On this episode of Our American Stories you may not know Tommy Tedesco's name but chances are you know his guitar As one of the most in-demand session musicians in Los Angeles Tedesco played on thousands of recordings working with artists including the Beach Boys Frank Sinatra Elvis Presley the Mamas the Papas and countless others He was also part of the loose collection of studio musicians later known as the Wrecking Crew whose playing helped define the sound of American pop music in the s Tommy's son filmmaker Denny Tedesco tells the story of his father's remarkable career from [... more]

On this episode of Our American Stories Rocky Soulman Johnson spent his life fighting for a place in professional wrestling As a Black wrestler performing before largely white audiences in the s and ' s he faced racism inside and outside the ring but kept winning over crowds with his charisma and athleticism Years later when his son Dwayne decided to become a wrestler himself Rocky became his trainer pushing him through grueling workouts and passing down the lessons that had carried him through his own career After Rocky's death in Dwayne The Rock Johnson paid tribute to the man [... more]

What happens when a generation hungry for truth encounters the transforming power of Jesus Christ In the late s and s the Jesus Movement swept across America changing lives reshaping Christian music and leaving a spiritual legacy that is still being felt today On this week's episode of The Alex McFarland Show Alex welcomes Matthew Ward acclaimed author the youngest of nine children and a member of the legendary Christian music group nd Chapter of Acts Matthew takes us back to the days of the Jesus Movement a remarkable spiritual awakening that transformed countless lives and helped shape a generation [... more]

Harvey Wahlbanger, a buffalo with a passion for racing, became a legendary figure in the horse racing scene, winning 79 out of 93 races and earning over $100,000 in his career. His owner and trainer, TC, rescued Harvey from a poacher's bullet and raised him to become a champion. Despite his size and unique smell, Harvey's determination and love for racing made him a fan favorite, and his story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the bond between humans and animals. [... more]

Tommy Tedesco, a guitarist for the Wrecking Crew, recounts his experiences as a session musician in Los Angeles during the 1960s, working with legendary producers like Phil Spector and creating iconic music for artists such as the Beach Boys and Frank Sinatra. [... more]

A Vietnam War veteran shares his story of joining the Marine Corps and serving in Vietnam, grappling with the moral implications of war and the duty to uphold the Constitution of the United States. [... more]

Harvey Wallbanger, a buffalo, became a racetrack legend after being trained by T C Thorstensen, who rescued him from his mother's orchard. Harvey's unique size and smell gave him an advantage in racing, and he won 79 out of 93 races. However, he died abruptly at 13 due to eating contaminated hay. T C went on to train another buffalo, Harvey Wahlbanger Jr., but he was more interested in acting and promoting events. Meanwhile, human traffickers exploit vulnerable individuals, especially children, and Blue Campaign provides resources to recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking. St. Bonaventure Indian Mission delivers clean water to Navajo families struggling to survive on limited water supplies. [... more]

The story of Twister, a popular board game, and how it was saved from obscurity by Johnny Carson on his late-night talk show. The game's inventor, Ren Geyer, had pitched it to several companies, but it was initially met with skepticism due to its provocative nature. However, after Carson played the game on his show, it became a huge hit, and by the end of 1967, three million Twister games had been sold. [... more]

Carl Merlantis, a Vietnam War veteran and author, shares his story of why he chose to join the Marines and later went to Vietnam. He discusses the complexities of the draft, his moral dilemma, and the importance of upholding the Constitution of the United States. [... more]

The story of how Johnny Carson saved the Twister game from obscurity with a hilarious segment on his late-night talk show, leading to its massive popularity and eventual enshrinement in the National Toy Hall of Fame. [... more]

A New York judge denies immunity for President Trump, setting up a potential appeal. Meanwhile, the ACLJ discusses its faith and freedom drive, highlighting its work on pro-life legal matters, religious liberty, and battling the deep state. The organization also addresses government efficiency and the defunding of Planned Parenthood, while promoting pregnancy resource centers as alternatives to abortion. [... more]

Eddie Albert's life and service are highlighted, including his role as a boat commander in the Battle of Tarawa, where he demonstrated outstanding performance and courage under fire, earning him the Bronze Star with V for Valor. Albert's movie career continued at a brisk pace through the mid-1950s, with nominations for Best Supporting Actor for his roles in Roman Holiday and The Heartbreak Kid. [... more]

A Marine Corps veteran recounts his decision to join the military and serve in the Vietnam War, despite his moral reservations about the conflict. He grapples with the tension between his duty to uphold the Constitution and his personal sense of morality, ultimately choosing to serve. [... more]

Johnny Carson played a game of Twister with actress Ava Gabor on The Tonight Show, catapulting the game to fame and making it a staple of teenage basement parties in the 1960s. The game's sales skyrocketed, with three million units sold by the end of 1967 and an estimated 65 million people playing it since its release. [... more]

The story of Tommy Tedesco, a guitarist who played on thousands of recordings from the 1960s to 80s, yet never earned household name status. His son Denny Tedesco sought to fix this by making the documentary The Wrecking Crew, which tells the story of the group of studio musicians who made up this remarkable band. [... more]

Jesus liberates people from the power of sin by becoming their sin and suffering its consequences in their place. He presents sex as a profound union between two people, a covenant relationship that involves physical, emotional, and spiritual oneness. God's rules are not arbitrary, but rather based on His design for human beings as a psychosomatic unity. The gospel message tells us that change comes from acceptance, not the other way around, and that God's acceptance is the power that liberates us from sin. [... more]

Eddie Albert, a Hollywood actor, served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, participating in the Battle of Tarawa, where he commanded a Higgins boat and evacuated wounded Marines under heavy Japanese fire, earning the Bronze Star with Valor. [... more]

Charles Osgood, a beloved host of CBS News' Sunday Morning, is remembered for his charming personality, signature bow ties, and poetic rhymes. Born in Baltimore, Osgood grew up loving baseball and radio, which influenced his career in journalism. He began his career at ABC Radio, later joining CBS News and becoming a renowned host of Sunday Morning, earning multiple Emmys for his work. Osgood's passion for poetry and his ability to connect with audiences made him a beloved figure in the world of television. [... more]

Johnny Carson's appearance on The Tonight Show with Twister in 1966 helped turn the game into a cultural phenomenon, making it one of the decade's most popular games, with over 65 million people playing it since its release. [... more]

The story of how Charles Schulz's A Charlie Brown Christmas came to be is an American classic. Commissioned by a commercial sponsor, the special was initially met with skepticism from network executives, but Schulz's intuitive understanding of what works in programming ultimately prevailed, resulting in a critical and commercial hit that has become a national treasure. [... more]