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AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM
I SWUNG THE ELECTION: MUSIC & POLITICS
All eyes are on the 2004 election. With this American Routes Music & Politics special we ask you to lend your ears to the democratic process as we bring you songs by and about politicians — including John Kerry’s high school rock band — protest music, campaign songs and more. Guests include Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia on fiddling to get elected; Cook County Commissioner and soul singer Jerry Butler discusses the difference between performance and politics; former Sec. of the Interior Stewart Udall recalls music in the Kennedy White House; and the King of Bluegrass, Jimmy Martin, wonders if we’ll have a guitar-picking president. Plus topical music from Howlin’ Wolf, Ella Fitzgerald, and The Grateful Dead. Democracy is the best sound around.
HOUR ONE
- Open Bed: Happy Days are Here Again Casa Loma Orchestra
Songs of the Depression, Bear Family - I Swung the Election Jack Teagarden
Jack Teagarden and His Orchestra, 1934-1939, Classics - Vote for Mr. Rhythm Ella Fitzgerald
Ella Fitzgerald, Cocktail Hour - Jordan for President Louis Jordan
Let the Good Times Roll, Bear Family - I Don't Want to Be President Percy Mayfield
His Tangerine and Atlantic Sides, Rhino - Tell Me Why You Like Roosevelt, Part 2 Otis Jackson
Roosevelt's Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on FDR, Agram Blues - CLIP: Roosevelt "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
20th Century Time Capsule, Buddha - Franklin Roosevelt's Back Again Cox Brothers
Old Time Southern Dance Music, Old Timey - Instrumental: Stars and Stripes Forever / Sweethearts on Parade The Kalima Brothers
Legends of the Ukulele, Rhino - Every Man a King Randy Newman
Good Old Boys, Warner - CLIP: Randy Newman
- Kingfish Randy Newman
Good Old Boys, Warner - CLIP: Earl K. Long speech
- Ballad of Earl K. Long Jay Chevalier
45rpm, - Instrumental: Liberty Will Keys
A Banjo Original, County - Sales Tax Mississippi Sheiks
Roosevelt's Blues: African-American Blues and Gospel Songs on FDR, Agram Blues - Taxes on the Farmer Feeds Us All Ry Cooder
Into the Purple Valley, Warner - INTERVIEW: Senator Robert Byrd
Listen - Take the Star Out of the Window John Prine
Diamonds in the Rough, Atlantic - Sam Stone Laura Cantrell
Future Soundtrack for America, Barsuk - The Day After Tomorrow Tom Waits
Real Gone, Anti - The ‘Saint-Gaudens' in Boston Common (Excerpt #2) Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell: Have a Little Faith, Nonesuch
HOUR two
- Open Bed: "Greenfields" "You Can't Sit Down" "Yellow Jacket" The Electras
The Electras - '60s Garage Rock Band Reissue, The Electras R&R Band - INTERVIEW: Jimmy Martin
Listen - Guitar Pickin' President Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, Bear Family - God Guide Our Leader's Hand Jimmy Martin
Jimmy Martin and the Sunny Mountain Boys, Bear Family - Christ for President Billy Bragg and Wilco
Mermaid Avenue, Elektra - Dead Presidents Little Walter
The Essential, MCA - I Could Never Be President Johnnie Taylor
Lifetime, Stax - Instrumental: Wolverine Blues Al Hirt
Greatest Hits, Intersound - SEGMENT: Music of the Kennedy White House with Stewart Udall
Listen - I Want to Know Why James & Fannie Brewer
Can't Keep From Crying, Testament - Bobby Kennedy Corrido Lalo Guerrero
Recorded live for Folk Masters Series, - Watergate Blues Howlin' Wolf
The Back Door Wolf, MCA - CLIP: Richard Nixon Resignation Address
Great Speeches of the 20th Century, Rhino - Backlash Blues Nina Simone
Livin' in the House of Blues: Defiance Blues, House of Blues - Instrumental: The Watergate Blues Modern Jazz Quartet
Warner Jazz Les Incontournables, Warner Music France - INTERVIEW: Cook County Commissioner Jerry Butler
Listen - Long Walk to DC Staple Singers
Soul Folk in Action, Stax - Be Careful How You Vote Sunnyland Slim
Be Careful How You Vote, Earwig - U.S. Blues Grateful Dead
Mars Hotel, Grateful Dead - End Bed: Stars and Stripes Forever Eubie Blake
The Eighty-Six Years of Eubie Blake, Columbia
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We rely on your support to remain on air and online. Your contribution helps us bring you interviews with great American artists and the carefully curated music mix that you’ve enjoyed over the years.