (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) Elvis By The Presleys [Disc 1] 1957 39:39
11The Impressions Keep On Pushing Ultimate Collection: The Impressions 1964 42:58
12Joe Ely The Road Goes On Forever The Best Of Joe Ely 20th Century Masters The Millennium Collection 1992 50:29
13Sara Evans Born To Fly Laying Tracks 2003 54:56
14B.B. King & Dr. John There Must Be A Better World Somewhere Deuces Wild 1997 58:46
15The Bronzemen Hold On (Keep Yo' Hand On The Plow) The Bronzemen – Radio Transcriptions (1939) 1939 1:03:24
16Mahalia Jackson Keep Your Hand on the Plow The World's Greatest Gospel Singer 1954 1:10:33
17Sam Cooke A Change Is Gonna Come Hard To Find Jukebox Classics 1960-64: 30 Amazing Stereo Hits 2016 1:12:58
18Curtis Mayfield & The Impressions People Get Ready Akeelah And The Bee (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) 2006 1:15:32
19Fats Domino Walking To New Orleans The Rock 'n' Roll Era: 1960 1960 1:18:08
20The Four Tops Reach Out I'll Be There The Classic Sixties: 1966 1966 1:20:02
21Ray Charles I Believe to My Soul Genius & Soul: The 50th Anniversary Collection Disc 1 1997 1:22:58
22Keb' Mo' Wake Up Everybody Peace…Back By Popular Demand 2004 1:30:06
23The Staple Singers I'll Take You There I'll Take You There 1972 1:34:07
24Jo Stafford On The Sunny Side of the Street Candy 1944 1:37:14
25Chet Baker Look for the Silver Lining Chet Baker Sings 1956 1:40:07
26Louis Armstrong What A Wonderful World Lifetime Of Romance: Falling In Love [Disc 2] 1967 1:42:44
27The Band The Weight Northern Songs – Canada's Best And Brightest 1968 1:44:59
28Sly & the Family Stone Everyday People Anthology 1981 1:52:11
29Bruce Springsteen Streets of Minneapolis Streets of Minneapolis – Single 2026 1:54:30

Nine Pound Hammer

We’ve got ourselves a musical breadcrumb trail show featuring songs connected by titles, themes, characters, occupations, relationships, Cajun culture, tattoos, grace, summer romance, and a healthy dose of American eccentricity. We’ll be taking our journey from country to rockabilly, some Howlin’ Wolf, classic doo-wop, folk, gospel, swamp pop, and everything in between. It’s a scenic route through a century of American music. Starting with John Prine’s “Nine Pound Hammer,” we’ll follow a trail that winds through the Louvin Brothers, Willie Nelson, Elvis Presley, The Band, Johnny Cash, John Lee Hooker, Sam Cooke, and many others. Join us for another Friday morning two hours winding through the back roads. Because that’s where the roots run deepest. 

