Directed and produced by noted documentarian, Ken Burns, “ Country Music ” is an epic series that explores the roots of “America’s music.” Focusing on biographies of country music royalty and its original trailblazers: the Carter Family, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash , and more, the documentary also features over 100 interviews with country music stars, 40 of which are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. These include Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Naomi and Wynonna Judd , among many others.
The documentary traces the history of the genre from its early years in the 1920s when country music was called “hillbilly” music, to when Hollywood B movies started the fad of singing cowboys, to the rise of Juke Joints after WWII, which changed the style of the music completely. Throughout, the documentary focuses on the constant struggle between the desire to make country music as mainstream as possible and the periodic reflexes to bring it back to its roots.
At the documentary’s heart are the stories of unforgettable songs and the artists who created them.
My Thoughts
Country Music is an awesome documentary series that brings you eight episodes all about some of the greatest country legends in history raging from the 1920s to present day. There are features on country music celebrities including Johnny Cash, Jimme Rodgers, and John Denver to name only a few. There were also some great historical extras including the rise of the radio and the phonograph. They also touch on instruments like the fiddle and banjo. Ken Burns has made a real contribution to the history of country music and the culture surrounding it.
This DVD set is a must-have for anyone who is a fan of country music and would make a great holiday gift for anyone whose a fan of the genre. The segment on Jimmie Rodgers was my favorite, but they were all great. Ken Burns did an amazing job. If you'd like to purchase this awesome DVD set, you can find it in stores nationwide or online at Amazon.
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