Ken Burns explores the true roots of country music in new documentary

[@visionquest7870]

African Americans have made giant contributions to American culture. I even found out that they brought the banjo to America.

[@TheFEaves]

Once again, Ken Burns has hit this out of the park! I've enjoyed every minute of it.

[@londorsey9626]

It would be nice if not all LIES!!! out of the park indeed.

[@TonyWardd-l9q]

@@londorsey9626… Country Music was solely created by Black People ! Why did Ken Burns gloss over that FACT ?

[@hedonistgrrrl8926]

I'm ADDICTED to Ken Burns' docus on Netflix before bed lol. I've seen them repeatedly yet theyre still comforting. Love his work!

[@CALABLEGAMING]

i thought i was the only one lol

[@adow7382]

Same here

[@peggygibbons479]

I hope you watched this. It was EPIC!!

[@marctaylor3114]

I thought I was the only one, I am A big time Classic Country Music Lover.

[@CocoTaveras8975]

hedonist grrrl SAME 👍

[@johnsmith6586]

The story of how Hank died suffering in pain in the back of that car brought me to tears

[@carolbenson3497]

He's outdone himself on this one. I'm watching over and over! Thank you so much for this history!

[@michaelrobertson5207]

Good to see you spoke with Haggard before we lost him.

[@atticusmcfly]

Ken Burns has been doing God's work for three decades. Documentaries like his are why I even own a television nowadays. Informative, awe-inspiring pieces of American History. You know, something my generation doesn't care about. Why do I feel like I'm gonna ball my eyes out watching this series?

[@NGBlad]

Saw Marty and his band in Duluth, MN this past summer. Marty's an American treasure. Fantastic tone.

[@tempus_fugit7366]

I have never been a fan of Country music, however I am very much a fan of history and Ken Burns signature story telling method is my favorite. I will not miss this!

[@suebabe100]

I'm not a fan either but this series is wonderful! You are in for a treat :)

[@Legendary_UA]

Without a doubt, his best work to date. This series was AMAZING.

[@wildflower434]

Love! Love!!! Love!!!! All of Ken Burns Documentaries. I am still watching and rewatching. The Documentry of Jazz. And, Once again. His Documentry Country Music, is excellent. I knew something about Country Music and some musicians. Because my family came from the south. The history and linage of country music. And the history of Grand Ole Orpy. It was excellent education I know I will watch it again several more times this week. I hope Mr. Burns music Documentry, will be the history of Rhythm and Blues, before he jumps into Rock and Roll. R&B needs to be educated because the artists that spin from the Soul, Gospel and Country Music. Those artists that led into Rock and Roll and created the sound of R&R. As well their personal struggles, of racism, addiction and exploitation.

[@dannyanime3468]

wildflower434 white people killed jazz and rock

[@NevadaBoss]

absolutely one of the best and most accurate musical documentaries ever..a must see for anyone who has any interest in 20th century American music.

[@KabobHope]

There wasn't that much difference culturally between poor white people and poor black people. My siblings took my white grandmother who was raised in rural Georgia to an authentic Soul Food restaurant. She left saying "that ain't Soul Food, that's Food Food." Everything on the menu was something she cooked at home nearly every day from scratch.

[@Flowglice]

No, black Americans created their own culture and poor whites have appropriated it.

[@stevenh4797]

For the first time, I drove cross country this summer, including a stop in Memphis. I knew little about country music other than my appreciation for Johnny Cash. Went to the Country Music Hall of Fame, and it was like I was hit by a ton of bricks, apparently like Ken Burns was. It's not just the storytelling, the storytelling is told like we're all family.

[@lovely-mk4rt]

I can’t wait to watch this documentary. Ken Burns’ integrity precedes him and the origins of country in America is a lesson in American History.

[@poowawatv6178]

it was my 1st time being disappointed with him but i was...

[@deesandiego]

an exceptional documentary to be enjoyed over and over . well done Mr Burns

[@mspeggylee4214]

AMAZING! COUNTRY music IS the music of Our COUNTRY 🇺🇸😀🎶 Thank YOU - Ken Burns 👏 👏 👏

[@jjj1951]

They showed the wrong Jimmy Rodgers.

[@lordXAVIJAANBJERGNOG]

haha

[@angellunsford2741]

I challenge ANYONE to watch this whole series & NOT be moved emotionally AND learn a whole lot.

[@jonathanlane4496]

Hey CBS, you showed the wrong Jimmie Rodgers pic against your narrative and accompanying music.