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1John Prine Nine Pound Hammer Sweet Revenge 1973 00:00
2The Louvin Brothers Are You Teasing Me Capitol Country Music Classics 0 05:15
3Willie Nelson House Of Gold Country Music 2010 08:05
4The Grateful Dead Operator American Beauty 1970 12:37
5Elvis Presley The Girl of My Best Friend Artist of the Century Disc 2 1999 14:57
6Ral Donner Girl Of My Best Friend American Music Library: The Hits Of 1961 1961 17:13
7The Band Jemima Surrender The Band 1969 19:21
8Johnny Cash I Will Rock And Roll With You The Legend: Old Favorites And New [Disc 2] 1978 28:06
9Ivory Joe Hunter You Can't Stop This Rocking and Rolling Ivory Joe Hunter 2005 30:49
10Chuck Willis Caldonia Roots of Rock 'n' Roll:Rough and Rowdy Vol. 3 1952 33:03
11The Debs Whaddaya Want Rhythm 'N' Blues: Early Doo Wop 1943-55 vol. 2 2005 35:22
12Videos Trickle Trickle Doo Wop Box Disc 3 1994 37:52
13Jackie Wilson That's Why (I Love You So) 7 Classic Albums 1959 45:55
14The Sheppards Elevator Operator Golden Classics 1989 47:54
15Howlin' Wolf My Life Smokestack Lightning /The Complete Chess Masters 1951-1960 1956 49:26
16John Lee Hooker One Bourbon One Scotch One Beer The Definitive Collection 1966 52:23
17Dusty Owens Hello Operator Talking on the Telephone Vol. 2 1953 55:16
18Freddy Cannon Buzz Buzz-A-Diddle It Talking on the Telephone Vol. 3 1961 57:33
19Steve Forbert Complications Jackrabbit Slim 1979 1:05:20
20Steve Goodman Somebody Else's Troubles Somebody Else's Troubles 1999 1:08:59
21Jo-el Sonnier Cajun Woman The Complete Mercury Sessions 1992 1:12:40
22Lil' Band Of Gold Cajun Twist Americana Roots Songbook: Louisiana 2002 1:15:12
23Skeets McDonald The Tattooed Lady Dirty Boogie: The Fortune Records Story 1950 1:19:20
24Sam Cooke Out In The Cold Again The Rhythm And The Blues 1961 1:25:03
25The Amazing Rhythm Aces Amazing Grace (Used to Be Her Favorite Song) Stacked Deck 1975 1:27:26
26The Blind Boys of Alabama Amazing Grace Hear Music volume 6 0 1:30:41
27Edd Presnell Amazing Grace Bluegrass Roots 2003 1:34:59
28The Valiants and Sandy Vale Suntan Tattoo Banana Split for My Baby 1959 1:36:39
29Eddie Cochran Hallelujah I Love Her So The London American Story – 1960 1959 1:38:41
30David Bromberg; Dr. John Such a Night The Last Waltz [Rhino Box Set] Disc 1 2002 1:40:58
31The Band (I Don't Want To Hang Up My) Rock 'N' Roll Shoes A Musical History [Disc 4] 1971 1:45:37
32Randy Newman I'm Different Trouble in Paradise 1983 1:55:13
33Randy Newman Maybe I'm Doin' It Wrong Sail Away 1970 1:57:43

