Intro: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Phil King - Image on Flickr Uploaded by UAwiki
Usage: CC BY 2.0

Let’s talk about a real soul sister, a dynamite rhythm queen! We're talkin' about the one, the only, Candi Staton!

You  know I dig a song with heart, with soul, with a little bit of grit in it, and Candi Staton, she's got it all! We all know Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man", a country classic. But when Candi Staton got a hold of it in 1970, She took that song, injected it with pure, unadulterated soul, and gave it a whole new heartbeat!

She poured out her heart, sang it with a conviction that cut right to the bone. Listen to those lyrics!

"Sometimes it's hard to be a womanGiving all your love to just one manOh, yeah, you'll have bad timesHe'll have good timesDoing things thatYou don't understand"

Yeah, she lays it on the line. It ain't always roses and sunshine! There's struggle, there's hurt, there's times you gotta bite your lip and hold on tight. But that's real life.
And then she belts it out:

"Stand by your manGive him two arms to cling toAnd something warm to come toWhen nights are cold and lonely"

Candi Staton took that "Stand By Your Man" message, added a whole lotta soul fire, and turned it into something brand new! She gave it vulnerability, she gave it strength, she gave it that raw, unfiltered emotion that only a true queen of soul can deliver! It's a song about loyalty, about love, about the hard work it takes to make a relationship last.

And let me tell you something, Candi Staton's version, it connected with a whole generation! It showed that standing by your man ain't always easy, but it can be worth it. It's a demonstration to her power as a singer, as a performer, and as a woman!

So, next time you hear that Candi Staton rendition of "Stand By Your Man," remember the soul, the heart, and the pure, unadulterated emotion that she poured into every single note. That's what makes it a timeless classic! That’s Candi Staton for you. A true original!
And that’s all for now folks!

I'm Gail Nobles. You're listening to the Country Soul Show.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Cover Art by: Gail Nobles

Today we’re going to talk about the country soul scene with Kashus Culpepper’s soulful song “Pour Me Out”! This tune has got the kind of raw authenticity that makes blues music what it is—a bittersweet reflection of life’s ups and downs, and it hits hard!

Let’s take a second to soak in those lyrics. The song is a classic setup that reels you right into the story—every note and every line feels like a familiar struggle. “Acting like we're just friends,”—oh, the sweet agony of unrequited feelings! It’s like he’s pouring his heart out to us, and we can’t help but sympathize with his plight.

And then we dive deeper—we’ve got the imagery of running on empty, drowning in those strong feelings for someone who seems just out of reach. You can feel the weight of those words! “My heart ain't a hundred proof,” he sings, and that tells you everything you need to know. He’s vulnerable; he’s real. He’s not trying to impress anyone with bravado; he knows where he stands, and he’s ready for the cold, hard truth.

It’s when the chorus comes in where he pleads, “If you don't wanna drink me, baby / Don't sip me, baby / Just pour me out.” Man, that’s the heart of the song right there! It’s a brilliant metaphor, comparing love to a drink—a beautiful concoction that someone might enjoy or leave untouched. It captures that feeling of desperation and desire, the want to be more than just an afterthought, more than just another round at the bar. And doesn’t that speak to us all?

Culpepper’s voice—the way he pours his heart into each note—it takes you right to the bottom of that glass, where all the truth hides. It’s a blend of sorrow and strength, a reflection of vulnerability that is so often missing in today’s music landscape.

So folks, if you haven’t yet, pour yourself a glass of something strong—maybe sit back, relax, and listen to Kashus Culpepper’s “Pour Me Out”. It’s a country blues experience that captures love and longing, and it just might leave you feeling like you’ve had your own heart poured out.

I’m Gail Nobles,  and you’re listening to the Country Soul Show.

Intro by: Gail Nobles
Story by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Masahiro Sumori - Own work
Wikipedia: CC BY-SA 3.0

Georgia Morning Dew is from the Heart & Soul is a compilation album by American blues musician Johnny Adams. Released in 1969 by SSS International, the record was produced by Shelby Singleton and contains much of Adams' 1960s output.

Heart & Soul largely blends 1960s gospel, soul, pop, blues, country and funk. "Georgia Morning Dew" has been described as "bouncy country-funk" that provides a "giddy, melancholy counterpart to Adams' throaty proclamations."

 When I listen to Georgia Morningdew through the horns and screen instrument I hear country when Johnny Adams sings.

Standing on this mountain
Looking over LA
At the break of day
Takes my mind back to Georgia
Many years ago
When I was just a babe
Papa'd plow up the fields
And we'd walk behind


 When I hear Johnny sing about the mountain and plowing up the field, I know that's country with the tune and words to the song.

 I'm Gail Nobles. Thank you for listening to the Country Soul Show.

Photo: Bryan Thompson
Usage: CC BY 2.0 DEED
https://flic.kr/p/8tz16b

Walking in the Rain in Memphis by Nellie Tiger Travis is categorized under the genre blues. It has some elements of country blues.

