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Centuries ago, the Silk Road snaked across Asia and Europe. Now the Smithsonian Folklife Festival celebrates the ancient trade route by bringing 350 singers, dancers, artists and storytellers from over 20 countries to the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Robert Siegel travels the route for All Things Considered.

It's been three-quarters of a century since the Carter Family made its first recordings in Bristol, Tenn. The music of A.P. Carter, his wife Sara and her cousin Maybelle influenced countless country, folk and bluegrass artists. On Morning Edition, host Bob Edwards interviews the co-author of a new book about the Carter Family's musical legacy.

Running 135 miles across Death Valley and halfway up a mountain -- all in the middle of summer -- sounds a bit crazy, if not life-threatening. NPR's Andy Bowers reports for All Things Considered on the motivations of some of the 79 runners who this July competed in what's often called the toughest foot race in the world: the Badwater Ultramarathon.

Environmentalists have been wary of the Bush administration since its first day in office. They say reforms proposed by the president will be disastrous for the environment. The government maintains it is simply making it easier and more affordable for businesses to obey environmental laws. NPR's John Nielsen reports for Morning Edition.

They are jobs nobody would seem to want -- but somebody has to do them. As Morning Edition kicks off its "Dirty Work" series, NPR's David Molpus looks at the hot and sticky job of cleaning out oil storage tanks.

Writer Max Allan Collins. His graphic novel Road to Perdition is the basis for the film. Mickey Spillane said of the novel, "I know mysteries, and I know comics and Road to Perdition is one great ride!" Collins twice won the Private Eye Writers of Americas Shamus award for his Nathaniel Heller historical thrillers, True Detective and Stolen Away. His comics credits include Dick Tracy, Batman, Ms Tree and Mike Danger.

Songs of longing and despair are a national tradition in Portugal — a music called fado. And a singer named Misia is the reigning queen of the mournful, melancholy musical genre. Misia talks with guest host Jacki Lyden about fado and Portugal's emotional inner life.

Depending on which proud relative you talk to, the hamburger was invented at a state fair, a world's fair or a lunch counter. But whoever gave the burger its start probably never imagined how popular it would become. Monday on Morning Edition, NPR's Pam Fessler has the juicy story as part of the Present at the Creation series.

NPR's Jacki Lyden visits Castle Leslie, made famous when Paul McCartney was married there, and finds an 84-year-old disco-dancing host and his collection of ghostly artifacts.

Songwriter Matt Dennis died Sunday at the age of 88. He wrote the songs "Angel Eyes," "Everything Happens to Me" and "Let's Get Away from It All." In the 1940s he worked with Tommy Dorsey as an arranger and vocal coach when he wrote his biggest hits. This interview first aired December 12, 1995.