• The American Countryside is truly a slice of Americana. It might be a well-known music or TV star or just someone with an interesting story that lives down the street. From Iditarod sled dog mushers, to NASA scientists... from the Rooster Crowing Championships to NFL greats...The American Countryside is sure to be of interest. Click the button above to listen to the latest show, or visit the American Countryside archives.
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The Super Guppy

Imagine flying a plane called the “SuperGuppy.”  There are only two in existence and one is here for the world to see.  As the name implies, it’s not your average aircraft…..

Air Force One

The President of the United States flies in Air Force One, and to some extent they can customize the ride to their preferences.  That was the case for one president who had an unusual request when he began flying this version of the president’s plane…..

Pima Air and Space

A few months ago, our broadcasts visited the Bone Yard, the long term storage facility for U.S. government aircraft in Tucson.  The facility that sits literally across the street from that airbase, though, is equally impressive…..

The QRS Company of Buffalo, New York

For the last 103 years, this company that has helped Americans play the piano. It doesn’t teach people to play the keys though, they just tell the keys to play themselves…..

Lake Chelan Hotel

There are lake resorts all across the nation, but it’s not every day you encounter a family owned operation that has been in business for over a century…..

The Unsinkable Molly Brown

April 15, 1912.  It was the night over 1500 people lost their lives aboard the Titanic.  Of the 710 survivors, perhaps no one was better known that this woman – a lady who worked to save lives in the middle of a tragedy and help families gain a solid footing once they reached the United States…..

A Missouri Gal Named Maggie

Perhaps you’ve never heard of Maggie Brown who hailed from Hannibal, Missouri.  But in a moment you’ll likely realize you do know her and the event forever tied to her life.  We go to the town who gave us Mark Twain and this hero…..

Atlanta, Illinois’ 19 Foot Giant

If someone offered to give you a 19 foot tall giant, you would probably want to get several details before accepting the gift.  This man didn’t hesitate when offered the gift and this town has never been the same since…..

The Palms Grill Cafe

Route 66 draws nostalgia lovers to small towns and byways as travelers look to relive a little of the glory days of the mother road.  But it was Route 66 that had quite the opposite effect at first on this small town.  Today the historic road is bringing folks back to their roots…..

Grotto of the Redemption

It took 80 years to build this structure in West Bend, I0wa and today it is valued in the millions of dollars.  However, it was totally built on donations and was not constructed to be a tourist attraction.  It’s a place where people from around the world come to visit, worship and contemplate the work of God…..

A Story Fitting for Good Friday

It is a story fitting for the message of Good Friday – the story of a priest who recovered from a grave illness and began to construct a magnificent place to glorify God…..

Wahoo History

It’s certainly one of the more unique names for a town in the country.   Interestingly, no one knows for sure how it got its title – but one thing is sure, the town receives plenty of attention……

A Hometown Proud Hall of Famer

Lots of people have nicknames.  This baseball hall of famer was so proud of his hometown, they inserted it into his name on his plaque in Cooperstown…..

Prepare To Be Amazed

It all began with Albert, Otto, Alfred, Charles and John.  They might tell you to be prepared to be amazed….

The Redwoods of California

Normally the taller a tree grows, the deeper it’s roots sink into the ground to hold it in place.  But these trees seem to do just the opposite, yet they produce some of the tallest and oldest trees on the planet……

A Capital for Less Than a Week

Most state capitals are built with the idea they’ll be used more than just five days.  However, this state used its first building for less than a week before abandoning it.  The building remains, but the government quickly adjourned to a location more convenient for their travel and political agenda…..

Cawker City’s Growing Ball of Twine

It wasn’t supposed to be a tourist attraction, but today it keeps a steady stream of cars stopping across the street from Linda Clover’s business.  She can tell you all about the record breaking achievement in this town of under 500 people.  What’s more, she’ll help you add to the record breaker too…..

 

At right:  M.L. McCrea at the Ball of Twine

Keeping Sight of Your Roots

Some companies grow to the point they lose sight of their roots.  They might begin to forget the years of hard work that brought them eventual success.  It’s safe to say John Kermickle’s company will have a hard time losing sight of its roots.  After all, the founders home sits right across the gravel road from John’s office…..

An Experienced Pilot

What’s seven stories high and can hold two million light bulbs.  It may sound like the set up for a joke…but it’s a real part of Cheri White’s life…..

Cleveland, Ohio

It was once the place that served as the punchline to jokes.  Some of those jokes are still around, but the city they berated is no longer here–it’s now the city that’s the envy of many and a model others are using to change their own homes…..