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Read the archive   of Wattenberg's   syndicated column     Irving Berlin’s America, Part I Irving Berlin pulled himself up from poverty on New York’s Lower East Side to become America’s most famous and enduring songwriter. ... more The Market for Human Organs? What would you do if tomorrow you discovered that you needed a new kidney? What would you pay? Would you wait ... more   Irving Berlin’s America, Part II main page Irving Berlin’s America, Part II Aired 1/4/2007 From Ragtime to Swing and from Broadway to Hollywood, Irving Berlin’s music defined American songwriting for more than half a century. Songs like "God Bless America," "There’s No Business Like Show Business," Cheek to Cheek" and "White Christmas." Fully half of his eight hundred and ninety-nine published tunes went on to become hits. Two hundred and eighty-two reached the top ten on the popular charts; thirty-five went to number one. Berlin’s music reflects an almost instinctive understanding of the culture and the early events of what has been called "the American century." His songs capture the heart of small town America and the brass of Broadway. Who was Irving Berlin? What is there about his music that still stirs and unites Americans?   Read the full transcript   Linda Emmet     second of Irving Berlin’s three daughters, and co-editor of "The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin"   Philip Furia     professor at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and author of "Irving Berlin, a Life in Song"   Robert Kimball     co-editor with Linda Emmet of "The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin" Originally Aired: 5/30/2002     Be sure to also check out: Here are some previous Think Tank programs that may be of interest. The American Musical, Part 2   aired 5/24/2007 The American Musical, Part 1   aired 5/17/2007 Irving Berlin’s America, Part I   aired 12/28/2006 Send us your thoughts Think Tank is made possible by generous support from the Smith Richardson Foundation, the Bernard and Irene Schwartz Foundation, the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the John M. Olin Foundation, the Donner Canadian Foundation, the Dodge Jones Foundation, and Pfizer, Inc. ©Copyright Think Tank. All rights reserved.     Web development by Bean Creative.