THE CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS AND THE BLACK EXPERIENCE IN COUNTRY MUSIC
This week, we talk to the founding members of the Grammy award-winning Carolina Chocolate Drops. Justin Robinson, Rhiannon Giddens and Dom Flemons started playing music together under the tutelage of legendary black old-time fiddler, Joe Thompson in his backyard shed. The Chocolate Drops came together to carry on the old time and country traditions from the Piedmont region in the Carolinas, but they wanted to do more than just play. They wanted to show their audiences that African American music finds its roots in genres beyond blues and jazz. Then we delve into the archives for our classic conversation with the late, great Ray Charles – and pianist Johnnie Johnson tells us about the surprising origins of Chuck Berry’s “Maybellene.”
HOUR ONE
Open Bed: Peace Behind the Bridge Carolina Chocolate Drops
Genuine Negro Jig, Nonesuch
Open Bed: Vine Street Drag Tennessee Chocolate Drops
Violin Sing the Blues for Me: African American Fiddlers 1926-1949, OldHat
Blue Ridge Mountain Blues Martin, Bogan and Armstrong
Martin, Bogan and Armstrong/That Old Gang of Mine, Flying Fish
John Henry Cephas and Wiggins
Richmond Blues, Smithsonian Folkways
Freight Train Elizabeth Cotten
Freight Train and Other North Carolina Folk Songs and Tunes, Smithsonian Folkways
SEGMENT: Rhiannon Giddens Pt. 1
Instrumental: Sitting on Top of the World Jelly Roll Kings
Off Yonder Wall, Fat Possum
Sitting on Top of the World Mississippi Sheiks
Honey Babe Let the Deal Go Down, Columbia/Legacy
Violin Blues Johnson Mountain Boys
Violin Sing the Blues for Me, Yazoo
The Fiddler Claude Williams
Claude Williams Live at J's Part 1, Arhoolie
SEGMENT: Justin Robinson
Instrumental: Guitar Rag John Jackson
Country Blues and Ditties, Arhoolie
Blue Yodel #9 Jimmie Rodgers
The Singing Brakeman, Bear Family
Down Yonder Snooks Eaglin
Snooks Eaglin and Friends , Sonet
SEGMENT: Dom Flemons
End Bed: Dixie Carolina Chocolate Drops
Dona Got a Ramblin' Mind, Music Maker
HOUR TWO
Open Bed: Sunshine Twist (You Are My Sunshine) Jelly Roll Kings
Jelly Roll Kings: Rockin' the Juke Joint Down , Earwig
You Are My Sunshine Ray Charles
The Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986, Rhino
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Al Green
Country Meets Soul, Hi Records
SEGMENT: Rhiannon Giddens Pt. 2
Instrumental: Last Date Willie Mitchell
Robbin's Nest, Hi Records
CLIP: Ray Charles
Makes No Difference Now Ray Charles
The Complete Country & Western Recordings 1959-1986, Rhino
Whiskey Heaven Fats Domino
From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music, Warner Brothers
Grand Tour Aaron Neville
The Very Best of Aaron Neville, A&M
That How I Got to Memphis Solomon Burke
Nashville, Shout
Detroit City Arthur Alexander
The Ultimate Arthur Alexander, Razor and Tie
Almost Persuaded Etta James
Etta James, MCA
Instrumental: Last Date Willie Mitchell
Sunrise Serenade/Hold It, Hi Records
CLIP: Johnnie Johnson
Down on the Farm Big Al Downing
From Where I Stand: The Black Experience in Country Music, Warner Brothers
Cotton Fields Charley Pride
Charley Pride in Person, BMG
Cotton Eyed Joe Nina Simone
Nina Simone Anthology -- The Colpix Years, Rhino
The Weight The Staple Singers and Marty Stewart
Rhythm, Country and Blues, MCA
End Bed: Last Date Little Willie John
Yellow Boogie and Blues, Oldie Blues