Words to the Wise: Loretta Lynn, Bill Kirchen & Les Freres Michot

This week on American Routes we’re sharing some words of wisdom. Loretta Lynn blazed a trail through the male-dominated world of country music, bringing her experience as a mother and wife to songwriting and challenging stereotypes along the way. Rockabilly guitarist and singer Bill Kirchen might be best known for his time in Commander Cody’s band, and his hot licks on “Hot Rod Lincoln,” but we’ll learn more about the man called the “Titan of the Telecaster,” who won’t be pegged by genres. Then we’ll stop for a few environmentally sound Cajun tunes and visit with a band of brothers, Les Freres Michot.

HOUR ONE

Open Bed: T-Bone Rag Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant
Swing West! Vol.2: Guitar Slingers, Razor & Tie

Memphis Chuck Berry
The Chess Blues-Rock Songbook, MCA

Operator Grateful Dead
American Beauty, Warner

Call Operator 210 Floyd Dixon
His Complete Aladdin Recordings, Capitol

George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone Blues Drive-By Truckers
The Fine Print, New West

As Soon As I Hang Up the Phone Loretta Lynn with Conway Twitty
Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection, MCA

Instrumental: My Old Kentucky Home Merle Travis
Walkin' the Strings, Capitol

SEGMENT: Loretta Lynn

Coal Miner's Daughter Loretta Lynn
Honky Tonk Girl: The Loretta Lynn Collection, MCA

Telephone Girl Doc Watson and David Holt
Legacy, High Windy

Ring, Telephone, Ring The Ink Spots
The Anthology, MCA

Instrumental: Elmira Street Boogie Danny Gatton
Hot Rod Guitar: The Danny Gatton Anthology, Rhino

Long Distance Call Muddy Waters
His Best 1947 to 1955, MCA

Call Before You Go Home Memphis Slim
The Come Back, Delmark

Telephone Won't Ring Boozoo Chavis
The Lake Charles Atomic Bomb, Rounder

Talk to Me Baby Elmore James
King of the Slide Guitar, Capricorn

He'll Have to Go Ry Cooder with Flaco Jimenez
Chicken Skin Music, Reprise

842-3089 (Call My Name) Etta James
The Essential Etta James, MCA

634-5789 (Soulsville USA) Wilson Pickett
The Definitive Collection, Atlantic

End Bed: Tipitina Allen Tousaint
American Routes original recording

HOUR TWO

Open Bed: Honky Tonk - Pt. 1 Bill Dogget
Rites of Rythm & Blues Volume 2, Motown

Honky Tonkin' Hank Williams
The Complete Hank Williams, Mercury

Honky-Tonk Man Johnny Horton
1956-1960, Bear Family

SEGMENT: Bill Kirchen

Hot Rod Lincoln Bill Kirchen
Hot Rod Lincoln - Live!, Hightone

Instrumental: Last Date Floyd Cramer
RCA Country Legends, Buddha

My Last Date (With You) Skeeter Davis
RCA Country Legends: Skeeter Davis, Buddha

I'm Leavin' Solomon Burke
Nothing's Impossible, El Music

Who Will the Next Fool Be Charlie Rich
The Sun Years 1958-1962, Bear Family

Be Careful With A Fool B.B. King
The RPM Hits: 1951-1957, Ace

Go on Fool Smiley Lewis
Shame, Shame, Shame, Bear Family

Now I Know Jimmy Donley
The Shape You Left Me In, Bear Family

Faut Pas tu Brailles Lost Bayou Ramblers
Bayou Perdu, Swallow

Instrumental: Calloway Ricky Skaggs
Solo: Songs My Dad Loved , Skaggs Family

SEGMENT: Les Freres Michot

Swimming Song Vetiver
Thing of the Past, Gnomonsong

Stars on the Water Rodney Crowell
Rodney Crowell, Warner

End Bed: Frog Legs Clifton Chenier
Bon Ton Roulet, Arhoolie