Country Music by Ken Burns

Original version

BBC Four HD

Documentaries

Music: Country

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media: Arts

Hear the remarkable stories of the people and places behind a truly American art form.

Explore the history of country music – from its roots in ballads, hymns and the blues to its mainstream popularity – and meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it America’s music.

Explore the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. 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 series, directed by Ken Burns, features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. No-one has told the story this way before.

Series 1

BBC Four

Ken Burns

Country Music by Ken Burns: Series 1: Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983)

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983)

BBC Four - Country Music by Ken Burns, Series 1, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983)

The rise of the most famous woman in country music, Dolly Parton. 

The 1970s and early 1980s were a vibrant era in country music that saw Dolly Parton find mainstream success and Hank Williams Jr emerge from his famous father's shadow.

The 1970s and early 1980s saw country music entering a vibrant era of new voices and attitudes. Dolly Parton made the crossover to mainstream success and became the most famous woman in country music. In 1980 she achieved an entirely new level of national stardom when she joined Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the hit Hollywood movie Nine to Five.

While George Jones and Tammy Wynette seemed to live out their songs’ tragic lyrics, Hank Williams Jr emerged from his father’s shadow. He performed Hank Williams Sr’s music when he was just eight years old, debuted on the Opry at the age of 11 singing Lovesick Blues and recorded an album of his father’s hits at 14. But as soon as he turned 18, he dropped his mother as a manager.

Country Music by Ken Burns: Series 1

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Explore the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. 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 20th century. The series, directed by Ken Burns, features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. No-one has told the story this way before.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Country Music by Ken Burns

Series 1

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983)

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four