National Recording Registry Radio Features

Since 2006, Ben Manilla Productions and Acompany Studios have produced, for various radio outlets, short documentaries about selected titles from the Library of Congress's National Recording Registry. In 2012, the series won the Peabody Award for Broadcast Excellence.

These programs can be accessed via the links below.

‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’ | 1A (the1a.org)

Features “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” producer Linda Goldstein, performance artist Joshua Silverstein, musician Gene Shinozaki, and Bobby McFerrin himself.

Originally aired May 14, 2024

The Sounds of America: ‘Don’t Worry, Be Happy’
Lily Tomlin | 1A (the1a.org)

Features Lily Tomlin herself, writer Anna Deavere Smith, professor and comedy producer Caty Borum, and actor and comedian Sandra Bernhard.

Originally aired May 7, 2024

The Sounds of America: Lily Tomlin
Blondie's 'Parallel Lines' | 1A (the1a.org)

Features lead singer Debbie Harry and band members Chris Stein, Clem Burke, and Jimmy Destri. Also, the album’s producer, Mike Chapman, and author Kembrew McLeod.
Originally aired April 30, 2024

The Sounds of America: Blondie's 'Parallel Lines'
‘Ain’t No Sunshine’ | 1A (the1a.org)

Features the record’s producer Booker T. Jones.

Originally aired April 22, 2024

The Sounds of America: ‘Ain’t No Sunshine’
‘Surrealistic Pillow’ | 1A (the1a.org)

Airplane members Grace Slick, Jack Casady and Jorma Kaukonen are featured as is rock journalist Ben Fong-Torres.

Originally aired April 23, 2024

The Sounds of America: ‘Surrealistic Pillow’
The Class of 2024 | 1A (the1a.org)

Originally aired April 16, 2024

The Sounds of America: The class of 2024
“Wang Dang Doodle” | 1A (the1a.org)

Features singer Bonnie Raitt, actor Dan Aykroyd, artist Shemekia Copeland, and producer Bruce Iglauer.

Originally aired May 10, 2023

The Sounds of America: “Wang Dang Doodle”
The Super Mario Brothers theme song | 1A (the1a.org)

Features composer Koji Kondo, Super Mario actor Charles Martinet, video game music composer Winifred Phillips, and author Jeff Ryan.

Originally aired May 3, 2023

The Sounds of America: The Super Mario Brothers theme song
‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’ | WAMU

Features Eurythmics members Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, culture commentator Arwa Haider and author Gillian Gaar.

Originally aired April 26, 2023

The Sounds of America: ‘Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)’
‘Pale Blue Dot’ | WAMU

Features Sagan’s collaborator and wife Ann Druyan, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, artist Jon Lomberg, and rapper Lazarus.

Originally aired April 19, 2023

The Sounds of America: “Pale Blue Dot”
The Class of 2023

Originally aired April 12, 2023

The Sounds of America: The Class of 2023
Partners

Features Ry Cooder, Linda Ronstadt and Flaco Jiménez himself.

Originally aired April 6, 2021

The Sounds of America: Partners
Late for the Sky

Featured is Jackson Browne as well as Dr. Carla Hayden, the Librarian of Congress.

Originally aired March 24, 2021

The Sounds of America: Late for the Sky
Rainbow Connection

Features Paul Williams remembering the songwriting; Frank Oz describes the filming of “The Muppet Movie,” Cheryl Henson shares memories of her father, and author Brian Jay Jones.

Originally aired March 13, 2021

The Sounds of America: Rainbow Connection
Robin Williams and Marc Maron

Features extended excerpts of Maron’s intimate interview.

Originally aired May 11, 2022

Sounds of America: Robin Williams and Marc Maron
‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’

Helping tell the story are songwriters Draco Rosa and Desmond Child, radio host Maria Elena Nava, and journalist Ed Morales.

