American Routes

“In the history of American radio, no series has come close to Nick Spitzer’s American Routes in exploring the many streams of this nation’s music.”
— Nat Hentoff, Wall Street Journal

American Routes is a weekly two-hour public radio program produced in New Orleans, presenting a broad range of American music — blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical. Now in our 15th year on the air, American Routes explores the shared musical and cultural threads in these American styles and genres of music — and how they are distinguished.

The program also presents documentary features and artist interviews. Our conversations include Willie Nelson, Tom Waits, B.B. King, Dr. John, Dave Brubeck, Abbey Lincoln, Elvis Costello, Ray Charles, Randy Newman, McCoy Tyner, Lucinda Williams, Rufus Thomas, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. Join us as we ride legendary trains, or visit street parades, instrument-makers, roadside attractions and juke joints, and meet tap dancers, fishermen, fortunetellers and more.

The songs and stories on American Routes describe both the community origins of our music, musicians and cultures — the “roots”— and the many directions they take over time — the “routes.”

Rebroadcast of first hour every Saturday at 7:00am.

Upcoming Episodes

March 30, 2024 Americana/Roots, Music

American Routes – Easter with Donald Harrison, Jr. and Holmes Brothers

Easter weekend is a time for reflection and family, and our guests certainly fit the bill. Donald Harrison, Jr. is a saxophone player and New Orleans native. Harrison’s ties to New Orleans run deep, musically and culturally. Wendell and Sherman Holmes, plus longtime friend Popsy Dixon made up the Holmes Brothers, a vocal group best known for putting their personal stamp on blues, gospel, country, pop and more. We revisit our conversation with the brothers about the transition from Christ Church, Virginia to New York and back again to home and family.

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