Country Music
“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” Written by Mel Tillis
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Trailer #2
Watch Trailer #2 of Country Music, a new Ken Burns film. Tune in or stream Sept. 15 8/7c.
Watch Trailer #2 of Country Music, a new Ken Burns film. Tune in or stream Sept. 15 8/7c.
Episode 8 Preview | "Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’”
Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.
Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.
Episode 7 Preview | "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?”
Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.
Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.
Episode 6 Preview | “Will the Circle Be Unbroken?”
Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.
Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.
Episode 5 Preview | "The Sons and Daughters of America"
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
Brenda Lee Reminisces About Patsy Cline
Country legend Patsy Cline takes young singing sensation Brenda Lee under her wing.
Country legend Patsy Cline takes young singing sensation Brenda Lee under her wing.
Episode 4 Preview | “I Can’t Stop Loving You”
Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.
Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.
Episode 2 Preview | “Hard Times”
Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing.
Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing.
Episode 3 Preview | “The Hillbilly Shakespeare”
Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.
Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.
Trailer | Country Music: Live at the Ryman Concert
Join a lineup of celebrated artists for a concert celebrating the film by Ken Burns.
Join a lineup of celebrated artists for a concert celebrating the film by Ken Burns.
Trailer
The history of an American art form. Country Music, a new Ken Burns film. Sept. 15 on PBS.
The history of an American art form. Country Music, a new Ken Burns film. Sept. 15 on PBS.
Making the Film | PBS Previews: Country Music
Get a glimpse of the filmmaking process, from research to writing to editing and more.
Get a glimpse of the filmmaking process, from research to writing to editing and more.
A Look Ahead
What's next for director Ken Burns? Country Music is coming this fall. #CountryMusicPBS.
What's next for director Ken Burns? Country Music is coming this fall. #CountryMusicPBS.
Extended Trailer
Get a sneak peek at the remarkable people and places behind a true American art form.
Get a sneak peek at the remarkable people and places behind a true American art form.
Rhiannon Giddens Inspired by Powerful Women
Rhiannon Giddens explores the compelling stories and powerful women of '90s country music.
Rhiannon Giddens explores the compelling stories and powerful women of '90s country music.
Rosanne Cash Reflects on ‘I Walk the Line’
Rosanne Cash tells the story of one of her father’s biggest hit songs.
Rosanne Cash tells the story of one of her father’s biggest hit songs.
Jeannie Seely Reflects on Women’s Representation
Jeannie Seely on how the way women were represented in Country songs was changing.
Jeannie Seely on how the way women were represented in Country songs was changing.
Marty Stuart on the Mystery of Songwriting
The divine inspiration behind the songs of the “Hillbilly Shakespeare:” Hank Williams.
The divine inspiration behind the songs of the “Hillbilly Shakespeare:” Hank Williams.
Marty Stuart on Country's 'Mother Church'
Musician Marty Stuart explains how the “Grand Ole Opry” became the heart of Nashville.
Musician Marty Stuart explains how the “Grand Ole Opry” became the heart of Nashville.
Loretta Lynn Describes Her Songwriting Philosophy
Coal miner’s daughter Loretta Lynn describes her songwriting philosophy.
Coal miner’s daughter Loretta Lynn describes her songwriting philosophy.
Dolly Parton Explains Country Music’s Appeal
Dolly Parton explains the wide appeal of her favorite kind of music.
Dolly Parton explains the wide appeal of her favorite kind of music.
The Tradition Continues | PBS Previews: Country Music
Behind the Scenes | Country is affecting and being affected by other styles of music.
Behind the Scenes | Country is affecting and being affected by other styles of music.
“Will the Circle Be Unbroken:” Country Music’s Anthem
Featured artists discuss this special song's meaning to Americans.
Featured artists discuss this special song's meaning to Americans.
Betty Johnson: The Johnson Family Singers 1930s
Betty Johnson discusses growing up in a family band of six.
Betty Johnson discusses growing up in a family band of six.
Ralph Stanley: The First Song Mother Taught Me
The late Ralph Stanley plays a banjo tune and describes his playing technique.
The late Ralph Stanley plays a banjo tune and describes his playing technique.
Marty Stuart: Back to the Source
Marty Stuart reminisces about a quiet moment he had listening to Jimmie Rodgers.