Originally aired May 4, 2022

The Sounds of America: ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’
Terry Riley ‘In C’

Featured is Terry Riley himself as well as author Robert Karl, academic Stuart Dempster and musicians Vicky Chow and David Berman.

Originally aired April 27, 2022

The Sounds of America: Terry Riley ‘In C’
A Tribe Called Quest’s seminal sophomore album

Features Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Bob Power, Portia Burke and Kathy Iandoli.

Originally aired April 20, 2022

The Sounds of America: A Tribe Called Quest’s seminal sophomore album
The Class of 2022

Originally aired April 13, 2022

The Class of 2022
Jimmy Cliff's "The Harder They Come"

Features Jimmy Cliff, Chris Blackwell, and Justine Henzell

Originally aired March 29, 2021

The Sounds of America: The Harder They Come Soundtrack
From ‘Bacon, Beans And Limousines’ To ‘Remain In Light:’ A Special Edition Of ‘The Sounds Of America’

Originally aired: July 4, 2020

From ‘Bacon, Beans And Limousines’ To ‘Remain In Light:’ A Special Edition Of ‘The Sounds Of America’ (WAMU)
Cheap Trick's "Cheap Trick at Budokan"

Features the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's Nawaka Onsusa, author Michael K. Bourdaghs and Cheap Trick's Rick Nielsen and Tom Petersson.

Originally aired: April 29, 2020

The Sounds of America: Cheap Trick at Budokan (BMP Audio)
Glen Campbell's "Wichita Lineman"

Features songwriter Jimmy Webb, Michael Gray (Country Music Hall of Fame), author Dylan Jones, and Kim Campbell (widow of Glen Campbell).

Originally aired: April 8, 2020

The Sounds of America: “Wichita Lineman” (BMP Audio)
Dusty Springfield's "Dusty in Memphis"

Features Dusty's longtime friend and manager Vicki Wickham, author/musician/educator Warren Zanes, and studio musicians Bobby Wood and Gene Chrisman.

Originally aired: April 15, 2020

The Sounds of America: Dusty In Memphis (BMP Audio)
Allen Sherman's "Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh"

Features Weird Al Yankovic, writer Lily E. Hirsch, biographer Mark Cohen, and Sherman's son Robert Sherman

Originally aired: April 1, 2020

The Sounds of America: “Hello Muddah, Hello Fadduh” (BMP Audio)
The 1951 National League Tiebreaker Giants/Dodgers playoffs

Features Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden, ESPN's Claire Smith and author Josh Prager

Originally aired: March 25, 2020

The Sounds of America Launches on 1A (BMP Audio)
Talking Heads' "Remain in Light"

Features author Sytze Steenstra, drummer Chris Frantz, and bassist Tina Weymouth

Originally aired: November 8, 2018

Talking Heads, ‘Remain in Light’ (BMP Audio)
Don McLean's "American Pie"

Features Don McLean, Garth Brooks, and author Raymond I. Schuck

Originally aired: October 25, 2018

Don McLean’s “American Pie” (BMP Audio)
Richard Pryor's "Wanted: Live in Concert"

Features comedian Howie Mandel, daughter Elizabeth Stordeur Pryor, and biographer Scott Saul

Originally aired: August 30, 2018

Richard Pryor’s ‘Wanted: Live in Concert’ (BMP Audio)
Wilson Pickett's "In the Midnight Hour"

Features biographer Tony Fletcher, Dan Aykroyd, and guitarist Steve Cropper

Originally aired: July 12, 2018

Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour” (BMP Audio)
George Carlin: "Class Clown"

Features professor Susan Seizer, manager Jerry Hamza, and comic Marc Maron

Originally aired: April 27, 2017

George Carlin's "Class Clown" (WNYC)
The Legacy of Clara Schumann

Features scholar John Tibbetts, biographer Anna Beer, and Beaux Arts Trio member Menahem Pressler
Originally aired: February 9, 2017
The Legacy of Clara Schumann (WNYC)
Clifton Chenier: "Boagalusa Boogie"

