SPECIAL: Today is Union Day, marking the date in 1964 when Tanganyika and Zanzibar united to become Tanzania. We’ll highlight music from some of the great guitar bands from that country, including Remmy Ongala, the Vijana Jazz Band and more; showcase groups from Zanzibar, including the Culture Musical Club performing with world-blues artist Taj Mahal, and the century-old Ikhwani Saffa Musical Club; and conclude with a lovely piece called Tanganyika from a 1950s album of the same name from the Buddy Collette-Chico Hamilton Sextet.

We're assuming at one point or another that you have heard (probably from an older relative?) that music is in decline. Songs these days just aren't what they used to be. Song lyrics, in particular, have become dumber. So, is it true?

Created, curated, and presented by New York based, Scottish broadcaster, Michael Park, The International Americana Music Show features a selection of the best Americana music made solely by non-American artists. The weekly, hour-long show includes new music and classic tracks by artists from a diverse range of countries, many of whom have never before been heard on American radio. The show reports to NPR Digital Services and conforms to the new Audio Loudness Standard: -24LUFS +/- 2LU.