America

The Smithsonian is a repository of America’s history, achievements, aspirations, and identity. It holds the artifacts of great leaders, and those of ordinary Americans. It houses scientific specimens and technological wonders. It is home to art, music, films, writings—a vast treasure trove of objects of extraordinary beauty and outstanding design. With a collection of some 137 million items in more than two dozen museums and research centers, the Smithsonian brings our national epic to life as nothing else can.

The title Lost & Found implies that this 2015 compilation digs deep into the vaults, perhaps into either the '70s or '80s, which are the twin golden eras of America. That's not the case. Singer/songwriter and Gerry Beckley associate Jeff Larson found a clutch of songs Beckley recorded between 2000 and 2011 – sometimes on his own, sometimes with Dewey Bunnell – and realized they amounted to a full-fledged unheard America album…

When a work of fiction or nonfiction captures the attention—and wallets—of American readers, it speaks volumes about the nation's cultural climate. Best-selling books have played a critical role in influencing the tastes and purchasing habits of American readers for more than 100 years. Weekly best-seller lists appear in various national newspapers. Nationwide reading clubs help propel books (and authors) into mass popularity. Strategic marketing campaigns help embed the importance of a particular work in the American public's consciousness.