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Sunday, 6/14/2026, 10pm - Juke In The Back

KCSM
Published June 1, 2026 at 9:15 PM PDT

Imperial Records, Part 9 - 1956, Part 2.

This week, we continue our Imperial series with part nine, focusing on Imperial's R&B releases from the second half of 1956. Fats Domino has the biggest hit of his entire career with "Blueberry Hill," a tune that Dave Bartholomew did not think he should record. It sold millions and millions and topped the R&B charts and landing at a whopping #2 on the pop chart. Matt The Cat presents the story behind that monumental release as well as spinning some great and seldom heard vocal group records from The Barons, The Victorials, The Dukes and The Honey Bees, a female group. We'll also dig on some solid R&B releases from Johnny Fuller, Ernie Freeman and Gloria Jean Pitts as we keep those records spinning on part nine of the Imperial Records Story.

He began recording Rhythm & Blues in 1947 and by '49, he had hired Dave Bartholomew to scout talent in fertile New Orleans. The Braun Brother had beat him to The Crescent City by recording Paul Gayten and Annie Laurie first, but with Bartholomew's help, Chudd was able to sign Fats Domino, Smiley Lewis, Archibald and Jewel King, dominating the New Orleans R&B scene. This week, we continue our Imperial series with part four, focusing on Imperial's R&B releases from 1953. Fats Domino dominated the Imperial roster, racking up four charting singles in '53, one going all the way to #2 nationally. Lew Chudd sent bluesman T-Bone Walker to New Orleans to work with bandleader and producer Dave Bartholomew and record at Cosimo Matassa's famous J&M Recording Studio, while the "unsung hero" of this series, Lil' Son Jackson continued recording in Fort Worth, TX. We'll hear the debut singles from Bobby Mitchell & The Toppers as well as some rare sides from Lil' Willie Gibson, "Boogie Bill" Webb and Rose Mitchell. We're keeping those records spinning as we feature part four of the Imperial Records Story.
KCSM HD1 (Jazz 91)