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.
Carlos the Navajo
September 28, 2019 @ 6:31 pm
Having been on this dirt a little longer than some of the replies. I can start with this old house tune. Sons of the pioneer’s, Slim Whitman , lets go back to the early years and bring the starters of our belived music. Then show case the artists to now. When I went to the service ,Compton town hall was a starter. Ernie Ford, Carrot Top Anderson, Herman the Hermit . Hank Thompson , and Hank Williams were on every juke box . Blue grass haden’t developed to what it is now. Grand ole Opery was where we all tuned Saturday night. Louisania hay ride was another big show night. When we went out dancing ,or honkey tonkin, Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys were in demand to jitterbug to. I’m one of the lucky few I purchased a juke box in 1956 with two hundred 45 RPM records in the wheel. I can verify who was popular in those years . The Boxs always carried who was the top Bands and singers at that day and time. Looking back its always nice to see who was on top and who was coming up. Good job Ken Burns now lets go a little deeper and fill in the few omissions. P B S was great but they didnt say how we could buy the complete set for our misic library’s at home. A few of us have been collecting music , wire, 45s , 33s, 78s, Cds and tapes. Mr. Burns is to be complimented, not why did he leave this one out. Urge him on to do more for us western music aficionados. The world runs on money , lets put some visable for the work that could be accomplished.
Robin Marmon
September 28, 2019 @ 7:14 pm
Hank Thompson and Hank Locklin
None
September 29, 2019 @ 6:36 am
Ricky Van Shelton.
cndy
September 29, 2019 @ 6:37 am
What about Alan Jackson? He is still very revelant…
Bobbie Helms
September 29, 2019 @ 7:36 am
Statler bros. Still alive and one is author. Two, don and harold are my grandson uncles. Author as well for Don.
Angela v mcpherson
September 28, 2019 @ 7:44 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed the documentary about country music, because I am ignorant about most of the history. They should have added Tennessee Ernie Ford, and ended with The Dixie Chicks, and Toby Keith controversy
DM
September 28, 2019 @ 8:08 pm
Dwights longtime producer Pete Anderson was totally snubbed. He was responsible foe producing all of Dwights “gold” and was mentioned in a name dropped sentence..shame on that.
.
Ernie Semmers
September 28, 2019 @ 8:33 pm
How about Steve Goodman?
Bruce
September 29, 2019 @ 3:47 am
What about Mickey Newbury?
Kathleen Walker
September 29, 2019 @ 4:25 am
In my humble opinion, one of the truly great stars of Country and Western received no mention whatsoever – the late, Great Ray Price. His rendition of San Antonio Rose is the best – as I said – in my humble opinion.
Been There
September 29, 2019 @ 11:50 am
Amen.
Bobbie Helms
September 29, 2019 @ 7:32 am
JIMMY DEAN, HANK SNOW, TANYA and CONWAY need to be added. Along with EDDIE RABBIT EDDIE ARNOLD. WEBB. AND ADD THOSE FROM 90s and up to 2006.
Mary Miller
June 16, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
John Prine. One of the most prolific singer songwriters from Kentucky moved to Illinois, spent most of his time in Nashville. Found by Kris Kristopherson, palled with Steve Goodman, and one of the NICEST GUYS in the business until his passing from COVID. Met the man, know the music. He has brought in some new talent through Oh Boy Records.
Lily Aquarian
July 7, 2021 @ 2:09 pm
The Chicks!! (Formally The Dixie Chicks)Can’t believe they got left out of this amazing, thoroughly enjoyed docu. Maybe too political?… Also Alison Krauss which was a huge disappointment.
Chris
September 28, 2019 @ 6:33 pm
I kind of hoped to see Billy Joe Shaver in the outlaw episode somewhere.
Skyler
September 28, 2019 @ 6:38 pm
Earl Thomas Conley
Tom Smith
September 29, 2019 @ 7:04 am
For sure ETC!
Corncaster
September 28, 2019 @ 6:41 pm
Did they mention Jimmy Bryant? First guitar hero of the Telecaster. He inspired countless pickers. Did they give any time to Buddy Emmons?
Bob
September 28, 2019 @ 6:43 pm
As great series overall but I thought Kenny Rogers did not get proper recognition.
Kmay
September 28, 2019 @ 6:49 pm
I was really surprised Glen Campbell was not highlighted. To me, he was country music. As a kid growing up in New York, I think if it weren’t for his TV show and many hits on the radio, people like me would never have listed to country.
Strait Country 81
September 28, 2019 @ 7:44 pm
If he is your idea of country you probably shouldn’t be listening
Adalaida
September 29, 2019 @ 7:58 am
Campbell was most definitely country. I also grew up near a large city and learned about country music on TV and through megastars like Campbell. Once you’re hooked, you can then explore other eras and styles. That’s why I loved hearing about the early forms and artists of country music in the series, despite my having issues work with the later episodes.
I’m A George Strait fan first and foremost. But I also like to hear Campbell, Denver, Hank Williams, Dolly, looooove Loretta Lynn and Don Williams, Texas swing, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn. I didn’t care for Kenny Roger’s style but gotta love The Gambler. Oh, and besides Strait, nothing perks me up like a good old Flatt & Scruggs CD!
The beauty of country music is in all its various flavors and sounds – like a multi colored quilt or mosaic comes together from multicolored scraps and tiles.
Barbara Bowlin
September 28, 2019 @ 6:50 pm
MiCKEY NEWBURY!
Diesel Doctor
September 28, 2019 @ 6:51 pm
Hank Thompson, he was the bridge between Western swing and Honky Tonk in Texas, he was so much more than the launch pad for Kitty Wells career.
