A new compilation explores how American roots music has always been inexplicably linked to riding its rails, with tracks from Dave Alvin, Robert Rex Waller, Jr., Dom Flemons, John Fogerty, Peter Case, and others. Also, what's Edinburgh's and Tuscon's musical connection? Hint: it's not a railroad. 

My first question for Amanda Portier (pictured), this year’s top graduating senior at UC Davis, was how she managed to achieve straight A’s in her classes while chairing Picnic Day for 2022 and doing everything else she did as a student here. As you might imagine, she’s been asked this question more than once the last few weeks. Insights she gained from synchronized swimming are part of the answer. On today’s Davisville we also talk about community and regional development (her degree), using statistics to influence people (she minored in statistics) in a culture that seems to pay more attention to individual expression and personal experience, and what she’ll take from Davis as she leaves.

This week's show is devoted to the music of Jim Miller, who passed on March 24 at the age of 69. Jim was a founding member of Donna The Buffalo and, most recently, Western Centuries. In a long career as a vocalist and rhythm guitarist, he collaborated with the likes of Dirk Powell, Tara Nevins, Jim Lauderdale, Richie Stearns, and Tim O'Brien. He was also a professional lepidopterist and curator/researcher at The American Museum of Natural History.