Country Music

Country Music : Episode 1 | 'The Rub' (Beginnings – 1933)

Country Music

Episode 1 | 'The Rub' (Beginnings – 1933)

See how what was first called “hillbilly music” reaches new audiences through phonographs and radio, and launches the careers of country music’s first big stars, the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.

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Ken Burns tells the vivid and complex history of country music – from its roots in ballads, hymns and the blues to its mainstream popularity – and invites us to meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it “America’s Music.”

PBS Wisconsin brings Burns’ panoramic view closer to home, offering up nine “Country Music Minutes” with historian Bill C. Malone introducing us to Wisconsin artists who made and continue to make an indelible imprint on this shared songbook.

Stream the entire “Country Music” docuseries here, or take a minute with our “Minutes” below and sing along with our diverse catalog of national and local and public media country music content.

Country Music | Stream the Whole Series

Country Music : Ep 1 | 'The Rub' (Beginnings – 1933)

Country Music

Ep 1 | 'The Rub' (Beginnings – 1933)

So-called “hillbilly music” reaches new listeners and launches its first stars’ careers.

Country Music : Ep 2 | 'Hard Times' (1933 – 1945)

Country Music

Ep 2 | 'Hard Times' (1933 – 1945)

Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing.

Country Music : Ep 3 | 'The Hillbilly Shakespeare' (1945 – 1953)

Country Music

Ep 3 | 'The Hillbilly Shakespeare' (1945 – 1953)

Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.

Country Music : Ep 4 | 'I Can’t Stop Loving You' (1953 – 1963)

Country Music

Ep 4 | 'I Can’t Stop Loving You' (1953 – 1963)

Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.

Country Music : Ep 5 | 'The Sons and Daughters of America' (1964 – 1968)

Country Music

Ep 5 | 'The Sons and Daughters of America' (1964 – 1968)

New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.

Country Music : Ep 6 | 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken?' (1968 – 1972)

Country Music

Ep 6 | 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken?' (1968 – 1972)

Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.

Country Music : Ep 7 | 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?' (1973 – 1983)

Country Music

Ep 7 | 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?' (1973 – 1983)

Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.

Country Music : Ep 8 |'Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’' (1984 – 1996)

Country Music

Ep 8 |'Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’' (1984 – 1996)

Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.

Wisconsin Country Music Minutes

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Bill MillerPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Bill Miller

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the life and work of Wisconsin-born Bill Miller, a Grammy Award-winning flautist, guitarist, singer and songwriter whose work often celebrates his Native American heritage and his Christian faith.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: BluegrassPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Bluegrass

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the legacy of bluegrass music in Wisconsin, highlighting the work of artists like Jerry Wicentowski, Mark Hembree, and Art and Stephanie Stevenson.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Cris PlataPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Cris Plata

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the life and music of Cris Plata, a South Texas native who moved to Wisconsin in the 1960s and forged a music career filled with the sounds of Tex-Mex, rock ‘n’ roll and country.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Felice BryantPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Felice Bryant

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the work and legacy of Wisconsin-born songwriter Felice Bryant, who along with her husband Boudleaux, wrote some of the biggest songs in country music and shaped the sound of the Everly Brothers with their work.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Dave DudleyPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Dave Dudley

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the life and work of Wisconsin-born country singer Dave Dudley, an artist whose work emphasized working-class experiences highlighted by his classic trucking song, “Six Days on the Road.”

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Eddie RiversPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Eddie Rivers

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the life and work of Wisconsin-born steel guitarist Eddie Rivers, who would help shape the Western Swing sound of Asleep at the Wheel.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Goose Island RamblersPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Goose Island Ramblers

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the Goose Island Ramblers, a Southern Wisconsin trio with a “Polkabilly” sound and an entertaining stage show.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Les PaulPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Les Paul

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the work of Wisconsin-born guitarist and musical inventor Les Paul, an internationally known jazz musician who began his career as a country entertainer in Wisconsin.

University Place : Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Pee Wee KingPBS Wisconsin Passport

University Place

September 9, 2019

Wisconsin Country Music Minute: Pee Wee King

Historian Bill C. Malone discusses the life and work of Wisconsin-born accordionist and songwriter Pee Wee King, who co-wrote “The Tennessee Waltz,” an international country hit.

PREVIEWS: COUNTRY MUSIC | A FILM BY KEN BURNS

Country Music : PBS Previews: Country Music

PBS Previews: Country Music

Meet the filmmakers and go behind the scenes of Country Music, coming to PBS this fall.

Country Music : Episode 2 Preview | 'Hard Times'

Episode 2 Preview | 'Hard Times'

Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing.

Country Music : Episode 3 Preview | 'The Hillbilly Shakespeare'

Episode 3 Preview | 'The Hillbilly Shakespeare'

Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.

Country Music : Episode 4 Preview | 'I Can’t Stop Loving You'

Episode 4 Preview | 'I Can’t Stop Loving You'

Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.

Country Music : Episode 5 Preview | 'The Sons and Daughters of America'

Episode 5 Preview | 'The Sons and Daughters of America'

New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.

Country Music : Episode 6 Preview | 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken?'

Episode 6 Preview | 'Will the Circle Be Unbroken?'

Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.

Country Music : Episode 7 Preview | 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?'

Episode 7 Preview | 'Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way?'

Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.

Country Music : Episode 8 Preview | 'Don’t Get Above Your Raisin''

Episode 8 Preview | 'Don’t Get Above Your Raisin''

Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.

African Americans and Country Music

American Masters : Charley Pride: I’m Just Me

American Masters

Charley Pride: I’m Just Me

Follow the country music superstar’s journey from segregated Mississippi to Nashville.

30-Minute Music Hour : Carolina Chocolate Drops

30-Minute Music Hour

Carolina Chocolate Drops

The 2011 Grammy winners throw down old-time music with a brand-new line-up.

In Performance at The White House : Educational Workshop: Darius Rucker

In Performance at The White House

Educational Workshop: Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker talks to kids and performs at the White House Educational Workshop

Women and Country Music

Country Music

Rhiannon Giddens Inspired by Powerful Women

Rhiannon Giddens explores the compelling stories and powerful women of ’90s country music.

PBS NewsHour : Reba McEntire on women in country and returning to her roots

PBS NewsHour

Reba McEntire on women in country and returning to her roots

Reba McEntire on women in country music and returning to her roots

Country Music

Jeannie Seely Reflects on Women’s Representation

Songwriter Jeannie Seely talks about how the way women were represented in country songs was changing.

PBS NewsHour : Shunned by country radio, female artists fight to be heard

PBS NewsHour

Shunned by country radio, female artists fight to be heard

Shunned by country radio, female artists in Nashville are looking to break through

Wisconsin Life

Wisconsin Life : Paco Fralick

Paco Fralick

Rhinelander musician Paco Fralick learns that it’s never too late to follow his dreams.

Wisconsin Life : Modern Cellist

Modern Cellist

Kim Souther is a classically trained cellist who is now making a unique genre of music.

Wisconsin Life : KC Williams

KC Williams

Milwaukee musician KC Williams forges a career from country music to the classroom.

Wisconsin Life : Wiscon-Sing

Wiscon-Sing

David HB Drake is a folk singer with a unique history program called “Wiscon-Sing.”

30-Minute Music Hour

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Austin City Limits

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Bluegrass Underground

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