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Somewhere on our journey over the past two decades at American Routes, we started talking about “guilty pleasures” shows, where old free form radio roots called for the pleasure of old favorites and new discoveries. But since we broadcast from New Orleans, we’ll drop the word guilty and roll on.

Also, Steven Edwards walks us through the history of Handel’s popular oratorio, “Messiah.”

Pianist Jeff Little takes fiddle melodies and flat-pick guitar leads that he grew up hearing and plays them on the piano in lightning-fast runs. Emerging as a prodigy and player in North Carolina, Jeff Little went on to work as a Nashville session man. Toured with country artists, including Keith Urban and John Michael Montgomery, and continued his solo gig. After twenty years in Nashville, he returned to Appalachia as an educator. Jeff told us about his mentors at his dad's music shop in the Blue Ridge.

Rosemary Westwood reports from outside the Supreme Court chambers.

It's the time of year for gathering together family and friends to celebrate all that has been and all that will be. An important element to all those spirited celebrations are the spirits themselves. On this week's show, we look at cocktail culture and mixed drinks perfect for any type of get together.We begin with T. Cole Newton, one of New Orleans' premiere bartenders and bar owners. His book, Cocktail Dive Bar, not only shares recipes from his famed Mid-City hangout Twelve Mile Limit, but also imparts plenty of thoughtful wisdom Cole has garnered from over a decade in business.Then, we learn the story of one of the Crescent City's most charming after-dinner traditions. First-time author Sue Strachan shares her knowledge of Café Brûlot, also the name of her book.And how many bottles does it take to make a bar? Lesley Jacobs Solmonson and David Solmonson, authors of The 12 Bottle Bar, provide advice on holiday entertaining and wise ways to imbibe.For more of all things Louisiana Eats, be sure to visit us at PoppyTooker.com.

This is American Routes for Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Years, and beyond. I’m Nick Spitzer in New Orleans, where holiday second lines are in the streets, French Réveillon feasts in the restaurants, and house light decor ranges from downhome color schemes to grandiose yard display. This hour we explore Santa’s exploits, fallibility, and possibility with songs from Baltimore’s Fat Daddy, Tampa Red and Tennessee Ernie Ford. Also Christmas songs and celebrations from French Louisiana to Mexico and Puerto Rico, holiday blues from Chuck Berry and Charles Brown, the abolitionist version of “O Holy Night” from soul queen Irma Thomas, and the ancient carol “Greensleeves” from John Coltrane. Right now let's get back out on “Santa’s Second Line” with New Orleans’ New Birth Brass Band on American Routes.

This week on Le Show, Harry Shearer presents his final look at 2021: The Year in Rebuke.

This week on Continuum you'll hear a special program of early Christmas music performed by the New Orleans Musica da Camera.

We take a look back at some of this year’s most interesting and compelling interviews.

Also, we take a look at how public policies are (and aren’t) working around the United States.