This week’s Blues Before Sunrise opens with a vibrant tribute to one of America’s most influential cultural landmarks: Harlem. Originally […]
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Harlem’s Soundtrack: The Music of a Legendary Neighborhood
The celebration of Harlem continues in Hour Two of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise, expanding upon the neighborhood’s enormous influence […]
Blues Classics from the Remarkable Year of 1941
Hour Three of this week’s Blues Before Sunrise turns the clock back to one of the most important years in […]
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Harlem, Historic Blues, and the Complete Recordings of L.C. McKinley
This week on Blues Before Sunrise, Steve Cushing presents another fascinating journey into the rich history of American music, combining […]
Read moreFive Hours of Timeless Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Jazz, and Gospel
This week’s Blues Before Sunrise returns to one of the program’s favorite formats—no special theme, no featured artist, simply five […]
Read moreSonny Thompson, a Busy Month in 1938, and Five Hours of Musical Discovery
This week’s Blues Before Sunrise delivers another wide-ranging journey through the first fifty years of recorded Black music, highlighted by […]
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.