1. JAN
  2. FEB
  3. MAR
  4. APR
  5. MAY
  6. JUN
  7. JUL
  8. AUG
  9. SEP
  10. OCT
  11. NOV
  12. DEC

BO DIDDLEY / TONY JOE WHITE

On the next American Routes, as the weather warms up we treat you to two very cool guests. Mississippi-born and Chicago-bred legend Bo Diddley talks about his songs “I’m a Man,” “Who Do You Love,” and that signature Bo Diddley beat. Tony Joe White comes up from the swamps to play an acoustic version of “Polk Salad Annie,” among other tunes. Plus, a refreshing visit to a local New Orleans favorite, Hansen’s Sno Bliz, servin’ up the best sno-cones you’ve ever tasted.

GATEMOUTH MOORE / RY COODER

Two men who embody eclecticism in the music they play and love. First, an in-depth discussion with guitarist and producer Ry Cooder: from his California roots in American blues, country and rock, to his forays into Tex-Mex, African, and East Indian music, his many film soundtracks, and most recently his work in Cuba with the Buena Vista Social Club and guitarist Manuel Galban. Also meet 90-year-old blues and gospel singer Gatemouth Moore, who began performing with the Rabbit Foot Minstrels in the 1920s and currently preaches at his church in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Plus the American Routes music mix we hope you seek… each week.

EASTER

Celebrate the holiday with music for Easter, Passover and the spring season. We’ll dig into the vaults and hear interviews with gospel great Mahalia Jackson. Plus we’ll talk with Sacred Steel guitarist Calvin Cooke about how the spirit speaks through his instrument.

NEKO CASE / WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY

In addition to American Routes’ weekly mix of enduring and eclectic musical styles, we interview old and new school alternative country artists. Willis Alan Ramsey, the cult musical hero from Austin, Texas who wrote “Muskrat Love,” released one very successful country folk album in the ’70s — then all but disappeared from the music scene. Neko Case, a former punk drummer turned country chanteuse, serenades us in the studio, and talks about her atmospheric recent album “Blacklisted.”

COUNTRY CROSSOVER

Blues, rock, soul, and jazz… all with a little twang of country. This show features artists who take elements of the great country tradition, mix them up and make them their own. Nick talks with a living legend of old time country, Ralph Stanley. Also hear an interview and a short live set from young House of God steel guitarist Robert Randolph. Plus a talk with Cajun country elders the Hackberry Ramblers, and the down-home rock sound of the Sadies, out of Canada.