On this episode of Our American Stories, when My Sharona exploded onto radio stations in 1979, it became one of the biggest rock songs in America and turned The Knack into overnight stars. But behind the iconic guitar riff and unforgettable chorus was a real woman named Sharona Alperin. In this installment of our Story of a Song series, our own Greg Hengler shares how a chance meeting inspired one of rock music’s most recognizable hits, featuring reflections from Sharona herself and songwriter Doug Fieger.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, when My Sharona exploded onto radio stations in 1979, it became one of the biggest rock songs in America and turned The Knack into overnight stars. But behind the iconic guitar riff and unforgettable chorus was a real woman named Sharona Alperin. In this installment of our&nbsp;Story of a Song&nbsp;series, our own Greg Hengler shares how a chance meeting inspired one of rock music&rsquo;s most recognizable hits, featuring reflections from Sharona herself and songwriter Doug Fieger.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit, and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories

Our American Stories tells stories that aren’t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we’ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Our American Stories tells stories that aren&rsquo;t being told. Positive stories about generosity and courage, resilience and redemption, faith and love. Stories about the past and present. And stories about ordinary Americans who do extraordinary things each and every day. Stories from our listeners about their lives. And their history. In that pursuit, we hope we&rsquo;ll be a place where listeners can refresh their spirit and be inspired by our stories.

Story of a Song: The Real Story Behind “My Sharona”

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/40c71461-6157-4b73-bbe7-b44a000815fc/transcript

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On this episode of Our American Stories, John Newton lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 18th century. He was a rebellious sailor, a slave trader, a slave ship captain, a pastor, a mentor to William Wilberforce, and the author of one of the world's most beloved hymns, "Amazing Grace."

Drawing on the work of biographers Brian H. Edwards, Jonathan Aitken, and Tony Baker, our own Greg Hengler shares the remarkable redemption story of Newton's dramatic conversion, his role in the movement to abolish the British slave trade, and how a hymn that was largely overlooked in England became an American gospel standard. We'd like to thank Vision Video for access to much of this terrific audio, originally a part of their documentary John Newton.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, John Newton lived one of the most extraordinary lives of the 18th century. He was a rebellious sailor, a slave trader, a slave ship captain, a pastor, a mentor to William Wilberforce, and the author of one of the world's most beloved hymns, "Amazing Grace." Drawing on the work of biographers Brian H. Edwards, Jonathan Aitken, and Tony Baker, our own Greg Hengler shares the remarkable redemption story of Newton's dramatic conversion, his role in the movement to abolish the British slave trade, and how a hymn that was largely overlooked in England became an American gospel standard. We'd like to thank Vision Video for access to much of this terrific audio, originally a part of their documentary&nbsp;John Newton.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

Why a Slave Trader Wrote 'Amazing Grace: The Story of John Newton

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/65966184-6c13-4abc-a46a-b4910169b85d/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, for all 11 seasons of M*A*S*H, Alan Alda wore the same set of military dog tags as Captain Hawkeye Pierce. Most viewers assumed they were Hollywood props. They weren't.

Journalist Andy Lewis shares the remarkable true story of the two World War II veterans whose names appeared on those dog tags, revealing how a Black engineer from Mississippi and the son of Jewish immigrants from Brooklyn became forever connected through one of television's most beloved shows.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, for all 11 seasons of&nbsp;M*A*S*H, Alan Alda wore the same set of military dog tags as Captain Hawkeye Pierce. Most viewers assumed they were Hollywood props. They weren't.
Journalist Andy Lewis shares the remarkable true story of the two World War II veterans whose names appeared on those dog tags, revealing how a Black engineer from Mississippi and the son of Jewish immigrants from Brooklyn became forever connected through one of television's most beloved shows.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Real Soldiers Behind Hawkeye's M*A*S*H Dog Tags

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/345560d9-ded2-4616-8c7d-b4910169b85e/transcript

On this episode of Our American Stories, Nathaniel Gordon of Portland, Maine, holds the distinction of being the only American ever executed for the crime of slave trading. Although many were caught in the act, sentences were often lenient, and most slave traders believed they had little to fear until Abraham Lincoln.

Jonathan W. White, a regular contributor on Our American Stories, a fellow at the Jack Miller Center, and the author of Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks, Blockade-Running, and the Slave Trade, shares the story of the man Lincoln refused to pardon and explains why. Special thanks to the U.S. National Archives for this audio, taken from an online lecture Dr. White gave.

Support the show (https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)

On this episode of Our American Stories, Nathaniel Gordon of Portland, Maine, holds the distinction of being the only American ever executed for the crime of slave trading. Although many were caught in the act, sentences were often lenient, and most slave traders believed they had little to fear until Abraham Lincoln. Jonathan W. White, a regular contributor on&nbsp;Our American Stories,&nbsp;a fellow at the&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jackmillercenter.org%2F&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C7d65f9a91ea7400c3a8508dee8099ae6%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639203325132093892%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=RwEZRRO6vZoOB6tOdrJum33gl7TNxtG%2BL8VTYZy6VkY%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="2" data-ogsc="">Jack Miller Center</a>, and the author of&nbsp;<a href="https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fdp%2F1538175010%3Flv%3Dshuf%26channelId%3D500%26plpRedirect%3DmhFallback&amp;data=05%7C02%7CUraelBlackshear%40iheartmedia.com%7C7d65f9a91ea7400c3a8508dee8099ae6%7C122a527e5b714eba878d9810b495b9e3%7C0%7C0%7C639203325132123657%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=p4vrf%2Fh6J1N0LAqVylfD35dPnC%2BQvxeQWnMUoJQByok%3D&amp;reserved=0" data-auth="NotApplicable" data-linkindex="3" data-ogsc="">Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks, Blockade-Running, and the Slave Trade</a>, shares the story of the man Lincoln refused to pardon and explains why. Special thanks to the U.S. National Archives for this audio, taken from an online lecture Dr. White gave.
Support the show (<a href="https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)">https://www.ouramericanstories.com/donate)</a>

The Slave Trader Abraham Lincoln Refused to Pardon

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/66ace010-ac35-46e8-b7ea-b4910169b861/transcript

Story of a Song: The Real Story Behind “My Sharona”

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