Features son C. J. Chenier, scholar Ann Savoy, and record producer Chris Strachwitcz

Originally aired: December 15, 2016

Clifton Chenier’s “Bogalusa Boogie” (WNYC)
"I Will Survive": The Best Song to Grace a B-Side

Features Gloria Gaynor and music writer Vince Aletti

Originally aired: November 3, 2016

Inside the National Recording Registry: “I Will Survive” (BMP Audio)
What Make Wes Montgomery a Legend

Features musician George Benson, musician Pat Martino and "NYT" writer Peter Keepnews (son of Orrin Keepnews, found of Riverside Records who produced the album)

Originally aired: April 26, 2018

“The Incredible Jazz Guitar of Wes Montgomery” (BMP Audio)
"Mary Don't You Weep": The Life of a Song

Features pastor/gospel singer Shirley Caesar Williams, music producer/writer Anthony Heilbut, and singer Krayzie Bone.

Originally aired: April 7, 2016

“Mary, Don’t You Weep”: the Life of a Song (WNYC)
Steve Martin's "A Wild and Crazy Guy"

Features historian Sheila Moeschen, Dan Aykroyd, and Steve Martin

Originally aired: January 14, 2016

Steve Martin’s “A Wild and Crazy Guy” (BMP Audio)
"The Boys of the Lough"

Features Brian Conway, radio producer Fiona Ritchie and descendant Jim O'Beirne

Originally aired: January 7, 2016

“The Boys of the Lough” (BMP Audio)
Radio's: "Sorry, Wrong Number"

Features Dorothy Herrmann (Louis Fletcher's daughter) and Steve Darnall (editor of "Nostalgia Digest").

Originally aired: November 26, 2015

“Sorry, Wrong Number” (BMP Audio)
"Stand": Sly and the Family Stone Want You to Stand Up

Features guitarist Freddie Stonem, biographer Jeff Kaliss, and George Clinton

Originally aired: November 19, 2015

Sly and the Family Stone Want You to Stand Up (BMP Audio)
Linda Ronstadt: "Heart Like a Wheel"

Features Ben Fong-Torres (former editor at "Rolling Stone"), manager/record producer Peter Asher, and Linda Ronstadt

Originally aired: December 18, 2014

Linda Ronstadt: “Heart Like a Wheel” (BMP Audio)
"Celia and Johnny": They Invented Salsa

Features biographer Ana Cristina Reymunda, bandleader/musician Johnny Pacheco, and music professor Marisol Berrios-Miranda

Originally aired: December 4, 2014

Celia & Johnny: They Invented Salsa (BMP Audio)
"First Family": Making Fun of the Kennedys

Features album co-writer/producer Bob Booker and comedy historian Ronald L. Smith

Originally aired: November 21, 2014

Making Fun of the Kennedys (WNYC)
Buck Owens Goes to Carnegie Hall

Features Owens' biographer Eileen Sisk, music historian Scott B. Bomar, and the band's drummer Willie Cantu

Originally aired: November 14, 2014

Buck Owens Goes to Carnegie Hall (WNYC)
Leontyne Price: "A Program of Song"

Features Renée Fleming, F. Paul Driscoll (editor, "Opera News"), and Daniel Guss (music executive)

Originally aired: December 13, 2013

Leontyne Price’s A Program of Song (WNYC)
Ornette's Coleman: "The Shape of Jazz to Come"

Features Sonny Rollins, Denardo Coleman (son and drummer), and John Litweiler (jazz critic, former editor of "Downbeat" and Coleman biographer)

Originally aired: December 6, 2013

Ornette Coleman’s The Shape of Jazz to Come (BMP Audio)
Will Rogers' "Bacon, Beans and Limousines"

Features Lewis Black, archivist Steve Gragert, and biographer Richard D. White, Jr.