[@Dannys-mb5xy]

Great comment! Amazing that no one at CBS knew the difference between the Jimmie Rodgers who was a 1950's and 60's pop music star and the one who was a legendary 1920's and 30's country music star. The first Jimmie Rodgers died in 1933, the year the second one was born. For a 1930 Columbia Pictures musical short of the legendary Rodgers , KZbin search "Jimmie Rodgers The Singing Brakeman."

[@uppastdawn7627]

I am glad I wasn’t the only person that knows the real Jimmie Rodgers.

[@Dannys-mb5xy]

@@uppastdawn7627 I couldn't believe that anyone could make that mistake. I have re-releases of all his records. A great counterpoint to the early Carter Family records.

[@ninamartinez5596]

Ken Burns, a true national treasure! Best historical docs ever with unbiased truth , never feel like he is trying to sway me.✌❤🌎

[@tommytruth7595]

Unbiased?

[@iskaykabeya609]

Country music started in west and central Africa in the 1500

[@carolynkingsley4421]

I've been watching Ken's doc. on country music. And it does bring back memories. I grew up with country, only in those days it was called hillbilly. The radio stations were separate. It was either pop or hillbilly. When i went to grandma's house, it was all we listened to. She had a good friend named Ida, who would dance with the broom and sing Walkin the Floor Over You. That's where my love began.

[@tymeryder7264]

Country Music continues to change as a reflection of change in America. Is it evolution or reflection maybe both. Good to see Jeff Glor do one of the things he does best.

[@awrestlingfan5085]

The first episode was great on PBS last night. I'll be watching the rest. Love country music when its done right

[@oneafter9095]

If the people (millennials) understand how music (country, rhythm, blues and gospel) evolved in this country it will help them to appreciate it better...

[@tommytruth7595]

If millennials understood---or were taught in our public schools-----how this country evolved, it would help them appreciate it better and not fall for all the liberal b.s. and hatred of this country that they do these days.

[@Iwilldestroyyoo]

@@tommytruth7595 exactly!!!

[@djtheshooter6748]

Hank Williams, Jr. summed Country Music up in three words: "White Man's Blues."

[@snuffyballparks6501]

With a plastic soul.

[@commanderthorkilj.amundsen3426]

Snuffy Ballparks Let’s guess....you hate white folk.

[@jmissle]

Man Marty Stuart is such a cool dude......

[@tostentwo]

After living in China off and on for a number of years I was thinking about who we are in a different way. Our strength is in our real diversification. Our being so many things is who we are. If we aren't everything, we aren't anything. If we aren't everything, we aren't America, and being America in that way, warts and all, is a wondrous thing.

[@kingsleymoeng3758]

wow i am happy dolly parton still holding country music flag

[@dnifty1]

The roots of country music is in the music played by slaves in the 17th,18th and 19th century long before Europeans had migrated in large numbers into Southern Appalachia. Most of the "old time tunes" were simply old tunes passed down by former slaves in the "country". This is long before records so there is no documentation of this old time musical tradition in the South. Yet in the late 1800s there were plenty of black string bands, jug bands and hillbilly bands that played songs no different than what would later be called country.

[@iloverumi]

Did the slaves play their music on European instruments?

[@tommytruth7595]

That is foolishness, dnifty1. If that is true, why did they not continue with that music?

[@dnifty1]

@Jacob Boyd "Country Music" is an invention by the modern record industry. It is a label that means nothing. There was no such thing as "Country Music" in the 1800s. Prior to the rise of radio and records, all music was performed live. And in this goes back to the 1600s, 1700s and 1800s. At that time most people in America lived in rural areas and therefore most music was technically "country" music. That includes music played by African slaves, European immigants and so forth. The fusion of those traditions happened long before the term "country music" was invented. And Banjos are part of that fusion and evolution, which is not an instrument that came from Europe. LIkewise, the "picking" style of guitar playing is partly derived from "picking" tha banjo and picking styles of lutes and guitars from Africa and Spain. Because after all the guitar is an evolution of the African/Islamic Lute. At the time that "country music" was born, black bands were playing the same kings of instruments such as the fiddle, guitar, harmonica and banjo. These were "black string bands" from a far older tradition of rural music. This was not blues and was not unique to "country music". And the series itself shows how Jimmie Rogers one of the most popular country musicians was doing his own imitation of blues songs...

[@dwryman]

Let's hope the photo of Jimmie Rodgers at 1:25 is a CBS error and not a Ken Burns error. Cuz that's a photo of the fellow who sang Honeycomb, not the Singing Brakeman. Same name, different fellows.

[@minnowpd]

In the opening of his "civil war" series he got Ed Jenison's name wrong.

[@TBrickvision]

Good to know someone else noticed that.

