On Wednesday, September 4th at 6:30pm, PBS39 and the Wabash County Museum will be host a free sneak preview screening of the upcoming TV event from PBS, Country Music, a film by Ken Burns. The airing will take place in the Crystal Gayle Theater located on the first floor of the Wabash County Museum, 36 E. Market Street, downtown Wabash.
Country Music is an eight-part, 16-hour documentary series that explores the history of a uniquely American art form. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the twentieth century.
The documentary, written by Duncan, who also wrote the illustrated companion book, chronicles the highs and lows of country music’s early days, from southern Appalachia’s songs of struggle, heartbreak and faith to the rollicking Western swing of Texas, California’s honky-tonks and Nashville’s “Grand Ole Opry.” The film follows the evolution of country music over the course of the 20th century as it eventually emerges to become “America’s music.”
COUNTRY MUSIC explores crucial questions –– “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?”–– while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived.
Much like the music itself, the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people.
PBS39, Fort Wayne, will be airing Country Music beginning Sunday, September 15 at 8:00pm on channel 39.1.