Burning Love Letters

From rocking celebrations to hard-earned reflections, this week’s episode of Deeper Roots turns its attention to the man they called “The King.” We’ve got two hours with songs about Elvis Presley — musical tributes, name-drops, eulogies, and love letters from artists across the past century. Some are playful, some reverent, and some wrestle with the contradictions that made Elvis both larger than life and painfully human. Together, they form a kind of American scrapbook around a figure who never really left the cultural conversation. From the wide-eyed devotion of artists like George Jones, Janis Martin, and Bobby Bare, to later songs reflecting on the strange and tragic arc that carried Elvis from hip-shaking revolutionary to Vegas spectacle, from the Nixon White House photo-op to a lonely and frightening decline, these recordings trace the many ways America mythologized him. Whether delivered as tribute, cautionary tale, obituary, or heartfelt fan letter, the songs on this morning’s show reveal just how deeply Elvis worked his way into the DNA of rock ’n’ roll mythology — and into the imagination of generations that followed.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Elvis Presley Elvis [Excerpt From Interview Held Sept.22 1958] Elvis: A Legendary Performer Vol. 1 1958 00:00
2Pat Smith Elvis Elvis Gals of the Big D Jamboree 1958 00:25
3Billy Boyle My Baby's Crazy 'Bout Elvis The Greatest Novelty Songs 1962 05:31
4Nervous Norvus Elvis You're A G.I. Now Stone Age Woo 1958 08:03
5Bobby Bare All American Boy All American Boy – CD 1 1963 10:14
6The Hunt Sisters Elvis Is Rocking Again Dirty Boogie:The Fortune Records Story 1960 13:09
7Janis Martin My Boy Elvis Loud Fast & Out of Control: The Wild Sounds of the '50s [Box] Disc 1 1999 14:40
8George Jones The King Is Gone (So Are You) One Woman Man 1989 23:33
9Steve Goodman Elvis Imitators Artistic Hair 1983 26:47
10Syd Straw & The Del Lords Listening To Elvis 200 Cadillacs 2003 29:36
11Horace Logan Announcements (& Elvis Has Left the Building) At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight (Disc 7) 2017 33:19
12Gillian Welch Elvis Presley Blues Artist's Choice: Emmylou Harris 0 33:52
13Dan Reeder Clean Elvis Oh Boy! A Sampler 0 43:56
14Cris Cuddy Dear Elvis Dear Elvis 2015 46:31
15Greg Brown Jesus and Elvis Poet Game 1994 49:49
16John Stewart I Want To Be Elvis Havana 2003 53:17
17Loudon Wainwright III Happy Birthday Elvis Career Moves 1993 56:39
18Leon Russell Elvis and Marilyn Americana 1978 1:00:37
19Sonny Burgess Bigger Than Elvis Sonny Burgess 1996 1:09:05
20Stray Cats Elvis on Velvet Runaway Boys: A Retrospective '81-'92 1997 1:11:43
21Mojo Nixon Elvis Is Everywhere Bo-Day-Shus!!! 1986 1:15:59
22Derailers I Love Me Some Elvis Genuine 2003 1:20:50
23Hayes Carll Jesus and Elvis What It Is 2019 1:27:07
24The Tractors The Elvis Thing Farmers in a Changing World 1998 1:30:25
25Alannah Myles Black Velvet The Atlantic Story [UK] Disc 2 0 1:35:42
26Kacey Musgraves Velvet Elvis Golden Hour 2018 1:39:38
27Marc Cohn Walking in Memphis VH1 Classic: The Cuts 2003 1:42:07
28Paul Simon Graceland Graceland 1986 1:46:11
29Cowboy Junkies Blue Moon Revisited (Song for Elvis) The Trinity Session 1988 1:54:27

