WGLT's legendary Blues host "Delta" Frank Black made an encore appearance during GLT Blues Sunday, May 15. Black played his 50 favorite blues songs as part of GLT's 50th anniversary celebration, and said he had "a blast."
"It's been a long time since I've been on the radio. I tell ya, and I haven't had this much fun in a long, long time."
During the show, friends and fans from Black's nearly three decades hosting GLT Blues called from across central Illinois and from states including Kentucky, Washington, and California. Many were noticeably emotional as they told Black how much his passionate and unique on-air style meant to them over the years. Black said he felt similarly.
"It was joyful I tell you what. These were loyal listeners. They were ALWAYS listening, and they would call me all the time. You can't fake that kind of relationship on the radio. When you're real, people can feel it right away."
Black said he's content in retirement, and for the first time in a long time, he's home with his wife Marilyn on Friday and Saturday nights.
"She has been a saint. What other wife would put up with a husband being gone nearly every weekend for 30 years? She knew I loved what I was doing, but I could not have done it without her blessing."
At the conclusion of his shift, Black displayed a sly grin and twinkle in his eye when he quietly said:
"That ... was fun!"
NOTE: GLT Blues Radio will rebroadcast the show on Wednesday May 18 from 1:00PM - 5:00PM central time.
Below is a list of the songs Frank played during this historic shift on WGLT.
Lightnin' Slim Hicks | Just Made 21 | Rooster Blues
Shaun Murphy | I'm A Little Mixed Up | Cry Of Love
Little Walter | Juke | His Best
Van Morrison | Gloria | Too Long In Exhile
B.B. King | The Thrill Is Gone | King Biscuit
Sue Foley | Doggie Treats | Change
Buddy Guy | Damn Right I've Got The Blues | "Damn Right, I've Got Th"
J.J. Cale | Call Me The Breeze | Live: JJ Cale
Lazy Lester | Sugar Coated Love | I Hear You Knockin'
JJ Grey & Mofro | Orange Blossoms | Orange Blossoms
Slim Harpo | Shake Your Hips | Hip Shakin
Koko Taylor | Wang Dang Doodle | South Side Lady
R.L. Burnside | Jumper Hangin' On The Line | No Monkeys On This Trai
Slim Harpo | King Bee | Rainin In My Heart
B.B. King | Lucille | King of the Blues 1966-
Bo Diddley | Who Do You Love? | His Best
Etta James | Tell Mama | Her Best
John Lee Hooker | Boom Boom | The Best Of Friends
Ana Popovic | Blues For Mrs. Pauline | Can You Stand The Heat
Muddy Waters | Got My Mojo Workin' | "Breakin' It Up, Breakin"
Big Mama Thornton | Hound Dog | Hound Dog
C.J. Chenier | Black Snake Blues | The Desperate Kingdome
Junior Wells | Messin With The Kid | Calling All Blues
Sonny Boy Williamson | Fattening Frogs For Snakes | His Best
Solomon Burke | Step Child | Don't Give Up On Me
Pinetop Perkins | Pinetop's Boogie Woogie | Boogie Woogie King
Otis Clay | A Nickel And A Nail | Soul Man: Live In Japan
Bonnie Raitt | Women Be Wise | The Bonnie Raitt Collec
Julian Fauth | I Hope My Pony Knows The Way Home | Everybody Ought
Bryan Lee | Braile Blues Daddy | Friday Night Live At Th
Jessie Mae Hemphill | All Night Boogie | Heritage Of The Blues:
Howlin Wolf | Spoonful | Martin Scorsese ... God
Little Milton | The Blues Is Alright | Little Milton: Greatest
Doug MacLeod | (If You Going) To The Doghouse | Dubb
Lonesome Sundown | My Home Is A Prison | I'm A Mojo Man
Mississippi Heat | I've Got To Sleep With One Eye Open | One Eye Open
Muddy Waters | The Blues Had A Baby | Hard Again
Lazy Lester | I Hear You Knockin' | I Hear You Knockin'
Mavis Staples | Will The Circle Be Unbroken | Live: Hope at the Hideo
Luther Allison | Give Me Back My Wig | Live In Chicago
Saffire-The Uppity Blues Women | Wild Women Don't Have The Blues | Alligator Records 35 X
Marcia Ball | Louella | Live! Down The Road
Willie King | The Real Deal | Jukin' At Bettie's
Howlin Wolf | Smokestack Lightnin' | Chess Box Set Disc 2
Matthew Curry | Storms A-Brewin' | If I Don't Got You
Rory Block | Government Fleet Blues | Blues Walkin' Like a Ma
Smoke House | Cadillac In The Swamp | Cadillac In The Swamp
Tony Joe White | I Want My Fleetwood Back | One Hot July
Tedeschi-Trucks Band | Midnight In Harlem | Revelator.
John Lee Hooker | Boogie Chillin' | The Best Of Friends