Originally aired: November 22, 2013

Will Rogers’ Bacon, Beans, and Limousines (BMP Audio)
"The Wild Tchoupitoulas"

Features Jan Ramsey ("Offbeat"magazine), Big Queen Rita, and Cyril Neville

Originally aired: November 15, 2013

The Wild Tchoupitoulas (BMP Audio)
Donna Summer: "I Feel Love"

Features composer Giorgia Moroder, musicologist Eric Weisbard

Originally aired: December 21, 2012

Donna Summer: I Feel Love (WNYC)
Vince Guaraldi: "A Charlie Brown Christmas"

Features Lee Mendelson, drummer Jerry Granelli, and widow Jean Schulz.

Originally aired: December 4, 2012

Vince Guaraldi: A Charlie Brown Christmas (WNYC)
Love: "Forever Changes"

Features Maria McKee (sister of band member), guitarist Johnny Echols, and producer Bruce Botnik

Originally aired: November 30, 2012

Love: Forever Changes (WNYC)
Gabby Pahinui: "Hula Medley"

Features Pahinui's son, Cyril Pahinui, University of Hawaii ethnomusicologist Jay Junker, and musician Nickie Hines

Originally aired: November 16, 2012

Gabby Pahinui: Hula Medley (WNYC)
Professor Longhair: "Tipitina"

Features Allen Toussaint, Hugh Laurie, and Irma Thomas

Originally aired: January 20, 2012

Professor Longhair: Tipitina (WNYC)
Captain Beefheart: "Trout Mask Replica"

Features writer Mike Barnes, biographer of Don Van Vliet (a.k.a. Captain Beefheart), band's musical director/drummer John French, and Tom Waits

Originally aired: January 13, 2012

Captain Beefheart: Trout Mask Replica (BMP Audio)
Phonautograms

Features audio historian Patrick Feaster, archeophonist David Giovannoni, and physicist Carl Haber

Originally aired: January 6, 2012

Phonautogram (BMP Audio)
Howlin' Wolf: "Smokestack Lightning"

Features guitarist Hubert Sumlin, daughter Betty Kelly, and producer/historian/journalist Dick Sherman

Originally aired: December 2010

Howlin’ Wolf: Smokestack Lightning (BMP Audio)
Morton Subotnick: "Silver Apples of the Moon"

Features musician David Harrington, Morton Subotnik, and composer Laurie Spiegel

Originally aired: December 2010

Morton Subotnick: Silver Apples of the Moon (BMP Audio)
R.E.M.: "Radio Free Europe"

Features engineer Mitch Easter, radio manager Mike Henry, and R.E.M.'s Mike Mills

Originally aired: December 2010

R.E.M.: Radio Free Europe (BMP Audio)
Loretta Lynn's "Coal Miner's Daughter"

Features Loretta Lynn, Jack White and studio musician/Nashville veteran Harold Ray Bradley

Originally aired: December 2010

Coal Miner’s Daughter (BMP Audio)
Sons of the Pioneers: "Tumbling Tumbleweeds"

Features Gary LeMaster (member of the band), writer Holly George-Warren, and musician Ray Benson (Asleep at the Wheel)

Originally aired: December 2010

Sons of the Pioneers: Tumbling Tumbleweeds (BMP Audio)
John Lee Hooker: "Boogie Chillen'"

Features author Peter Guralnick and musician Charlie Musselwhite

Originally aired: December 2009

John Lee Hooker: Boogie Chillen (WNYC)
John Lee Hooker: Boogie Chillen (The World from PRX)
Carmen Miranda: "O Que è Que a Bahiana Tem"

Features Miranda's son Dori Catmmi and author Martha Gil-Montero

Originally aired: December 2009

Carmen Miranda: O Que è Que a Bahiana Tem (WNYC)
Carmen Miranda: O Que è Que a Bahiana Tem (The World from PRX)
"The 2000 Year Old Man "

Features Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, and author Janet Coleman