Tears On The Vinyl

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

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Little Anthony & The Imperials Tears on My Pillow The Best of Little Anthony & The Imperials 1958 00:00
2Chuck Jackson Tears Of Joy The Very Best Of Chuck Jackson 1961-1967 1963 05:35
3Gladys Knight & The Pips Letter Full Of Tears Soul Grooves 2002 08:13
4Tammi Terrell Tears At The End Of A Love Affair Come On And See Me: The Complete Solo Collection 1969 10:52
5Smokey Robinson & the Miracles Tears of a Clown Motown: The Classic Years Disc 2 1970 13:48
6Johnny Rivers The Tracks of My Tears Greatest Hits [Capitol] 1967 16:45
7Etta James Tears Of Joy The Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1 1956 24:59
8Bonnie Raitt River Of Tears Green Light 1982 27:25
9Big Maybelle Ocean Of Tears The Complete OKeh Sessions 1952-'55 1955 32:10
10Pee Wee Crayton Eyes Full Of Tears Pee Wee's Blues – The Complete Aladdin And Imperial Recordings 1954 34:37
11Ray Charles Drown in My Own Tears Pure Genius: The Complete Atlantic Recordings (1952-1959) (1 of 8) 1959 36:42
12The Jackson Southernaires No Tears in Heaven Great Gospel – No Tears in Heaven 2004 44:04
13The Pilgrim Travelers God Shall Wipe All Tears Away Good News Vol. 4: Glory Glory Hallelujah 1949 49:10
14The Staple Singers I Can't Help From Cryin' Sometime Great Day 1962 51:27
15Robert Plant and The Soweto Gospel Choir Valley Of Tears Goin' Home: A Tribute To Fats Domino [Disc 2] 2007 53:43
16Jean Shepard Crying Holy 24 Greatest Gospel Hits 2009 55:51
17Bad Livers Crying Holy Unto The Lord Dust On The Bible 1998 57:52
18Mac Wiseman Crying Heart Blues Grassroots To Bluegrass 1990 1:07:57
19Country Gentlemen Silence or Tears Warped 6119 – Country Gentlemen – 1961 1961 1:10:20
20David Grisman; Emory Gordy; Herb Pedersen; Jim Buchanan; Vince Gill The Children Are Crying Here Today 1982 1:12:56
21Dolly Parton Endless Stream of Tears The Grass Is Blue 1999 1:15:28
22Faron Young Trail Of Tears Hello Walls / The Young Approach 1961 1:18:01
23Dick Curless Tears Instead of Cheers A Tombstone Every Mile (7CD Set) CD6 (1950-1969) 1996 1:20:10
24Tennessee Ernie Ford Ocean Of Tears The History Of Country & Western Music (Disc 20) 0 1:24:50
25JP Harris Ocean of Tears (feat. Miss Tess) Why Don't We Duet in the Road (Again) – EP 2019 1:27:23
26Skeets McDonald Curtain Of Tears Skeets McDonald – One Classic Album & Singles Collection 1952 1:29:57
27Ray Campi Curtain Of Tears Country Boy's Dream 1988 1:32:17
28Ella Fitzgerald Crying My Heart Out For You Cryin' Mood 1939 1:36:02
29Anita O'Day And Her Tears Flowed Like Wine Sentimental Journey: Great Ladies of Song 1944 1:39:08
30Dinah Washington You're Crying (from The Swingin' Miss D) Dinah Washington: Eight Classic Albums 1956 1:42:12
31Chris Connor Time Out For Tears Warm Cool: The Atlantic Years [Disc 1] 1999 1:45:39
32Dinah Shore Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside) Your Hit Parade: 1946 1946 1:48:18
33Lula Reed I'll Drown In My Own Tears Bob Dylan's Theme Time Radio 1951 1:53:57
34Johnny Ray Cry Columbia Records 125th Anniversary 1951 1:56:47

Backbeat ’50

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

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

Trouble In Mind

Get ready for a deep dive into the last 100 years of America’s musical DNA. This week’s Deeper Roots is a ‘romp’ in the truest sense—a free form show celebrating the winsome, the lonesome, and everything in between. We’ve got a heavy-hitting lineup including Etta James, Jimmie Davis, and Billie Holiday, spanning the full spectrum of gospel, country, blues, and jazz. Dave’s been digging through the “digital crates” of the past century to bring you two hours of essential, sometimes irreverent, always authentic sounds. Whether the selections are wholesome or a bit rowdy, this episode runs the full gamut of the American songbook. Pull up a chair at the Deeper Roots dining hall this Friday morning on KOWS Community Radio—there is plenty of soul to go around.

