The final hour of Blues Before Sunrise creates a wide-ranging conclusion from a playlist that moves with assurance among vocal […]
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Jive, blues, and the first light of gospel
The opening hour of Blues Before Sunrise lays out an expansive program of blues, jive, rhythm and blues, religious recordings, […]
House-party blues and a gospel close
Hour 2 of Blues Before Sunrise moves through a wide field of blues and rhythm and blues recordings before ending […]
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Chicago Festival Blues and a Five-Hour Arc
This edition of Blues Before Sunrise moves through an unusually wide field of blues, jazz, rhythm and blues, vocal-group […]
Read moreFrom Cab Calloway to Georgia Tom Dorsey
This edition of Blues Before Sunrise moves through five hours of blues, rhythm and blues, gospel, jazz-leaning material, and late-night […]
Read moreWhen Summer Learned the Blues
This edition of *Blues Before Sunrise* is built like a long summer day: it begins in a hazy jazz glow, […]
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.