American Routes celebrates the 2013 National Heritage Fellows live in concert from George Washington University’s Lisner Auditorium in Washington, DC. Nick hosts the evening of music and stories, honoring the nation’s finest practitioners of traditional arts. This year’s fellows include singer-pianist Carol Fran, traditional Irish musician Seamus Connolly, Sacred Harp singer David Ivey, Chicano musician-activist Ramon “Chunky” Sachez, Gypsy traditional musician Nicolae Feraru.

The singer-songwriter Ben Harper has been on the scene since the early ’90s, but now he’s digging deeper into the blues with the legendary harpman Charlie Musselwhite. We’ll talk with Ben about the musical journey from his family’s music store to his recent recording that he calls his “graduation” album. Then an in-studio conversation with a guitarist who has played with Sun Ra and now plays banjo with Preservation Hall, New Orleans’ own Carl LeBlanc.

In this special program Nick Spitzer uncovers the music and cultural traditions of Los Angeles: from Hollywood to neighborhood. Nick travels across the City of Angels to hear from L.A. legends — including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys and songwriter Randy Newman — and explores musical cultures with Cambodian-born rapper praCh Ly, Louisiana Creole zydeco accordionist T -Lou, and East L.A.‘s Ersi Arvizu. Plus conversations and music from Mexican-American rock band Los Lobos, R & B saxophonist Big Jay McNeely, and rockabilly guitarist Glen Glenn. And along the way we visit L.A. musical landmarks — including the famed Capitol Records recording studios.