Biggest Oversights in the Ken Burns Country Music Documentary
The Ken Burns Country Music documentary that aired on PBS in mid September was a supreme gift to true country music fans and those who would become one over the 8 episodes, and 16 1/2 hours of the film. But understandably with an undertaking so vast as trying to tackle an entire genre of music, there were multiple artists that were not highlighted that arguably should have been.
Country fans who are up in arms over their favorite artists being “snubbed” need to appreciate that it would be difficult to impossible to highlight every entertainer, and even if the film had included 20 more artist profiles, there would be 20 more artists people would complain got overlooked. In hindsight, perhaps it would have taken 10 episodes instead of 8 to do the subject matter justice, but you can’t include everything, and you have to make sure what you produce is compelling to the audience. As Ken Burns and screenwriter Dayton Duncan have said, it was one of their biggest concerns that not enough stuff was highlighted, but they wanted to make sure the film came across not as a dry history work, but as something that tells the overarching story of country music, which they accomplished with flying colors.
Also worth noting is the final episode was meant to be more of a summation as opposed to a deep dive into the 80’s era. Just like Ken Burns did with his baseball film, the Country Music documentary was made opened ended, meaning it could be added to in the future. It is a living work, just like the story of country music itself. So for those disappointed artists like George Strait didn’t get more air time, or that the current era wasn’t included, that may be forthcoming in future installments, and is not entirely fair to get hung up over, at least not yet. It’s also important to not just dwell on who was forgotten, but who was included. The Maddox Brothers & Rose, Emmloyou Harris, and others that had major contributions to country, but sometimes get left out of top tier consideration in country history, were given their proper due.
But artists not featured from earlier eras are unlikely to receive more attention in the future. So not as a rebuke of the work of the documentary, but as an addendum for those who watched and might want to dig deeper into the history of country through some of its more important personalities not represented well in the film, here are some of the Country Music film’s biggest oversights.
Jim Reeves
The story of the tragic plane crash that killed country star Patsy Cline, along with Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas on March 5th, 1963 was one of the centerpieces of the Ken Burns documentary, as was her career that was very significant to country as Patsy became one of the first artists to cross over to pop, and help define the early “Nashville Sound” era.
But as country music historians will argue, at the time, Jim Reeves was just as significant, as was his plane crash that occurred just over a year later in 1964, ending his career tragically. The Country Music Hall of Famer’s career track was eerily similar to Patsy’s, where he was known for a more polished sound, and died right as his career was taking off. Unlike Patsy, many recordings from Reeves were still in the vault when he died, resulting in Jim having a robust career after his passing, resulting in four #1’s, and eleven Top 10’s. Jim Reeves was still charting Top 20 singles a decade after his death, including “I’d Fight The World” which came in at #13 in 1973.
The Jim Reeves plane crash was mentioned briefly in the documentary, but his life and career wasn’t, even though the Patsy Cline story gave it the perfect opening, and they were inexorably linked in the minds of many country fans at the time. In 1982, a compilation album called Remembering Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves was released, and was Certified Gold.
Don Williams
Don Williams was another Country Music Hall of Famer that didn’t even get a mention, though a brief shot of what appeared to be him from behind on stage entered the frame early in Episode 7. Don Williams played a huge role in country music, not just as a successful artist commercially, but as the guy many country fans will cite as being one of the most dear to their hearts. The “Gentle Giant” had seventeen #1 hits, 45 Top 10 hits, was the 1978 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and only had three singles from late 1974 into 1991 not make it into the Top 10.
Don Williams was not about promoting himself, and didn’t fit snugly into any specific sound or era. He wasn’t a flamboyant presence on or off the stage. He just sang his songs. This is probably one of the reasons the film passed him over, but this is also one of the reasons he was one of the most universally-beloved performers in country history. The warmth that accompanied his music was unparalleled. It was comfort music.
Glen Campbell
It’s somewhat understandable why the legacies of some artists got overlooked in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. Some artist’s legacies get lost over time. Others don’t have living advocates or champions helping to keep their contributions alive in the public consciousness. But during the production of the Ken Burns film, Glen Campbell was going through a farewell tour, and a high profile battle with Alzheimer’s. There was a compilation album, and tribute concerts. The Band Perry won a Grammy for re-recording his hit “Gentle On My Mind” written by John Hartford (who also didn’t get a mention in the film).
Similar to Jim Reeves, Glen Campbell was not a died-in-the-wool honky tonk crooner, he was a crossover star known just as much for pop as country. But his “Glen Campbell Show” (which got a quick mention, and was the only reference to the “Wichita Lineman” singer) was huge in spreading the appeal for country music, and was a big boost for the personalities who appeared on it. The Country Hall of Famer sold 45 million records worldwide, including twelve gold albums, four platinum albums, and a double-platinum album. He won five Grammy Awards, and ten ACM Awards. And before he became a country music superstar, he was a guitarist in the famed “Wrecking Crew” of studio musicians in Los Angeles who played on many on the biggest hits of the era.
Above and beyond his contributions and accomplishments, Glen Campbell defined what country music was for many people. Songs like “Gentle On My Mind” embodied the restlessness of the time. Not seeing Glen Campbell featured was almost like seeing someone in your family forgotten.
Conway Twitty
Many names have been offered up as artists overlooked in the series, but arguably the biggest one was Conway Twitty. And not just because the Country Music Hall of Famer was the most accomplished country artist to not receive a profile, or even that he was completely ignored. It’s that the film referenced Conway in passing, and twice, but both times only as a former rockabilly star turned country artist, not a guy with 44 #1 singles, let alone his career with Loretta Lynn as a duet partner.
To play Devil’s Advocate, the legacy of Conway Twitty is a spotty one. He was more of a commercial force in country rather than a creative one. His songs like “Never Been This Far Before” and “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” are retroactively creepy to some audiences. His persona was the inspiration for country comedy star Unknown Hinson, and fights between his kids and wife around his estate, and specifically “Twitty City” which was sold off to evangelists as opposed to being the shrine to his legacy it was meant to be, have put Conway on the wrong side of history.
But Conway Twitty is a Top 5 country music artist of all time from a statistical standpoint. Even if the film mixed the good with the bad in a retroactive on his career, Conway deserved more than a passing reference for his time in rockabilly. To many, Conway Twitty is country music.
Johnny Horton
Johnny Horton wasn’t especially prolific, and just like Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves, he died tragically in an accident when a car he was riding in with Tommy Tomlinson and Tillman Franks hit a truck head on in 1960 in Milam Country, Texas, and he passed away on the way to the hospital. But songs like “North To Alaska” and “Honky Tonk Man” were massively influential in country, and “Battle of New Orleans” has been considered one of the most significant songs of the last century by the Grammy Awards and other institutions. Though his career and life was short, Johnny Horton was beloved by his fellow performers. Johnny Cash attended his funeral.
Another interesting part of Johnny’s story that would have been perfect for the film is that at the time of his death, he was married to Billie Jean Horton—the same woman Hank Williams was married to when he died. Billie Jean is another personality (though never a performer) who seemed to be missing in the documentary. Billie Jean did a lot to keep the legacy of Johnny alive after his death.
Johnny Horton has also been mistaken for being a proprietor of racism over the years, which may have put him on the outside of being included in the documentary. His song “Johnny Reb” is considered more of a historical work, similar to “The Battle of New Orleans.” But a white supremacist singer named “Johnny Rebel” often is mistaken with both the song, and Johnny Horton.
Hank Snow
Aside from getting some face time singing his big hit “I’ve Been Everywhere,” it’s hard to say Hank Snow received his due, not only from the documentary, but many complaining about who got snubbed. The Canadian and Country Music Hall of Famer logged seven #1 hits, and 33 Top 10 songs during his heyday, and was a huge force in country music for decades. Similar to Don Williams, and unlike many other country stars, Hank Snow wasn’t all about marketing himself, which can make his impact blend into the background. But he had a big impact nonetheless, including opening up the appeal for country music in the Canadian market.
Hank Snow also holds a very historical distinction with his song “I’m Moving On,” which before the modern era and Billboard’s chart changes in 2012, held the record for the longest-charting #1 in country history at 21 weeks. Now that pop crossover spins are incorporated into country charts, Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Backroad,” and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant To Be” have hypothetically eclipsed that record. But if all things are equal, that record rightfully belongs to Hank Snow.
Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe
If you’re a fan of Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe, you have a right to be disappointed they weren’t even mentioned, but you also can’t be surprised. With their spotty pasts and the controversy that could have brewed from showing them in a positive light, it’s understandable why Ken Burns and writer Dayton Duncan just avoided the whole anthill. Still, both played significant roles in country, and it’s strange Paycheck couldn’t at least get a mention as being a side player behind numerous performers who were profiled, and the whole story behind “Take This Job and Shove It” seems perfect for a feature in the film, and a tie-in to country’s working class roots.
And if you wanted to see these guys in the documentary, you may have an unlikely ally. Some folks have criticized the film for whitewashing country history, and not including sketchy personalities like Coe and Paycheck. Remember, the point of the film is not to promote personalities, but to give an acculturate portrayal of country music from a historical perspective. If this is your goal, these two probably should be included.
Jerry Lee Lewis
The Sun Studios era was covered in depth in the documentary via Johnny Cash, the Million Dollar Quartet was referenced, of which Jerry Lee Lewis was a part of, yet he didn’t get his due for the second wind in his career when the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer arguably put together a Country Music Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Once again, personal behavior may have cause the filmmakers to shy away from giving Jerry Lee Lewis too much attention, but all the tie-ins and openings were there.
Jerry Jeff Walker, Doug Sahm, Michael Martin Murphy
You can be disappointed, but not particularly surprised that Doug Sahm didn’t make it into the documentary. His contributions to country music were mostly regional, and with such a premium on time, some people were going to get squeezed. Nonetheless, just mentioning his name in reference to Austin and the Armadillo World Headquarters would have gone a long way with Doug’s friends and family, and was warranted.
If it wasn’t for Jerry Jeff Walker, there arguably wouldn’t have been any music scene in Austin for Willie Nelson and others to come home to, or to rise from. He took his success with “Mr. Bojangles,” and along with songwriter Michael Martin Murphy, helped establish Austin as a country music epicenter. Of course Walker never saw similar success as he did in his folk days, but his support of Guy Clark (who was profiled), and other Texas songwriters deserved mention.
Bluegrass and Newgrass – John Hartford, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Jimmy Martin, et al.
The Ken Burns Country Music documentary did an excellent job making sure bluegrass didn’t play second fiddle to country in the film, and though there could have been more names and players mentioned, it did a valiant job representing this important portion of the music. However the legacy of Jimmy Martin, who was the self-professed “King of Bluegrass” got overlooked once more, just as Bill Monroe would have wanted.
Though it’s understandable that you can’t mention every artist, and John Hartford, Sam Bush, and Alison Krauss didn’t get mentioned (though Bush was pictured a couple of times behind other performers), perhaps a segment on more contemporary bluegrass, or “Newgrass” was warranted. Alison Krauss is the most awarded female in Grammy Awards history with 27, and has another 42 nominations, making her the third most in history among everyone.
The good news is if the documentary is ever added to, you can be assured that the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack released in 2000 will play a big role, and many bluegrass artists overlooked the first time will receive their due.
OTHER OVERSIGHTS:
Tanya Tucker – Even before her recent career resurgence, Tanya Tucker could be considered a Top 5 female artist in country music all time in regards to sales and radio support. She is likely to be a Country Music Hall of Fame contender in the coming years.
Linda Ronstadt – Though she converted to rock and pop early in her career, her work as an ambassador for country music rivals that of Gram Parsons, and if nothing else, her efforts with the “Trio” of Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris was worth mentioning.
Eddie Rabbitt – Though considered part of the “pop” problem in country by some, it’s hard to find songs more infectious than “Driving My Life Away” and “I Love A Rainy Night.” Eddie Rabbit was another who died young so his legacy was never properly cemented in country music. But it could have been with even a quick mention in the documentary.
Vern Gosdin – “The Voice” had a significant impact on country, and is considered a favorite artist by many. He was one of the casualties of the film’s quick pass through the mid 80’s that will hopefully be rectified if there are future installments.
Keith Whitley – Whitley was mentioned in reference to Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” but as the favorite artist of many, could have received a deeper dive into his career and tragic passing.
Marty Robbins – Marty was mentioned numerous times throughout the film, but probably deserved his own profile from the impact he had on the music.
Who did you think could have received more screen time? Give your opinion below.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:23 am
Conway, Campbell, and Horton deserved to be included the most out of those.
Sidenote: It is often overlooked how good a guitar player Campbell was. I watched an interview with Alice Cooper, who was really good friends with Glen Campbell. He said that Eddie van Halen called up up one day and asked him to set up a guitar lesson with Glen Campbell.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:53 am
Yeah, that is the lot of a studio musician. Musicians know what they did but few others do. I didn’t have chance to watch the last episode yet but did they mention Brent Mason? He defined the 90’s country sound in the studio but out of the business hardly anybody knows who he is.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:02 pm
He was not mentioned, although I think he was pictured in shots of studio musicians a time or two. There were so many photos that were not captioned nor were we told who the people in them were or what the significance of the photo was. It was up to the viewer to recognize the folks in them and provide the context for including the photo were it was included.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
I think George Jones should have had more time, he was a very big part of country music apart fro Tammy Wynette.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:21 pm
Are you kidding? George Jones got major time in the show.
September 30, 2019 @ 2:02 am
You are so right. There really wasn’t much mentioned about the music, just “the man”. Dreadful oversight. Though George Jones and Tammy Wynette made beautiful duets, he deserves to be most than a duet partner.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:46 pm
John Prine. He could be faintly heard singing My Old Kentucky Home in the first episode and that was it. It’s not like he just appeared on the scene.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:45 pm
He was considered Folk may be the reason. But so was Emmylou Harris and they spent a ton of time on her.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:07 pm
Old And In The Way, 1973 biggest selling blue grass album until Oh Brother Where Art Thou
September 28, 2019 @ 7:42 pm
There was a very brief mention of the New Riders of the Purple Sage in a comment by Ray Benson of Asleep at the Wheel, but Jerry Garcia wasn’t mentioned by name in reference to the New Riders, The Grateful Dead, the various projects he did with David Grisman. Some might argue that Workingman’s Dead was, among other things, a Country album.
Also from that era, David Bromberg a nice Jewish kid from Philiadelphia who was and still is among the best country fiddlers around.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:20 pm
The Dixie Chicks, and the political rumblings surrounding them would have been a great contribution. Though, I suspect Burns was avoiding controversy by excluding them.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
The Dixie Chicks and the later controversy did not fall into the timeline of the film. If they do cover future eras later on, I suspect the Dixie Chicks would play a huge role, not just for the controversy, but because they were the biggest thing in country music in the years leading up to it.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:53 pm
I grew up on the sidelines of the Grand Ole Opry for my father was the first CMA Hall of Fame announcer. I also thought of Jim Reeves, Dottie West, Don Gibson and Johnny Horton. I surmised that since they had crossover music in some cases, but I didn’t understand why they were deleted. Perhaps also a future episode could include songwriters. Hope to see more of this type of doc in future years.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:15 pm
I would have liked to see more of the songwriters included. One artist and songwriter I wished would have been mentioned is Mickey Newbury. He had so many songs recorded by artists from every genre. Still thought the documentary was excellent. I loved that Merle was on throughout the series. Absolutely deserved every bit of airtime he got. Vince Gill has a beautiful song about Merle on his latest album. Still breaks my heart that he’s gone.
September 29, 2019 @ 9:02 am
I agree Newbury should have at least been mentioned – but perhaps the fact that the biggest hit he wrote turned out to be a rock release by Kenny Rogers and the First Edition (Just Dropped In). His “train songs” are even mentioned in Waylon’s hit release of ‘Luckenbach, Texas.” In the late 60’s a lot of people were making hits out of his songs, including Tom Jones and he was inducted into the songwriting hall of fame in 1980.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:10 pm
Recognition of songwriters was hit or miss. Those who were still living and made themselves available to be interviewed, such a Billy Braddock, got attention. Those who had already passed on or did not participate in the documentary did not get much attention. They quoted Harland Howard’s old saw about “three chords and the truth” but neglected his frequent writing partner Hank Cochran, who probably had a more prolific career overall than Howard, and his equally well known mantra, “Keep it short, keep it simple, keep it sweet.”
October 20, 2019 @ 10:28 pm
Opps, I misquoted Hank Cochran. his mantra was, “Make it short. Make it sweet. Make it rhyme.”