Marty Stuart reminisces about a quiet moment he had listening to Jimmie Rodgers.
Johnny Cash: His Legacy
Friends and family discuss Johnny Cash's return to simple songwriting and record-making.
Friends and family discuss Johnny Cash's return to simple songwriting and record-making.
The Artistry of Merle Haggard
The late Merle Haggard discusses his songwriting and other artists discuss his impact.
The late Merle Haggard discusses his songwriting and other artists discuss his impact.
“Old Dogs, Children and Watermelon Wine”
Tom T. Hall tells the story of how he came to write his famous song.
Tom T. Hall tells the story of how he came to write his famous song.
Johnny Cash: Following the Gospel
Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash and the Oak Ridge Boys discuss Johnny Cash's faith.
Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash and the Oak Ridge Boys discuss Johnny Cash's faith.
“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” Written by Mel Tillis
Mel Tillis tells the true story behind his hit song.
Mel Tillis tells the true story behind his hit song.
The First Major Mexican-American Country Music Star
Johnny Rodriguez would become the first Mexican-American to be a major country music star.
Johnny Rodriguez would become the first Mexican-American to be a major country music star.
Mel Tillis: Learning to Talk Through Singing
Mel Tillis talks about how he dealt with a stutter by singing.
Mel Tillis talks about how he dealt with a stutter by singing.
Hank Williams: The Songwriter and Performer
Featured artists discuss the genius and singularity of Hank Williams, Sr.
Featured artists discuss the genius and singularity of Hank Williams, Sr.
Don Maddox: The Most Colorful Hillbilly Band in the World
Don Maddox, Jean Shepard, and Marty Stuart swap stories about the Maddox Brothers and Rose
Don Maddox, Jean Shepard, and Marty Stuart swap stories about the Maddox Brothers and Rose
John McEuen: Earl Scruggs’ Banjo Style
John McEuen discusses Earl Scruggs' innovations on the banjo.
John McEuen discusses Earl Scruggs' innovations on the banjo.
Music Row's A Team
Music row musicians discuss their days as members of the fabled ”A Team.”
Music row musicians discuss their days as members of the fabled ”A Team.”
The Bryants and “Rocky Top”
Brenda Lee reminisces about the songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.
Brenda Lee reminisces about the songwriters Felice and Boudleaux Bryant.
Marty Stuart's Mandolin
Marty Stuart describes the marks and inscriptions on his mandolin and how they got there.
Marty Stuart describes the marks and inscriptions on his mandolin and how they got there.
Patsy Cline: Tough Edges, Big Heart
Friends and admirers share memories of "the Cline."
Friends and admirers share memories of "the Cline."
Elvis: The Hillbilly Cat
Featured artists remember Elvis Presley and discuss his unique role in American music.
Featured artists remember Elvis Presley and discuss his unique role in American music.
Johnny Cash: Poet Performer
Featured artists marvel at the artistry and genius of Johnny Cash.
Featured artists marvel at the artistry and genius of Johnny Cash.
Country Places
Explore the origins of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville and Bakersfield Sound and more.
Explore the origins of the Grand Ole Opry, the Nashville and Bakersfield Sound and more.
Why Country Music
The filmmakers discuss the origins of their latest project and what they've learned.
The filmmakers discuss the origins of their latest project and what they've learned.
A Family Business
Explore the influence of the Carter Cash family and the theme of family in country music.
Explore the influence of the Carter Cash family and the theme of family in country music.
Kenny Rogers on "The Gambler"
Kenny Rogers discusses his hit single, "The Gambler," in an outtake from "Country Music."
Kenny Rogers discusses his hit single, "The Gambler," in an outtake from "Country Music."
Les Leverett: Opry Photographer
Les Leverett was the official staff photographer for The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.
Les Leverett was the official staff photographer for The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN.
The Song Into Outer Space
Interviewees pick they would send into outer space to represent country music.
Interviewees pick they would send into outer space to represent country music.
"He Stopped Loving Her Today:" The Story Behind the Song
The songwriters, producer, and fans discuss this classic song's genesis and significance.
The songwriters, producer, and fans discuss this classic song's genesis and significance.
The Carter Scratch, Travis Picking, Doc Watson
Randy Scruggs exhibits the playing styles of Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis and Doc Watson.
Randy Scruggs exhibits the playing styles of Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis and Doc Watson.