Mars3
September 30, 2019 @ 5:12 pm
Right on. Who can resist singing along any time “Six Pack to Go” or “The Older the Violin, the Sweeter the Music” or “Who Left the Door to Heaven Open” comes on Willie’s Roadhouse??
Jobeth Muldrow
September 28, 2019 @ 6:51 pm
I was dying to hear Ronnie milsap sing he just talked a little bit and also Anne Murray was one of my favorites and there was nothing about her.
eckiezZ!
September 28, 2019 @ 6:54 pm
Farm Aid deserved a mention.
The Love Can Build A Bridge charity single was s #1 single.
The impact that American C&W music had outside the North American continent was not mentioned.
The fact that there was no Grammy Country Album award for decades because of Country’s credibility problem could’ve been a way of broaching that whole can of worms.
Shocked that Steve Earle didn’t contribute an interview. The guy’s as informed as Marty & Dwight about most things Country.
Also how do you record an interview with a woman as gifted as Ms. Mandrell and only use one little blurb and one slow pan across one photograph whilst also neglecting to mention her sisters?
No mention of the ACM’s.
More could’ve been made of the impact music videos and programs like Hot Country Nights had in reviving the medium overall. All i heard was a single line about how sales spiked but zero follow through.
Too often it felt like the narrative came to an abrupt halt to spotlight someone or a song or a album in a way that failed to advance the underlying story. These tangental side stories would’ve worked better as Blueray extras.
Thst said, solid, Solid doc. Ken’s team took us on a real journey and they should be proud.
David Hopkins
September 28, 2019 @ 6:59 pm
Statler Bros.,
Daniel Faught
October 23, 2019 @ 7:00 pm
And the Oakridge Boys . . .
Growing Old in Oildale
September 28, 2019 @ 7:02 pm
Profiles on a pair of individuals could have covered a number of stars that were overlooked in the 16 1/2 hour project.
Ken Nelson produced the likes of Ferlin Husky, Sonny James, Hank Thompson, the Louvin Brothers, Wanda Jackson and others on Capitol Records.
Tillman Franks managed the Carlisles, Webb Pierce, Johnny Horton, Claude King and David Houston.
Furthermore, while ample time was given to train songs and their artists, truck songs and their artists were given the cold shoulder.
(While Buck Owens made some fine music, he also took credit for songs he didn’t write. Jennifer Petty, who is the granddaughter of Red Simpson’s sister, set the record straight on one of the songs featured in the documentary a while back in the comment section of a video on Red … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k965Au1NAJs)
Ralph waltman
September 28, 2019 @ 7:04 pm
You are right he did miss a good many artist how about Alan Jackson don’t he belong too
Sis
September 29, 2019 @ 5:56 am
Yes! Not only amazing singer but writer as well. True Artist not just vocalist.
Beverly Ferrell
September 28, 2019 @ 7:05 pm
Jim Reeves did not get mentioned. The man had many songs. Some even with Patsy Cline. Jim had the smoothest voice . To me and others Jim Reeves is the best singer ever. Not to mention him is a low blow. There need a to be an update series with the people left out. Way too much time on Johnny Cash.
Alan Wayne Lambert
September 29, 2019 @ 5:15 am
There certainly should have been a more inclusive focus, including Jim Reeves, but I don’t buy the argument of too much John Cash. Burns said in several interviews that he used the Carter family as his “through line” for the entire series and by marriage, that includes Cash. Watching the series with that in mind made the whole focus on him and June make complete sense. I’d have loved to see at least one cut of the Highwaymen in all that discussion of Cash, Kristofferson and Willie and Waylon. The 4 of them ran essentially the same tour route one month apart (I caught Willie and John at the House of Blues in Chicago two months apart and IIRC Waylon was between and Kris was after John) in the late ’90s.
Jeff Anderson
September 28, 2019 @ 7:11 pm
Doc Watson
Doug T
September 28, 2019 @ 7:13 pm
Freddy Fender and Jaco Jimenez were mentioned but not Augie Myers and Doug Sahm. I would submit Sahm and Myers made the bigger splashes prior to Texas Tornados than the former 2. Sahm and Myers were terrific. I’m listening to them tonight.
5 seconds for Joe South? I never promised you a Rose Garden was really country. Others…Don’t it make you wanna go home etc were……somewhere else?
Aleks
September 28, 2019 @ 7:18 pm
Without a doubt Glen Campbell. He was prolific and instrumental in so many ways to Country music. It honestly baffled me as to how such a well done and awesome documentary about Country could forget such an important figure. Alittle too much focus on Johnny Cash and Hank Williams.
Martha Nelson
September 28, 2019 @ 7:19 pm
Dottie West.
Jeff D
September 29, 2019 @ 1:20 am
Shelly West. I atill get a kick out of “Jose Cuervo”.
ShadeGrown
September 28, 2019 @ 7:22 pm
I would’ve liked to have seen them at least get into the late 90s underground scene – but I suppose you have to stop somewhere.
Robbob
September 28, 2019 @ 7:23 pm
How about the Dixie Chicks?
Donald Bulloch
September 29, 2019 @ 3:42 am
What about ‘em?
Shannon Tallant
September 28, 2019 @ 7:28 pm
Singletary
Ginger Ambrose
September 28, 2019 @ 7:31 pm
Billy Joe Shaver and Johnny Paycheck we’re not even mentioned.
Lele
September 28, 2019 @ 10:42 pm
I thought for sure they would mention Paycheck when they got into the Outlaw segment but nope
robin
September 28, 2019 @ 7:34 pm
No mention of the country bands that led a generation: Statler Brothers, Alabama, Oak Ridge Boys, Brooks and Dunn, etc.
