American Routes is blues and jazz, gospel and soul, rockabilly and country, Cajun and swamp pop, Tejano, Latin… and beyond. Songs and stories from musicians describe a deep and diverse nation with sounds and styles shared by all Americans. From the bayous to the beltways, from crossroads to crosstown, on interstates and city streets, turn up your radio for the sonic journey!

American Routes—produced in New Orleans since 1998

Blues and Jazz, African Roots and Branches with Shemekia Copeland and Balla Kouyaté

It's Blueswomen, Jazzmen, African roots and branches. Chicago blues singer Shemekia Copeland's father, the late blues guitarist Johnny Copeland, brought her into his music as a child. As an adult, she found new ways to use blues to express her perspective. We'll hear from some of Shemekia's heroes including Etta James, Ruth Brown, Alberta Hunterread more

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Eva Ybarra
Eva Ybarra Learn
Our Lady of The Highways roadside shrine
Our Lady of The Highways roadside shrine Learn
Pete's Out in the Cold Bartender Kevin Lee
Pete's Out in the Cold Bartender Kevin Lee Learn
Celia Cruz
Celia Cruz Learn