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  • PBS
  • Sep 15, 2019
  • PBS
  • Sep 15, 2019

Summary The eight-part, 16-hour documentary written and produced by Dayton Duncan and directed by Ken Burns traces the origins of country music and its evolution with stories about such artists as Gene Autry, Garth Brooks, the Carter family, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jim...

  • PBS
  • Sep 15, 2019
  • PBS
  • Sep 15, 2019
Country Music
Season 1
Season Premiere: Sep 15, 2019
Metascore Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
80
User Score Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.5
My Score
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Where to Watch

Summary The eight-part, 16-hour documentary written and produced by Dayton Duncan and directed by Ken Burns traces the origins of country music and its evolution with stories about such artists as Gene Autry, Garth Brooks, the Carter family, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jim...

Where to Watch

Season Episodes

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Episode 1 • Sep 15, 2019 • 1 h 52 m
The Rub (Beginnings - 1933)
After centuries of percolating in America's immigrant and racial mix, particularly in the American South, what was first called "hillbilly music" begins reaching more people through the new technologies of phonographs and radio.
Episode 2 • Sep 16, 2019 • 1 h 53 m
Hard Times (1933 - 1945)
During the Great Depression and World War II, country music thrives and reaches bigger audiences. Gene Autry sets off a craze for singing cowboys, Bob Wills adapts jazz's Big Band sound to create Texas Swing, and Roy Acuff becomes a star.
Episode 3 • Sep 17, 2019 • 1 h 53 m
The Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945 - 1953)
Country music adapts to the cultural changes of post-war society. Bill Monroe and Earl Scruggs transform string band music into Bluegrass. Out of the bars comes a new sound and songs about drinking, cheating, and heartbreak: Honky Tonk.
Episode 4 • Sep 18, 2019 • 1 h 51 m
I Can't Stop Loving You (1953 - 1963)
In Memphis, the confluence of blues and hillbilly music at Sun Studios gives birth to "rockabilly, " the precursor of rock and roll. Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash are at the forefront. Nashville has become Music City USA.
Episode 5 • Sep 22, 2019 • 1 h 54 m
The Sons and Daughters of America (1964 - 1968)
Country music artists like Loretta Lynn, Merle Haggard and Charley Pride reflect a changing America as they appeal to wide audiences.
Episode 6 • Sep 23, 2019 • 1 h 51 m
Will the Circle Be Unbroken? (1968 - 1972)
Country music draws artists to Nashville, Tennessee as the war in Vietnam rages on; Kris Kristofferson sets a new lyrical standard; Bob Dylan, The Byrds and other rock and pop artists come to Nashville to record.
Episode 7 • Sep 24, 2019 • 2 h 19 m
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973 - 1983)
The 1970s to early 80s are a vibrant time in country, with Dolly Parton finding mainstream success; Hank Williams Jr. and Rosanne Cash emerging from their fathers' shadows; and Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings starting the "Outlaw" style.
Episode 8 • Sep 25, 2019 • 1 h 54 m
Don't Get Above Your Raisin' (1984 - 1996)
Neotraditional country artists such as George Strait, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire and the Judds keep country music true to its roots. Plus, the rise of superstar Garth Brooks and the return of Johnny Cash to the industry he helped create.

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
80
95% Positive
19 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Generally Favorable Based on 20 Critic Reviews
80
95% Positive
19 Reviews
5% Mixed
1 Review
0% Negative
0 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
100
Sep 16, 2019
Enthralling. ... Burns' typically masterful assembly of photography, music and personal commentary is matched by Dayton Duncan's lyrical script (read by Peter Coyote). [16-29 Sep 2019, p.24]
By Matt Roush FULL REVIEW
90
Sep 21, 2019
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.
By Glenn Garvin FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 16, 2019
Compared to Burns’ past works, this is not the fathoms-deep dive into the music’s history which devoted fans may be wanting. On the other hand, this may make “Country Music” more accessible to viewers like me who have little historical or emotional connection to this sector of popular culture. Sometimes the way into the museum is to skim the catalogue.
By Melanie McFarland FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 12, 2019
A robust aural  portrait of the origins and various detours of the music itself. ... 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.
FULL REVIEW
80
Sep 12, 2019
Series writer Dayton Duncan balances the obligatory bios and the juicy gossip, the landmark moments and quite a few tangential but necessary subjects—including country radio, Nudie suits, Martin guitars and the comedian Minnie Pearl. He strives to maintain the storyline while still giving time to the outliers— Eddy Arnold, for instance, who couldn’t be ignored but doesn’t quite fit, either. ... But it’s the stories that seal the deal.
By John Anderson FULL REVIEW
70
Sep 16, 2019
I appreciated loving the parts I wasn't expecting to and often tempered my disappointment in it not getting to the "alt-country" artists I most wanted to see by realizing that Country Music is simply not that kind of niche (or definitive) documentary. It's mostly a brave effort to place it in context with an impressive timeline.
By Tim Goodman FULL REVIEW
60
Sep 11, 2019
It did its homework and respects the subject matter; it’s a true archival feat. But its overwhelmingly nostalgic lens may ultimately make the series more for preexisting country fans than curious newcomers wanting to understand its history and appeal. For as much time as “Country Music” has to tie these threads together, it leaves an awful lot of unstitched material on the table.
By Caroline Framke FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.5
83% Positive
5 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Generally Favorable Based on 6 User Ratings
7.5
83% Positive
5 Ratings
0% Mixed
0 Ratings
17% Negative
1 Rating

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

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