Elvis: The Hillbilly Cat
Featured artists remember Elvis Presley and discuss his unique role in American music.
Patsy Cline: Tough Edges, Big Heart
Friends and admirers share memories of "the Cline," her tough-as-nails, fun-loving exterior, and her generosity and kindness.
Hank Williams: The Songwriter and Performer
Featured artists discuss the genius and singularity of Hank Williams's songwriting and recall memories of the honky-tonker's unique performance style.
John McEuen: Earl Scruggs’ Banjo Style
John McEuen discusses Earl Scruggs' innovations on the banjo. McEuen demonstrates different styles that take us from the melodies of the 1800s to the Bluegrass of today.
The Bryants and “Rocky Top”
Brenda Lee reminisces the songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and about the writing of the Bryant's 1967 hit "Rocky Top."
Don Maddox: The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in the World
Don Maddox, Jean Sheppard, and Marty Stuart swap stories about the Maddox Brothers and Rose.
Mel Tillis: Learning to Talk Through Singing
Mel Tillis talks about the his struggles as a young boy with a stutter and how he dealt with it by singing.
Betty Johnson: The Johnson Family Singers 1930s
Betty Johnson discusses growing up in a family band of six, performing in live radio shows and more.
Brenda Lee Reminisces About Patsy Cline
Country legend Patsy Cline takes young singing sensation Brenda Lee under her wing. Just one of the stories in Country Music, the sweeping new series from filmmaker Ken Burns – coming to PBS September 15th at 8/7c. #CountryMusicPBS.
Ralph Stanley: The First Song Mother Taught Me
The late Ralph Stanley plays a banjo tune and describes his playing technique.
Country Music: Behind the Scenes
Take a behind the scenes look at the making of Country Music and the filmmaking process.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken:” Country Music’s Anthem
Featured artists discuss this special song's meaning to the country music and American culture.
Episode 4 Preview | “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
Travel to Memphis, where Sun Studios artists Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley usher in the era of rockabilly. Ray Charles crosses America’s racial divide by recording a country album. Patsy Cline shows off Music City’s smooth new Nashville Sound.
Wynton Marsalis Discusses Black Country Musicians
Black musicians were welcomed into country music before they were accepted by white society. Just one of the stories in Country Music, the sweeping new series from filmmaker Ken Burns – coming to PBS September 15th at 8/7c. #CountryMusicPBS.
Episode 3 Preview | “The Hillbilly Shakespeare”
See how the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America, and meet honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprising emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life.
Episode 2 Preview | “Hard Times”
Watch as Nashville becomes the heart of the country music industry. The genre grows in popularity during the Great Depression and World War II as America falls in love with singing cowboys, Texas Swing and the Grand Ole Opry’s Roy Acuff.
Trailer #2
Explore the songs, stories and stars and history of a uniquely American art form in the new Ken Burns film, Country Music. Meet unforgettable characters and storytellers and learn how country evolved over the course of the twentieth century. Tune in or stream Sunday, September 15 at 8/7c. Only on PBS.
Trailer
Explore the history of country music from its deep roots in ballads, hymns and blues, to its mainstream popularity. Meet unforgettable characters and storytellers and learn how this uniquely American art form evolved over the course of the twentieth century in the new Ken Burns film, Country Music. Tune in or stream Sunday, September 15 at 8/7c. Only on PBS.
Garth Brooks Takes the World by Storm
Garth Brooks revolutionized country music performances with his energetic, rock-inspired concerts. His approach took the world by storm, and country music to new heights of popularity. The tremendous success of Brooks’s “Friends in Low Places” would make his second album the first country album to reach 5 million in sales.
Dwight Yoakam Brings Swagger Back to Country Music
Dwight Yoakam released “Guitars, Cadillacs, Etc., Etc.” in 1986, bringing a rock and roll swagger and hard-hitting style back to country music. At a time when Nashville record labels were embarrassed by the term “hillbilly” music, Yoakam embraced it. He said he was proud of his hillbilly roots and the music’s legacy. The album would sell two million copies.
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