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Last broadcast on Sun, 27 Dec 2009, 19:15 on BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis
Host Matt Frei is joined by evening news anchor Katie Couric to discuss the most striking American stories of the past decade.
As many across the United States enjoy a white Christmas weekend, a cappella ensemble Sonos warms up the Americana studios with their performance of White Winter Hymnal.
Matt Frei talks to author Sherman Alexie about Christmas in Native American homes, both on and off the American Indian reservations. Alexie's most recent book, War Dances, explores the many shapes and styles of fatherhood found across the United States.
And Americana hears about one particularly disastrous Christmas dinner. A simple sandwich next year might turn out to be a better option than this family feast.
News of the Decade
Matt Frei is joined by CBS Evening News Anchor Katie Couric to discuss President Barak Obama’s first year in office, the most memorable stories of 2009 and the end of this American decade of news.
Guest: Katie Couric
Katie Couric is the anchor and managing editor of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, a correspondent with "60 Minutes" and anchor of CBS News primetime specials. On Sept. 5, 2006, Couric became the first female solo anchor of a weekday network evening news broadcast.
Sonos Sings
A cappella ensemble Sonos, known for their versions of popular indie rock tunes, offers up a holiday melody special for Americana listeners, "White Winter Hymnal", written by Fleet Foxes.
Guests: Sonos
Sonos is an a cappella ensemble based in Los Angeles California.
American Traditions
Matt Frei talks with author Sherman Alexie for an understanding of what it means to be Native American in the United States these days.
From celebrating the holidays, to finding meaningful employment, Sherman Alexie explains which Native American traditions are standing strong and which traditions some families are working to break.
Guest: Sherman Alexie
Sherman Alexie is a prolific author of poetry, prose and fiction. His book "An Absolutely True Diary of a part-time Indian", won the National Book Award for young adult literature in 2007. His most recent book is titled, "War Dances".
Reading: War Dances
"Sherman Alexie delivers a heartbreaking and hilarious collection of stories that explore the precarious balance between self-preservation and external responsibility in art, family, and the world at large."
Christmas with Grandma
Producer Ken Cormier serves up a dramatization of a disastrous Christmas dinner, American style. Next year, maybe he’ll stay home and have a sandwich.
Words and music by Ken Cormier.
Broadcast
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Sun 27 Dec 200919:15
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