Home > Country Music > Season 1 « TV Series Page Country Music: Season 1 (2019) Want to see Episode List Season 1 Country Music Critics Consensus An expansive -- if not always deep -- 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. 84% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 25 96% Audience Score User Ratings: 26 NEW More Info × Close Want to see Super Reviewer Submit Super Reviewer Edit Review Episodes 1 The Rub (Beginnings - 1933) Air date: Sep 15, 2019 See how what was first called "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. More 2 Hard Times (1933-1945) Air date: Sep 16, 2019 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. More 3 The Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945-1953) Air date: Sep 17, 2019 See how the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America, and meet honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprisingly emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life. More 4 I Can't Stop Loving You (1953-1963) Air date: Sep 18, 2019 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. More 5 The Sons and Daughters of America (1964-1968) Air date: Sep 22, 2019 See 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. More 6 Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (1968-1972) Air date: Sep 23, 2019 Learn 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. More 7 Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983) Air date: Sep 24, 2019 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. More 8 Don't Get Above Your Raisin (1984-1996) Air date: Sep 25, 2019 Learn 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. More Country Music: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (6) Tv Season Info Genre: Documentary Network: PBS Premiere Date: Sep 15, 2019 News & Interviews for Country Music: Season 1 Fall 2019 TV Schedule: What to Watch Every Night of the Week 2019 TV Finale Dates Calendar View All Country Music: Season 1 News Episodes 1 The Rub (Beginnings - 1933) Air date: Sep 15, 2019 See how what was first called "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. More 2 Hard Times (1933-1945) Air date: Sep 16, 2019 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. More 3 The Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945-1953) Air date: Sep 17, 2019 See how the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America, and meet honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprisingly emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life. More 4 I Can't Stop Loving You (1953-1963) Air date: Sep 18, 2019 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. More 5 The Sons and Daughters of America (1964-1968) Air date: Sep 22, 2019 See 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. More 6 Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (1968-1972) Air date: Sep 23, 2019 Learn 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. More 7 Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983) Air date: Sep 24, 2019 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. More 8 Don't Get Above Your Raisin (1984-1996) Air date: Sep 25, 2019 Learn 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. More Critic Reviews for Country Music Season 1 All Critics (25) | Top Critics (15) | Fresh (21) | Rotten (4) 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. Sep 17, 2019 | Full Review… Carl Wilson Slate Top Critic For its running time, Burns effectively steers this wagon across country music's diverging timelines. Sep 16, 2019 | Rating: B | Full Review… Steve Greene indieWire Top Critic 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. Sep 13, 2019 | Rating: A | Full Review… Ed Bark Uncle Barky Top Critic 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. Sep 12, 2019 | Full Review… Allison Shoemaker RogerEbert.com Top Critic I usually don't have time to watch things like this but I was so engrossed I made time. It was great Oct 3, 2019 | Full Review… Rachel Wagner Rachel's Reviews (YouTube) Country music fan or not this fascinating study is eminently binge-worthy. Sep 20, 2019 | Full Review… Anne Brodie What She Said ...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. Sep 18, 2019 | Full Review… Rob Harvilla The Ringer Burns and his team are in superb voice as they sing the praises of country music and those legendary talents who popularized it. As with any successful song, they really put their hearts into it. Sep 17, 2019 | Full Review… Mark Dawidziak Cleveland Plain Dealer You don't have to like country music at all -- in fact, you can despise it -- to be swept away by these gloriously eccentric yarns. Sep 16, 2019 | Full Review… Glenn Garvin Reason Online By far Ken Burns' most entertaining documentary to date. Sep 16, 2019 | Full Review… Roger Catlin rogercatlin.com Burns is purposeful with regard to representation, but the examples he provides are not exhaustive when it comes to the contributions of socially marginalized artists... Burns's macro-level view, though, is still instructive. Sep 24, 2019 | Full Review… Jonathan Keefe Guardian Top Critic This epic, essential survey is both a history lesson of an American art form and 20th century U.S.A. itself. Sep 16, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… David Fear Rolling Stone Top Critic View All Critic Reviews (25) Audience Reviews for Country Music: Season 1 Oct 15, 2019 Detailed and interesting! Mary G Oct 05, 2019 An 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. Rosie M Sep 29, 2019 An Amazing documentary! Ed M Sep 26, 2019 A spectacular look back at the history of country music and the influence of it in American history. Superb job by Ken Burns, as usual. Rhonda P Sep 26, 2019 Way too much Johnny Cash. Ruined a great potential program. bill m Sep 26, 2019 As 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. Steve B Sep 25, 2019 An 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 Robbie D Sep 25, 2019 Wonderful. Brought back so many memories of the songs my dad listened to and the cultural underpinnings of the music. Lynn T Sep 24, 2019 I have really enjoyed this show and am glad they made it 8 episodes. Too much to take in at one time, but great that it is so thorough. Cathy S Sep 24, 2019 Another masterpiece by KB. Absolutely wonderful and amazing. And this is coming from someone who's never been a huge country music fan. Steve K See all Audience reviews News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! Best of Netflix Movies and shows to binge now More News & Features TOP HEADLINES Who Is the Best Joker? – Rotten Tomatoes All 26 James Bond Movies Ranked – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Essential Spanish-Language Movies – Rotten Tomatoes 200 Essential Movies To Watch Now – Rotten Tomatoes The Best LGBT Movies on Netflix Right Now – Rotten Tomatoes 10 Great TV Shows That Failed in Their Final Seasons – Rotten Tomatoes Rotten Tomatoes’ First Book Rotten Movies We Love is Out This October – Rotten Tomatoes Your Full List of All Upcoming DC Movies – With Key Details – Rotten Tomatoes More Headlines View All Results