Left my hometown Chicago
Chasing my dream with you

That's how the song starts out. It's a beautiful blues. Things start out great leaving the hometown Chicago, but after getting to Memphis, things began to change. Nellie Tiger Travis sings Walking in the Rain in Memphis.

The single comes from her 2017 album Mr. Sexy Man. You might know Travis by her single If I Back It Up. She made other songs like Baby Mama Drama, and You Gonna Make Me Cheat from her 2021 album Wanna Be With You.

If you haven't heard Nelly Tiger Travis and the single Walking In The Rain in Memphis, give it a listen. It's a beautiful song. It's a song you might wanna hear in some relaxation.

I'm Gail Nobles. You're listening to the Country Blues Show.

Music intro by: Gail Nobles
Photo: Blues musician Taj Mahal at the Museumsquartier in Vienna (Jazz-Fest Wien)
Usage: WIKIPEDIA CC BY-SA 3.0

Taj Mahal is a blues musician and actor. He plays the guitar, piano, banjo, harmonica, and many other instruments, often incorporating elements of world music into his work.

Taj Mahal has a single called Corinna. The song was written by the blues man and musicologist and released on his 1968 album Natch’l blues. The song sounds like a soul country blues and I love it. Corinna is a great song with great rhythm. Mahal has a great voice. I love the harmonica sound and all the instruments played in the song. It is a song well done. His song Corinna has a beautiful natural sound. I love Taj Mahal's sound.

You’re listening to the Country Soul Show. I’m your host, Gail Nobles.

Song: I Don't Wanna Lie
Song by: Yola
Photo credit: Roberta - https://www.flickr.com/photos/robbi61blue/49545055341/
Usage: Wikipedia: CC BY 2.0

Music Intro by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles

Today’s Topic: Yolanda
Yolanda Carter is a singer writer and musician. She has a song titled, I Don’t Wanna Lie from her debut Studio Album Walk Through Fire (2019). It received critical acclaim and earned her four Grammy Award nominations, including Best New Artist.

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles & you’re listening to the Country Soul Show. Yola is a very talented musician & singer. Her follow-up, Stand for Myself (2021), received similar acclaim and earned her two more Grammy nominations.

Yola made her acting debut in 2022, portraying "godmother of rock n roll" Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Baz Luhrman’s biopic Elvis.

I love Yola’s song I Don’t Want To Lie. (Singing)
So if you haven’t heard Yola Carter, check her out today. She’s a great singer singing great songs.

Soul Keys Transformation Piano - Samplefocus.com
Keyboardist: Acoustic Guitar with Delta Blues Solo loop by Gail Nobles
Podcast jingle "War & Treaty" written by: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles

Song: Are You Ready To Love Me
Song by: War & Treaty
Photo credit: Kennedykg - Own work
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Hello, I’m Gail Nobles on the Country Soul Show, and today I want to talk about a husband and wife duo of Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter. They call themselves The War & Treaty. During an argument Tanya yells out “This isn’t war Michael, so let’s come to some sort of treaty here.

(Singing War & Treaty)

Tanya & Michael’s genres are Rock, Soul, Americana, Country, Folk, & Blues. You’ve got to hear their songs. They have songs such as: “That’s How Love Is Made”, “Blank Page”, “Dumb Luck”, & “Are You Ready To Love Me”.

“Hold me, baby, hold me close. Cheek-to-cheek and nose-to-nose yea. Kiss me darlin’, Kiss me right If you do it good, we be kissing’ all night Are you ready to love me baby..”

War and Treaty! They are the bomb. They really put their hearts into their singing. The duo was formed in 2014. In 2016, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Blount released the duet album Love Affair as Trotter & Blount. They changed their name to War and Treaty in 2017.


In 2018, Rolling Stone reported The War and Treaty’s debut album Healing Tide.
In 2020, The War and Treaty released their sophomore studio album, Hearts Town, on Rounder Records.

Song: (You Keep Me) Hanging On
Song by: Ann Peebles
Photo credit: Lindsey T from Memphis, Tennessee, USA - ann peebles
Usage: Wikipedia CC BY 2.0

Keyboardist: Gail Nobles
Vocals: Gail Nobles

You Keep Me) Hanging On Is a song by the Gosdin Brothers, released in Aug. 1967. It has been recorded by numerous artist, including Joe Simon, Cher, Cliff Richard, and Ann Peebles.
Ann Peebles gained celebrity for her Memphis soul albums of the 1970s for Hi Records. Two of her most popular songs are "I Can't Stand the Rain", which she wrote with her husband Don Bryant and radio broadcaster Bernie Miller, and "I'm Gonna Tear Your Playhouse Down". In 2014, Ann Peebles was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.

I love her version of the song, ( You Keep Me) Hanging On.

“It's true you got me wrapped around you finger Seems to me like that's where I belong You know you know how to hold me You know how to thrill me And you know how to control me, makin' me like it Just enough to keep me hangin' on”

I’m Gail Nobles, & you’re listening to the Country Soul show.

