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

ALL SAINTS

Tune into music dealing with death and rebirth, loss and resolution, for All Saints and All Souls Days, November 1 and 2. Music transcends the world of the living as we listen to a jazz funeral for sax player Harold Dejan in the streets of New Orleans. Plus preacher, mortician, and amazing soul singer Solomon Burke tells his tale, and a visit to a local cemetery to see how the dead are honored this time of year. Includes music in the spirit from Pops Staples, King Oliver, Bob Dylan and Ralph Stanley.

HUGH MASEKELA & JOSHUA ALLEN

Hugh Masekela sets the record straight on “township bop,” playing Satchmo’s horn, and how he ended up with a million-selling hit that made the South African trumpeter and jazzman a rock star. Join Nick as he visits with Virginia-based Joshua Allen, who demonstrates the ox horn flute.

GUITAR BOSSES: LES PAUL & HONEYBOY EDWARDS

Tune in and pay witness to over 150 years of guitar experience between this week’s nonagenarian guests. Les Paul, the Wizard of Waukesha, talks about his leap from taking up the instrument to inventing the guitar heard ‘round the world that bears his name. And Delta guitarist and walking blues encyclopedia Honeyboy Edwards comes by our studio and remembers Robert Johnson, the 1927 flood, and recording for Alan Lomax along the way.

ON THE ROAD WITH ROSANNE CASH AND ARLO GUTHRIE

This weeks’ American Routes hits the road in story and song. We visit with country singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash about life in a musical family, living in Nashville and her recent release, Black Cadillac. And join Nick as he rides the rails. It’s a trip on the City of New Orleans train with the singer that made it famous, folk hero Arlo Guthrie. Plus two hours of the traveling blues, as well as country, jazz, rock and soul and more.