Since 1976, Robert Mugge has created thirty six documentaries over four decades about various aspects of American culture, with particular emphasis on traditional forms of American music.  

Mentioned in his book Notes From The Road: A Filmmaker’s Journey through American Music Mugge views life through the lens of music, and he likens his four-person film crew to a jazz or rock quartet. He shifts his camera lens deftly from classical music to bluegrass to jazz to Tex-Mex to gospel to reggae to Hawaiian slack-key guitar.

Mugge has served as filmmaker in residence for Mississippi Public Broadcasting (2003-2005) and as an endowed chair professor for Ball State University (2009-2014).

New Orleans Music In Exile is a film about the effects of Hurricane Katrina on the New Orleans music community starring Dr. John, Irma Thomas, Cyril Neville, Marcia Ball, Eddie Bo, Theresa Andersson, Kermit Ruffins, The Iguanas, ReBirth Brass Band, Cowboy Mouth, Jon Cleary, Papa Grows Funk, Papa Mali, World Leader Pretend, beatinpath, Stephen Assaf, and many others.