In this Labor Day edition of American Routes, we’ll examine the life and music of Woody Guthrie, in the words of family, friends and fellow travelers.  We’ll take a look at the man and his musical labors through the words of the late Pete Seeger, daughter Nora Guthrie, Jeff Tweedy from Wilco and more. Then a live concert from the Cajun folk band BeauSoleil, led by fiddler Michael Doucet and joined by guest artists who have played with them over the years, in celebration of their half century playing music. 

It’s time to go back to school! Many of the lessons learned in school are valuable, but more often people carry their memories of great teachers, friends and growing up to think for themselves. Likewise, much of America’s greatest music — blues, jazz, country, Cajun — was passed on informally from master players, in clubs, at jam sessions or dances. We’ll visit two special professors who really believe in teaching the musical vernacular both formally and informally. The late Ray Charles showed kids how to play the blues at his Los Angeles studio, and trumpeter Wynton Marsalis tutored New Orleans high school students in jazz technique and appreciation. We’ll also talk to the Cajun band from French Louisiana, Feufollet, when they were teenagers, about why they learned to play traditional music. Plus, tune in to children’s songs and back-to-school anthems from Chuck Berry, Louis Armstrong, Willie Nelson and Aretha Franklin.

Songs and stories of the healing power of music and its role in improving personal health with gospel singer Cora Harvey Armstrong, Apsaalooke rapper and fancy dancer Supaman, singer-songwriter Jesse Colin Young and Santana‘s reflections on reincarnation. Plus, songs about the temptations of elixirs as fixers of pain and maladies of all kinds from the flu and plain old love sickness.oly day hits.

Chuck Mead, co-founder of the legendary Nashville country rock band, BR549 tells tales of being born into a Kansas family of musicians with their own radio show and infiltrating his way into a whole new Nashville underground music, bar and dance scene. Then, conversation with Alice Gerrard, musician, advocate for old time music and known for her collaboration with West Virginia native Hazel Dickens as a rare female bluegrass duo in the 1960s. Plus music from Bob Dylan, Wanda Jackson, The Balfa Brothers and Johnny Shines.