WRFG’s Route 66 celebrates a time when blues, jazz, and R&B were on the same
page and, often, in the same song. Our primary focus is on the music of the
Jump Blues Era of the 1940s which blended into the early Rock & Roll Era
of the 1950s, and follow on how those styles and artists have evolved over
the years. We also bring you jazz from the era along with the occasional page
from the Great American Songbook.
Listen to Route 66 Sunday from 7:00 to 9:00 A.M. Eastern (U.S.) on
Atlanta’s WRFG 89.3FM. Your independent community radio station is
streaming worldwide over our free mobile app and WRFG.ORG.
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Subscribe to our weekly podcast @ MixCloud.Com
You’ll find the one for this week at the bottom of this post.
Today, we celebrate the 110th anniversary of the birth of jump blues legend
Buddy Johnson. Born Woodrow Wilson Johnson in Darlington, South Carolina,
on January 10, 1915. Johnson took piano lessons as a child and developed a passion
for classical music. He moved to New York City in 1938 and toured Europe with the
Cotton Club Revue until being expelled from Nazi Germany.
Johnson returned to New York and signed a contract with Decca Records.
Johnson’s sister Ella signed on as a vocalist and they formed a nine-piece band.
Johnson scored numerous R&B hits in the 1940s and 1950s and either wrote or
was the first artist to record many pop and jazz standards including
“If I Fell for You” and “Baby, Don’t You Cry.”
BUDDY JOHNSON RESOURCES
Biorgraphy @ wikipedia.org
Discography @ discogs.com
Discography of American Historical Recordings
WRFG ROUTE 66 PLAYLIST FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 11, 2025
Song
Artist
Original Album or Label & Date
Groovin’ With Grimes Tiny Grimes Savoy Records 1944
Please Mr. Johnson
Buddy Johnson w/ Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1940
One of Them Good Ones
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra
Decca Records 1945
Save Your Love For Me
Bobby “Blue” Bland
Duke Records 1968
Don’t Worry ’bout That Mule Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five Decca Records 1945
I Want to Hug You John Lee Hooker Mr. Lucky 1991
Pretty Baby Margie Day w/ The Griffin Brothers Dot Records 1951
The Chase (part 1) Dexter Gordon & Wardell Gray Dial Records 1947
When the Lights Go Out Jimmy Witherspoon Checker Records 1954
It’s Obdacious
Jonny Lang & The Big Bang
Jonny Lang 1995
I’ll Get Along Somehow – Parts 1
Ruth Brown w/ The Buddy Johnson Orchestra
Atlantic Records 1949
Breaking My HeartJoe Liggins & His Honeydrippers Exclusive Records 1946
Shake Rattle And Roll Doug James & Sax Gordon Swing Jump Jive 2006
Baby, I Love Your WayDeborah Silver & The Count Basie Orchestra Basie Rocks 2025
It’s Later Than You Think Roy Milton & His Solid Senders Specialty Records 1951
The Hip Cowboy Slim Gaillard Mercury Records 1951
Since I Fell for You
Van Morrison
It’s Too Late to Stop Now…Volume IV 1973
Fine Brown Frame
Nellie Lutcher
Capitol Records 1948
That’s The Stuff You Gotta Watch
Buddy & Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1944
I Don’t Care Who Knows (Baby, I’m Yours)
Roberta Flack
Roberta 2015
Mambo With Moody James Moody & His Band Prestige Records 1954
Moody’s Mood For Love King Pleasure Specialty Records 1952
Stagger Lee Johnnie Johnson I’m Just Johnny 2025
I Still Love You
Annie Laurie w/ Paul Gayten’s Band
De Luxe Records 1947
Hittin’ on Me
Etta Jones & Houston Peterson
…Sings the Songs of Buddy Johnson 1997
I’m Tired of Crying Over You
Buddy Johnson & His Orchestra w/ Ella Johnson
Decca Records 1947
Blues NocturneJohnny Otis w/ Big Jay McNeely Savoy Records 1950
Real Pretty Mama Amos Milburn Aladdin Records 1949
Corrina Candice Ivory New Southern Vintage 2025
What’d I Say Ray Charles What’d I Say 1959
(sign off)
Tag (You’re It)Little Charlie & The Nightcats Nine Lives 2005
WRFG Route 66 