September 28, 2019 @ 4:04 pm
Several acts I loved were left out/undermentioned. Tanya Tucker is one, Conway Twitty another. But my favorite country artists of all time are The Forester Sisters. They owned the mid-80’s along with the Judd’s. I was hoping they would at least get mentioned.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:14 pm
Tanya was mentioned more than just in passing. Her producer’s proclivity to have her cut songs with mature themes as a 13 year old were discussed. She probably should have gotten a little more time, but the series chose to cover a few examples in detail that steered the development of country music rather than try to be all inclusive of everyone who contributed without changing the course of where country music was headed.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:18 pm
Buck Owens Don Rich could’ve been more elaborate…they dominated the 60s…21 number one hits…fathers of the Bakersfield sound.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:19 pm
Buck’s recording techniques in L.A. that were optimized to sound good on AM radio was covered in detail. Later own, Darius Rucker was quoted about how he noticed the way Buck’s songs sounded sonically different over the radio. There was an artist profile that included details about where he was born, etc. Owens had just died a few years before the project got off the ground or they would have probably interviewed him like they did Haggard and Dwight Yoakam.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:36 pm
Yes. But the sound of Buck and Don Rich singing together was part of the magic; as well as Dons inventive licks on the Fender Telecaster. Twin Reverb Amps; tenor harmonies through the chorus; upbeat songs that sounded as good live as they did on records.
October 20, 2019 @ 11:21 pm
And all that was covered along with several clips of Buck and Don performing live together.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:50 pm
Having not seen this yet I have to ask if Barbara Mandrell was mentioned. I feel she gets overlooked many times when shows like this come around. Charley pride Conway twitty don Williams are major names in the history of music that should always be remembered and acknowledged. Barbara Mandrell set the bar for the artists of today as pasty cline did it for her.
September 29, 2019 @ 1:02 am
I saw Don Williams once. He came out, played his songs, said very little, and showed a rather disagreeable side over a temporary audio problem. It did not leave a good impression. They are supposed to be entertainers. Some people should not perform live.
September 29, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
That was probably a very rare incident. You don’t say when it was, so I wonder if it was later in his career when he was facing health issues.
I saw him once live and my experience was completely different. And then there are the countless times I’ve seen him on programs and the such where the behavior you describe was never present.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:23 pm
Barbara got a short artist profile. Charley Pride was a major part of Episode 6 (?). Conway was mentioned a few times, mostly n relation to his duet with Loretta Lynn, who was covered in great detail.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:03 pm
It gave the way mpression that Johnny Cash went straight from the trash heap to being saved by Rick Rubin. Completely ignored his time with the Highwaymen, country’s first supergroup. I saw them three times. All shows were sold out.
September 29, 2019 @ 12:53 am
Sorry I never got to see them. They toured from 1985 to 1995 and released three albums. I already posted, questioning how that could have been omitted.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:25 am
Conway was the biggest head scratcher here. He was huge in his heyday. With and without Loretta. You’re right about some of his songs being a bit creepy with the subject matter, damn near soft core! But! As they say, “Conway was the best friend a song ever had.”
September 28, 2019 @ 3:55 pm
Your entertaining and informative site has been a great companion to this excellent documentary. Some of your frequent fliers got predictably snarky about omissions and over-inclusions… that’s entertaining as well. Their passion is admirable. My biggest reminder watching CM, FWIW, is that the only thing “sacred” about any music regardless of genre is the connection it makes to the listener. The second it leaves the porch/ garage/ workstation for the marketplace it’s directed, limited and sometimes tainted by commerce, all the way back (at least) to Stephen Foster. That sacred connection, though, is a very serious and substantial thing, and what I see at the heart of “Saving Country Music.” Insisting on the ring of truth in a deceptive world, Thanks for your efforts.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
Good point. Though some some country fans I believe have been over-the-top in their criticism of omissions, it’s because they’re passionate about their favorite artists. And by speaking up, they’re helping others find things they might have missed.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:14 pm
After a couple of days to think about it I think the only thing I strongly disagree with is the WAY too much time spent on Bob Dylan. This was just not the series for that. Maybe a passing reference to his ‘Nashville Skyline’ album (Lay Lady Lay is a great country song IMO) would have been appropriate but that’s it.
The Cash stuff was overdone (especially going back to his story for no real reason as happened a couple times) but is more debatable.
I would say ep 1 was very good, eps 2,3,4 were damn near perfect and the last 4 were more mixed.
October 20, 2019 @ 10:57 pm
The Carters, Hank, Cash, Haggard, and Jones. They’re the titans of country music.
Along with Gershwin, Armstrong, Coltrane, Muddy Waters, Fats Domino, Chuck Berry, Elvis, Dylan, Ray Charles, Aretha, Michael Jackson, etc. they were titans of American music.
September 29, 2019 @ 7:46 am
Trigger, your comments are spot on. However, in reading the comments of some of the other critics, I wonder if they watched the same documentary that I did. They complain that certain artists were omitted and I certainly saw them mentioned. I would make sure that I had seen the whole documentary, all of it, before I complained.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:28 am
Kenny Rogers.
Kenny is a superstar, not just of country music, but of all entertainment. He was presented as a footnote.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:36 am
I don’t see a problem with that at all.
He has maybe 3 great songs that could be considered country and everything else pop
September 28, 2019 @ 12:04 pm
Kenny is one of the guys I can see them expanding the profile on if they add episodes to this in the future, just like George Strait. At least Kenny was mentioned, and was “The Gambler” for how big of a song it was.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:46 pm
That’s a Don Schlitz song. Did they mention him?
September 28, 2019 @ 11:34 am
Eddie and Glen Campbell should be featured if he does a pop documentary
September 28, 2019 @ 11:34 am
I was kind of surprised there wasn’t more on Ronnie Milsap, especially since he was one of the commentators. They kind of touched on him real quick then was done. The man had hit after hit after hit..I agree with you on Glen Campbell too. On the other hand, I feel they spent way too MUCH time on Emmylou and Rodney . Still a great show, not many complaints here.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
Ronnie Milsap had a number of commentary segments so I don’t feel like he was snubbed, and I’m guessing that is why they didn’t give him more profile time with it being at such a premium.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:36 am
Haven’t heard anybody mention Marty Robbins.
September 30, 2019 @ 11:18 am
Marty Robbins got a lot of mention in the documentary that I saw.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:37 am
Loved the documentary, but wish they would’ve talked about the alt country movement in the 90’s.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:25 pm
Why was Alan Jackson overlooked?
September 28, 2019 @ 5:54 pm
I agree…I was looking for Alan Jackson more than a mere footnote…that I was disappointed but otherwise enjoyed the series very much.
October 20, 2019 @ 11:19 pm
The official time frame of the project was 1927-1996. Everything they covered after about 1983 felt like they were running out of time to get it all in. The alt country and Americana movement were mentioned, but they didn’t really start building steam until about the time of the 1996 cutoff. Things that happened after 1996 that were covered, such as the death of Johnny Cash in 2003, were simply loose ends from storylines that began well before the mid-1990s. Jackson’s first release was in 1989 and his hits didn’t begin until the early 1990s. Most of the narrative of the last episode, though, was about the earlier “new traditionalists” that paved the way in the mid 1980s for artists like Jackson. The main story from the 1990s was the way that Garth changed the expectation for country music sales ten or twenty fold and how that affected the business side of country music.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:38 am
Yes, him too. It wss like “He had a big hit with the Gambler and they made 4 movies out of it”.
The End.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:45 am
That was supposed to be a reply to Ralph
September 28, 2019 @ 11:38 am
The two acts that I thought should have received some acknowledgement were patty Loveless and the Louvin Brothers. While there were side references, they weren’t really acknowledged as individual acts. The Louvins were a significant influence on the Everly Brothers and then the whole west coast Cosmic American Music thing with Gram Parsons, Emmylou, Linda Ronstadt (look for her duet on You’re Running Wild with Nicolette Larson if you want to hear how that eerie harmony blend fit in with the Country-Rock beginnings in California) and a whole string of their compatriots. Patty was mentioned for duetting with Vince Gill but it sure looked to me, that when they showed the song the second time ( at George Jones’ funeral), it wasn’t Patty singing with him. I’m not sure who it was, but it could have been Dawn Sears.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:56 am
That was definitely Patty Loveless singing at the Jones’ memorial service with Vince.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:32 pm
Rewatched on youtube. Definitely Patty.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:20 pm
Though they didn’t receive their own profile, Emmylou Harris talking about the Louvin Brothers, and what an impact they had on Gram Parsons and herself I think did a lot to spread their legacy and make sure it was included in the film. Could have been more, but much better than a complete oversight. Hearing Emmylou’s testimonial hopefully compelled a lot of folks to look into them.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
I agree. It’s just that there weere a few references to them but they just hung there with nothing to refer back to.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:40 am
How is Tight Fittin’ Jeans “creepy”? If it is, I’d say virtually the entire canon of popular music is.
