American Routes is a weekly two-hour public radio program that presents the breadth and depth of the American musical and cultural landscape. Hosted by Nick Spitzer, American Routes is syndicated by 225 stations, with over half a million listeners.John Wirt (January 16, 2009). "Staying on Course" Baton Rouge Advocate. It is produced out of New Orleans and distributed by PRX. American Routes is the most widely heard regular presence for tradition-derived and community-based music on public radio today.
History
The show was launched in November 1997 on WWOZ in New Orleans. It was created by Nick Spitzer and Mary Beth Kirchner, who had worked together previously producing segments for All Things Considered. By 1998, American Routes was syndicated by American Public Radio for 39 stations.Samuel G. Freedman (August 13, 2000). "Crisscrossing the Wide Map of American Music" The New York Times.
In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, production of the show temporarily relocated to KRVS 88.7 FM at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana.Samuel G. Freedman (September 7, 2005). "This Song Goes Out to You, Big Easy" The New York Times. While in Lafayette, Spitzer and his crew produced a series of shows called After the Storm,Samuel Hughes (March/April 2009). "Digging Routes" The Pennsylvania Gazette. which "followed the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast through the stories and songs of its musicians".After the Storm IV: Thanksgiving http://americanroutes.publicradio.org/archives/show/150/after-the-storm-iv-thanksgiving
Production operations have since returned to New Orleans with studios at Tulane University. In July 2008, American Routes announced an affiliation with Tulane.New Orleans CityBusiness article (July 17, 2008), http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=18622
American Routes celebrated its 10th anniversary on January 16, 2009, with a concert at the House of Blues in New Orleans. Performers included Dr. Michael White, Trombone Shorty and Al Johnson. Performances and interviews from the show were included in a program that aired the week of February 18, 2009.Samuel Hughes (March/April 2009). "Digging Routes" The Pennsylvania Gazette.
American Routes has more than 300 original shows in its catalog, and a database of over 1000 hours of interviews.John Wirt (January 16, 2009). "Staying on Course" Baton Rouge Advocate.
As of July 2011, the program switched distributors from APM to the Public Radio Exchange, although it continued to be distributed on the public radio satellite system. It was the second major public radio series to switch to the web-based distributor from one of the "Big 3" public radio distributors, after Sound Opinions switched from APM the prior year.PRX page for American Routes.
Format Every American Routes show is two hours long. The show consists of songs arranged around interviews, usually of musicians or field audio from various cultural events or institutions. The music is chosen to complement the theme of the show. You can find archived radio shows featuring playlists of specific artists and styles to choose from, streaming 24/7 at American Routes
Interviews
Notable interviews featured on American Routes include:American Routes Show Archive http://americanroutes.publicradio.org/archive/
Joan Baez Chuck Berry Ray Charles Dr John
Al Green Buddy Guy Herbie Hancock Jim Jarmusch
Norah Jones Spike Lee Jerry Lee Lewis Taj Mahal
Hugh Masekela Willie Nelson Dolly Parton Bonnie Raitt
Anne Rice Sonny Rollins Pete Seeger Allen Toussaint
Porter Wagoner Tom Waits Wilco Brian Wilson
Staff As of April 2018:Tulane University-American Routes-About Us http://tulane.edu/americanroutes/pow/about-us.cfm Nick Spitzer – Host and Producer Mary Beth Kirchner – Founding Executive Producer Betsy Shepherd – Managing Producer & Editor Garrett Pittman – Associate Producer Olivia Broslawsky – Assistant Producer Jason Rhein – Technical Supervisor Lauren Callihan — Development Associate
CD releases American Routes with Nick Spitzer: Songs and Stories from the Road [2 CD] (2008, Highbridge Company) Our New Orleans: A Benefit Album [CD] (2005, Nonesuch Records)
External links American Routes American Routes via streaming audio
References