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Episodes
Ken Burns' history of country music begins. First up: How "hillbilly music" reaches new audiences through phonographs and radio, and launches the careers of country music's first big stars, the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.
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.
How the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America. Also: honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprising emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life.
Travel to Memphis, where Sun Studios artists Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley usher in rockabilly. Ray Charles crosses America's racial divide by recording a country album. Patsy Cline shows off Music City's smooth new Nashville Sound.
How country music reflects a changing America, with Loretta Lynn speaking to women everywhere, Merle Haggard becoming "The Poet of the Common Man" and audiences looking beyond race to embrace Charley Pride.
How country music responds to a nation divided by the Vietnam War, as Army captain turned songwriter Kris Kristofferson sets a new lyrical standard, and artists like Bob Dylan and the Byrds find a recording home in Nashville.
Witness a vibrant era in country music, with Dolly Parton finding mainstream success; Hank Williams Jr. and Rosanne Cash emerging from their famous fathers' shadows; and Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings launching the "Outlaw" movement.
How "New Traditionalists" like George Strait, Randy Travis and the Judds help country music stay true to its roots. Witness both the rise of superstar Garth Brooks and the return of an aging Johnny Cash to the industry he helped create. The series finale.
Country Music: Season 1 Photos
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Cast & Crew
News & Interviews for Country Music: Season 1
Critic Reviews for Country Music Season 1
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (19) | Fresh (28) | Rotten (4)
Those with a deep historical knowledge of country music should find Country Music to be familiar but nevertheless enlightening, with its sweet sounds and scrapbook visuals. Those on the fence will certainly have the most to gain.
Whether your idea of country music is "Redneck Woman" or "Stand by Your Man," this latest achievement from Ken Burns and company will cut through.
It makes the series' virtues and failings starker that it happens to have debuted in such a contentious year in country. And don't get me wrong: There are virtues to spare.
For its running time, Burns effectively steers this wagon across country music's diverging timelines.
So whatever your thoughts about country music, expect to be immensely entertained, educated and even edified throughout this master course in pickin', grinnin' -- and so very much more.
Like the songs that weave through nearly every moment of its runtime, the grace, simplicity, and sincerity of Country Music have a way of heightening its epic underpinnings.
We understand it all thanks to, once again, the admirable power of observation and synthesis that Ken Burns has. [Full Review in Spanish]
Absorbing every step of the way, Country Music is like a class reunion you don't want to leave. You learn something about the people you thought you knew and you come to appreciate them for the faults you never thought you could excuse.
As ever, Burns knows what he's talking about.
I usually don't have time to watch things like this but I was so engrossed I made time. It was great
Country music fan or not this fascinating study is eminently binge-worthy.
...the stars, from a grinning and immortal Merle Haggard on down, will pull you in, and all the lesser-sung heroes who enriched those stars will keep you from falling back out.
Audience Reviews for Country Music: Season 1
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Oct 06, 2020I loved this. I wouldn't consider myself a modern country music fan, but as this documentary teaches you, traditional music is where most American music began and every modern genre: rock and roll, rhythm and blues, jazz, blues, bluegrass, Americana, and country all have the same initial roots - immigrants and slaves. From those roots grow the branches to the music we know today. Ken Burns is a master and Country Music is one of his best ever. It's brimming with interviews with living music industry professionals and archival footage that absolutely makes a story over 100 years old come to life. He emphasises the cyclical nature of the music - what's old always becomes new again. And it goes deeper than the music to the story of our country - even in the middle of 2020 election/pandemic anxiety insanity I found myself tapping my toe, singing along, or with a 100 year old classic stuck in your head. The early episodes were my favourites, but there were so many fascinating stories up through the 1970s I really felt it could have been longer. 1980-1990's+ there's not as much in-depth coverage beyond a core group and don't expect anything on anyone post Garth Brooks (which is fine by me).
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Jan 19, 2020I am not a die-hard Ken Burns fan. Too often he allows his own polemic get in the way of historical fact. This time, though, he got it absolutely right. The only flaw in this series is that it was too short, not expansive enough, large and wide as it was. It is more than the history of a music category by far; it's a history of twentieth century American culture. This is a must-see. It's funny, sad, striking, often moving emotionally, often provocative, and always entertaining. This one is a winner!
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Oct 15, 2019Detailed and interesting!
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Oct 05, 2019An absolute Ken Burns masterpiece! This film presented an historical presentation of the country music genre with magnificent beautiful cinematography and personal sentiment. We truly enjoyed every episode.
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Sep 29, 2019An Amazing documentary!
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Sep 26, 2019A spectacular look back at the history of country music and the influence of it in American history. Superb job by Ken Burns, as usual.
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Sep 26, 2019Way too much Johnny Cash. Ruined a great potential program.
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Sep 26, 2019As a live long native of Nashville, it's no surprise that Ken Burns documentary is spot on. He captures the pure essence of our "big"little town perfectly.
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Sep 25, 2019An expansive history of the genre as seen through Ken Burns' expert eye, Country Music works as both a crash course for new listeners and a refresher for old-timers. Absolutely a tremendous tremendous from Ken Burns.Fantastic educational documentary film by Ken Burns
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Sep 25, 2019Wonderful. Brought back so many memories of the songs my dad listened to and the cultural underpinnings of the music.
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