Conway may not have been such a prolific songwriter as someone like Merle Haggard, but he was one hell of a country singer.
I’m not trying to have a go, as I appreciate what you’re doing with this article, but few people did it better than Conway.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:23 pm
I think it’s fair to call a few of Conway’s songs “creepy” if we’re being honest. I admit this might be an unpopular opinion. “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” may not be the best example (though not a terrible one), but “You’ve Never Been This Far Before” and “Already Loved You In My Mind” are pretty good ones.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:50 pm
An article on Conway’s songs and the legacy and how some seem creepy now would be interesting. Anyway live your site and thank you for reviewing all the episodes. Alway find your thoughts and opinions interesting and have also enjoyed reading all the comments.
September 28, 2019 @ 8:44 pm
How are those songs creepy? They’re just songs about lust and sex, which pop culture is full of, because both come very natural to the human race.
To say those songs are creepy is to say human nature is creepy.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
I agree great program but needed more Conway
September 28, 2019 @ 11:42 am
Merle Travis was one of the most important guitar players in any genre was barely mentioned him. My biggest gripe is that besides bluegrass they tended to overlook the most important instrumentalists. They didn’t really even cover Chet Atkins well enough considering how central he was to everything that defined country and was fought over for decades. After the bit on the Carter family they just tagged him as the big business, Nashville sound guy. But he’s the guy who got top flight musicians from classical to jazz to realize that they actually had some peers in Nashville.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:43 am
The reason this happened is that this series wasn’t about the development of country music but about how some big careers in country music represented “the American experience” according to Ken Burns(TM).
If it were about the music and its traditions, you’d have a series about topics, styles, traditionalists, rebels, lines of influence, that sort of thing. But that kind of approach is too specialized for the Ken Burns audience, which wants to feel good about everything in the end.
Aside from the photographs and video footage, this series is not reference quality. It’s infotainment, just at a higher level than what you usually see on teevee.
That said, I hope it leads to a boomlet of interest among the young.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:01 pm
I agree and dare I say, the Ken Burns-ing of this subject felt a little pandering when it came time to blend the African-American experiences into the Country Music mythos. I understand & can appreciate the Blues and Gospel influences of Country and am a fan of Rhiannon Giddens. I have a photo of Leadbelly on my living room wall. But just like a by-the-numbers Action Movie, Ken Burns insists on hitting a beat every 15 minutes by inserting an old photo or an interview of a Black Artist to remind folks of his woke nature or keep PBS black viewers content, when it really wasnt needed.
September 29, 2019 @ 9:54 pm
Completely closing out the voice of African Americans and Hispanics is wrong, just like refusing to acknowledge the many contributions women have made to Country music is wrong. For example, Alison Krause was not even mentioned in this program for what she has done as a singer/folk/blue grass musician over the last 30 years. But on the flip side, Marty Stuart, Vince Gill, and Ricky Scaggs were allowed to hijack blue grass and be the only voices of a segment of music they’re part of, but do not own by themselves, as if they alone own it. Their perspectives may be the reason Tennesse Ernie Ford was not even mentioned in the series. Keeping blue grass music alive is far different than making it seem as if your approval is the only one that counts when it come to blue grass music.
Some of the fantastic music that comes from our southern border towns was included, but groups like Los Lobos were not mentioned. They discussed how Johnny Cash was slurred by calling his wife a negro as a pejorative after his arrest in the 1960s. What’s even sadder is the Cash family’s refusal to acknowledge his 1st wife is most likely actually of Hispanic descent, and Hispanic music is intertwined into the fabric of country. Even today, we see the mix of people from our border towns, and much of our music is reflective of it, but is roots from Mexico and the USA are not acknowledged.
Finally, Wynton Marcellus was included because he is a musician who has an extensive pedigree that allows him to speak about all the various forms of music in the documentary. A.P. Carter is treated as a towering figure in Country, but as it was revealed in the first two episodes, he stole or plagiarized a lot of his music from black churches or musicians. Furthermore, the series did not explore how Country music has spawned another branch of gospel music. They touched upon Kris Kristofferson and Vince Hill’s gospel songs, but did not mention Amy Grant or the many other Country gospel artist who have expanded this genre of music. Country music is expansive and touches every area of the USA. Even John Denver was maligned because he was not from Nashville. Although he was from Colorado, he felt he was just as country as anyone else from Nashville. We must stop excluding many artist that come from a place other than Nashville, or do not look like they live a rural lifestyle. We can embrace folk/blue grass/gospel/tex-mex/honky tonk, etc. music as part of country music without losing the core of what makes great: 1. poetic song writing that conveys a clear message; 2. superb live performances, musicianship, and singing that deliver for any audience; 3. special instrumentation like the banjo, fiddle, steel guitar, etc. that is a unique essential part of the music’s identity; and 4. artists whose intentions are geniune to whatever they create. If the artist is faking it that will easily be weeded out, but we still need to give folks outside of our typical archetype an invitation to the rodeo.
October 1, 2019 @ 8:28 am
John Denver wasn’t from Colorado, he was a military brat who grew up everywhere, and was living in Minnesota when he launched his music career. He didn’t move to Colorado until after he hit it big.
October 2, 2019 @ 1:45 am
Tom-you are correct regarding John Denver. I have no way to edit or correct the post once it is made. I feel John Denver’s life as a military dependent and pilot helped him write the songs he was well known for in a manner that could be descriptive and relatable to anyone who heard them.
Ultimately, my point is people that live near Denver, Colorado, Boise, Idaho, or other fly over areas in the country have their own country experiences that are just as valid as anyone from Nashville, Texas, Appalachia, etc. I hope traditional Western music is re-established as a genre of Country music to allow artist from the plains, far west, and far north to gain greater recognition as country artist without having to be pidgeon holed as a folk artist or novelty act. One’s country expression and experience in Omaha, Nebraska may not be the next person’s country life in Bakersfield, California, but that does not make each individual position more or less valid than the other. Country is huge and it does better when artists are able to sing about who they are and where they come from anywhere within the country. It never is good when it feels like a gimmick, a mockery of country people and their lifestyle, or forced upon the listeners.
October 20, 2019 @ 11:47 pm
The reason Marty, Vince, and Rickey were the ones speaking for Bluegrass is because Big Mon, Earl, and Lester (and Jimmy Martin, who was scarcely mentioned probably due to the loyalty Marty and Ricky felt to Bill Monroe – Monroe refused to acknowledge Martin as a peer and did all he could to prevent Martin from getting the recognition he deserved) were long dead by the time this documentary got started. They did include Jimmy’s recording of “Grand Ole Opry Song” while showing pictures of the Ryman and discussing its popularity in the period immediately before the move to the GOOH.
Ralph Stanley’s health was deteriorating for several years and he died in 2016 during the time they were doing the interviews. Perhaps they intended to get to him but didn’t have the chance until it was too late. He was profiled, though.
Alison’s career didn’t really get going towards a wider audience until around 1996, which was the end date for the documentary. Her cover of “When You Say Nothing At All”, which is what put her on the map for a lot of folks, released in 1995. Del McCoury and Rhonda Vincent didn’t become household names until well after 1996.
October 21, 2019 @ 12:30 am
Refusing to acknowledge the contributions women have made to country music? Where you watching the same documentary I was?
Mother Maybelle, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, and Reba McEntire all got major chunks of time. The last photo at the end of the entire thing before it faded to black and the credits began to roll was Mother Maybelle Carter! It should be fairly obvious to anyone who paid attention why she was selected for that honor.
It seemed that rather than trying to include everyone, the film chose a few artists from each period that more or less defined the ethos of that period and looked at them in depth.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:45 am
This is a great overview of something we’re all thinking about the documentary (which I have been aniticipating for a long time.). Even with 16 hours, there’s just so much to tell. I agree with this list, especially the “whitewashing” comment about Coe and Paycheck. But you gotta teach the good with the bad.
Maybe I missed it, but there didn’t seem to be a real examination of the pedal steel. We got a pretty good look at the banjo and the fiddle, but that pedal steel really drove the entire enterprise into a new world. I don’t think I heard “ShoBud” mentioned once. And how about the B-Bender? Anyone want to hear about that? Clarence White?
September 28, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Totally agree about steel not getting it’s due. They should have given a couple minutes.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:25 pm
There was a moment when Lloyd Green played the steel guitar during his interview, but the story of how its appeal was solidified during World War 2 with GI’s in the Pacific theater was left out.
