American Routes

Saturdays at 7 pm

From New Orleans, presenting a broad range of American music — blues and jazz, gospel and soul, old-time country and rockabilly, Cajun and zydeco, Tejano and Latin, roots rock and pop, avant-garde and classical.

HOUR 1: Reimagining Kentucky Country Music & New Orleans Jazz with Kelsey Waldon and Aurora Nealand

Country singer Kelsey Waldon grew up in the Ohio River bottoms of Ballard County Kentucky-a place called “Monkey’s Eyebrow” where her family has farmed for generations. She tells us about her journey as a songwriter, and her friendship with another hero of Kentucky, John Prine. Then a live set of New Orleans jazz and its Caribbean cousins with the widely acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Aurora Nealand and her quartet at Artisound Studios in New Orleans 9th Ward. read more.
HOUR 2: Reimagining Kentucky Country Music & New Orleans Jazz with Kelsey Waldon and Aurora Nealand

Country singer Kelsey Waldon grew up in the Ohio River bottoms of Ballard County Kentucky-a place called “Monkey’s Eyebrow” where her family has farmed for generations. She tells us about her journey as a songwriter, and her friendship with another hero of Kentucky, John Prine. Then a live set of New Orleans jazz and its Caribbean cousins with the widely acclaimed multi-instrumentalist, Aurora Nealand and her quartet at Artisound Studios in New Orleans 9th Ward. read more.
HOUR 1: St. Patrick's Singers, Fiddlers and Pickers from Ireland to America

For St. Patrick’s, it’s old and new cultural connections of singers, fiddlers and pickers from Ireland to rural and urban America. Reels and jigs for dancing, jazz takes on Irish tunes and songs about love, immigration and drinking from Hank Locklin, The Clancy Brothers and Louis Armstrong. Then a live set from the 80th National Folk Festival exploring the musical connections of Ireland and Appalachia with Irish musicians John Doyle and Seamus Egan and bluegrassers Rob and Ronnie McCoury. read more.
HOUR 2: St. Patrick's Singers, Fiddlers and Pickers from Ireland to America

For St. Patrick’s, it’s old and new cultural connections of singers, fiddlers and pickers from Ireland to rural and urban America. Reels and jigs for dancing, jazz takes on Irish tunes and songs about love, immigration and drinking from Hank Locklin, The Clancy Brothers and Louis Armstrong. Then a live set from the 80th National Folk Festival exploring the musical connections of Ireland and Appalachia with Irish musicians John Doyle and Seamus Egan and bluegrassers Rob and Ronnie McCoury. read more.
HOUR 1: True Believers and Hardworking Troubadours: Post-Punk Folksinger, Lee Bains, & Swamp Pop Hero, Tommy McLain

It’s true believers and hardworking troubadours. First, Lee Bains, Birmingham, Alabama’s post-punk folk singer whose songs seek social justice, inclusive humanity and protection of the environs as a sacred quest. Then, octogenarian Louisiana Swamp Pop hero Tommy McLain, who brought his classic ’60s songs and music mix of country, blues, rock, and gospel to clubs and casinos, now recording with Elvis Costello and touring with Nick Lowe. Plus music from Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Little Richard and Marcia Ball. read more.
HOUR 2: True Believers and Hardworking Troubadours: Post-Punk Folksinger, Lee Bains, & Swamp Pop Hero, Tommy McLain

It’s true believers and hardworking troubadours. First, Lee Bains, Birmingham, Alabama’s post-punk folk singer whose songs seek social justice, inclusive humanity and protection of the environs as a sacred quest. Then, octogenarian Louisiana Swamp Pop hero Tommy McLain, who brought his classic ’60s songs and music mix of country, blues, rock, and gospel to clubs and casinos, now recording with Elvis Costello and touring with Nick Lowe. Plus music from Nina Simone, Johnny Cash, Little Richard and Marcia Ball. read more.