Lee
September 28, 2019 @ 10:21 pm
Statler Brothers were mentioned as part of Johnny Cash’s prison concerts, and they had a brief segment in the 7th episode about both Alabama and the Oak Ridge Boys. I haven’t watched the last episode yet, but if they don’t mention Brooks and Dunn, they did really miss the boat.
Jeff
September 28, 2019 @ 11:13 pm
It’s just white noise my friend, that’s why. It has little to no substance, no heart, no grit! It deserves to sit and rot on elevators we’re it belongs for all of eternity.
Peggy Hawkins
September 29, 2019 @ 5:33 am
Alabama wasn’t mentioned and they were a great contribution with great songs and group artist.
Aggc
September 28, 2019 @ 7:48 pm
Good write up
Was definitely missing Glen Campbell and Jerry Reed but geez, there are just so many you can for in!
Rich
September 28, 2019 @ 7:54 pm
Kitty Wells & Dottie West received next to nothing. I agree about Twitty as I kept waiting for a segment that I assumed was coming.
Bob Davies
September 28, 2019 @ 7:54 pm
Whaaa! Maybe it would have been better if Burns had never done the documentary, then all these crybabies could whine about something else. A little speculation is fun but this discussion has become inane. Alan Jackson? Let’s just name every artist that had a few hits and claim they should have had their own episode.
Audrey Kelsey
September 28, 2019 @ 9:16 pm
A few hits? You call selling 75 million records worldwide a few hits. Give me a break. Alan Jackson kept authentic country sound in the music. He is a major star and a great songwriter too.
Hal
September 28, 2019 @ 7:57 pm
Johnny Horton and the Dixie Chicks were two of my favorites and I was very disappointed that they were omitted. Glen Campbell, John Denver and Randy Travis were also favorites that got short-changed. Still love Ken Burns though. All his documentaries are outstanding.
Donald M Johnson
September 28, 2019 @ 7:57 pm
Bakersfield was mentioned but there was no indication of the importance of their enormous impact. It really started to take off when Harlan Howard went out there with his wife Jan. Wynn Stewart was totally ignored as an singer and a song writer. His contribution to Bakersfield and country music includes his #1 song “It’s Such a Pretty World Today”. The longest running #1 song in 1967, and the members of his band that became superstars – Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. There was Ralph Money and other Hall of Fame musicians. Like Bonnie Owens who married Merle Haggard after she parted from Buck. Basically Bakersfield was acknowledged with Buck, Emmy Lou(a little bit), and Dwight Yokum along with the Flying Burrito Brothers. That was pretty much it. Again not even a mention of Wynn, and no acknowledgement of the impact of the rest of the components beyond what little they did say.
Mattdangerously
September 28, 2019 @ 7:59 pm
Meanwhile, Kathy friggin Mattea got a five minute segment.
Bob Kornegay
September 28, 2019 @ 8:03 pm
How about Mac Davis…Ray Stevens….Eddy Arnold….Tennessee Ernie Ford…Jimmy Dean….and the influence Hee Haw had on the industry…and Bobby Goldsboro… and those who made us smile, like Homer and Jethro
Lyman Paul
September 28, 2019 @ 8:11 pm
Try The Statler Brothers, Vern Gosdin, Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley.
Larry Sandoval
September 28, 2019 @ 8:15 pm
I was looking for something on Highway 101, the group. But saw nothing.
Bob Stephens
September 28, 2019 @ 8:24 pm
Too much of Townes Van Zant and Guy Clark and nothing on the greatest honky tonker Gary Stewart
Pete
September 28, 2019 @ 8:36 pm
John Denver? Only a mention and not a favorable one. Multiple Dylan refernces but not the guy who sang Country Road? That was an oversight.
Also, what about Jimmy Buffett? His songs were country
Nancy fisher
September 28, 2019 @ 8:39 pm
We missed the first four nights. Will this be replayed again?
Trigger
September 28, 2019 @ 8:59 pm
You can stream all the episodes here:
https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/country-music/
I’m sure they will also replay it at some point, and eventually it will end up on Netflix and other streaming services. DVD sets are also available.
Nik
September 29, 2019 @ 9:46 am
It’s on Amazon Prime now to stream. Also, I’ve caught replays on PBS nearly everyday.
Patricia A Peterman
September 28, 2019 @ 8:39 pm
I thought the show was excellent, but was and am so disappointed that Ray Price wasn’t featured. He was only mentioned twice even though many of the other artists featured were members of his band, Cherokee Cowboys who he took over when Hank Williams died. Hank was living with Ray at the time of his death. The following were in Ray’s band: Willie Nelson (Ray recorded “Night Life),Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings to name a few, but Ray got no credit on the documentary. Then along comes Kris Kristofferson and “For The Good Times. No credit. Nashville didn’t like the violins in the production, but who can argue its success for Kriss and for Ray? On Sirius XM, in Willie’s Roadhouse, Ray Price is called “The Master”. Enormous snub, in my opinion.
Lisa Franklin
September 29, 2019 @ 6:01 am
I haven’t watched the whole thing. They didn’t talk about Ray Price???!!!!!
Linda
September 28, 2019 @ 8:47 pm
Too much time on Johnny Cash. And I dont think Kathy Mattea was that prominent in country music history. I hardly remember her
Jeff D
September 29, 2019 @ 1:17 am
Somewhere in my wife’s t shirt collection is an “Eighteen wheels and a dozen roses” shirt. One aspect of country I never appreciated was songs that made you feel depressed. Nothing was more of a downer than “Where have you been”.