September 28, 2019 @ 11:45 am
You captured some of my thoughts/feelings exactly. Thanks for this excellent post. I did love the show though even with it’s flaws…..
September 28, 2019 @ 11:48 am
I”d just love to see an entire JJW doc
JJW is why I got into this music. I saw him 20 some times. Flew from Boston to Austin for his 50th .
But, I understand that that is totally selfish on my part
September 28, 2019 @ 8:42 pm
Naw, Jerry Jeff Walker was a moderately talented entertainer who threw away his career with alcohol and no-shows. Guy still owes me a show from .
September 28, 2019 @ 11:54 am
I agree with that the first six you mention deserved real coverage….but have to admit it would have been impossible to do real justice to them (and a few others) without adding another 2 hours. One songwriter that was ignored: Bob McDill. He wrote: Don’t Close Your Eyes, Gone Country, Amanda, She Don’t Know She’s Beautiful, etc. And my favorite Don Williams; single: Good Ole Boys Like Me. However, again, there just wasn’t enough time.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:08 pm
It seems like if you were one of the stars interviewed for this documentary, your songs or songwriting skills were highlighted. Too much time was spent on Johnny Cash and the Carter family. Obviously, they touched on George Strait, but he’s more significant than Cash’s later years. Again, Roseanne Cash provided a lot of insight and, therefore, her Dad was used all through the piece. Kitty Wells was the biggest oversight. But, enjoyed watching.
October 21, 2019 @ 12:04 am
Cash was one of those generational larger than life figures. His story was just as dramatic and interesting as his songs. He took country music to places it had not previously been.
Strait didn’t do anything to revolutionize country music the way Cash and the other rockabillies did in the late 1950s. He had a long string of hits that all sound pretty much the same. His life, at least the part the public knows, was boring compared to Cash’s.
I’ll also have to respectfully disagree that George Strait was more significant than Cash’s later years. Strait may have sold more records because country music, particularly country radio, rode Garth’s coattails in the early 1990s. Many listeners who would have never dreamed of tuning in to a country radio station in the 1990s were brought into the alt country fold because of Cash’s recordings for Rick Rubin and the songs he covered from artists in very different genres.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
John Hartford should not be forgotten. Great performer and not to forget, awesome song writer.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:58 pm
If any of you believe that you could do a better job than Ken Burns did, have at it.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:37 pm
Give us Ken’s budget, and we could. He’s not some god.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:10 pm
Unless it happened when I stepped away at some point, I didn’t see any mention of John Anderson. I thought he’d be mentioned in the last episode during the portion about Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, and Randy Travis. Anderson was one of the pivotal artists that helped shift country back in a traditional direction at that point in time, not to mention one of the greatest pure singers in the history of country music.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:10 pm
Country Music was a valuable accomplishment. It was eye-opening and entertaining. It was heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Ken Burns clearly depicted the love and respect all these stars had for each other’s music. God only knows how difficult it would be to honor all the gifted country artists. I would love to have seen Jonathan Edwards! ♥️ May the circle be unbroken!
October 1, 2019 @ 8:34 am
Jonathan Edwards? You mean the one-hit wonder (“Sunshine”) pop singer that “went country” along with every other ignored pop singer in the late 1980s and had a couple of top-80 country hits?
September 28, 2019 @ 12:14 pm
Surprised that the most awarded act in Country Music was not mentioned; The Statler Brothers…They were the behind the scenes reason Johnny Cash was so loved.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:59 pm
I definitely agree that the Statler Brothers should have been included. If the best of Country music is rated a ten, the Statlers were a twenty! They were the classiest country music act for many many years. I was fortunate enough to see them in concert twice, once when Lou Burdette was their high tenor, and once when Jimmy Fortune was with them. I did hear them get a brief mention in one segment as backup singers for Johnny Cash, and Don Reid appeared once in a brief comment.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:36 pm
I didn’t get to watch the series, but have monitored these reviews and comments and was coming here to ask why the Statler Brothers didn’t get much mention. Did the Oak Ridge Boys make the cut?
Also, I think you meant Lew Dewitt. He was their original tenor.
September 28, 2019 @ 7:21 pm
They were mentioned only in reference to Johnny cash and performing at Folsom prison. Don Reid did have a few speaking parts. Oak ridge boys were probably given 10 seconds mentioning how many hits they had.
September 29, 2019 @ 6:26 am
Sorry I missed those episodes, glad Ray was mentioned
September 28, 2019 @ 12:14 pm
The smoothest singer of all was not even mentioned. Ray Price
September 28, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
Actually Ray Price was mentioned and pictured numerous times, including in relation to Hank Williams and Willie Nelson, and made it into a couple of different episodes. He didn’t receive a full profile though.
September 29, 2019 @ 6:29 am
Sorry I missed those episodes, glad Ray was mentioned. What would have been appropriate
was to made mention of Martin guitars, the instruments of choice
September 28, 2019 @ 12:16 pm
Roy Clark was one of the best guitarists in history. Just watch him play “Malaguena” on the TV show “The Odd Couple.”
September 28, 2019 @ 12:18 pm
A little bit of time on Jimmy Martin would have been nice considering how many great players in the Newgrass movement spent time in his band. But if you talk about problematic personalities, Coe and Paycheck have nothing on Martin in that department. ‘Sunny Side of the Mountain’ is a bluegrass standard though, and Jimmy had an insistence on quality that makes his records something for any bluegrass picker to study.
October 21, 2019 @ 12:12 am
They did play his recording of “Grand Ole Opry Song” from the 1972 “Will the Circle…” project during one of the photo montages of the Ryman.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:25 pm
Bobby Bare, Johnny Lee, Mickie Gilley, Moe Bandy, George Strait, Tanya Tucker just a few that could have added a lot to keeping country music alive.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:26 pm
Lil’ Nas X 🤣
September 28, 2019 @ 12:27 pm
I thought Billie Joe Shaver was a bit unlucky. His historic contribution to the Honky Tonk Heroes album got passed over. Also, he is not directly associated with songwriter circle associated with Guy Clark and TVZ (like Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell for, instance). Still, if you like them, there’s a good chance you like Billie Joe. Would have loved to see him interviewed and see him flash that big ol’ Billie Joe Shaver “million dollar smile.”
Lucinda Williams. I guess she didn’t have her break out until 1998, when Cars Wheels on Gravel Road came out and ended up going gold (500,000+ sold!). Her eponymous Lucinda Williams album from 1988 is now thought of a landmark album and Mary Chapin Carpenter had a hit with Passionate Kisses and I think Tom Petty covered Changed the Locks.
Gillian Welch’s Revival album came out in 1996. It’s old timey feel was noteworthy at the time and she and partner David Rawlings are still trucking.
October 21, 2019 @ 12:20 am
It might have had something to do with the man he shot during the time they were putting this thing together. he probably got banned the same way Paycheck and Coe did.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:31 pm
Kitty Wells was the biggest snub to me. Her name was mentioned but she should have had her own section. All females wanted to be Kitty
September 28, 2019 @ 6:03 pm
I agree. Kitty wells was the official Queen of country after all. She paved the way for Loretta and Patsy and the rest. And her lifelong marriage to Fellow country star Johnnie Wright had a huge Impact on the industry. Ironically there was a whole episode entitled ‘I can’t stop loving you’ which was first recorded by Kitty Wells (as far as I know) and later with her and Johnnie. Which were both big hits.
Anyhow I think Kitty Wells, Don Williams and Bobby Bare were the biggest snubs.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:35 pm
Whelp, I just posted my case for George Strait here:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/review-country-music-by-ken-burns-final-recap/
before seeing this blog entry. Otherwise, I basically agree with all of the above, including Trigger’s assessment.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:30 pm
Here’s a direct link to the comment:
https://www.savingcountrymusic.com/review-country-music-by-ken-burns-final-recap/comment-page-1/#comment-1104212
September 28, 2019 @ 12:47 pm
John Hartford, for sure. As time goes by and bluegrass develops, he’ll come to be seen nearly as key as Monroe or Scruggs, possibly THE second generation figure I think.
September 28, 2019 @ 12:57 pm
Yeah, it was criminal that Mr. Paycheck and Mr. Coe weren’t mentioned all but over I enjoyed the documentary. It served its purpose. I watched every second of it.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:25 pm
Yeah, Coe and Paycheck. Warning : I’m about to rant. This issue touches a nerve. I am absolutely beyond annoyed by revisionist history people. So, because these two were dangerous and unsavory characters they are being black-balled. Because of the awful underground albums Coe made, he is perpetually left out of the party. Obviously, he moved on and created some mighty artful contributions to Country music! And songs like The Ride, Take this job and shove it, Would you lay with me in a field of stone, and You never called me by my name are SOLID FLIPPIN COUNTRY GOLD!!!! It doesn’t get much better than that!
