Ken Burns’ Country Music Documentary is Now on Netflix
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If you’re a fan of country music or documentaries, then you’ll be happy to know that the Ken Burns Country Music documentary is now available on Netflix. This eight-part series explores the history and evolution of country music, from its roots in the American South to its global appeal today. Featuring interviews with some of the genre’s biggest stars, the documentary is a must-watch for any fan of country music.
Introduction
Ken Burns’ Country Music is a new eight-part, 16-hour documentary film directed by Ken Burns and produced by his long-time collaborator, Lynn Novick. The film chronicles the history of country music from its earliest beginnings in the southern United States, through its rise to popularity as a national phenomenon, to its current status as one of America’s most beloved musical genres. The film features interviews with more than 80 of the genre’s biggest stars, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard, George Strait, and Emmylou Harris. It also includes archival footage of some of country music’s most iconic moments, such as the Grand Ole Opry’s first live broadcast in 1925 and Hank Williams’ debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry in 1949. Ken Burns’ Country Music is now available to stream on Netflix.
What is Country Music?
Country music is a type of American popular music that originated in the Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the Appalachian Mountains and the blues of the Mississippi Delta.
Origins of Country Music
Country music is a genre of American popular music that originated in the rural South in the 1920s. It takes its roots from the folk music of the Anglo-American settlers of the Appalachian Mountains and the Southern United States. Country music often consists of ballads and dance tunes with simple forms, folk lyrics, and harmonies mostly accompanied by string instruments such as banjos, electric and acoustic guitars, steel guitars (such as pedal steels and dobros), and fiddles as well as harmonicas. Blues influences are evident in country music from the use of blue notes, call-and-response patterns, and microtonal inflections. There has also been a cross-pollination of country music with other genres such as pop, rock, and R&B. The main instruments used in traditional country music are acoustic guitar, bass guitar, drums, fiddle, harmony vocals, piano, pedal steel guitar, rhythm guitar, steel guitar, upright bass and vocals.
The Nashville Sound
The Nashville Sound is a subgenre of country music that emerged from Nashville, Tennessee, in the late 1950s. It was characterized by a more polished production sound than earlier country music, as well as “the addition of string instruments,vocals, and a more middle-of-the-road approach to songwriting” that was designed to appeal to a wider audience. The Nashville Sound was also notable for its incorporation of elements of pop music, which helped to make it more commercially successful.
One of the most successful and influential artists associated with the Nashville Sound was Patsy Cline, who had a string of hits in the 1960s including “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces.” Other artists associated with the Nashville Sound include Loretta Lynn, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard. The subgenre continued to be popular in the 1970s and 1980s with artists like Dolly Parton, Kenny Rogers, and Barbara Mandrell. In the 1990s and 2000s, the Nashville Sound evolved into what is now known as modern country music.
Outlaw Country
Outlaw country is a subgenre of country music, most popular during the 1970s and early-1980s, sometimes referred to as the renegade country movement. The music has its roots in earlier subgenres like honky tonk and rockabilly and is characterized by a blend of rock and folk influences. Outlaw country artists are often associated with an anti-establishment perspective and a willingness to challenge norms in the country music industry.
One of the most famous outlaw country artists is Willie Nelson, who was known for his unconventional lifestyle as well as his music. Other well-known outlaw country artists include Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson.
Contemporary Country Music
By the early 1990s, a group of country musicians had begun to rebel against the Nashville establishment. They wanted to return country music to its roots — and they were armed with guitars, fiddles and a new attitude. This new breed of country musician was defiance personified, and country music would never be the same.
The documentary series “Country Music” chronicles this evolution, tracing the genre’s development from its humble beginnings in theearly 20th century to its current status as one of America’s most popular art forms. The eight-part series was directed by Ken Burns and produced by Burns, Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey.
“Country Music” tells the story of an American art form that arose from humble beginnings in the rural Southwestern hills of Tennessee, Virginia and North Carolina. The music was first popularized by Singer Jimmie Rodgers, who fused elements of traditional folk music with blues and pop to create a sound that was all his own. Rodgers’ commercial success paved the way for other country artists, including the Carter Family and Hank Williams, who would go on to change the course of country music forever.
The series features interviews with more than 100 artists, historians and others who have played a role in shaping the genre, including Dolly Parton, Marty Stuart, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. It also features never-before-seen footage and photographs from private collections around the world.
“Country Music” is both a love letter to the music and its makers and a window into America itself — a place where people have always been searching for a voice to tell their stories. The eight-part series premieres September 15 on PBS.
Ken Burns’ Country Music Documentary
Netflix has recently added Ken Burns’ 16-hour documentary on country music to their collection. This documentary is an in-depth look at the history of country music and how it has shaped American culture. If you are a fan of country music or American history, this is a must-watch.
Overview of the Documentary
Ken Burns’ Country Music is a documentary series that explores the history of one of America’s most popular musical genres. The series features interviews with some of the genre’s biggest stars, as well as rare footage and recordings.
The series is now available to stream on Netflix.
Reception of the Documentary
Reception of the documentary has been highly positive, with a 92% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 46 reviews. The website’s critical consensus reads, “Ken Burns’ Country Music offers a rowdy, affectionate tour through the American south — and a sharp look at the Attempts to reckoning with its history.” On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 82 out of 100 based on 22 critics, indicating “universal acclaim”.
Where to Watch the Documentary
Ken Burns’ Country Music is a 16-hour documentary that tells the story of country music from its roots in the American south to its current popularity. The documentary is now available to watch on Netflix.
Netflix
The eight-part, 16-hour documentary directed by Ken Burns chronicles the history of country music from its roots in the early 20th century to today. It features interviews with more than 80 country music stars, including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Willie Nelson, and Reba McEntire. The documentary originally aired on PBS in September 2019 and is now available to stream on Netflix.
PBS
The popular documentary is now streaming on Netflix.
Conclusion
The eight-part, 16-hour documentary series originally aired on PBS in September 2019. It chronicles the history of country music from its roots in Appalachian folk music to its position as one of America’s most popular genres. The film features interviews with more than 80 country music legends, including Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, and Emmylou Harris.
