American Routes ®

Singer-songwriter Loudon Wainwright III walks us through his long career that began in the '60s folk scene. Also, a live set from the South Carolina Blues Doctor Drink Small.

Listen To Hour 1 Listen To Hour 2 View Full Playlist

It's summertime and the living's easy. Jump in as we hit the road in search of new faces and places. Head north out of New Orleans, across Lake Pontchartrain, to the Abita Mystery House and UCM Museum in Abita Springs. And much further north, to the Musical Wonder House in Wiscasset, Maine. Plus, a refreshing visit to a local New Orleans favorite, Hansen's Sno-Bliz, servin' up the best sno-cones you've ever tasted.

Listen To Hour 1 Listen To Hour 2 View Full Playlist

Back to the beach with "beach music" from both coasts. We'll talk with California surf guitarist Dick Dale, go lobstering in Maine, and visit Sea Breeze, a historically African-American beach in North Carolina. With music by Charles Mingus, James Brown and Astrud Gilberto.

Listen To Hour 1 Listen To Hour 2 View Full Playlist

Find the connections between the literary landscape and soundscape. We talk with Columbia University jazz scholar Robert O'Meally about the music writings of Ralph Ellison, the Harlem Renaissance author best known for the novel Invisible Man. And visit with songsmith and wordsmith James Talley. Plus music about writing, reading and talking by Hank Williams, Cassandra Wilson and Bob Wills.

Listen To Hour 1 Listen To Hour 2 View Full Playlist