Drawing on decades of research and personal interviews, blues scholar Paul Oliver presents this social history of the blues in America. It also gives insights into the role blues played in American society before racial integration.

Noted blues scholar, Paul Oliver, draws on decades of research and personal interviews with performers to present this outstanding social history of the blues in America. Drawing a picture of how the blues aesthetic developed, "Broadcasting the Blues" examines the blues from its birth in the rural South, through to the heyday of sound recordings and Oliver gives new insights into the role blues played in American society before racial integration. For any blues fan, music scholar or interested general reader, this book will prove a fascinating and enlightening read

Preface
Introduction: The Development of the Blues
Part 1: Before the Blues
1. Blues in Retrospect
2. Blues and Black Society
3. Echoes of Africa
4. Go Down Old Hannah
5. Old Country Stomp
6. Ragtime Millionaires
7. Dr. Medicine
8. John Henry and the Boll Weevil
9. Yonder Comes the Blues
Part 2: Early Performers
10. Washboard Rhythm Bands
11. Harmonica Breakdown: Sonny Terry
12. Leadbelly (Parts 1 and 2)
13. Some Contemporary Blues Singers
Part 3: Meaning in Blues
14. Blues and Trouble
15. Down the Dirt Road
16. Black Cat's Bone
17. Tricks Ain't Walkin'
18. Jail House Mom
19. Let's Have a New Deal
20. High Water Everywhere
21. This World is a Tangle
22. Blues with a Feeling
23. Three Ball Blues
Part 4: Documenting the Blues
24. Creating the Documents
25. (De)Classifying the Documents
26. Anticipatin' the Blues
27. Playing with the Strings
28. Blown' the Blues
29. In the Field
30. Still to be Documented
Conclusion: The Blues as an art form.