It’s old-time country and folk, as seen from the two very different viewpoints of our guests. Jolie Holland is a young singer-songwriter whose sound incorporates a distinct vision—sometimes dark and somewhat hallucinatory—of blues and country from another era. Homer Bailes is the last remaining member of 1940s country superstar family band the Bailes Brothers. His stern outlook on life, illustrated by songs like “Whiskey is the Devil in Liquid Form,” remains unchanged over half a century later.

As historic events take place in Washington, DC this holiday, American Routes reflects on the legacy of Martin Luther King in both words and music. We’ll talk music with Civil Rights activist and college professor Julian Bond. Jazz trumpet legend Freddie Hubbard stops by to share stories of his life in the jazz world during those tumultuous times. All this plus songs and voices to commemorate our past and look to our future.