We’re celebrating Black History Month all February at The Current! Each week, we’ll be exploring a different chapter in the history of black artists. This week, the focus is on the roots of black music. The blues is a simple but expressive form of folk music originally created in the South. Among the cities in which the blues initially took root were Atlanta, Memphis, and St. Louis. The Great Depression and the World Wars caused the geographic dispersal of the blues as millions left the South for the cities of the North. Chicago in the 1920’s and ‘30s played a predominant role in the development of urban blues. Notable blues artists include Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Lee Hooker, Ma Rainey, Elmore James, Bessie Smith, Little Walter Jacobs, Buddy Guy, and B.B. King. The blues became one of the most important influences on the development of popular music.

For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what Blues songs do you want to highlight for Black History Month?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy
John Lee Hooker – Boom Boom
Robert Johnson – Cross Roads Blues
Etta James – I Just Want To Make Love To You
Ma Rainey – Lawd Send Me a Blues
Leadbelly – Midnight Special
Bessie Smith – Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out
Elmore James – Rolling and Tumbling
Big Bill Broonzy – Key to the Highway (Bonus!)