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 originated 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, Old Hat

Blue Ridge Mountain Boys 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, Colombia/ 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's 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 Staples Singers and Marty Stuart

Rhythm, Country and Blues, MCA