[@Fschud]

I noticed this too!

[@lonesomeStu]

@@Fschud me as well!

[@dianeovercash6739]

Would like to have seen Allison Krause and Mark O'Connor included. Still this is a wonderfully comprehensive documentary.

[@ruthiemay4799]

Modern country music really sucks. It ain't country anymore. It's just crap. You can't talk about country without Tammy and George!!! "He stopped loving her today" is the pinnacle of country music.

[@badddd]

It's turned into pop

[@lukemcguire9406]

There’s plenty of good modern country music, just harder to find.

[@jms6605]

That’s music in general.

[@tommytruth7595]

Modern country music is garbage.

[@nateone6632]

Dude there's young people with old souls you h avent listened to it all and new music's being made I don't like country much but I realize

[@wesstewart3087]

It's a great program series, but I wish he would have included Johnny Horton and all the great patriotic songs he sang. What a historian in country music he was. Sadly also lost in 59 was Eddie Cochran a true rockabilly.

[@debbiecooper1677]

I cant wait to see this ... I am from eastern Ky and now live in Oklahoma . there is so many from Ky

[@mdmejia67]

Speaking of Ky unfortunately I don't recall the documentary covering the greatest country singer....Keith Whitley.

[@Eric-zc5vt]

Way to go Mr. Burns for acknowledging the black contribution to country music

[@peggygibbons479]

The BEST thing I ever watched!! And so many of my Facebook friends watched too, from a friend who actually KNEW Gram Parsons to my 90 yr old uncle to my 22 yr old daughter away at college.. We all discussed it and LOVED IT!!

[@seanmcmeown1992]

Great series

[@thegagabouche]

So much nostalgia and whoa Loretta Lynn😍🤗🎶🎤💞✨

[@kerry9025]

*Ken Burns is the master of Documentaries & I* *can’t wait to see this one. I hope it’s gonna be available for purchase on DVD; not strictly for viewing on PBS.*

[@MxWolvie]

Such an amazing series

[@nimrod9671]

It would be nice to see ken do the history of ROCK N ROLL. That would be his best film ever

[@ConsciousMechanism]

Never a country music listener. This Doc Rocks though! Historically relevant and equally important.

[@barryflick54]

I think its interesting that ken burns sees rock n roll as a manifestation of country......country came first.....then rock came out of it.....very true

[@wutangclams]

It’s not his opinion, it’s a studied history. Ken burns is just telling a much needed story. Very interesting history

[@gomerhanger2285]

episode 7 is over 2 hours long! its so addicting!

[@scottarivett496]

If he wanted to do a Johnny Cash biopic just call it that. Like most of KB’s docs I’ve seen he starts out well at the beginning..well researched and in depth at the grass roots level. Then about halfway through it starts getting tunnel vision and key things and people central to the theme get completely ignored and overlooked

[@OspreyFlyer]

Agree + way too much Rosanne Cash.

[@Danny-fs1hk]

...another Ken Burns masterpiece

[@ggentry2408]

Johnny Horton who did so much for Country Music was ignored, what a shame.

[@TSemasFl]

They ignored a lot of singers

[@ggentry2408]

@@TSemasFl That's true, but Johnny Horton was a very major player.

[@amberingraham7200]

“The sinking of the Rueben James” will always be my favorite song

[@mrgreggery]

This dude is an American Treasure. 🤘🏻

[@jeffthewhiff]

I am not a huge fan of country music, but I really enjoyed watching the last few episodes of Ken Burns documentary and it was excellent. Even though I don't usually make a point to listen to country music, I can fully appreciate the musicians who have created so many memorable songs over the years.

[@lakemichigan6598]

Finally, Ken Burns is looking old.

[@fabiogutierrez5197]

🤗 gracias por compartir bonitos recuerdos dorados de la música country 🎼🎵🎶🤗

[@74Spirit1]

It was very engaging

[@graytonw5238]

I know the real roots of country music go back way before artists like Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn, but I grew up during the 60s when they and others like Buck Owens, Hank Snow, Roy Acuff, Chet Atkins and others were the big names. For ME those were the roots, but it will be interesting to see how far back Burns really goes to get to the beginnings.

[@warpig4942]

Kris Kristofferson had 1 #1 song and was profiled for about 30 minutes. Conway Twitty had 55 #1 songs and wasn't profiled at all, was barely mentioned. So many other greats were not mentioned at all while they discussed the same borderline people over and over.

