J.J. Cale came up in the clubs of Tulsa, Oklahoma playing everything from Western Swing to Rock n’ Roll. He even wrote songs that became hits for his friend Eric Clapton. But it was in the recording studio where he found his true calling. We’ll talk with J.J. about his career as a guitar man, songwriter and studio wizard. Then we visit with up-and-coming Creole fiddler and accordionist Cedric Watson and learn about his journey within the world of French and Caribbean music.

Think all the glamour is in Hollywood? This week on American Routes we’re going to the movies. John Sayles, writer-director of such classic films as “Lonestar” and “Matewan” talks about how he uses music to evoke emotion. Quebequois director Andre Gladu shares his documentary vision and stories of following music along the Mississippi and French Louisiana. Plus composer Thomas Newman takes us behind the scenes of Altman’s “The Player,” Disney’s “Wall-E” and more.