*denotes part of our Roots and Branches series

*American Routes
This week feel the Pan-Latin vibe with guests Flaco Jimenez and Eddie Palmieri. San Antonio native and king of the conjunto accordion, Jimenez recalls his father’s influence on his playing. And NuYorican jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri talks about reshaping Latin bands with his La Perfecta group in the early 1960s. Plus, hear how Latin music influenced American roots rock, jazz and even Cajun music.

Banks of the Ohio - All new program!
In the Modern Roots segment, we visit 1998 and quote media coverage from that year referring to bluegrass as both “conservative” and “cool.” Featured are inter-generational performances from 1998 by Doc Watson and Ronnie McCoury, Ralph Stanley and Vern Gosdin, and Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver. The storms must be over, because a number of rainbow songs crept into the show (Riley Puckett from 1927, Josh Graves from 1962, Ted Lundy from 1975, Jimmy Martin from 1976, and the Persimmon Sisters from 2007). A production of the International Bluegrass Music Museum, hosted by Fred Bartenstein.

Bluegrass Breakdown - Our Town
We’ll be taking a close hard, penetrating look at some of the many colorful towns that dot the high lonesome landscape. The Rarely Herd, Rustler’s Moon, Kane’s River, New Dominion Bluegrass Boys and Art Stevenson will all be in tow for a ride into and out of such fabled places at Steel Town, Boom Town, Heartbreak Town, Lonesome Town, Log Town and Our Town.

Bluegrass Review
On our Gem of Bluegrass, we meet more memorable folks. This time, the focus is on the poor folks we meet in bluegrass songs. Later, we talk to Bull Harman. Listening to him play, you might not guess that he was inspired by a famous rock and roll band, but it’s true! Bull plays just a little out-of-the-box, and he demonstrates some of his original approaches during an interview with us.

Bluegrass Signal
Fiddler Blaine Sprouse recently moved to California, so this week’s Bluegrass Signal is an overview of his music with Bill Monroe, The Osborne Brothers, Jim & Jesse, The Dreadful Snakes, Nashville Bluegrass Band, Hazel Dickens, Livewire, and The Cluster Pluckers. There’s also a set of tunes Blaine recorded with his inspiration and mentor, Kenny Baker.

*The Dick Spottswood Show
Ernest Tubb, Bessie Smith, Hank Williams and Jimmy Murphy sing the blues, Georgia Slim and Howdy Forrester play twin fiddles, Earl Scruggs, Frank Jenkins and Bascom Lamar Lunsford pick the banjo–who could ask for more? Obsolete Music might not keep us young, but it helps us treasure the years.

*etown - Big Head Todd & The Monsters return to etown!
Now a quartet, the band rocks the house with an energetic set of tunes new and old, all featuring Todd Park Mohr’s exceptional guitar licks. Also back in etown is Canadian singer-songwriter Kathleen Edwards, who, along with her husband and musical partner Colin Cripps, play some pared down versions of her well-crafted songs (some of which are backed up by Nick Forster and the etones). Plus, there’s an energetic and extremely dedicated ‘in person’ e-chievement award winner who shares her story with us… all for you, in etown!

LIVE Friday Night Free for All - 8 p.m. - 12 a.m. ET

The Bill Miller Show, Sunday 3 a.m. (5/4)

The Tom Cat Reeder Show Tuesday 12 p.m., Thursday 12 a.m., Sunday 3 a.m. (5/11)

The Gary Henderson Show Saturday 8-11 a.m.LIVE, Monday 12 p.m., Friday 12 a.m.

LIVE The Katy Daley Show Mon-Fri, 7-10 a.m.

LIVE The Lee Michael Demsey Show Mon-Fri, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Lonesome Pine RFD with Carol Beaugard, Mon. 12 a.m., Wed. 9 p.m.

*Mountain Stage
Featuring Tim Finn, Otis Taylor, Grant Lee Phillips, Patty Larkin, Joe Rathbone. Playlist.

Music from Foggy Hollow
This week, Mike Kear features a new gospel release from Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver called “Help Is On The Way”. Mike plays several songs from the CD and talks about the band and its members. Also on the show, new music from Luke McNight & Thunder Road, the Earl Brothers, Bobby Osborne & Rocky Top X-Press, The Seldom Scene, The Gibson Brothers and plenty more. As usual its a big show, so don’t miss it!

Musician Tip - Kathy Mattea

Open Mic
Its festival season and one of the best festivals in D.C. during the summer is the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. We’ll hear performances from 2006 and 2007 by folksinger Maria Dunn, John Wort Hannam, and the bluegrass band, No Speed Limit. Highlights from the 2008 festival will be broadcast in July.

Old Time Jam
Hubie plays a variety of songs and tunes, many of which we haven’t heard here before. The artists include newcomers The Lonesome Sisters, The New Roanoke String Band, Christian Wig, Mark Olitsky, Dave Rice and Fred Goodnight. Veterans Paul Brown; Cathy Fink; The Hoover Uprights; the Double Decker, Double Eagle and Troublesome Creek String Bands; Gandydancer; Travis and Trevor, the Stuart Brothers; the Ill-Mo Boys and the Hushpuppies all give encore performances.

Special Programming
Starting things off, Phil Nusbaum discusses some well-known bluegrass “characters” on Gems of Bluegrass. Following that, Katy Daley is joined by the recently retired guitar player from the Country Current, Wayne Taylor. To round out the hour we’ll hear Kathy Mattea talk in-depth about her career and her new album, Coal.

LIVE Stained Glass Bluegrass Hosted by Bob Webster
Just good bluegrass gospel music this week - some old and new from artists such as Doyle Lawson, Bill Monroe, Carl Story, Forbes Family, and Doc Watson. And of course we’ll be able to sing along to the old hymns which include “Rock of Ages,” “Shall We Gather at the River,” and “Pass Me Not.”

*Thistle and Shamrock - Raise Your Voice
Solo singing is revered in traditional circles, but layers of harmony and massed voices create stunning arrangements of traditional and folk song. Add your voice to the choruses with choirs from Scotland and Brittany and some of your favorite bands in fuller voice.

LIVE *Traditions with Mary Cliff, Saturday 2-6 p.m.
Mary Cliff talks with Author David Dunaway about his biography of the legendary Pete Seeger, “How Can I Keep from Singing”.