No.Artist Title Album Year Start At
1Sister Rosetta Tharpe Trouble In My Mind Gospel Blues – the Very Best Of 2008 00:00
2Louis Armstrong Nobody Knows De Trouble I've Seen Louis And The Good Book 1938 05:34
3Sam Cooke Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen The Man Who Invented Soul [Box Set] (4 of 4) 1963 08:34
4The Whitstein Brothers I'm Troubled Old Time Duets 1989 12:04
5Sam Cooke And The Soul Stirrers I'm So Glad (Trouble Don't Last Always) The Complete Specialty Recordings [Disc 2] 1955 14:42
6The Harlem Hamfats I'm In So Much Trouble Now Harlem Hamfats Vol. 3 1937-1938 2005 17:53
7Fats Domino Bad Luck and Trouble Fats Domino Out of New Orleans 1961 26:02
8Mavis Staples Levon Helm Trouble In My Mind Carry Me Home 2022 28:38
9Lee Hazlewood Trouble Is A Lonesome Town 400 Miles From L.A. 1955-56 1956 33:33
10Kay Starr I'm The Lonesomest Gal In Town Capitol Collectors Series 1947 35:47
11The Modernaires It's A Lonesome Old Town (When You're Not Around) The Complete Modernaires On Columbia Vol 2 (1946-1947) 1947 38:30
12Jimmie Davis Louisiana Hayride Intro At the Louisiana Hayride Tonight (Disc 9) 2017 46:03
13Jimmie Davis Pi-Rootin' Around Nobody's Darlin' But Mine: 1928-1937 1937 47:13
14Scott Miller & the Commonwealth Drunk All Around This Town Reconstruction 2007 49:57
15Wayne Hancock Life's Lonesome Road A-Town Blues 2001 52:32
16Rick Nelson Lonesome Town (Unreleased) Legacy [Disc 1] 1958 54:08
17Happy Valley Boys Homecoming Time In Happy Valley Classic Field Recordings 1940 1:01:08
18Tom T. Hall Homecoming (Single Version) The Definitive Collection: Tom T. Hall 2006 1:03:54
19Josh Ritter Homecoming Sermon on the Rocks 2015 1:07:00
20Bob Dylan & The Band Kickin' My Dog Around The Basement Tapes Complete: The Bootleg Series Vol. 11 2014 1:12:19
21Gid Tanner & The Skillet Lickers Ya Gotta Quit Kickin' My Dog Aroun' Various Artists: Bob Dylan – Cover To Cover – The Originals VOL. 2 [Disc 2] 1926 1:15:00
22Leon Chappel (I'm A) Long Gone Doggie Automatic Mama 1951 1:17:42
23Betty Hall Jones This Joint's Too Hip For Me Jumpin' Like Mad: Cool Cats & Hip Chicks Non-Stop Dancin' [Disc 1] 1949 1:25:17
24Julia Lee Tell Me Daddy The Essential Julia Lee Vol 1 1948 1:27:47
25Mabel Scott Wailin' Daddy Rhythm'n'blues Nasty 2005 1:30:34
26Etta James Tell Mama Blues Classics '27_'69 [Disc 3] 1967 1:33:17
27The Shangri-Las I'm Blue Myrmidons of Melodrama 1965 1:35:34
28Willy DeVille I'm Blue So Blue Unplugged in Berlin 2011 1:38:58
29Dan Penn Blues Of The Month Club Smoke Filled Room 2026 1:42:52
30Willie Nelson Am I Blue Nite Life: Greatest Hits & Rare Tracks (1959-1971) 1964 1:47:26
31Billie Holiday Am I Blue? The Quintessential Billie Holiday Vol. 9 (1940 – 1942) 1941 1:53:54
32Julie London I Must Have That Man! Wild Cool and Swingin' 1999 1:56:40

Heavenly Day

It’s a free form morning as Dave once again digs out some favorites and some deep tracks from the last century of America’s music. He’ll be paying his respects to Doug Sahm’s keyboard master, Augie Meyers, while at the same time picking on some thematic tones, including that of heaven, an early century legend by the name of Lulu, early rhythm and western from 1950 as well as a collection of soul tracks that glistened in the winds from 1967. Tune in for The Ink Spots, Jimmy Newman, John Prine, The Castaleers and Fats Waller…a sampler from the past one hundred years. Free form mornings here on KOWS occur only once in a blue moon so you’ll want to be tuning in for more music discovery from all genre corners. You’re invited to come on up to the house where we’re ready, willing and waiting to entertain, putting the madness of a wannabe king behind you for a two-hour joyful jaunt where you’ll find three chords and the truth.

Women’s History Month

This week we celebrate Women’s History Month the way we know best — by following the music. For more than a century, women have shaped the sound of America’s story. They didn’t just sing the songs — they wrote them, bent them, electrified them, sanctified them, and sometimes had to fight just to be heard over them. From the tent shows and juke joints of the 1920s to arena stages and global spotlights, women have carried rhythm, blues, gospel, country, rock, pop — and the truth — on their shoulders. Tune in this coming Friday morning for a journey that begins at the foundation. Before rock and roll. Before crossover radio. When the blues was still carving its name into shellac and history. We’ll then make our way into the genres of jazz, country, rock, and gospel where women’ influenced the deeper roots of American music and you find their fingerprints everywhere — in the blues phrasing, in the gospel shout, in the country confession, in the pop hook, in the rock-and-roll roar.