Patricia A Peterman
September 28, 2019 @ 8:49 pm
I thought the show was excellent, but was and am so disappointed that Ray Price wasn’t featured. He was only mentioned twice even though many of the other artists featured were members of his band, Cherokee Cowboys who he took over when Hank Williams died. Hank was living with Ray at the time of his death. The following were in Ray’s band: Willie Nelson (Ray recorded “Night Life),Roger Miller, Waylon Jennings to name a few, but Ray got no credit on the documentary. Then along comes Kris Kristofferson and “For The Good Times. No credit. Nashville didn’t like the violins in the production, but who can argue its success for Kriss and for Ray? On Sirius XM, in Willie’s Roadhouse, Ray Price is called “The Master”. Enormous snub, in my opinion. Added to Marty Robbins and Eddy Arnold.
Ms. Emme
September 28, 2019 @ 8:49 pm
Linda Ronstadt should have been included as part of Trio when Emmylou Harris and Dolly Parton were discussed. Lionel Ritchie could have been included as a songwriter who helped Kenny Rodgers. They spoke to Larry Gatlin, but not in depth about his own career, only to verify other artist’s history. I could have done without all of Marty Stuart references about himself and how he was able to position himself into certain situations. I had more than my fill of Roseanne Cash by the end of the series, who seemed like she was there to remind everyone of her mother who was not central to the Walk the Line biopic. The HIGHWAY Men were not even mentioned. We did not see the end of June Carter Cash, her sisters and Mother Maybelle’s careers. No Mandrel Family, Lee Greenwood, Dixie Chicks, and so many others who should have been mentioned if less time had been spent with Roseanne Cash. I’m very happy Ken Burns did this series, BUT I felt deflated at times after episodes 5, 6, and 8. I hope he revisits this series and adds additional content and deletes some artists who had entirely too much screen time in my own personal opinion.
Richard
September 28, 2019 @ 8:50 pm
Mac Davis, The Statler Brothers not as just backup
Ricky
September 28, 2019 @ 9:09 pm
Sonny James should have been mentioned. Started with a long string of number 1 hits. Male artist of the decade of the 70’s.
George
September 28, 2019 @ 9:17 pm
John Prine.
Thomas B
September 29, 2019 @ 4:54 am
I haven’t seen it yet but if John Prine isn’t mentioned then I’m probably good on seeing it. I’m guessing if there was no John Prine then there probably no Townes Van Zandt or Blaze Foley either?? Dumps!!
Michael B
September 29, 2019 @ 6:43 am
TZV is definitely included although I forget which episode. Prine’s exclusion is a mystery. The man has been writing gold for the past half century, endorsed heartily by Kris and Johnny when he started out and is revered now by Nashville’s up and coming.
Trigger
September 29, 2019 @ 7:58 am
Townes Van Zandt appears in Episode 7. “Pancho & Lefty” is also a big part of that episode too.
John Richard Short
April 17, 2020 @ 9:33 am
John Prine
Catherine Sutfin
September 28, 2019 @ 9:18 pm
it seemed like a biopic of Carter/Cash. Perhaps that should have been a documentary by itself. They were certainly important enough to warrant one. But…so many didn’t even get a mention and they were deserving too. I was disappointed by the finale but found what was covered to be okay. I will finish by saying I wouldn’t bother to purchase the documentary for future viewing.
Jimmy Hunt
September 28, 2019 @ 9:31 pm
Radney Foster and Bill Lloyd had a decent duo in the 80’s with Foster & Lloyd.And Radney had a good solo career after they broke up.And he also played a good part in the Texas scene.It would be nice to see a documentary on the lesser known artist,duo’s and bands in the country music.And maybe a documentary on the comedians of country music.I have always been a big fan of Jerry Clower.
Ron Kendall
September 28, 2019 @ 9:31 pm
Very little to no time was given to a lot of stars far bigger than some spotlighted or interviewed including the Great Conway Twitty was the biggest oversight I saw, as well as Marty Robbins, Jim Reeves, Johnny Horton, Glen Campbell, Tanya Tucker, Kenny Rogers, Johnny Paycheck, Don Williams to name a few that were big for several years with many many more hits and impact than the likes of Roseanne Cash, Carlene Carter and Rodney Crowell who not likely would have been included but due to their connection to Johnny Cash and the Carter family who were not what country was all built on. Shame Shame from a dyed in the wool true country fan and son of two people who played several instruments and father sang all the old 50s 60s country honky tonk hits. All of these mentioned could out sing Johnny Cash and the Carter Family and circle but I understand there probably is Politics in music just as sports and movie business etc. Maybe producers and Ken Burns should have talked to more than just mainly J Cash family and in-laws etc. And had film reviewed by diehard fans and other from country music to note the glaring omissions and snubs of a few great country stars at the expenses of wasting airtime on Bob Dylan singing badly with Johnny Cash and other lower end artists given much too much airtime when they should have been excluded.
Too bad could have been a masterpiece if not for so many glowing omissions or short note of much consequence when few of these noted should have been given more merit. Tsk tsk.
Lost its way when too much Johnny Cash and Carter family and excluding some very notable artists from their due.
I would hope they go back and add episodes to make up for all the obvious omissions and maybe remove some of the irrelevant clips that were clearly filler because of connection to Johnny Cash. This is not the Carter family and Johnny Cash family video history which it turned into in middle episodes plus and was getting tiresome to say the least when so many greats not given their due!!
Holly Broughton
September 29, 2019 @ 5:07 am
Totally agree! Too much about Carter/Cash. Needed more highlights on George Straight, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrel and Jim Reeves.