Song: Starting Over Again
Song written by: Donna Summer
Photo credit: Harrywad derivative work
Usage: CC BY-SA 3.0

Hi, I’m Gail Nobles & you’re listening to the Country Soul Show. Today’s topic: Donna Summer - Starting Over Again. A song that was written for Dolly Parton. The song goes like this …(Singing)

Starting Over Again written by Donna Summer. It was performed by Dolly Parton and released in March 1980 as the first single from Dolly Parton’s album Dolly, Dolly, Dolly. Starting Over Again made the U.S. pop top forty, peaking at #36, and reached number 1 on the U.S. Country charts on May 24, 1980.

Donna Summer also performed it live numerous times on television specials during the 1980’s, including her own program, The Donna Summer Show.

The song is about a couple separating after 30 years of marriage. I love the lines in the first verse.

And all the kings horses
And all the kings men
Could never put mommy and daddy back together again.

The song was based upon the divorce of Donna Summer’s husband Bruce Sudano’s parents.

I’m Gail Nobles and you’re listening to The Country Soul Show.

Vocal intro by: Gail Nobles
Song: Celebrate Me Home
Song by: Bob James & Kenny Loggins

Celebrate Me Home is a song written by Bob James and Kenny Loggins, and recorded by Loggins as the title track of his 1977 debut solo album Celebrate Me Home.

Donna Summer song Celebrate Me Home live in Japan 1987 with her two sisters if I’m not mistaken. They were a great trio singing together with great harmony. Mary Gaines Bernard and Dara Bernard. Donna Summer made me think about heaven singing the song, Celebrate Me Home.

The song’s genre is considered country & R&B/Soul. It’s a family song to me, and it can help you feel better about a loved one who has gone away from this world.

I’m Gail Nobles & you’re listening to The Country Soul Show.

Song: Let It Be Me
Song by: Jerry Butler & Betty Everett

Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles
Cover design by: Gail Nobles

Let It Be Me is a popular song by the Everly Brothers and later with the duet by Betty Everett and Jerry Butler. It is also a duet by Rod Stewart & Jennifer Hudson released 2009. The Everly Brother’s version is still the most popular, and was released in 1960 and rose to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The 1964 cover of “Let It Be Me” by Betty Everett and Jerry Butler was released and it was a smash. Their version peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Cashbox Soul/R&B charts for 3 weeks.

Bobbie Gentry and Glen Campbell have also covered the song “Let It Be Me” from the Everly Brothers. They have made their song enter the Billboard Country chart.

The Everly Brother’s music fused elements of rock and roll, country, and pop, becoming pioneers of country rock.

Betty Everett and Jerry Butler were soul artists. Betty covered a number of duets with Jerry. Their biggest hit is “Let It Be Me”. It was a soul version. It was the first duet from Butler and Everett. The song “Let It Be Me” has been covered many times by different artists. I really like Everett & Butler’s version.

I’m Gail Nobles. You’re listening to the country soul show.

Song: Rainy Night in Georgia
Song by: Brook Benton
Written by: Tony Joe White

Podcast vocals: Gail Nobles
Keyboardist: Gail Nobles

Hello! I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to the Country Soul Show. Today’s topic is Brook “Rainy Night in Georgia”. Benton was a singer and songwriter who was popular with rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop music audiences during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He made a comeback in 1970 with the ballad, “Rainy Night in Georgia”. The song was written by Tony Joe White in 1967. The song was popularized by Benton in 1970. It was originally released by White on his 1969 album, Continued, on Monument Records, shortly before Benton’s hit single was issued. The song “Rainy Night in Georgia “ was a major hit and was a million seller which topped the Billboard chart.

It’s a song that has been covered by a number of musicians. David Ruffin, Ray Charles, Otis Rush, Randy Crawford, Little Milton, and George Benson just to name a few.

Has it been raining in your state? You know it’s been raining some nights in NC. It’s good sounding rain. I’m Gail Nobles!

Song: At The Dark End of the Street
Song by: James Carr
Written by: Dan Penn & Chips Moman

Intro music: Gail Nobles
Vocals by: Gail Nobles
Cover collage design: Gail Nobles

Today’s topic: James Carr - At the Dark End of the Street.

Hello! I’m Gail Nobles, and you’re listening to the Country Soul Show. James Carr is who I want to talk about today and his song, At the Dark End of the Street. James was a soul and R& B singer described as “one of the greatest pure vocalist that deep Southern soul ever produced.” His greatest success and most critically acclaimed performance came in 1967 with his original recording, “ Dark End of the Street.” The song was written by Dan Penn and Chips Moman and first recorded by James Carr. It is said to be a country soul song. Some just say soul.

When it comes to country soul, usually there’s a mixture. Gospel harmony, piano, and guitar, and church organ can be heard in the mix.

Soul Artist James Carr first recorded the song in late 1966, and it became his trademark song, reaching number 10 on Billboard Magazine’s Black Singles Chart, and crossing over to number 77 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Six months later fellow soul singer Percy Sledge included his version of the song on his 1967 album The Percy Sledge Way, but it did not chart as high.

In the years since Carr’s original version, many artists have recorded versions of the song.

You’re listening to The Country Soul Show. I’m your host, Gail Nobles.