Country Music Documentary On PBS
Indy 
Greg So far, the most interesting stories for me were those of D. Ford Bailey, the Carter Family and "Minnie Pearl". Of course I also like how Bill Monroe broke the mold of how The Grand Ole Opry portrayed Country artists as only "Hayseeds and Hillbillies".
As an interesting tidbit, which I'm not sure will be covered (I missed the early section of tonight's broadcast) is that Joseph Kekuku is buried in Dover, NJ. "Who's that", you may say. He's the inventor of the Hawaiian, aka "Steel" guitar and here's a link to a great story by local Northern NJ musician Mike Esposito about him and his life and how he came to be buried and later honored in Dover:
https://www.njskylands.com/music-mike-esposito
Phil D. I'm recording it to watch later. If it's anything like his JAZZ series, it will be excellent.
JeffersonRepub it's on Sunday through Wednesday of this week; and Sunday through Wednesday of next week.
what transpired the last hour of last night's show (Monday)?
Hackresident Ken Burns has an uncanny knack for making things I don't care about interesting - baseball, prohibition, the national parks, etc, as well as things I am interested in even more interesting (The West, WWII, The Civil War, Vietnam, The Roosevelts).
This is no exception. I have very little love for country, but this is a great series so far.
kingcoriander I just watched the 2nd hour's Part 2 online. Glad that you don't need a subscription to watch it online!
https://www.pbs.org/show/country-music/
Thanks Indy
I've always found it interesting that, like pretty much any guitar, electric or acoustic it could be so versatile, being used both in the mostly joyous sounds of Hawaiian music, as well as the often sad strains of Country music.
I'm more a Jazz, Blues and Bluegrass fan, than of Country Music itself, but I find many of the characters involved interesting, as well as how the music developed into what it is today. The fact that BMI was formed to counteract abuses by ASCAP in terms of collecting royalties from radio stations and distributing them to artists, was in itself quite enlightening. It was a way of "The Man" (aka ASCAP) keeping down popular grassroots music that wasn't considered highbrow enough.
It was also interesting to watch as various known artists were both influenced by, then became influencers later, such as Roy Acuff and Pee Wee King. I mean a Polish American accordian Polka player...whoda thunk it:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pee_Wee_King
I like the idea that it tracts these early influencers, to people we know of today. I’m far from a modern Country Music fans but If you look hard, there some great new, ( newer) people out there.
Very good and educational t.v. You got to love country,western, and folk music.Also go to you-tube to see more performances. Y'all
Frank 1945 Geez, I was thinking of Pee Wee Herman when Pee Wee King was mentioned above! LOL !!
CBGB Man, I just hate it when folks say "country, western, and folk...." They're different, darn it :>) It's easy to tell --- folk musicians are poor even if they're famous :>) and they hardly ever turn up at the Opry.
Ken Burns has developed a fantastic formula that he can use for almost any subject and whether you have interest or not, the result is always interesting. He brings life to dry topics by doing his "virtual interviews" via mail, news, and other readings. It's just great.
Haven't seen this one yet, will wait for the rebound, really don't like country but love folk. Funny thing, back to my original lame statement, mid-way through college, I noticed I was wearing gingham shirts with fake pearl buttons, little vests like that Dr. Pepper guy, Frye boots, basically Western attire while listening to NRPS, POCO, and the like, and even Asleep At the Wheel..... Guess I proved myself wrong --- it is country, Western, and folk! :>)
strangerdanger This Documentary should get an Emmy!! Sooooo intriguing, even if you don't love country music.
Mrs. Pipes```` I have loved this so far. Many interesting facts that I didn't know.
Even if you don't like country, western, and folk I would recommend this to all music lovers.
Bobbob They are up to 1980s country with the last episode tonight on Wednesday from 8-10 (possibly later). Garth Brooks was talking on last night's episode and he started in the 1980s.
i'll be watching it again on PBS.com online. even if you love rock or pop, the after-origins of country music crosses over into that and I was surprised!!
Just how famous is Troyal Garth Brooks? More than Elvis, catching up to the Beatles. Could do a whole documentary on him alone.
Townes Van Zandt, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Leon Russell, Bob Dylan, Janice Joplin, not your typical country stars. Great music goes in many directions.
I was shocked to see the above, Indy, on the shows, especially last night!! Bob Dylan didn't sound bad---I saw him once in concert at Waterloo Village in the late 1980s and I hated his voice and his music. I couldn't understand what he was singing. I really liked Emmylou Harris, I didn't know any of her music. And the rest you mentioned that influenced country music, or country music had an influence on them.