Daniel
September 28, 2019 @ 9:39 pm
I posted in response to an earlier Trigger write-up (can’t remember which episode) that I agreed with many other folks here that too much time was dedicated to Cash, but the more I think about it, he served as (A) a thread that could weave through the series in ways that not many other artists could given his career and his connection to the Carter Family and (B) he embodied what we might identify as a thesis for the series: country music is two sides of a coin (honky tonkin’ on Saturday night and gospel purifyin’ on Sunday morning). He lived both sides of that coin and his music explicitly reflected both sides.
I really don’t have any complaints; it was 8 episodes and covered a lot of ground. People will be left out. I would agree with mattdangerously, though, did Kathy Mattea really deserve that length of time? I mean, I’d consider myself to have an average knowledge of Country’s history. I had heard of Mattea but couldn’t name a single song or wouldn’t know her if I was sitting next to her on a bus. And that song that garnerd so much attention was not a country song in my opinion. Use that time for the Dixie Chicks (and I say that as someone who is not a fan of their music but they were in the middle of something interesting that could have been re-read through the earlier analysis of “Okie in Muskogee”).
At the end of the day, Burns could not add more time. This was already long. And who was he going to cut out to make room for all of the names that appear above? I could only spot one person to cut: Mattea.
Sherry
September 28, 2019 @ 9:41 pm
Very excited about first few episodes, then it became a Johnny Cash documentary. Ray Price, Jim Reeves, Conway Twitty, the Statler Bros, and Don Williams were all slighted. Why Kathy Mattea and Roseanne Cash? I can recall only one song from either and no reference to Merle Haggard’s passing at a rushed ending. A great start but left me wanting more about artists who had more of an impact than one hit wonders.
Larry Jordan
September 28, 2019 @ 9:42 pm
The Burns documentary was an outrageous insult to the artists, musicians and songwriters who were omitted from it. The argument that there simply wasn’t time to feature them all is ludicrous. Out of roughly 960 minutes of broadcast time, if the script had been judiciously written and edited, this series could have covered everybody of note. EVERYBODY. Instead, it went off on excursions that were absurd. Frankly I don’t care about Johnny Cash’s martial history or how he cheated on his first wife. Yet that was covered. We can guess that a reason for the preoccupation with Cash stems from the fact that author Michael Streissguth was a consultant to Burns since 2013, and Streissguth has written THREE books on Johnny Cash and one book on Roseanne Cash. I’m also not surprised, given Streissguth’s abysmal book on Jim Reeves, that “Gentleman Jim” was only briefly mentioned. (FYI, I’m the author of an award-winning 672-page book called “Jim Reeves: His Untold Story” which is based on over 500 interviews and Jim’s personal diaries; I knew Jim’s widow for 33 years. I’ve also produced a series of CDs featuring unreleased material on Jim, including new overdubs, and have guested on a 1-hour BBC documentary as well as helped with a second documentary done by British television, both of which gave Jim his proper attention). I was in touch with the Burns office months ago and also received a letter from his personal assistant informing me that Ken and his associate were reading my book. But this was AFTER production had wrapped. I told Ken that he is treated like Moses handing down Divine declarations and people take to heart what he as a documentarian presents in his various films (eg, on the Civil War, Vietnam war, etc.) I have read much praise for this series on Facebook and all I can say is, regrettably many fans don’t know even the broad outlines of country music history from this series. They have seen the tip of the iceberg, Blame for this fiasco also goes to scriptwriter Dayton Duncan.
Heidi
September 28, 2019 @ 9:44 pm
I have a list. Red Sovine and Dave Dudley and the “trucker” music. Dave and Sugar, and The Kendalls and their amazing harmonies. The Statler Brothers, the Oak Ridge Boys, Exile, more about country rock; Kenny Rogers got glossed over, pretty much, as did Ronnie Milsap and Charlie Rich. Big Al Downing should be included in discussions of black country singers. Amwrican-style country music influencing others around the world, especially Ireland, which has a big country music scene and some artists come to Nashville to record and write and try to make a splash here (Nathan Carter is one, but there are others).
Sam
September 28, 2019 @ 9:46 pm
The Iraqi crows, NO!
Harper
September 28, 2019 @ 9:49 pm
I haven’t seen the entire series but great legends are certainly overlooked. The price you pay for emphasizing the biggies: Carter Family, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash. I personally missed Johnny Horton who was the biggest artist in the world to this 6 year old. So many overlooked. If it were my documentary the Delmore and Louvin brothers would have seen significant time along with Vernon Dalhart who even the Early Beatles covered. Only a mention of Skeeter Davis or maybe just “End of the World”. No Jimmy Dean, Marvin Rainwater, Homer & Jethro, Creedence Clearwater Revival justify a mention – talk about outlaws. As I’m running behind the series I am debating skipping 80s through the present as everything had been said best by that point.
Shelley
September 28, 2019 @ 9:58 pm
Glen Campbell, and Jerry Jeff Walker. Jerry Jeff and the entire outlaw movement were so important to me. And Don Williams and George Strait are so good it’s a real shame they weren’t featured. There were a ton of really great guys in the 70’s, 80’s and early 90’s. A real resurgence.
Robert Orlando
September 29, 2019 @ 7:07 am
Sad indeed that Jerry Jeff did not get more than a mention of his name in this doc.
Pat McCord
September 28, 2019 @ 10:05 pm
You needed much more Ray Price!!!
Christopher Burrell
September 28, 2019 @ 10:13 pm
Well at least we will always have Waylon naming checking Jerry Lee the killer and Waylon and Willie and checking Jerry Jeff in their songs….the whole outlaw movement deserved more time IMHO.
Donna D.
