Podcast Summary:

Podcast: Dolly Parton's America
Episode: The Vanishing of Harry Pace Trailer
Hosts: Jad Abumrad & Shima Oliaee
Date: July 6, 2021

Episode Overview

This special episode serves as a trailer for a new miniseries from the creators of Dolly Parton's America, titled The Vanishing of Harry Pace. Hosts Jad Abumrad and Shima Oliaee introduce listeners to an enigmatic American figure—Harry Pace—drawing listeners in with the promise of an intricate blend of personal, historical, and musical storytelling, similar in spirit to their work exploring the cultural phenomenon of Dolly Parton.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction of the New Series

• Project Announcement [01:09 - 01:19]

  • Jad Abumrad reveals a new project, paralleling it with the storytelling style of Dolly Parton's America:
    • "Last time we talked to you in this feed, it was all about Dolly Parton, but we actually have a new project that just came out." (Jad Abumrad, 01:09)

• Series Focus & Scope [01:19 - 01:32]

  • Shima Oliaee explains the new series revolves around a lesser-known individual who had a profound impact, with stories stretching beyond music into wider American contexts:
    • "But unlike Dolly, it's someone that you might have never heard of. Starts with music, but then it goes into all these other places. Kind of a constellation of stories. A lot like Dolly Parton's America." (Shima Oliaee, 01:19)

Preview and Teaser Clips

• Introducing Harry Pace [01:34 - 02:03]

  • The promo highlights Harry Pace as a transformational yet underrecognized figure in American music and culture.
    • "This is the story of a man who changed your world." (Shima Oliaee, 01:34)
    • “I would have claimed this brother right here. This dude’s good.” (Podcast Guest, 01:41)
    • “Record owner, lawyer. I mean, he's like the vocational MacGyver.” (Podcast Guest, 01:48)
    • “This is the greatest music of all time.” (Podcast Guest, 02:00)

• The Mystery and Disappearance [02:03 - 02:12]

  • The narrative pivots to the mystery of Harry Pace’s “vanishing,” tantalizing listeners with elements of intrigue and identity.
    • "But then it's like, poof. Vanished." (Shima Oliaee, 02:03)
    • “Somebody pretending to be somebody that they're not.” (Commercial Narrator, 02:10)

Questions of Identity

• Race and Identity Conversation [02:12 - 02:32]
  • The promo features candid exchanges reflecting on issues of race, passing, and identity in America:
    • “When Nasheema was telling me the story, all I could think was, 'oh, that's a white boy, right?'” (Podcast Guest, 02:12)
    • “This looks like a black man to me.” (Commercial Narrator, 02:20)
    • "Once I was at a festival and some guy came up to me and he said: 'What are you? What are you?'" (Festival Attendee, 02:24)

The American Riddle

• Thematic Hook [02:37 - 02:44]
  • The hosts underline the central ‘riddle’—the blend of personal story, family secrets, and larger social mystery.
    • "It's the story of an American riddle. It's a mystery wrapped in a family secret." (Jad Abumrad, 02:37)
    • “It's a mystery: The Vanishing of Harry Pace.” (Shima Oliaee, 02:41)

Call to Action & Series Information

• How to Listen [02:44 - 03:13]
  • Jad and Shima guide listeners on where to find the new series and tease its episodic rollout.
    • "A new miniseries from the people that brought you Dolly Parton's America." (Jad Abumrad, 02:44)
    • "So far three episodes have come out and we've got three more coming in the next three weeks... Just search the Vanishing of Harry Pace Radiolab and you should be able to find it." (Shima Oliaee, 03:04)
    • "You can get it at Radiolab or wherever you get your podcasts." (Jad Abumrad, 03:13)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Record owner, lawyer. I mean, he's like the vocational MacGyver."
  — Podcast Guest, [01:48]

• "This is how America invades the world."
  — Commercial Narrator, [01:57]

• "I want you to see what I see."
  — Shima Oliaee, [02:23]

• "It's the story of an American riddle. It's a mystery wrapped in a family secret."
  — Jad Abumrad, [02:37]

• "If you liked Dolly Parton's America—the way we tried to see so much history and culture and music through this one icon—I think you'll like this too."
  — Jad Abumrad, [02:55]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:09] – Introduction of New Project
• [01:34] – Trailer Clip Begins
• [02:03] – Harry Pace “Vanishing”
• [02:12] – Identity and Race Questions
• [02:37] – Thematic Summary (American riddle)
• [02:44] – Miniseries Launch Announcement
• [03:04] – Release Schedule and Listening Info

Summary

This episode invites Dolly Parton's America fans to explore The Vanishing of Harry Pace, promising a journey through music history, hidden identities, and American mysteries—delivered with the same narrative depth and cultural insight that defines the podcast's style. The trailer teases a gripping story intertwining race, music, family secrets, and the unrecognized impact of one extraordinary individual.