BROWSE BY DATE

SUPPORT GREAT STORYTELLING

We rely on your support to remain on air and online. Your contribution helps us bring you interviews with great American artists and the carefully curated music mix that you’ve enjoyed over the years.

Donate

 

AMERICAN ROUTES ON INSTAGRAM

MARDI GRAS IN NEW ORLEANS

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the first Mardi Gras Parade in New Orleans. We take the occasion to remember the life and passing of the leader of the Yellow Pocahontas, Allison “Tootie” Montana, the Chief of Chiefs who passed away in June 2005. Also a history behind a burlesque tune-turned Krewe of Rex theme “If Ever I Cease To Love.” And meet the hottest guys in the parade as we tote a torch with the flambeau carriers, lighting the route and accepting gratuities along the way.

HOUR ONE

  • Big Chief (Complete Version) Professor Longhair with Earl King
    Ultimate Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras
  • Big Chief Donald Harrison Jr. with Dr. John
    Indian Blues, Candid
  • Mardi Gras Day Kermit Ruffins with the Rebirth Brass Band
    Throwback, Basin Street
  • Carnival Time Al Johnson
    Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Mardi Gras
  • SEGMENT: Flambeaux

    Listen
  • Street Parade Earl King
    Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Mardi Gras
  • Instrumental: Mardi Gras Iko The Chosen Few Brass Band
    New Orleans Brass Bands: Down Yonder, Rounder
  • Indian Red Young Guardians of the Flame
    New Way Pockey Way, First Tribe
  • Meet the Boyz on the Battlefront Anders Osborne with "Big Chief" Monk Boudreaux
    Doctors, Professors, Kings and Queens: The Big Ol' Box of New Orleans, Shout! Factory
  • My Indian Red Baby Dodds Trio feat. Danny Barker
    Jazz A'La Creole, GHB
  • Jock-A-Mo Sugar Boy Crawford and His Cane Cutters
    Crescent City Soul: The Sound of New Orleans 1947-1974, EMI
  • Instrumental: Hiko Hiko Donald Harrison Jr.
    Indian Blues, Candid
  • INTERVIEW: Allison "Tootie" Montana

    Listen
  • New Suit The Wild Magnolias
    They Call Us Wild, Polydor
  • Indian Blues Donald Harrison Jr.
    Indian Blues, Candid

HOUR two

  • The Second Line Donald Harrison Jr. and the New Orleans Legacy Ensemble
    Spirits of Congo Square, Candid
  • INTERVIEW: Dr. Stephen Hales on "If Ever I Cease to Love"

    Listen
  • La Gallina, Opus 53 (The Hen: Danse cubaine) Louis Moreau Gottschalk
    American Piano Music by Amiram Rigai, Folkways
  • Go to the Mardi Gras Professor Longhair
    Mardi Gras Essentials, Hip-O
  • Instrumental: Pasillo Sotario Gomez Orchestra
    Caribbean Voyage: Trinidad, Rounder
  • Carnival Proclamation Lord Melody
    Calypso Awakening, Folkways
  • (Talkin' About The) Zulu King James and Troy Andrews
    12 & Shorty, Keep Swingin'
  • Mardi Gras Mambo The Hawketts
    Mardi Gras Essentials, Hip-O
  • I Know You Mardi Gras Eddie Bo
    Carnival, Putumayo
  • Bourbon Street Parade Olympia Brass Band
    Kickin' Some Brass, Shanachie
  • Walk Through the Streets of the City Bill Matthews & His New Orleans Dixieland Band
    Recorded in New Orleans, Vol. 1, Good Time Jazz
  • Instrumental: Double D Two Step Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie
    La Chanson Perdue, Rounder
  • La Danse de Mardi Gras The Balfa Brothers
    The Balfa Brothers Play Traditional Cajun Music, Swallow
  • Mardi Gras Song Coteau
    Highly Seasoned Cajun Music, Rounder
  • End Bed: If Ever I Cease to Love John Rankin
    Fess' Mess, Rankomatic Music

THE LATEST STREAMS