September 28, 2019 @ 10:27 pm
I thought the series was very well done but I was very surprised that Ray Stevens was not mentioned, particularly for his 1970 single “Everything is Beautiful”. At a time when the U.S. was divided because of Vietnam, that song brought the country together. Also, Glen Campbell did not get his due, not only for the TV show, but what about the song Galveston which was certainly not supportive of the war. Also, what about Lawrence Welk ? His program always had a segmemt with Country Music.. I also felt there could have been some time showcasing John Denver. I did not get to see the last 2 episodes but I will catch up. I hope there is is something in there about Charlie Daniels as well. His fiddle playing is legendary.
Marcy Wafer
September 28, 2019 @ 10:31 pm
Bob Davies
I think Burns did a wonderful job.
The question was put out there for us to reply.
I cannot believe Conway Twitty did not get mentioned by himself or with Loretta Lynn.
That does not make me a cry baby.
I was just so dissapointed not to hear a little on him for ALL the great country songs he had . And he was country . The great songs him and Lorreta had. Yes ,I loved the 8 shows ,I just felt it was a huge void.
Lele
September 28, 2019 @ 10:38 pm
Ummm how about KENNY ROGERS??? NO ISLANDS IN THE FREAKING STREAM??
Buzz
September 28, 2019 @ 10:40 pm
Thought the documentary was outstanding even though a lot of great artist were left out, but all of you left out Stonewall Jackson, that man could bust out a tune.
Jim Wheeler
September 28, 2019 @ 10:49 pm
Did I miss Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers, How about Gene Autry? A bit too much about Dolly Parton. More of Doug Sham, Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados. Glad the Bakersfield sound was included.
I liked the whole history of Country. Ken did a great job.
Venturacountryfan
September 29, 2019 @ 2:16 pm
Gene Autrey was covered extensively in Episode 2. Roy Rogers and Sons of the Pioneers less so; as someone not as familiar with this period, I came away thinking Roy was a lesser musician who was just a replacement whle Gene was taking a break. Definitely want to explore their music more though.
Steve Watson
September 28, 2019 @ 11:12 pm
The only ” country singer/ performer, ” that I can think of that has not been given any respect from Ken Burns,The Country Music Hall of Fame or anyone on this site is the one and only Gene Watson, this man is country music, may not have had the number of # one hits that some of the others have had but his voice and delivery of a song is unmatched by anyone, past or present. If you ever get a chance to see him perform, as I did last year, do yourself a favor and go to one of his shows, you won’t be disappointed. His cover of Ray Prices Make the World Go Away and Don’t you ever get tired of Hurting Me are beautiful, as is his rendition of You Gave Me a Mountain. When he performs on Country’s Family Reunion, in front of all of the other great stars from the past, you can clearly tell who they came to see, he receives a standing ovation every time. To quote Joe Nichols “Gene Watson is the most under appreciated country singer of all time !!!” I agree. Farewell Party has been a classic and meant so much to so many. I guess they’re waiting until after he passes to show him the respect he deserves. I hope not.
Keith Shelton
September 28, 2019 @ 11:16 pm
Lynn Anderson!
Sandy
September 28, 2019 @ 11:25 pm
Enjoyed the first couple of episodes and then Johnny Cash took over. Way too much of him and why even add Roseanne. She really wasn’t anything special. With the time they gave them, they could have highlighted several more entertainers. Got me to wondering if the Cash/ Carter family subsidized this show.
Bonnie Johnson
September 29, 2019 @ 12:03 am
BizzzyBee38……Tompall & the Glaser Brothers should’ve had some mention. They’re the greatest group ever & any one of them was a super solo artist. In 1970 they got the award for Group of the Year & deserved it. They wrote a lot of their own music & their songs were beautiful. I listen to them every day. Marty Robbins was a wonderful singer with a beautiful voice & he was a very talented songwriter.
Orgirl1
September 29, 2019 @ 12:45 am
“something that tells the overarching story of country music, which they accomplished with flying colors.”
I 100% completely disagree with this statement. I usually agree with your insights and opinions Trigger, but not this time. Defend your statement, especially when he literally LEFT OUT most of the cultural experiences of the 70’s and 80’s. Urban Cowboy, Paycheck, Charlie Daniels Band, etc. The US was dominated by conservative values in the 80’s, but that is something he obviously wasn’t “interested in.” It was so left leaning it was obvious. And I lean left.
Howard Barnard
September 29, 2019 @ 2:08 am
Now how about a Ken Burns team series on folk music, country’s cousin.
Russell Bailey
September 29, 2019 @ 3:06 am
Doc Watson and fellow Merlefest musicians – Doc mentored, nurtured, provided opportunities for and promoted thousands of musicians across all aspects, threads and themes of ‘American Country Music and Cultures’ – a rare GIANT in Country and Americana music, who lifted thousands of other performers, composers and producers.
Russell Bailey
September 29, 2019 @ 3:08 am
Doc Watson and his ‘Musical Family’
George
September 29, 2019 @ 3:47 am
While the stories and historical ties that surround Johnny Cash are indeed significant and worth telling, I think the series could have done with less Cash in order to make room for some who were overlooked. I see this documentary as being aimed at “Popular Culture.” By that I mean the general non-descript public; not hard core Country Music fans and historians. They already have a grounding in the history of Country Music. This was an effort to educate (and perhaps win over) the general public, many of whom are not Country Music fans. The problem is, with those folks, if you asked them to name a Country Music singer or song, most would instinctly reply: “Johnny Cash” or “Folsom Prison Blues.” He is already such a known quantity and viewed by popular culture as the “be all and end all” of Country Music; and it felt to me like this documentary tended to further that notion. Again, not to take anything away from Cash regarding his story and significance, I just think room for others could have been made by trimming back the Cash story. NOTE: I mentioned this once on social media and it generated some hostility from hard core Cash fans.
