The opening hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise begins with a lively sweep through early swing, vocal jazz, and […]
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From Percy Mayfield to Sunday Morning
Hour 2 of Blues Before Sunrise gathers blues, r&b, and gospel into a sequence that moves from Percy Mayfield’s focused […]
Brewer Phillips Remembers Memphis
The third hour of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise is built around a return to the program’s 1990 interview with […]
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From Swingtime to Highway 99: Blues Before Sunrise Travels Far and Deep
This week’s Blues Before Sunrise moves through a broad and carefully paced span of musical settings, beginning with small-group swing […]
Read moreFrom Early Swing to Shakey Jake’s Long Road
This week’s Blues Before Sunrise travels a broad musical road across its five hours, beginning with the buoyant, dance-minded language […]
Read moreFrom Swinging Rooms to Chicago Blues and Midnight Jazz
This week’s Blues Before Sunrise moves through a wide field of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, gospel, and vocal-group music, […]
Read moreAbout Blues Before Sunrise




Blues Before Sunrise is a long-running radio program hosted by Steve Cushing, dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich legacy of African American music. From rare 78s to gospel quartets, from jump blues to early R&B, each broadcast is a carefully curated journey through America’s musical and cultural heritage. With expert commentary and deep historical knowledge, Cushing brings forgotten voices and recordings back into the spotlight, turning each episode into both a listening experience and a history lesson.
This website serves as a digital archive and heritage showcase, ensuring that the music, voices, and stories featured on the show are preserved for future generations. Here you’ll find selected show archives, detailed playlists, artist profiles, and educational resources—all part of a larger effort to document and honor the roots of the blues. Whether you’re a casual listener or a serious scholar, this site invites you to explore the depth and beauty of a tradition that continues to shape American culture.