A visit with the mysterious man of antique popular music Leon Redbone in which he discusses his taste in clothes, preferred travel modes, and song styles.  And from closer to home, Steve Riley and David Greely of the Mamou Playboys play new Cajun music live in our studios.  All augmented by our usual eclectic focus on an array of related genres and styles in American music, and life.

All through September we'll visit the great American cities of music, starting in Austin, Texas, the self-proclaimed "Live Music Capital of the World."  We'll hear Western swing, Tejano tunes, and talk with local singer-songwriters Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Joe Ely.

Get out of your summer funk by hearing some cool blues live in the studio with Mississippi's Big Jack Johnson on guitar. And keep cool in conversation with elder dudes of the California surf scene regarding the aesthetics of their sport and the music that goes with it. Also beach-wear and music from Belize's reef islands, and songs that keep an ear on summer.

It’s American Routes' July 4th extravaganza, and who better to bring you sounds for this all-American holiday?  Take a break from the barbecue and join us for visits with artists who've changed the face of American music, including Ray Charles, Celia Cruz and David Harrington of the Kronos Quartet, and songs from James Brown, Sonny Rollins, and Charles Ives.

A live performance and visit with the North Mississippi Allstars, an up-and-coming blues-rock band from the Mississippi hill country. And music about insects, from Luna moths and Tiger Swallowtails to cockroaches and things that sting.