Elvis' Roots

The influence of gospel, blues, country, and tradition has always informed the music of Elvis…and while we’re not digging too far into the later works, we’ll go sit with Elvis on the sofa with our ears to the Victrola and the crackling of WDIA Memphis and the smattering of black blues and gospel over the air. We’ll hear The Carters, Jimmy Reed, Smiley Lewis, Little Junior Parker, Mahalia Jackson, and a couple dozen more in this episode. Keep an ear out for some rare recordings including those whose meager popularity evaporated once Elvis went on to cover them. Names like Joe Dowell, The Eagles (not the LA band), Deacon Tom Foger, and Charlie Blackwell bely their contributions to the Elvis catalog. Tune in to community radio for Sonoma County on even Fridays and Saturdays at 9am Pacific.