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Craig Charles celebrates the legendary Chitlin’ Circuit, the network of clubs and dancehalls that gave a stage to generations of African American performers during segregation.

Craig Charles celebrates the legendary Chitlin’ Circuit, the network of clubs, theatres and dancehalls that gave a stage to generations of African American performers during segregation. From soul shouters and funk pioneers to jazz greats and blues legends, the circuit was the backbone of Black music in America, nurturing artists who went on to change the sound of popular culture.
Joining Craig is the incomparable Candi Staton, a true soul survivor whose early career was shaped by the circuit’s vibrant scene. She shares stories from the road, her rise from gospel roots to soul stardom, and the lessons learned from performing in some of the most iconic venues of the era.
And we hear from Bobby Rush, the undisputed King of the Chitlin’ Circuit who is still bringing the funk, the blues, and that unstoppable energy that’s kept dance floors moving for over six decades.

Produced by Audio Always in Salford for BBC Radio 6 Music

3 hours

Last on

Sat 1 Nov 202518:00
BBC Radio 6 Music

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Music Played

  • The Beat Cracker

    Learned To Dance Longer

    • Echo Edits.

  • Mungo’s Hi Fi & Eva Lazarus

    Uptown Top Ranking

    • Scotch Bonnet Records.

  • Brian Auger & the Trinity

    George Bruno Money

    • Strut Records.

  • The Funkin' Machine

    Nun Trovo Cchiu

    • Star Creature Universal Vibrations.

  • WILSN

    The Way

    • Mushroom Music.

  • Lance Ferguson

    Cold Bear

    • Tru-Thoughts Recordings.

  • Al Green

    Keep Me Cryin'

    • London Records.

  • Swankk

    If It Takes All Night

    • BPS Records.

  • Sweet Salvation

    Rocksteady

    • Elektra.

  • Dave Barker

    Do Your Thing

    • Trojan.

  • Greyhounds & King Cabbage Brass Band

    Amazing

    • Self Released.

  • Denise LaSalle

    Any Time Is The Right Time

    • Westbound Records.

  • Megatronic

    Something

    • Razor’N’Tape Records.

  • Da Lata

    Tsinguipa

    • Da Lata Music.

  • Joe Tex

    I Gotcha

    • Dial Records.

  • Jean Knight

    Dirt

    • Dial Records.

  • Anette Snell

    Just As Hooked As I've Ever Been

    • Dial Records.

  • Bobby Marchan

    I've Got A Thing Going On

    • Dial Records.

  • Victoria Port

    I Won't Wait

    • First Word Records.

  • Claudia

    Deixa Eu Dizer

    • Mr Bongo.

  • Denise LaSalle

    Here I Am Again

    • Westbound Records.

  • Sunbörn meets Clap!Clap!

    Sunclap

    • Wah Wah 45s.

  • CHITLIN’ CIRCUIT SPECIAL WITH CANDI STATON AND BOBBY RUSH

    • Clarence Carter

      Slip Away

      • Where It's At (Various Artists).
      • Kent.

    • Jewell Gospel Trio

      Too Late

      • NarroWay Records.

    • Candi Staton

      Do Your Duty

      • Honest Jon's Records.

    • O.V. Wright

      A Nickel And A Nail

      • Back Beat.

    • Bobby Rush

      Chicken Heads

      • Galaxy.

    • Little Milton

      We're Gonna Make It

      • Checker.

    • Kenny Burrell

      Chitlins Con Carne

      • Blue Bossa Volume 3.
      • Blue Note.

    • Koko Taylor

      Wang Dang Doodle

      • Checker.

    • Albert King

      Born Under A Bad Sign

      • Stax.

    • The Bar‐Kays

      Soul Finger

      • Rhino.

  • CHITLIN’ CIRCUIT TRUNK OF FUNK

    • Louis Jordan

      Ain't Nobody Here But Us Chickens

      • Mercury.

    • Big Mama Thornton

      Hound Dog

      • Freshly Squeezed.

    • Muddy Waters

      I'm Your Hoochie Coochie Man

      • Chess.

    • Ray Charles

      What'd I Say (Part 1)

      • Atlantic.

    • Etta James

      I Just Want To Make Love To You

      • Etta James- The Genuine Article.
      • Universal.

    • Little Milton

      Grits Ain't Groceries

      • Chess.

    • Johnnie Taylor

      Who's Making Love

      • Stax.

    • Candi Staton

      I'd Rather Be An Old Man's Sweetheart

      • Fame.

    • Clarence Carter

      Patches

    • Millie Jackson

      It Hurts So Good

      • Southbound.

    • Bobby Rush

      I Wanna Do The Do

      • Edsel Records.

  • Silvertone

    Trust Is Broken

    • Mixto.

  • Skeewiff

    Man Of Constant Sorrow

    • Jalapeno.

  • Rahaan

    Reach (feat. Chip Wickham)

    • Gospel One Records.

  • Denise LaSalle

    Married, But Not To Each Other

    • Westbound Records.

  • Kraak & Smaak

    Travel Light (feat. Ivar)

    • Boogie Angst.

  • The Sound Stylistics

    El Nino

    • Freestyle Records.

Broadcast

  • Sat 1 Nov 202518:00
    BBC Radio 6 Music