Jim Pipkin
September 29, 2019 @ 4:17 am
Doc and Merle Watson, Marty Robbins, Steve Earle – whose Exit Zero and Guitar Town albums were visionary and ruthlessly spiked by the industry. But seriously, for a small genre with so little financial clout, Country would need hundreds of hours to properly cover the thousands of artists and songwriters that paved the way for Nashville to become the towering mediocrity it is tiday.
Fred C Fussell
September 29, 2019 @ 4:55 am
Tom Darby and Jimmie Tarlton – who recorded over 50 sides for Columbia in the late 1920s and early ’30s, including Columbus Stockade Blues, Birmingham Jail, Way Down In Florida on a Hog, and many many more. Darby was among the first recording artists, and maybe the first, to employ “Hawaiian” guitar in his style, which soon led to the popularity of the steel guitar in country music.
See https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/21869/Tarlton_Jimmie_vocalist and https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/index.php/talent/detail/4893/Darby_Tom_vocalist .
Rich K
September 29, 2019 @ 5:01 am
I wanted to reiterate about Dottie West. I watched closely and don’t recall her being barely mentioned. I realize you can’t cover everyone in detail but historically she deserved more time.
And I’m not the biggest Kenny Rogers fan but he is arguably country’s all time biggest hit maker, certainly in terms of cross over. He got nearly zero time himself.
And while we’re at it did the show even mention Mickey Gilley?
gail mier
September 29, 2019 @ 5:04 am
It’s the life and times of the people in the stories that make the artists interesting and possibly influential to country music
gail mier
September 29, 2019 @ 5:06 am
Its the life and times of the early singers and how they influenced the future of country music and other singers
Holly Broughton
September 29, 2019 @ 5:08 am
Totally agree! Too much about Carter/Cash. Needed more highlights on George Straight, Alan Jackson, Ronnie Milsap, Marty Robbins, Barbara Mandrel and Jim Reeves.
Judy Hanson
September 29, 2019 @ 5:10 am
To me the big star who was missing was the queen of country music, Kitty Wells.
FRANK L QUESADA
September 29, 2019 @ 5:20 am
Spotify has a playlist associated with the documentary it is really good so go check it out. Also if you like the history of country music you should go check out the Cocaine and Rhinestones Podcast, it is excellent and will leave you wanting more.
Niki
September 29, 2019 @ 5:27 am
Keith Whitney for sure! He has influenced SO many artists, ( and someone really needs to make a movie about his life.) Skip Ewing is another that should have been profiled. He has written so many hits that it only makes sense he should have been included.
Linda Storey
September 29, 2019 @ 5:30 am
How about Tracy Lawrence. He has put out a lot of great music over the years and just released another great one. I know music does have to change but this new music IS NOT country at all.
DMc19
September 29, 2019 @ 5:32 am
Ray Price, Wynn Stewart, Melba Montgomery, Darby & Tarlton, Grayson & Whitter, other early White Blues artists, Johnny Paycheck, Patty Loveless, Faith Hill & Martina McBride, Alan Jackson, Doug Sahm, Derailers, Wayne Hancock, Buddy & Julie Miller, Kelly Willis, the list goes on. All deserved mention.
BR549 was active in the Lower Broad Revival in the early 90s and would have been the perfect entree to a necessary overview of the beginnings of the Americana movement.
Another missed opportunity: Hank Williams III had begun recording by 1996 and could have provided a meaningful illustration of the progress of the music from postwar Honky Tonk to Hank Jr.’s modernized Country to the punky Americana aesthetic in which Hank III works.
Likewise, Dale Watson’s “Nashville Rash” (1995) should have been the theme song for the final episode of the Ken Burns Country Music documentary, because it expresses the feelings of those who believe that Country has lost its authenticity in its quest for commercial success. Dale sings, “I’m too country now for Country, just like Johnny Cash….and Buck Ownes and Faron Young and Johnny Bush and Johnny Paycheck and Charley Pride and Loretta Lynn, mmm.”
The chronological cutoff (1996) here precludes coverage of the Dixie Chicks Iraq controversy in 2003, but they did release several albums before 1996 so they could have been mentioned. Merle Haggard defended them at that time. Merle later wrote his own critique of Commercial Country Music in “Too Much Boogie Woogie” (2011):
“…Hey, that stuff they’re playing on the radio
Oughta be down at the bottom of the abyss
There’s too much boogie woogie
And not enough Hank and Kris.
…We gotta be more demanding
Down at the corner pub
There’s too much boogie woogie
And not enough Ernest Tubb.”
Word. Ken Burns, bravo! We thank you for your excellent work: please tie up the loose ends with another series, on “Country Music, Part 2”.
Mark Byrd
September 29, 2019 @ 5:36 am
This was a great article and you mentioned everyone I felt was left out. Particularly Don Williams, Vern Gosdin, Marty Robbins and Conway.
Jacob Rinard
September 29, 2019 @ 5:42 am
Totally left out Billy joe shaver
Roxanne Hedlund
September 29, 2019 @ 6:03 am
It was a wonderful doc. I’ve been a fan of country music since I can remember, my dad a dairy farmer would have the radio on in the barn us kids (9 of us) grew up on Merle, Charlie Pride, Johnny Cash, When I got married in 1980 it was Willie and Waylon, now I listen to a radio station that plays all the old country Thank you Mr. Burns! There is no way you could of put everything about every artist in this doc. But what you did was great.