And amazing that Marty Stuart played his mandolin and other instruments when he was only 8 years old or younger and through his teens! he's perfect to commentate on the whole documentary as he is still around from the 1960s as a pro.
AMAZING SHOW!!!
Bug3Dylan....country.... I’m still trying to get over his Woody rip-off. Yeah, well my frye boots, vest, and pearl-buttoned vest didn’t make me country either...
I lived in New Mexico for a few months in 1981 and that was my first introduction to country music. Good background music whilst I swung a wrench at work but nothing I would buy or listen to at home.
I started listening to country blues, old timey, hillblilly boogie etc over the past 5 years or so, music from the 40s and 50s mostly.
I am enjoying the documentary but probably won't watch it past the 70s country music.
Today's country isn't to my liking, way too POP for me.
Red Dirt country music I do enjoy. Artists such as Hayes Carll, Ryan Bingham, Cody Canada to name a few.
I watched parts 3 & 4 first and part of #1. Very enjoyable.
Ryan Bingham - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoFwQnHFeYM
and Canadian country music
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDY6bWT5oTM
more songs I like
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oCM_r7NsV7E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oUIoyG1tQg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEIVfuYGfHc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i0J67PB7cgw
Monty Double down on the Prine, been awhile, thanks for the reminder. And never forget his mentor, Steve Goodman, folksinger and songwriter extraordinaire. Without Goodman in Chicago, there is no Prine in Nashville. Goodman not only mentored him but played his song for Kristofferson to get him a kickstart. Produced Bruised Orange for him. Goodman was pretty good for Guthrie too, writing City of New Orleans for him.
"You Never Even Called Me by My Name" is one they did for David Allan Coe.
If Goodman had lived, he would have found Nashville and Nashville would have found gold. Look up some Goodman, I especially like "Lincoln Park Pirates," but Chicken Cordon Blues, Ballad of Penny Evans, all good. But if you want Western, try his You Never Even Call Me By My Name --- a fun bit of a spoof that is now a C&W anthem.
Try the real thing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9TZPt2Iin0I
Goodman so beloved upon his early death due to leukemia, a fervent Cubbie, was taken by the Lincoln Park Pirates to a strangely open Wrigley Field and ashes spread at Home Plate.
OK, darn it, I admit it: I love SOME country and western. It's true.
Today's young people should watch this not for the history of country music, but to see that not everyone was raised with running water, nice clothes, and a cell phone at age 8. These people were raised hard and made something of themselves, no one handed them anything.
General Grant SD. I love some country too. Very dark but one of my favorites from Townes Van Sandt
https://youtu.be/DW4XgQvcDsQ
The 8-part PBS series very-much said that country music has changed a lot in style throughout the years ......... Taylor Swift is a far cry from Loretta Lynn or Patsy Cline! But TS has an incredible writing style and more so incredible videos for creativity (although her voice is not good at all, only with some doctoring, I think.).
To be honest, I don't judge music based on one's upbringing or social status. Otherwise, I would only be listening to Bob Marley and Jimmy Cliff.... :>) "the harder they come, the harder they fall, one n all." Or maybe one-album-wonder The Bus Boys --- Minimum Wage Rock n Roll. "Bet you never heard music like this...…"
Thanks everyone for this thread; rekindled my folksiness with Goodman, Prine, Guthrie and the like. Thank the Lord for U-tube.
Americana to me sounds like this
Chris Knight
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oNlprS-7os0
Otis Gibbs
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc4zWf7AnGU
***bonus irresistable track***
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Z32qoXnaBz0
In case folks want some more:
NJTV (pbs) Country Music: Live at the Ryman. Hosted by Ken Burns in celebration of his new documentary, Country Music, this concert features performances and appearances by Dierks Bentley, Rosanne Cash, Rhiannon Giddens, Vince Gill, Kathy Mattea, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, and more. Thursday, November 28 at 8pm
Trialer: https://www.njtvonline.org/programs/country-music/country-music-live-ryman-concert-trailer-bwlbsj/?utm_source=NJTVupdt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20191115
Enjoy!
Did anyone see the CMA's? the 1st song showed a lot of the 90s and 2000s stars. good to see them again!
Country has changed so much, it's pop, rebel-country. most aren't traditional anymore. Perhaps Casey Musgraves and 1 or 2 of the groups are.
Thanks for posting this for the PBS special on November 28.
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