If Paycheck had only done those Little Darlin records with Lloyd Green on steel, it would be more than enough to warrant serious consideration in the list of greats. But Paycheck had a VOICE that was country to the bone. That VOICE influenced George Jones!!!! (Paycheck was in his early band, and George copied some of Paychecks vocal gyrations) And then, Paycheck goes on to record amazing records produced by Billy Sherrill that define what Country Music is. And don’t get me started on the awesome song Old Violin is!!!!
The truth of the matter is, most all of these country stars did some shady and Crazy stuff. Are we deciding that Cash, and Jennings were really waaay more moral somehow?? Why the double standard. Shouldn’t the music be the criteria? But nope, just silence from everyone as if we are to just ignore the significant contributions made by these two. INSANE
September 28, 2019 @ 3:41 pm
I couldn’t agree more.
Particularly as to the quality of Johnny Paycheck’s voice.
Few people give him credit for that.
I’ve been listening heavily to DAC since 1975, when I went off to college in East TN, where I also discovered bluegrass – my roommate turned me on to NGDB and Will the Circle Be Unbroken.
And the local bar jukeboxes played Fox on the Run by Tom T all evening long.
I also wish Jerry Jeff and his band mate Gary P Nunn had been covered
They’re the first country musicians I listened to (specifically, Viva Terlingua).
September 29, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
I agree with your post, but must call out the over exaggeration of Paychecks vocal influence on Jones. Jones style was developing well before Paycheck and his style influenced Paycheck more than the other way around.
September 30, 2019 @ 6:07 am
Jones agreed with you, saying as much in interviews. However….Aubry Mayhew the guy behind the Little Darlin’ label and a man who was deeply familiar with Paycheck, begged to differ, citing the way Jones emphasized vowels changed after Paycheck was in his band. I will say that Jones early vocal style had a lot of Hank influence in it, particularly with the 50s Starday label stuff. There was an evolution of voice from that point to say 62, right around the time Paycheck became a Jones Boy.
Look, I know this idea was laughed at by Jones and many hardcore Jones fans find this thought ridiculous, so I completely get your point of view. Personally, I’m intrigued with the idea on several levels. Whatever side one takes on this , perhaps we can at least agree they were friends snd their are similarities in their vocal styles. And honestly George Jones was the best thing to happen to Paycheck.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:06 pm
Me personally. I think George Strait and Alan Jackson. Sure Garth commercialized it, but i feel their were better musical options that could have been covered. I think covering some of Alan’s story and showing his recent hall of fame induction speech would have been beneficial. It nearly gives you chills seeing how emotional he got talking about the tradition of country music. I havent watched any of the first 3 episodes or so, was Merle Haggard’s life story dug into at all?
September 28, 2019 @ 4:44 pm
“biggest disappointment is that the series stopped at the mid 90s. There’s so much to explore after that…” That’s what Saving Country Music is for.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:09 pm
I read on another site that Glen Campbell was to be featured more prominently. His widow demanded to be paid for footage used of him in the film. Burns refused, cut Campbell out almost entirely and used stock photos only.
I wish there would have been more time allotted to the producers in country music. A few were interviewed, but a section highlighting others, particularly Tom Collins, Tony Brown and Brent Maher would have been interesting.
But many biggest disappointment is that the series stopped at the mid 90s. There’s so much to explore after that…the rise of women in the early 2000s, and subsequent struggles now; the Dixie Chicks situation and patriotism in country music (no mention of Lee Greenwood…at all?); internet downloading and streaming of music; bro-country and the expansion/blurring of the genre; more deaths, especially Merle Haggard; and the resurgence in Americana/pure country roots music. Hopefully, Burns will make a sequel.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:36 pm
Do you remember where you read that about Glen Campbell? That would be an interesting footnote if true.
As I tried to talk about in the article, if an artist doesn’t have a strong estate behind them, they often get overlooked. The Conway Twitty estate has been so busy fighting itself (last wife vs. kids) that it’s distracted from keeping his name in the spotlight. Same might be the case for Glen Campbell, who has been in a nasty dispute for years. Perhaps both sides couldn’t come to agreement on rights, and Ken Burns just didn’t want to get in the middle.
There was also a documentary on Glen Campbell in 2014 called “I’ll Be Me,” so perhaps there were rights issues from that.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:00 pm
The only reference I could find online was this:
https://www.crazydaysandnights.net/2019/09/blind-item-9-mr-x.html?m=1
I know nothing about the website or its reliability as a source.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:16 pm
Looks pretty sketch.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
I agree.
September 28, 2019 @ 9:21 pm
Crazy Days and Nights is where I found the original post, but ACGwebpages confirmed it was Campbell. They are hit and miss, but when they are on target, they are on. They reported Prince’s plane OD before the mainstream media, and predicted his death was imminent just days before. Anyway I don’t know about the gossipy part with Burns being upset and cutting the segment. But something definitely went awry there, given the few sentences of a tribute and the cheap stock photos. Also, no comments or interviews, when you consider how many artists cite him as an influence. You’re probably right about estate issues. But why wouldn’t they participate and allow for Campbell’s legacy to be properly represented…especially given the huge audience (which will be larger than it was for the I’ll Be Me film). Heresy or not, something wasn’t right with that situation.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:10 pm
Ad Jimmy Martin to that list!
September 28, 2019 @ 1:25 pm
From the last episode only major one left out I think was Collin Raye. All the earlier episodes discussed the Crooners like Jones, but not the last episods. Collin Raye was huge, and would have had more of a mention but he was overshadowed by the likes of Garth.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:28 pm
Western music in general didn’t really get enough of a mention in my opinion. They talked about Gene Autrey but otherwise the Western portion of country western was just kind of ignored.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:30 pm
As much as I’d enjoy a Ken Burns look at western music, particularly ‘Wester Swing’, this documentary is titled “Country Music” rather than “Country & Western Music” or “Western Music”.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:54 pm
I agree about western music, Hawaiian music, and all music prior to the 1920s. Some of the stuff years prior to the “country music industry history” that revved up in the 1920s owes a whole lot to the era right before. I understand time constraints, and the desire to present some sort of singular timeline of the country music industry, but I’d love to see a “prequel” at some point that covers the earlier roots of American music in greater detail , like Joseph Kekuku and the development and popularization of Hawaiian guitar, and the popularity of the Wild West Shows. I have seen only the first four episodes so far, so I can’t offer meaningful criticism of the last half of the series yet.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:11 pm
and that right there is why you didn’t hear about so very many of the folks mentioned in this list:
they sing Western music. Marty Robbins, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Riders in the Sky, Alan Jackson, the Glaser brothers — they sing Western.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:46 pm
Seems Ken Burns was hung up on Johnny Cash, alone with Cash’s daugther Roseanne telling how Cash came to NewYork, ask her to be on his show that evening, sing with him. She first turned him down. I do believe that was shown on every episode. Conway Twitty/ Loretta and Conway (my opinion) were greater artist than Cash any day.I felt for Glen Campbell towards the end, his wife had him out on tour when it was questionable if he knew who or where he was at.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:47 pm
I would have liked to see Jamey Johnsons photo at the end of the last episode along with sturgill, Chris and others. I think they could have tied the 70s episode together by at least commenting on the highwaymen. Other then that a strong effort to tie a lot of history into one docuseries.
September 28, 2019 @ 1:53 pm
I’ve been a Sonny James fan since my preteen days, I’m over 60.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:01 pm
Way too much on Johnny Cash. He wasn’t any better than any of the others but evidently burns was crazy bout him.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:37 pm
OK, too much time spent on Johnny Cash. Fair enough. But he sold 90 million records worldwide and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1980 at the age of 48 (youngest living person ever to be inducted). So he’s a pretty big deal.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:28 pm
Cash wonderful. Strait got plenty. Cline so sad. Wonderful. Tanya, Snow, Horton, Eddie Arnold, and THE SAUSAGE KING, JIMMY DEAN HE PLAYED AROUND DC FOR YEARS. THE GUY THAT DID 21 TONS.TENNESSEE ERNIE FORD.
