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MEDICINE SHOW

Step right up! It’s a sonic tonic for the mid-Winter blues as we turn to the healing power of music ranging from the “Hadacol Boogie” to “Dr. Jazz.” We include a visit with New Orleans piano man Eddie Bo, who also offers advice in the healing arts, and a trip to the New Orleans Pharmacy Museum in to find “Love Potion # 9.”

KINGS OF THE ROAD: FROM RAMBLIN' JACK TO KEROUAC

Get your key to the highway… this American Routes looks at “the road” as destination, inspiration and home away from home in blues, country, jazz and more. Folkie and fellow traveler Ramblin’ Jack Elliot recalls the allure of the road in music and life. Plus, historian and author Douglas Brinkley joins us to speak on travel as muse for beat author Jack Kerouac and others.

EMMYLOU HARRIS & YO LA TENGO

Gifted singer Emmylou Harris takes a new trip down old country roads as the self-searching “Red Dirt Girl”. We speak with her about growing up between South and North, her days on the road with Gram Parsons, and her atmospheric music today. Also, the purposefully unrooted band Yo La Tengo of Hoboken, New Jersey tracks their 15 years of luminous music and improvisatory life.

BIG RIVER OF SOUND: MUSIC ON THE MISSISSIPPI

The musical and cultural meanderings of the Mississippi River, from exploration and trade to romance. Jazz, ragtime, and levee work-songs along with blues, rockabilly, gospel, and country. Guests include the late Memphis soul man Rufus Thomas and ethnomusicologist David Evans, speaking about influential Delta guitarist Charley Patton. Also, we visit a river barge pilot as he rolls on the river.