[@Dannys-mb5xy]

It always annoys me how people who make documentaries about country music fawn over Kris Kristofferson as if he was the biggest country star ever. (Maybe he works cheap.) The BBC did the same thing in their "Lost Highway" country music documentary. Kristofferson had lots of time on screen talking about early country music, decades before his time. There's LOTS of footage of Maybelle Carter spanning decades, but it doesn't show up very much in country music documentaries. (Maybe copyright problems.)

[@TSemasFl]

Exactly. Alabama got like 30 seconds.

[@Dannys-mb5xy]

@@TSemasFl Yep!

[@peepeepoopopolous2288]

Agreed. Kris was definitely important with his songwriting influence and presence with the Highwaymen, but Conway Twitty barely having a moment, and saying he was a rockabilly star not even mentioning the 55 number ones he had was a tad absurd. Well, there's always some problems but it was a great series nonetheless.

[@bdcowboy22]

Missing Glen Campbell in Country Music is like missing Ted Williams in Baseball.

[@geraldgreenfield5808]

Excellent series, ken Burns rocks!!!

[@colinbryan5376]

Hopefully Ken will cover Bluegrass which is really true Country, from the Appalachian’s, Tennessee and Kentucky. What passes for country these days is manufactured by record producers in Nashville. New country concentrates on appearance, not voice, to appeal to mass audience. Check out Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Traviss Tritt,and Rhonda Vincent, to name a few.

[@dennisoshea4906]

Watched the entire program outstanding Anything Ken Burns does is just the best

[@ghanamafia7199]

Ok...🤔so the origin of country music came from African Americans since most Country Stars of old had black mentors but it's funny how much backlash Beyonce (An African American) received for performing at the Country Music Awards...The art form was created by blacks but when blacks participate in that same art form, THERE IS A PROBLEM🤔...END OF DOCUMENTARY.

[@luketherambler5120]

The point is all colors of people created country music and that should make us all proud!

[@sammyjacksonofhollywood1245]

black people created country music, it's time to tell the world the truth.

[@davestambaugh7282]

From four until eight she made me nothin but a bar room clown. If that ain't a country song! Robert Johnson wrote it.

[@m.w.3256]

I have had my own prejudices regarding country music. Ken Burns’s stellar historical research changed my mind and heart! I’m ashamed for having such prejudices. Country Music performers had black mentors. The influence of these mentors are a part of country music! Country Music is America!!! Thank you so much Ken Burns for uniting America through your research! I am deeply grateful!!!

[@worsly]

Do they have editors at this news station. They have the old Jimmie Rodgers singng and show a picture of the other Jimmie Rodgers who sang Honeycomb.

[@jowilson2532]

one good thing about music when it hits you feel no pain

[@poowawatv6178]

he didn't cover mexican influence on the carters :( incomplete history at best

[@carolbenson6524]

My favorite documentary from Ken Burns!!!😅

[@andypinto1]

Just finished seeing his documentary. Wow, he dissed Barbara Mandrel. Left her out. Must be something personal.

[@philhoover717]

A lot of people were not included...but there is only so much time. Dottie West was left out...

[@hakimsharif2994]

Banjo is a African intervention!!

[@FloridaRaider]

Today's country music, is no longer country.. The stories are gone. It tells no story if all you can do is say you're country.

[@Code9]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong but isn't that black and white photo of "Jimmy Rogers" in the intro of this program a photo of the 1960's pop singer of the same name rather than the Jimmy Rogers (a.k.a. the "Singing Brakeman") from the 1920s whose yodeling is in the music track when that photo appears? If so, then that's pretty funny considering the subject of the program. Two entirely different men from two entirely different eras singing entirely different types of music.

[@alika207]

I loved this documentary!

[@bdcowboy22]

Burns is always educational. Good job with Hank and the Carter Family. Jimmy Rodgers too. And of course John. Burns had a couple big swings and missed tho. John Denver was HUGE and tho not Nashville was Country. And there was a no more talented country entertainer than Glen Campbell. One of the best guitarists ever. I mean Glen was 100 times more significant than Marty Stuart. Wichita Lineman is most played country song of the millennium.

[@maggiemae7749]

Someone please tell him to buy a better rug!

[@clarencethierry2402]

Wonder if anyone has shared this video with john Schneider of dukes of hazard.

[@LifeOfTheParty323]

Africans gave them the banjo. Mexicans gave them the guitar. Europeans gave them the fiddle.

[@thelastjohnwayne]

JIMMY ROGERS IS THE FATHER OF COUNTRY MUSIC. Every Icon of county music references Jimmy Rogers as at least one of their inspirations.

[@richardedwards9349]

Oh! ken, don't forget to not leave out civil rights and racism and the oppressed people of color

[@tommytruth7595]

Oh, he won't, don't worry.

