Just last month, Beyoncé became the first Black woman to top the Billboard country songs chart and last week, Swamp Dogg released his first-ever bluegrass album (feat. the great Kenny Vaughan on guitar!). I'm super pumped for both of these upcoming album releases. Also, last month, Camille Parker debuted on the Grand Ole Opry and a few months before that Jimmie Allen was topping the radio airplay charts.
As more and more Black artists are being recognized for their country music contributions today, I thought I'd use my next Back to the Country radio program to spin some of my favorite country records by Black musicians from the 1940s-1970s (and maybe a couple current faves, too). I think a lot of WORT's listeners are already familiar with Charley Pride, Ray Charles, Linda Martell, Tina Turner, and others, but hopefully I can introduce you to some new ones along the way.
As always, the hardest part is cutting the playlist down from thousands to just 50 or so songs, but you've just got to hear some of these amazing lacquer discs by bluegrass pioneers Allerton & Alton, 45s by Wisconsin's own Chuck Brimley and Lonnie Walker, a rare interview disc with O.B. McClinton, 78s by Jimmy Sweeney and Jimmie Newsome, country music beer ads by Ray Charles, Etta James covering the Louvin Brothers, rare live recordings by my recently departed bandmate and dear friend, Eric S Sheridan--years ago dubbed "The King of Blackabilly" by Bill Kirchen--and so much more. Showtime is 9am-noon CST and you can tune in at 89.9 FM in Southern Wisconsin or stream it via wortfm.org.
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