SUSAN DOUGLAS

Indeed, the constellation of local radio was part of how America’s sense of itself emerged. Because listeners could sample the flavor of people in far-away states, they began to develop an understanding of the nation’s psyche. It was a way of imagining a country that you hadn’t seen. One station might be playing hillbilly music, one might be playing jazz. It was this really frothy brew of culture.

Indeed, the constellation of local radio was part of how America’s sense of itself emerged. Because listeners could sample the flavor of people in far-away states, they began to develop an understanding of the nation’s psyche. It was a way of imagining a country that you hadn’t seen. One station might be playing hillbilly music, one might be playing jazz. It was this really frothy brew of culture.