[@TheBistoKid100]

What about the black string bands?

[@tedperry6466]

this has to be one of the worst news story I've ever seen. It's bad enough you showed the wrong photo of Jimmie Rodgers. But as much as I liked The Dukes Of Hazzard, I think there are a couple other Waylon Jennings songs that should have been played.

[@glenholman3612]

At :18 he referred to 'the hollars of West Virginia.' It's 'hollows,' not 'hollars.' Us Ridge Runers call it 'hollars' but we don't like anyone else to.

[@swingrfd]

Well, CBS nice report except you got the wrong Jimmie Rodgers in the photo at 1:25. Shame on you.

[@TheTruthAllDay]

Black People started every genre of music in America...

[@TheTruthAllDay]

@@ikillyoumjp please be intelligent for once...jazz..rap...rock n roll...soul...gospel...country...what has devil's created?

[@TheTruthAllDay]

@@ikillyoumjp Ok..Says The Guy With A Backwoods Of Kentucky Son Of His Uncle And His Uncle's Sister,America Came About After The Murdering Of The Indigenous People Of This Land.This Country Is Named After An Italian,Are You An Italian?...

[@TheTruthAllDay]

@@ikillyoumjp there's no such thing idiot...Language Was Created In,And On The Continent Of Africa.Math & Science...Are You Really This Ignorant?

[@TheTruthAllDay]

@@ikillyoumjp i noticed that there is no dispute about my crying...read a book

[@jamiejay7633]

"Devils" created the airplane, automobiles, light bulb, record player, TV, internet, computers and nearly every white majority country is a very good place to live. Blacks have contributed a lot to sports and music....

[@domochoa]

I’m surprised he didn’t say buddy bolden invented country music also

[@tommytruth7595]

Yes, me too.

[@fancysfolly554]

Loved Johnny Cash

[@anthonymaccherone]

Let's not forget that High Lonesome came from the Cherokee.

[@argenrichter1453]

Great documentary as usual Ken Burns but.... should have been more aptly titled " The History of Alcoholism and Drug Addiction in Country Music."

[@barakaobama7558]

4:17 The Banjo is an African instrument from Senegal. 🇸🇳 Just saying.

[@tommytruth7595]

@Jay Cee Vanilla Ice.

[@peacebewithyou6048]

Burns needs to wear a rug with some grey in it so it looks more natural/believable.

[@rickybobby6579]

1981 called Ken, they want their haircut back!!

[@bonanzatime]

John Mutch 1981? .. let me guess, you were 11 years old in 1981, and that's an 11 year old haircut.🤖

[@donaldewert2332]

Ernest Stoneman recorded before Carter Family.

[@1962jimg]

scots irish started it

[@londorsey9626]

Africans started Country!!

[@fabiogutierrez5197]

🤗❤️🎼🎵🎶🎹🤗

[@cidkult]

Love how they just skipped through the black part fast 😂🤣😂 can’t tell the truth for too long people won’t think this documentary is real. 🤣😂🥶

[@AmandaFromWisconsin]

Whenever I hear old country music, a lot of it sounds like old English folk ballads.

[@cidkult]

Jay Cee 😂🤣😂 clout chaser

[@tommytruth7595]

There isn't much to tell in that regard, Ella, no matter how Burns wants to spin that.

[@tommytruth7595]

It was not as bad as I thought ie would be, the Yankee guy did a good job. There was some blatant catering the first night but then after that, not too much. The real disgrace was during the last episode. They gave way too much attention to the long haired misfits who are not country at all and not enough time to the real country artist who had a number one hit every year for 30 years---George Strait. And that is a feat not equalled by any artist in any form of music, by the way George got all of about 10 minutes, if even that.

[@idasusanhedges]

The young man you had up on the screen when you mentioned Jimmy Rodgers is actually Jimmie Rodgers who was popular in the 1960s. Jimmy Rodgers who was a banjo picker and singer came from the 1920s who died in the 1930s! What a mistake!!!

[@thegatorgar6730]

Anyone reading this who loves authentic country music, check out the Cocaine And Rhinestones podcast hosted by Tyler Mahan Coe. You won’t regret it.

[@johnsmith6586]

Florida Georgia Line=Nickelback with a twang

[@matthewjones12181]

More like Florida Georgia Whine.

[@ratmadness4858]

does he explain the the slow decline of country music?

[@tommytruth7595]

What decline? You mean turning into pop/crap?

[@tommytruth7595]

@alterdestiny True, but there was a comeback with people like George Strait. It does seem to be wandering in a wasteland today, though.