Originally aired: December 2009

The 2,000 Year Old Man (WNYC)
George Jones: "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Features George Jones, country music journalist Hazel Smith, and songwriter Bobby Braddock

Originally aired: December 2009

George Jones: He Stopped Loving Her Today (The World from PRX)
Link Wray: "Rumble"

Features guitarist Steven Van Zandt, bassist James Hutchinson, and writer Brian Wright-McLeod

Originally aired: December 2009

Link Wray: Rumble (The World from PRX)
"Head Hunters" Found a New Direction in Jazz

Features Herbie Hancock, producer David Rubinson, and author Steve Pond

Originally aired: December 28, 2008

'Head Hunters' Found A New Direction In Jazz (NPR)
Kitty Wells: Don't Blame the "Honky-Tonk"

Features Kitty Wells, Emmylou Harris, and author Mary Bufwack

Originally aired: December 14, 2008

Kitty Wells: Don't Blame The 'Honky-Tonk' (NPR)
Mercy: Behind Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman"

Features Barbara Orbison (Orbison's widow) and Bill Dees (co-writer of "Oh, Pretty Woman')

Originally aired: December 6, 2008

Mercy: Behind Roy Orbison's 'Pretty Woman' (NPR)
NYC Mayor LaGuardia's Legendary Radio Readings

Features professor/author Dr. Thomas Kessner, former NYC mayor Ed Koch, and Andy Lanset (archivist, WNYC)

Originally aired: November 30, 2008

NYC Mayor LaGuardia's Legendary Radio Readings (NPR)
T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday"

Features musician Duke Robillard, B.B. King, and Walker's daughter Bernita Ruth Walker

Originally aired: November 7, 2008

T-Bone Walker's 'Stormy Monday' (NPR)
Revisiting Cole Porter's "You're The Top"

Features Mark Horowitz (LC Music Division), and Robert Kimball (Estate of Cole Porter)

Originally aired: December 30, 2007

Revisiting Cole Porter's 'Top' (NPR)
Bob Newhart: "The Button-Down Mind" Changed Modern Comedy

Features Conan O'Brien and Bob Newhart

Originally aired: December 23, 2007

'Button-Down Mind' Changed Modern Comedy (NPR)
"A Change is Gonna Come": Sam Cooke's Swan Song of Protest

Features author Peter Guralnick, L.C. Cooke (Sam's brother), and Aretha Franklin

Originally aired: December 16, 2007

Sam Cooke's Swan Song of Protest (NPR)
"Burnin'": Bob Marley's Reggae Landmark

Features music producer Chris Blackwell, singer Rita Marley (Marley's widow), and musicologist Jim Henke

Originally aired: December 9, 2007

Bob Marley's Reggae Landmark (NPR)
The Fight of the Century: Louis vs. Schmeling

Features author Lewis Erenberg, sportswriter Patrick Myler, and Louis' son Joe Louis Barrow, Jr.

Originally aired: November 25, 2006

The Fight of the Century: Louis vs. Schmeling (NPR)
The Psychedelic Debut of Jimi Hendrix

Features musician Vernon Reed, audio engineer Eddie Kramer and musicologist Reuben Jackson

Originally aired: November 18, 2006

The Psychedelic Debut of Jimi Hendrix (NPR)
"Crazy Blues": Mamie Smith and the Birth of the Blues Market

Features former record executive Lawrence Cohn, professor/activist Angela Davis, and Michael Taft (American Folklife Center)

Originally aired: November 11, 2006

Mamie Smith and the Birth of the Blues Market (NPR)
The Impact of Barber's "Adagio for Strings"

Features authors Joe Horowitz, Mortimer Frank and Barbara Heyman

Originally aired: November 4, 2006

The Impact of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings' (NPR)
Jerry Lee Lewis's "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On"

Features producer/audio engineer Jack Clement, author Robert Gordon, and Jerry Lee Lewis

Originally aired: October 28, 2006

Jerry Lee Lewis: 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' (NPR)