Stuff from the B-Side

In 1895, Stagger Lee killed William Lyons in an argument. Usually, a crime like this would disappear into the footnotes of history, but this event was different. Learn the true story behind one of America's most popular folk songs in this podcast.

At over 380 years old, the Aedis Zildjian cymbal manufacturer is the world's oldest musical company. Learn more about this company -- and cymbals -- in this episode.

When American composer Harry Partch didn't enjoy the conventional 12-note scale, he created his own scale. He also built his own instruments upon which this scale could be played. Join Mark and John as they explore the musical pursuits of Harry Partch.

A standard vinyl record is between 120 to 140 grams, but audiophiles often think this is too flimsy -- why? Join John and Mark as they explore the eccentricities of vinyl records and determine whether or not the weight of a record makes a difference.

From the 1920s into the 60s, the Great American Songbook covers iconic music of the stage and screen. Yet there's no definitive list of the songs and songwriters involved. Learn more about the history of the Great American Songbook in this episode.

As the oldest continuous radio show in the US, the Grand Ole Opry is a crucial part of country music's history. Listen in as Mark and John explore the history of the Opry -- including some controversial performances -- in this episode.

For an astronaut in orbit, the sun appears to rise every 90 minutes. This extreme change disrupts the usual cycle of waking and sleeping. Luckily, NASA cooked up a creative -- and surprising -- solution. Tune in to learn more about DJ CAPCOM.

Many people assume that most musical instruments require two hands. Yet after the famous pianist Paul Wittgenstein lost his right arm in World War I, he resolved to continue his career. Listen in and learn more about Paul Wittgenstein in this episode.

Used for centuries by indigenous Australians, the didgeridoo was originally played as musical accompaniment to ceremonial functions. Join Mark and John as they explore the history of this unique instrument, from prehistoric times to the modern era.

During the 16th century, European boys with good singing voices ran the risk of castration. Join Mark and John as they explore the bizarre world of castrated singers -- and the reasons behind the practice -- in this podcast from HowStuffWorks.com.