No.Artist Title Album Buy
1Ma Rainey Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Ma Rainey Amazon
2Keb' Mo' Featuring Rosanne Cash Put A Woman In Charge Put A Woman In Charge Amazon
3Bessie Smith & Louis Armstrong St. Louis Blues I Heard It On NPR: Shake These Blues Amazon
4Memphis Minnie Me And My Chauffeur Blues Bill Wyman's Blues Odyssey [Disc 2] Amazon
5Ethel Waters Heat Wave Ethel Waters 1929 -1939 (feat. Duke Ellington & Benny Goodman) Amazon
6Billie Holiday God Bless The Child Lady Day: The Complete Billie Holiday On Columbia 1933-1944 [Disc 10] Amazon
7Ella Fitzgerald Goody, Goody 75th Birthday Celebration [Disc 2] Amazon
8Dinah Washington What a Diff'rence a Day Makes The Essential Dinah Washington: The Great Songs Amazon
9Jimmie Grier The Object Of My Affection 50 #1 Hits Of The '20s & '30s Amazon
10Ivie Anderson It Don't Mean A Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing) An Introduction To Ivie Anderson Amazon
11Tommy Dorsey, The Pied Pipers, Jo Stafford Embraceable You I Got Rhythm: The Music of George Gershwin Amazon
12Sister Rosetta Tharpe Rock Me Oxford American 10th Anniversary Southern Music CD [Disc 2] "Past Masters" [2008] Amazon
13Mahalia Jackson Move On Up A Little Higher, Pt. 1 Good News (Vol 3) Get Away Jordan Amazon
14Nina Simone See Line Women The Ultimate Nina Simone Amazon
15Betty Carter Open the Door American Beauty Amazon
16Judy Garland Zing Went The Strings Of My Heart Your Hit Parade – 1943 Amazon
17Sarah Vaughan I Feel So Smoochie September Song Amazon
18Kay Starr Rock and Roll Waltz Your Hit Parade – 1956 Amazon
19Peggy Lee Sugar (That Sugar Baby O' Mine) The Capitol Collector's Series Amazon
20Katie Shore You're From Texas It's All Her Fault: A Tribute To Cindy Walker Amazon
21Mother Maybelle Carter Keep on the Sunny Side Ash Grove (Live April 20, 1963) Amazon
22Patsy Cline Why Can't He Be You The Patsy Cline Collection Amazon
23Kitty Wells It Wasn't God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels American Roots Music (Disc One-Country) Amazon
24Dolly Parton Jolene Country Music: A Film By Ken Burns – The Soundtrack [Disc 2] Amazon
25Loretta Lynn She's Got You Classic Country 1975-1979 [Disc 2] Amazon
26Wanda Jackson Funnel Of Love Queen Of Rockabilly Amazon
27Etta James Come What May The Complete Modern & Kent Recordings 1 Amazon
28Aretha Franklin Think 30 Greatest Hits [Disc 1] Amazon
29Ruth Brown Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean Ruth Brown: The Definitive Soul Collection [[Disc 1]] Amazon
30The Crystals Da Doo Ron Ron The Best Of The Crystals Amazon
31LaVern Baker Jim Dandy (Japan 2012 Remaster) Atlantic Rock & Roll Amazon
32Carole King I Feel the Earth Move A Natural Woman: The Ode Collection (1968-1976) (1 of 2) Amazon
33Joni Mitchell Chelsea Morning Hits Amazon
34Joan Baez Farewell, Angelina Baez Sings Dylan Amazon
35Emmylou Harris If I Could Only Win Your Love Fifty Years Of Hits – Vol 5 Amazon