Body, soul and Earth are rejuvenated at this special time of year when winter turns to spring. Spend some of it with Virginia-based gospel group the Paschall Brothers, who perform an in-studio, a cappella set. Then meet Charlie Louvin, who along with brother Ira made up the Louvin Brothers. Famous for their familial harmonies as much as for their hellfire and brimstone tunes like “The Drunkard’s Grave,” and “Satan is Real,” Charlie recalls the brothers’ heyday and talks about getting his second wind as a performer. And take a ride with Shreveport, Louisiana’s Santa Maria Produce Company in their trucks covered by hand-painted reproductions of da Vinci’s Last Supper and other religious iconography.

From Pretty Polly and Poor Ellen Smith to Lil’ Liza Jane and Old Joe Clark, this American Routes deals with the nomenclature of music. We’ll chat with a man many of you might know, and learn what it’s like to grow up as John Smith. Plus, the San Antonio native and leader of the barnstorming 1950’s band Mando & the Chili Peppers tells us how he took a turn from Tejano music to rock n’ roll and ended up in Las Vegas with a stage name that stuck. And learn more about Jody, that shadowy figure that’s got your girl and gone.

Tune in and rock the blues with two guitar men who do it with great authority. First up is Arkansas wild man and original Sun Records rockabilly Sonny Burgess who still tears it up, playing his hits “We Wanna Boogie,” “Red-Headed Woman” and others well into his seventies. And hear a live set from the great New Orleans bluesman and human jukebox Snooks Eaglin, recorded onstage at his home base, the famous Rock ‘N’ Bowl nightclub, where one can do either of those, or both, at the same time. Feel the beat in blues, jazz, Western swing and more with a music mix designed to rock your blues away.

This weeks’ American Routes hits the road in story and song. We visit with country singer and songwriter Rosanne Cash about life in a musical family, living in Nashville and her recent release, Black Cadillac. And join Nick as he rides the rails. It’s a trip on the City of New Orleans train with the singer that made it famous, folk hero Arlo Guthrie. Plus two hours of the traveling blues, as well as country, jazz, rock and soul and more.

At last some good luck with the Irish! For St. Patrick's Day, we'll explore Celtic influences in American music and vice versa.  With music from Bing Crosby, Rufus Harley, Natalie MacMaster, Van Morrison and Louis Armstrong. Fiona Ritchie of Thistle & Shamrock makes a cameo appearance as do Tiny Grimes and the Rockin' Highlanders.