The American Tapestry Project

About The American Tapestry Project

In the “American Tapestry: We Tell Ourselves Stories”, Andrew Roth explores the post-1968 shattering of the American story by asking “What is the ‘story of America’? Is there such a thing? Is there only one story, or are there many stories? If there are many stories, how are they woven, can they be woven, together to tell the story of America?”

Publisher

WQLN

Category

history

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 Sept 2020

Latest episode

14 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

65 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 Sept 2026

   The Crooners: Voices of American Romance

   In this episode of American Tapestry Project, Andrew Roth examines the careers and cultural impact of Perry Como, Dick Haymes, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Eddie Fisher, and Tony Bennett. From Como’s comforting postwar sound to Cole’s elegant artistry, Martin’s relaxed charm, Fisher’s youthful appeal, and Bennett’s transformation of the Great American Songbook through jazz, these singers helped redefine how Americans experienced popular music and romance. The episode also explores the immigrant roots and Italian bel canto traditions that influenced many of these voices, showing how immigration helped shape the sound of American popular culture.

2. 

   10 Aug 2026

   From Tin Pan Alley to Frank Sinatra: The Male Crooner and the American Love Song

   In this episode of The American Tapestry Project, Andrew Roth explores the rise of the male crooner and how the microphone and radio transformed the American love song between 1925 and 1955. Tracing the careers of Gene Austin, Rudy Vallee, Russ Colombo, Bing Crosby, Lanny Ross, and Frank Sinatra, Roth examines how these singers moved romantic music from the family parlor to the radio and into the homes of millions of Americans. From Austin's intimate vocal style and Vallee's emergence as a national celebrity to Crosby's conversational delivery and Sinatra's emotionally powerful interpretations, the crooners changed not only popular music but also American ideas about romance, intimacy, and masculinity. The episode concludes by looking at Sinatra's lasting influence and sets the stage for the next chapter of the story, featuring Perry Como, Dick Haymes, Nat King Cole, Dean Martin, Eddie Fisher, and Tony Bennett.

3. 

   13 Jul 2026

   Freedom Songs: Music, Protest, and the Pursuit of Equality

   In this episode of American Tapestry, Andrew Roth continues his exploration of America's rich tradition of protest music, examining how songs have served as powerful expressions of freedom, justice, and social change. From the earliest women's rights anthems and suffrage songs to the music of second-wave feminism, Roth traces the evolution of songs that challenged inequality before turning to the African American spirituals, abolitionist hymns, and gospel traditions that laid the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement. Along the way, he highlights the contributions of influential artists including Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Erie native Henry "Harry" Burleigh, Odetta, Lead Belly, Pete Seeger, Fannie Lou Hamer, Curtis Mayfield, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, and Billie Holiday, whose iconic recording of Strange Fruit is often regarded as the greatest protest song of all time. Through the stories behind these timeless songs, Roth demonstrates how America's freedom music has inspired generations to demand equality, challenge injustice, and encourage the nation to live up to its highest ideals.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 47 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

76

Contact The American Tapestry Project

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.