DO ANOTHER WITH THOSE STILL ALIVE AND ADD CHESNEY AND OTHERS PLAYING FROM 1996 TO 2006.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:07 pm
I agree with most of these, especially Conway, Glen Campbell, Jim Reeves, Marty Robbins, Don Williams, Tanya Tucker, Eddie Rabbitt, Vern Gosdin, and Keith Whitley. I was also surprised and disappointed that Crystal Gayle never got a mention, especially since she’s Loretta’s sister and had a great run of hits herself, some crossing over to pop. Ronnie Milsap, The Oak Ridge Boys, Barbara Mandrell, Kenny Rogers, Alabama, George Strait, and Alan Jackson should’ve been talked about more, imo, but perhaps if they ever make that part 2 of the documentary, maybe they’ll get their due. Also, I wished they had discussed a bit more on just how big of an impact the film Urban Cowboy had on the genre, especially with Mickey Gilley and his famous club. I know some are not big fans of the pop country movement of that era, but no one can deny it was a big part of the genre’s history.
Overall, I still really enjoyed the series despite the omissions, and I’m glad it got made. Just seeing how many people are now interested in true country music and its legends was well worth it for me!
September 28, 2019 @ 2:14 pm
WHERE WAS DAVID ALLEN COE???? You talk about outlaw, he was so outlaw, the other “outlaws” disassociated with him, yet he wrote many of their songs. Liberal wussies at PBS I suppose.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:00 pm
Oh please. Ken Burns made the documentary, not PBS. Quit dragging your imaginary politics into this.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:17 pm
I think all of us would have liked more of our favorite artists profiled. But I think we all can say this was the best documentary we have ever seen on country music. I watched every minute of it a couple of times It made me laugh , cry and sing a little albeit not that good lol
September 28, 2019 @ 2:25 pm
Perhaps it’s understandable why she wasn’t mentioned, but I’ll throw in Iris DeMent’s name for consideration. I think she’s one of the best country singers of her generation. ‘Mama’s Opry’ is as good an explantion of Country music’s importance to its everyday listeners as any, and I love the footage where she got to pay homage to her mother by singing the song at the Ryman.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:32 pm
Session musicians. The A Team, Buddy Emmons, Jimmy Day, Junior Husky, Grady Martin, Johnny Humble, Jerry Reed, etc. The people who made the music of Country Music.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:33 pm
No excuses for Ken Burns. Had he not turned it into a biography of Cash and Nelson , he would had plenty time to add the above listed.
Too bad. For me it was Don Williams, Kenny Rogers and Eddie Rabbit.
I was afraid he would overlook Waylon Jennings too.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:38 pm
Jimmy Dean. Tennessee Ernie Ford.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:47 pm
John Conley. Mo Bandy.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:48 pm
Ray Price and Webb Pierce. The 50s in general post-Hank were more or less written off, more or less. Lefty deserved a full profile.
September 28, 2019 @ 2:52 pm
Webb Pierce had more #1 records and top 10s in the 50s than any other country singer.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
I’ve been listening to the Webb-Willie duet album “In The Jailhouse Now” and it’s just a great record. Webb belts out the songs with vigor and to me, Willie’s voice was really in its prime around this time (1982). The record sounds like it was recorded live in the studio and it’s clear that the musicians are thoroughly enjoying the session. The warm sounding production perfectly fits Willie’s obvious affection for Webb and his music. A good one (though my 16-year old son prefer Webb’s originals..)! 🙂
September 28, 2019 @ 2:58 pm
I know Johnny Cash was important in country music but I feel to much time was given to him with the exclusion of others.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:00 pm
Stonewall Jackson, a real country singer.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:15 pm
Very nice summation by the author.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:27 pm
Also. Earl Thomas Conley who recently passed away.. Great singer..
September 28, 2019 @ 3:32 pm
I was disappointed the Tanya was only mentioned in reference to Billy Sherrill and the Countrypolitan trend in the seventies, implying that she wasn’t an authentic country singer.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:34 pm
Many of these artiest were mentioned,just not as much as some fans might prefer.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:37 pm
How about Tammy wynette, I thought she was the first lady of country music.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:38 pm
Yes, Don Williams most certainly. And, has been mentioned, Johnny Horton who dovetails from the Hank Williams story quite well.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:40 pm
Really loved Delbert McClinton. Anyone remember him?
September 28, 2019 @ 3:49 pm
You can’t avoid the Sturgill review forever Trigger.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:31 pm
I will post a review for the Sturgill Simpson album and movie. But please understand, this last Friday was an extreme release day, and whether it’s Sturgill, Whiskey Myers, or whomever else, it will take me time to get to everything and do it justice, Sturgill’s especially because once again I did not get a preview copy.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:52 pm
Conway Twitty was tied for #1 in Country music. Conway, Johnny Cash, and Waylon Jennings were the three top males, and Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline tied for #1 in females.
September 28, 2019 @ 3:58 pm
While Bob Wells and his western swing music was well covered, there was absolutely no mention of Spade Cooley. Surely, his music – and tragic life – should have been covered. There were also a number of important female singers that were never mentioned, among them Lynne Anderson, Crystal Gayle, and Juice Newton.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:05 pm
Conway and ALA FREAKIN BAMA, How could either been left out!!!!
September 28, 2019 @ 4:15 pm
Neglecting Wynn Stewart — not even a mention in the Bakersfield segment — was a big miss. As Dale Watson points out, throughout his career Ralph Mooney referred to himself as “Wynn Stewart’s guitar player”….and lest we forget, Wynn gave “Sing a Sad Song” to Merle… To this humble fan, he’s an indispensable part of the development of the Bakersfield sound, and it’s a crime that he’s not in the Hall of Fame. Paycheck should be in as well. Hard to reconcile Wynn and Paycheck being excluded — and of course everyone has different tastes — but I just see them as worthier from an artistic standpoint than HoF inductees like Brooks and Dunn or Garth Brooks, for that matter.
September 29, 2019 @ 6:48 am
Without Wynn Stewart, there would not have been a Buck Owens nor a ‘Bakersfield Sound.”
September 28, 2019 @ 4:16 pm
I loved the documentary. As for overlooked artists, how about this: A Texan from a musical family, 16 top ten records between 1983 and 1990 (9 #1s in a row), a hit songwriter, CMA country duo of the year award, CMA single of the year award… Dan Seals.
Also, I thought the Highwaymen should have been mentioned, and Charlie McCoy’s work could have been highlighted. But kudos to Ken Burns for stirring up this conversation.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:20 pm
Was the Shelton that Blake wishes he was mentioned?
September 28, 2019 @ 4:22 pm
Robert Earl Keene?? What happened??
September 28, 2019 @ 4:24 pm
Midwestern Hayride was far earlier, longer-lasting off-and-on over the years, and introduced legions of stars to a wide audience, not even a passing mention while it’s kesser-brother-copycat Hee Haw got more attention than it deserved.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:28 pm
I don’t recall any mention of Jerry Reed, who was almost as much of a pop-culture icon as Dolly, and in a class by himself on guitar. The gloss-over of Glen was the sort of blind spot that made me wonder if Burns and company actually knew their topic. The guy could play and sing any bag, and was (deservedly) *huge* when he emerged from the Wrecking Crew. The parade of talent, which includes John Hartford, that he featured on his show was every bit as good, or better, than the Cash show. And he kept up with every one of them.
Waaay yonder too much Cash.
Generally, I felt the series had a ‘PBS market-tested’ feel to it. Injecting Dylan and the Byrds into the narrative seemed to be little more than an appeal to aging hippies. Country bad-boys were ok, as long as they aligned with ’60’s counter-culture sensibilities. I also felt that the thrust of the thing often tried to make country more than it is, or something other than what it is. There were too many ’empty calorie’ moments with musicians ruminating about one thing and the next without really offering any valuable insights. Marty, Charlie Pride, Dwight, Kris, and Willie were all fantastic.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:29 pm
Don Williams played songs that were appropriate in any setting and time. He epitomized country music.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:31 pm
I really enjoyed this series, I still haven’t seen #6-8, but so far I have not heard one mention of Cindy Walker, a writer who penned hit after hit for Bob Wills, Eddy Arnold, Bing Crosby, etc. she has a great story and there is some terrific footage. You Don’t Know Me was and is a huge song.
