Documentary Chronicles History of Country Music — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more
(Nashville, Tenn. – Jan. 16, 2019) – Country Radio Seminar and the Country Music Association are pleased to announce that writer/producer, Dayton Duncan of the new eight-part, 16-hour COUNTRY MUSIC documentary that will premiere on PBS this fall, will appear as part of Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary (CRS 2019) keynote event. Ken Burns, who directed and co-produced the film withlong-time collaborators Duncan and Julie Dunfey, will appear via a taped intro piece, followed by Duncan discussing the film. The keynote event, set for Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 4 p.m., will offer attendees an exclusive first look at clips with rare footage and interviews conducted over the six years it took to produce the film. Country Radio Seminar Board President, Kurt Johnson will conclude the panel with an overview of how radio can get involved with this landmark event.
The film 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 throughout 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. More than 100 interviews were conducted in conjunction with this project.
“Ken Burns’ documentary is a monumental celebration of the country music genre,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern. “CMA is actively engaging our members to participate in this landmark series, and we’re delighted to share a sneak peek of the documentary with those attending CRS.”
Country Radio Seminar will be held Feb. 13 through Feb. 15 at Omni Nashville, in the heart of downtown Nashville. The $699 final registration rate for Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary Event (CRS 2019) is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com. Single-day passes are also being made available for $200 per pass and are limited to two-day passes per person.
About Country Radio Seminar: Country Radio Seminar is an annual convention designed to educate and promote the exchange of ideas and business practices in the Country music industry, with specific emphasis on issues relevant to Country radio. CRS 2019 will be held Feb. 13-15, 2019. Visit atwww.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more details. Visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com for more information. Follow CRS on Facebook, Twitter (Hashtag #CRS50) and Instagram. About the
Country Music Association: Founded in 1958, the Country Music Association is the first trade organization formed to promote a type of music. In 1961, CMA created the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize artists and industry professionals with Country Music’s highest honor. More than 7,400 music industry professionals and companies from around the globe are members of CMA. The organization’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s core initiatives: the CMA Awards, which annually recognize outstanding achievement in the industry; CMA Fest, which benefits the CMA Foundation and music education and is taped for a network television special, “CMA Fest”; and “CMA Country Christmas.” All of CMA’s television properties air on the ABC Television Network.