Now in its 20th year on the air, American Routes, which is produced in New Orleans, brings you 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.

Host Nick Spitzer explores the shared musical and cultural threads in these American styles and genres of music, and how they are distinguished. The songs and stories on American Routes describe the community origins of our music, musicians, and cultures (the “roots”) and the many directions they take over time.

Join us as we ride legendary trains, or visit street parades, instrument-makers, roadside attractions and juke joints, and meet tap dancers, fishermen, fortunetellers and more.