This Week in Blues History

Series produced by Steve c/o Ernest Franz

Caption: Our distinctive logo comes from a rare poster for the 1977 Beale Street Music Festival.
Our distinctive logo comes from a rare poster for the 1977 Beale Street Music Festival. 

“This Week in Blues History” aims the spotlight on important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues.

From producer Steve Franz (Blues Unlimited) comes a new series, “This Week in Blues History,” spotlighting important recordings, artists, and events from the golden era of the blues. Each evergreen segment will be three and a half minutes in length, and is designed as an engaging and informative “drop in” to your existing programming. Keyed to a specific week of the year, “This Week in Blues History” will grab the listener’s attention, and leave them wanting a little more!


53 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
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This time, we profile Saunders King and Elder Utah Smith — two early pioneers of the electric guitar.

  • Added: Mar 22, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time we profile Wynonie Harris, who hit the top of the Billboard Rhythm & Blues charts with "Good Rockin' Tonight," this week in 1948.

  • Added: Mar 21, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Mississippi blues legend Charley Patton, who made his debut for Paramount Records, this week in 1929.

  • Added: Mar 20, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Tony Hollins, who recorded a blues standard, "Crawlin' King Snake," this week in 1941.

  • Added: Mar 19, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Eddie Boyd, who recorded the only national chart hit for Chicago's J.O.B. label, this week in 1952.

  • Added: Mar 18, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Woodrow Adams, who made his recording debut in Memphis, this week in 1952.

  • Added: Mar 16, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Wilbert Harrison, who landed at the top of the R&B charts in 1959 — but created a headache for producer Bobby Robinson.

  • Added: Mar 16, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile harmonica wizard Little Walter, who cut "the national anthem of blues harmonica," this week in 1952.

  • Added: Mar 14, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we take a look at one historic day of recording — May 5th, 1937 — that changed the course of blues history.

  • Added: Mar 09, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Sleepy John Estes, who ran into a little difficulty making his way to a recording session in New York City, this week in 1938.

  • Added: Mar 09, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time we profile Lightnin' Hopkins, who, in 1954, laid down some hard rocking sides for Herald Records.

  • Added: Mar 07, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Etta James, who landed at the top of the Billboard R&B charts this week in 1955, with "The Wallflower."

  • Added: Mar 05, 2018
  • Length: 03:29
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This time, we profile Elmore James, who was in a recording studio in Chicago, this week in 1953.

  • Added: Mar 05, 2018
  • Length: 03:29