Country Music - A Film By Ken Burns

[CT_Shooter]

I just finished watching the first episode of this wonderful documentary and I highly recommend it to anyone interested in Americana and/or American musical influences. I learned so much, not only about the origins of what is now known as "Country Music", but about the development of the recording and broadcast industries, as well as late 19th and early 20th century culture. I have three more episodes to watch.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/musi ... ne-884614/

The documentary is currently available on PBS On-Demand.

[cooperhawk]

We watched episode three last evening on Public TV. I agree, it is very well done and full of information that I did not know.
Normally I take Ken Burns with a grain of salt due to his politics, but this is truly non partisan.
I grew up in the forties and fifties and listened to all of these artists. They helped form my life and character.

I recommend this series to anyone who loves music.

It made me realize what an impact music had in my life.

[cooperhawk]

I was just responding to the thread on Coleman Lanterns and it made me think back to good old days.
We had an old AM radio that ran off a car battery. My Dad used it every day to get the markets, and
he'd let us use it at night to listen to music. He had to take the battery out and crank the tractor to
charge it up each day, and don't you dare run it down before he got his markets.

I remember listening to WHO in Wheeling West Virginia. That was a blaster station with a huge
foot print. We were in southern Minnesota. I think they had Grand Ol Opera on it. I was only 8 or 9 at the time.
Now on this series I am seeing for the first time what those entertainers looked like.

My how times have changed. My Grandchildren asked me one time what was the greatest invention in my lifetime.
I said flush toilets and indoor plumbing. They were shocked.

[North Country Gal]

Thanks for the link. I love all kinds of music and that definitely includes country. Have been a fan all my life.

[cooperhawk]

Last night PBS did an hour on the life of Charley Pride. Pretty good.

[Mistered]

Oh man! I am glad you mentioned this!
I have not looked at PBS in a while so I was unaware of this but American history of any genre is a primary interest of mine - as well as classic country/western music!
Through episodes 1 & 2 and will pick it up later.
Not only is this an excellent history of American music but a great look at American history as well.

[cooperhawk]

Another installment of Ken Burns series on Country Music last night. I think it was really well done.
Went into detail about Johnny Cash's drug problems and Merle Haggard's career.

[RanchRoper]

I caught some of it. Liked the episode on early western and Texas swing with Bob Wills, Light Crust Doughboys, etc. I have lots of 1930's western swing music in my collection. Love it. The Autry stuff was good too.

[cooperhawk]

Another installment last night. Lots of history of Dolly Parton and others.
Burns does a good job telling the story and not leaving anything out.
Lots about Blue Grass as well.

[Mistered]

Got through the last episode Monday evening.
Really a good documentary.
Got a little boring by the last episode as the 'modern' era of country music is not nearly as interesting as the earlier times.
Bottom line is I learned a lot and have more respect for many of the pioneers of Country/Western music.

[Shakey Jake]

Seemed like to me they molded the series around Johnny Cash. Not so sure that was a unifying thread or not, but they used it that way. I was surprised about the number of musicians that didn't even get a mention.
Jake

[cooperhawk]

Seemed like to me they molded the series around Johnny Cash. Not so sure that was a unifying thread or not, but they used it that way. I was surprised about the number of musicians that didn't even get a mention.
Jake

I got that impression as well, but Cash was a giant in the music industry so I suppose it was natural.
There was a lot on George Jones too. Well deserved.
Right, lots of artists were not mentioned, but there were just too man for the time allowed.