September 28, 2019 @ 8:09 pm
On writers too I don’t think Harlan Howard was mentioned either
September 28, 2019 @ 4:37 pm
Conway all the way. Extremely disappointing. I won a KTON radio station contest in the early 70’s and had the pleasure of spending an evening with Conway at a show he was doing. Such a nice, nice man. Every bit a gentleman. I was really looking forward to seeing a profile of what a great songwriter and singer he was. So tragic how he passed away. Conway will always epitomize country music for me.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:39 pm
Gary Stewart. I listened to the “Your Place or Mine” album today and I’d put that up against any modern-era country record. Rodney Crowell wrote but never recorded “Rachel”, and in my imagination, it’s because Rodney must think Gary’s recording is perfect. And check out the “Gary’s Greatest” compilation. 17 tracks, all of it prime stuff from beginning to end.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:41 pm
There is a lot of great stars mentioned and others with little or no recognition. I think Waylon Jennigs should have gotten much more notice. He pioneered the artists having control of what and how they recorded a song.. He wasn’t too bad at writing songs and there becoming hits.
September 28, 2019 @ 4:54 pm
Failed to mention 80,s superstars Dan Seals and Ricky Van Shelton
September 28, 2019 @ 4:58 pm
I would agree Jim Reeves was missed, and maybe Marty Robbins, but I’m less convinced any of the others were a big oversight.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:23 pm
With respect to Linda Ronstadt: Yes, Linda’s contributions to country music were indeed quite large, not only with TRIO but also, and especially more so, in the context of her own classic 1970s country-rock albums being a big reason why there was the explosion of female country singers in the 1990s. Should they have gotten more airtime on the series, apart from that one photo of her and Emmylou singing together in 1973. when Emmy was with Gram Parsons? Yes, I think a case could be made for it.
But again, Linda NEVER thought of herself as strictly a country singer, certainly not as Nashville sees it, and she was always very straightforward about it. If you look at it closely, it is rather ironic that she should have had as much success on the country charts in the 70s as she did, given that Nashville was struggling then, as it is in our present context, with “pop-country” crossover issues, and she was crossing between pop and country with incredible regularity back then while, as far as I know, not being barbecued for it by the country music establishment of the era (unlike, of course, John Denver or Olivia Newton-John). But Linda’s very indidivualistic, rock-ribbed approach, besides having helped create the female country boom of the 1990s, may have also aided in certain aspects of the current Americana movement as well, with women of that genre like Tift Merritt, Michaela Ann, Kelsey Waldon, Margo Price, and Lindi Ortega having name-checked Linda frequently.
In truth, I’m not too terribly disappointed that Linda’s relationship to country music wasn’t included here. Ken Burns’ series wasn’t perfect; but of course, nothing is. Besides, I think the recent documentary film on her, THE SOUND OF MY VOICE, did a lot to validate her in the eyes of her fans and her peers, in country music and elsewhere, so I can’t complain.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:24 pm
Missing: Conway Twitty, Glenn Campbell, Crystal Gale, John Denver, Linda Rondstadt, Devil Went Down To Georgia. Over-represented: Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, large amount of politically-correct photos of African-Americans (out of proportion to actual population of country music artists/fans). Unnecessary: Burns’ esteem for Country grows whenever it’s ‘discovered’ by rock artists. Country doesn’t need rock’s approval to be relevant.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:29 pm
How about Lee Greenwood? Where was he?
September 28, 2019 @ 5:29 pm
The Americana movement was barely mentioned and the movie/soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou was a huge part of that, relaunching a lot of performers like Gillian Welch and Old Crow Medicine Show, who were never mentioned once.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
“O Brother Where Art Thou” came out in 2000, and the documentary ended its timeline at 1996 with the open-ended possibility of adding to it in the future. If they do, I’m sure “O Brother” will be a part, as well as the Americana movement.
September 29, 2019 @ 7:50 am
Perhaps that would explain the lack of time on Alison Kraus?
September 28, 2019 @ 5:30 pm
Martina McBride and the women’s dominating in the late 80s early 90s Carlene Carter had a great career of her own
then. Trish Yearwood ,Pam Tillis ,Karen Brooks
KT Oslin
September 28, 2019 @ 5:32 pm
Oak ridge boys, Alabama, statler brothers, Charley Daniels and more
No bands.
Absurd
September 29, 2019 @ 7:42 am
Alabama was shown, discussed and given credit. Charley Daniels was shown, mentioned and spoke several times.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:33 pm
Another artist unmentioned was Bonnie Raitt, and another songwriter unmentioned was John Prine.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:34 pm
Toi much Johnny cash. Missed the most recent 20 years. Too much personal bios. Bluegrass is not country western it’s blue Grass.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
Don Gibson is an obvious one, considering one of the episodes was named after one of his songs.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:39 pm
In terms of importance to the genre and community of country music, the early country TV shows (other than the Johnny Cash Show) were overlooked. Hee Haw got a few minutes, but the Porter Wagoner Show was only mentioned in relation to Dolly, and there was no mention of the Wilburn Brothers Show. In the 1960s, these shows were essential to the growth of country music.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:41 pm
I wished more airtime would’ve been given to Lefty Frizzell, Webb Pierce, Carl Smith, Hank Thompson and Wynn Stewart. Lefty had 3 or 4 songs in the top ten at the same time. Webb Pierce had 13 #1 hits in the 50’s. Carl Smith was very popular in the 50’s as was Hank Thompson. And As someone mentioned already to leave out Wynn Stewart and his significant influence to the Bakersfield sound was a crime.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:42 pm
Les Paul & Mary Ford should have had at least a mention. Paul had had an influence on the development of the electric guitar within C&W and jazz genres.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:46 pm
Well said,M.Rounds…
September 28, 2019 @ 5:50 pm
No mention of Alan Lomax, who started the whole idea of looking into US ‘folk music’.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:50 pm
I would of like to seen something about Mac Davis, he had a variety show in the 70s and wrote for Elvis and was popular in the 70s- early 80s.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:55 pm
Not one word about Jimmy Dean. His tv variety show promoted many country artists and others . Not to mention The Muppets and Jim Hinson.
September 28, 2019 @ 5:57 pm
I haven’t finished yet, but if they don’t spend some time on Tony Rice, then Tony Rice.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:06 pm
Maybe I’m crazy, but I really thought Alison Krauss was discussed in the last episode.
September 29, 2019 @ 9:43 pm
I didn’t hear anything about Alison Krauss!! I’m a huge fan—-they showed her picture only. Or how about Rhonda Vincent? I like Rihanna Gibbons but her impact ?
Jim Reeves, Alabama (dare I say they were filling stadiums BEFORE Garth-Love Garth but ya gotta give credit when it’s due), Don Williams, Earl Thomas Connelly, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan a wee bit more Alan Jackson…so many more!
Loved the show, learned some stuff about the music I was raised on, especially the impact of the Carter Family and The Luvin Bros.
Always felt like an odd ball knowing all this music while growing up in Brooklyn in the 70ies. None of my other friends parents listened to “shitkickin” music as my Dad called it. WHN 1050 on the AM radio was ALWAYS on in the car and you didn’t dare ask to change the station and put on WWDJ…Ha!
I too feel a special kinship to this music, as Dolly said and how Vince Gill mentioned that this type of music has something that hits his DNA was spot on for me too. Perhaps a bit much on Johnny Cash, but then again, I heard his music constantly all through my childhood so I expected to hear about him.
Overall….Bravo! Ken Burns. I sang along to every song while getting the history lesson. I’ll probably sit and watch it again as I have it in the DVR.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:08 pm
Lorrie Morgan was the most popular female in the early 90,s and she was hardly mentioned in the documentary. I loved this documentary but sadly many folks were overlooked.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:09 pm
Mickey Newbury was ignored
September 28, 2019 @ 6:11 pm
Lorrie Morgan was one of country music stars of the early 90,s but received little mention.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:12 pm
Earl Thomas Conley surely should have made the top ten of snubs. Look at what he turned out in the 80s
September 28, 2019 @ 6:24 pm
As a Bluegrass-er, I, too, missed any mention of Jimmy Martin. Also the Country Gentlemen/Seldom Scene, and, most especially, the Dillards, who both spread BG through the Andy Griffith Show, and started the entire country rock genre. Vern Gosden was also a great loss to the film. I also think that both Ernest Tubb and Acuff were shorted a necessary attention
September 28, 2019 @ 6:27 pm
Seems like there was too much focus on Johnny Cash and Roseanne. I feel there were too many artist left out that made a huge contribution to country and bluegrass music. If Ken Burnes had wanted to focus on Johnny Cash so much he should have just done a documentary on him. There was so much more to country music than just Johnny Cash and Roseanne.
September 28, 2019 @ 6:28 pm
Yes,a lot was left out, 16hrs.,for 80 years what the hell people! 👍✔️to K.B.