In this special Thanksgiving episode of Art Works, we’re revisiting our interview with
Nick Spitzer, folklorist, radio host, and the 2023 Bess Lomax Hawes
National Heritage Fellow. Nick discusses his path from college radio to producing the award-winning
American Routes, a program that has spent 25 years exploring the intersections of Cajun, Creole, jazz, blues, gospel, and more. He shares stories of cultural discovery, the concept of creolization, and his commitment to bringing traditional and vernacular arts to national audiences. Nick reflects on his formative experiences—from fieldwork in Louisiana to curating programs for the
Smithsonian’s Folklife Festival—and the profound impact of mentors like Bess Lomax Hawes.
(Don’t miss the special Thanksgiving episode of American Routes celebrating the
2024 National Heritage Fellows!)