American Routes explores the shared and individual musical threads that contribute to the great diversity of American culture, from blues to Cajun, Tejano to jazz, country to soul and all the stops in between.

THIS WEEK

New Blues & Bluegrass: Cedric Burnside & ShadowGrass

Facing the hot season head on, we hit up juke joints, dancehalls and folk festivals to get our fill of hot licks from blues and bluegrass musicians, oldtimers and newcomers alike. We talk shop with Mississippi Hill Country bluesman Cedric Burnside about playing music alongside his grandfather R.L. Burnside, finding his voice and translating old… read more

listen

NEXT WEEK Routes LIVE: The Meters, Randy Newman, Doug Kershaw & the Tedeschi Trucks Band

LAST WEEK Giants of Jazz: Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin died at 76 of pancreatic cancer on August 16th. The Queen of Soul was one of the most influential American singers, known for…

ROUTES JOURNAL

REMEMBERING G.G. SHINN

Swamp pop legend G.G. Shinn passed away Tuesday, August 7, after a long illness. A singer and trumpet player for more than 50 years, Shinn…

ROUTES JOURNAL

AMERICAN ROUTES: SONGS AND STORIES FROM THE ROAD

American Routes: Songs and Stories From the Road, is a two CD collection of favorite interviews and stories. From mambo kings and country sweethearts…