Radiolab

As a life-long Johnny Cash fan who recently spent several years in Iran, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this show!

I used to love listening to Johhny Cash with the Call to Prayer in the background. Many of my Iranian friends have come to love his music as much as I do. He is truly the American Shahjarian. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dFiZEl_jQLw) (Don't ask me to explain that though)

As a not very big Johnny Cash fan who has never been to Iran, I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this clip!

Your show really touched me deeply. While listening to your show, the world suddenly became a very small and comforting place. Your piece on the wide spread appeal of American country music around the world reminded me that our similarities as human beings far out weigh our differences. Thank you!

From earworms to a 94-yr old psychotherapist to "A Ring of Fire" played on accordian by an American in front of 300 Afghanis... wow. And that's just in ONE show. I'm hooked.

I listened to the show in the car today and absolutely loved this piece. Decades without music - I cannot imagine the deprivation. Great job, Greg ... you never know when that accordian will come in handy.

Among the countries mentioned on your show as places where country music is popular was some place called Keenya. Excuse my ignorance but, where is that exactly?

Among the countries mentioned on your show as places where country music is popular was Keenya. Excuse my ignorance but, where is that exactly?

beauteous!

I grew up in Afghanistan listening to Ahmad Zahair's songs. I left the country in 1978. As a fan (almost worshipper) of this extremely talented afghan musician I was devastated when I heard of his death. Listening to your interview with Greg was a surreal experience. I particularly enjoyed Greg's interview clips with Ahmad Zahair's wife. I knew of their little girl's name, Shabnum, which means morning dew but, I had no idea that she was born in the same day that her father had passed.

This was an awesome piece. It brought tears to my eyes. Very moving. I was born in afghanistan around the same time Ahmad Zahir was assisinated. We came to the US in the mid 80's and I grew up listening to his music along side american music. Everytime i listen to his music it takes me back home.

I did have one concern about Greg's report. As for his comment about Music not being there after the Soviet invasion, until the US invasion. Is a bit exagerated. The US did not some how miraculously bring back Music...just the sound of bombs!

Your story really grabbed me. Now I'll look for some music by Ahmad Zahair. I also liked your poem (with the link to a song) about the skinny guy who lost the money. Thank you.

Great show. It took me two hours to get Johnny Cash out of my head, including the accordian.

I overheard a coworker talking today, and she used the word accordian. BAM! The song was right back where it started.

As an American living abroad in Japan, the piece on the inherent longing in American Country music really hit home (no pun intended). I always listen to the Radiolab podcast while running, and when Daniel Lanois' Panorama entered my consciousness I had to stop for a moment because tears had literally overtaken me. I called Mom and Dad the instant I got back to my apartment.

A million thank-yous for yet another intellectually and emotionally stimulating show.

I love this show. I look forward to listening to it whenever a new episode is available. I was listening to this piece while I was working and the last piece about Johnny Cash in Afghanistan had me laughing out loud, I am a mailman, so the people on the street probably thought I was a little crazy, but it's Johnny Cash, so it's ok.

I liked the idea of the sense of longing tied to country music. It makes sense that Jimmie Rogers sang about railroads, the Carter Family, Hank Williams and even Woody Guthrie came out of the 30's. One could argue that it was chance, and the invention of the record. But a more compelling argument would be the migrations due to the Great Depression. Also, that would explain why alot of my Myspace musical groups are European rockabilly groups. I have often wondered what the appeal of the hillbilly twang was to Italian, Spanish and even Finnish groups.

Thanks for another great show. So hurry up with the next one already :)

i loved this piece.

a funny thing about the "those were the days" song that you don't mention is that the tune's originally from a russian folk song. adds another strange layer to the afghans recognition and love of the tune! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lc1fR30EPY