American Routes ®

This week one of America's great traveling troubadors, Willie Nelson, pulls his tour bus into New Orleans. Willie chats and the Nelson family band plays a live set, including the old favorite, Angel Flying too Close to the Ground and the title track of his new record, Milk Cow Blues. Also, Piedmont bluesman John Jackson drops by to play his brand of country blues from the Eastern Seaboard

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Motown legend Gladys Knight talks about her first recital in church at age four, then heading out on the road with the Pips, a group assembled by her cousin. Iris DeMent, the warbler from Arkansas, had the same church-choir start and now writes songs that get to the emotional center of life and love.

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Gifted singer Emmylou Harris takes a new trip down old country roads as the self-searching "Red Dirl Girl." We speak with her about growing upbetween 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.

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Nick talks to Chris Strachwitz, founder of Arhoolie Records, about his lifelong quest for American Music. Also Peter Sokolow of Klezmer Plus talks about how Jewish music relates to the evolution of jazz. We'll hear the music from Buddy Holly, Treme Brass Band, Violent Femmes, and more.

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We'll hear the campaign songs, protest music and tunes about politics and politicians. Nick talks with lawyer Len Garment about his love of Jazz, and the days with Richard Nixon. Plus the tales of Louisiana governors, Huey and Earl Long.

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