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NEKO CASE / WILLIS ALAN RAMSEY

In addition to American Routes’ weekly mix of enduring and eclectic musical styles, we interview old- and new-school alternative country artists. Willis Alan Ramsey, the cult musical hero from Austin, Texas who wrote “Muskrat Love,” released one very successful country folk album in the ’70s — then all but disappeared from the music scene. Neko Case, a former punk drummer turned country chanteuse, serenades us in the studio, and talks about her atmospheric recent album “Blacklisted.”

SOUTHERN MEN OF SONG: JIMMY MARTIN AND PERCY SLEDGE

Working class, self-styled and always opinionated, the late King of Bluegrass Jimmy Martin talks guitar-picking, hunting dogs and the Opry. And singer of songs Percy Sledge recalls going from hospital orderly to Atlantic Records soul singer with “When a Man Loves a Woman.”

IBRAHIM FERRER / REGINA CARTER

This American Routes takes a look at the two-way musical influence between the Caribbean and Latin America and the U.S. Plus we’ll examine the role of the violin and fiddle, in jazz, blues, country and other genres. In hour one, Cuban vocalist and Buena Vista Social Club star Ibrahim Ferrer recalls his long life and career as a guarachero and bolerista. Jazz violinist Regina Carter joins us in hour two and talks about going from Detroit to the conservatory and back again. And there’s great music including Fats Domino, Celia Cruz, The Band and much more.

BO DIDDLEY / TONY JOE WHITE

On the next American Routes as the weather warms up we treat you to two very cool guests. Mississippi-born and Chicago-bred legend Bo Diddley talks about his songs “I’m a Man,” “Who Do You Love,” and that signature Bo Diddley beat. Tony Joe White comes up from the swamps to play an acoustic version of “Polk Salad Annie,” among other tunes. Plus, a refreshing visit to a local New Orleans favorite, Hansen’s Sno Bliz, servin’ up the best sno-cones you’ve ever tasted.