Cleo
September 29, 2019 @ 6:07 am
Sonny James
jjazznola
September 29, 2019 @ 6:18 am
I wish they had spent more time discussing the changing instruments that the artists played.
Tommy Wood
September 29, 2019 @ 6:23 am
Only hinted at with Monroe Bros and the Judds and Louvins, family duets particularly brother acts were an important sub-genre contribution to country music — e.g. Delmore Bros, Lilly Bros, Blue Sky Boys, Jim and Jesse, Everly Bros, the latter being early R’n’R until given sufficient hindsight. Could have done with a mention of the genre and its influence. If Ken Burns wanted to include blacks, as he did in gratuitous photos, some mention of how the major labels splintered black string bands off into race music and segregated them was in order. They weren’t that different from Gid Tanner, Charlie Poole, or Clayton McMichen. Agree with the many comments about over inclusion of Johnny and RoseAnn Cash, Rodney Crowell, and Kathy Mattea
Venturacountryfan
September 29, 2019 @ 2:18 pm
I felt the Everly Brothers were mentioned fairly, and there was an indication that they were inspired by other brother acts, but their songwriters, the Bryants, actually got more attention.
Joe
September 29, 2019 @ 6:30 am
Freddie Hart.
DJ
September 29, 2019 @ 6:32 am
Wow! I recorded the series for binge watching but I don’t think I will- to start with it sounds redundant (in that knowledgeable fans of the music already know the content of an outsiders view) outsider defined as- merely an observer, not a fan- from the comments it appears the Documentary was made to make money for Ken Burns and Country Music just happened to be the subject- this time.
I can’t disagree with the sentiment expressed that, *well at least Country Music has gotten national recognition it so deserves*- but obviously the agenda of the film was to make Ken Burns even more famous- it appears, from the OT to the comments, Ken Burns and those involved don’t know squat about Country Music and pass their lack of knowledge off as doing it justice- they know and pass on what they want others to think- Period. Regardless of the subject that has to be taken into account. A film maker does not an expert make.
Glad I visit here regularly- it keeps me, as a fan, with a modicum of knowledge, informed- maybe people like Ken Burns need to get off the porch and visit the stinky tourist.
As usual, good job Trigger!
Trigger
September 29, 2019 @ 7:58 am
Watch it. My advice.
M. Rounds
September 29, 2019 @ 6:35 pm
Really? You think the “agenda” of this work was to make Ken Burns more famous? He made it very clear that Country music is not his favorite music. He spent thousands of hours making this series when there are several interests of his that he would probably have rather undertaken. It really bothers me that people who have never made a film, even in a high school film class, have so much negativity towards this man.
Edward Carlin
September 29, 2019 @ 6:37 am
Did anyone check up on the people in charge of closed captioning? What a joke that was. Hope they weren’t paid much.
None
September 29, 2019 @ 6:39 am
Ricky Van Shelton
JeffC
September 29, 2019 @ 6:59 am
I’m not sure, I don’t think the name Jerry Reed was mentioned once. Not once. Mr. Chet named him one of the 5 only certified guitar players. When Mr. Burns had the opportunity to mention his name once, during the silly song segment , the song was mentioned ( She got the gold mine, I got the shaft) , Jerry was not.
That ain’t right. If Jerry were alive and 20, he’d chase 90% of the guitarists right out of that town.
Signed,
A New York Yankees mostly into Jazz music.
Lexus K.
September 29, 2019 @ 7:02 am
I am surprised more haven’t mentioned the Judds. Yes they were of the 80s but they and Don Williams carried country music on their back’s during that era.
Custer
September 29, 2019 @ 7:11 am
Omg ! Where was Webb pierce , Carl Smith, Hank Thompson in the 50’s???? Guess cause they didn’t cater to opry politics! U sure like telling us about Johnny cash’s ex wife ,,, what about June carter’s ex husband (s)
Denice Hall
September 29, 2019 @ 7:12 am
Charlie Daniels, Townes van Zandt, and Joe Ely are a few that come to mind. And, I totally agree with those who mentioned Don Williams & Vern Gosdin.
Nina Gaspich
September 29, 2019 @ 7:22 am
I’m not a die-hard country fan (that’s reserved for the Chicago Cubs), but even as a “casual” observer I was puzzled at some of these omissions, as well as the lack of recognition for the Academy of Country Music which was originally set up as a West Coast rival to the Nashville-based Association of Country Music.
Speaking of Conway Twitty…his name was the “inspiration ” for Conrad Birdie of “Bye Bye Birdie.”
Jacqueline Thomas
September 29, 2019 @ 7:23 am
I was unable to watch the documentary as out every night. i planned to purchase the set on DVD. But after reading these comments, I can’t believe so many of my all time favorites were omitted. So will save my money for better use.
~slk~
September 29, 2019 @ 10:20 pm
Even with the omissions, the documentary was beautiful and engrossing. I hated to see it end.
Cheryl Steele
September 29, 2019 @ 7:25 am
I think they took too much time focusing on artists like Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I like them pretty good but many other artists were overlooked or just skimmed over, if they would managed the time some artists were talked about others could have been at least mentioned. If I were to grade the series from 1-10 I would give it a 6 at best.
Carol
September 29, 2019 @ 7:26 am
What about Roy Clark?
Robert Orlando
September 29, 2019 @ 7:28 am
I’ll say it again – Jerry Jeff Walker!
CountryKnight
September 29, 2019 @ 7:28 am
Why is anyone surprised? It is Ken Burns. The man neglected Stan Musial when he did his baseball documentary and focused exclusively on New York nostalgia.
He is just not that good.
Pell
September 29, 2019 @ 7:29 am
While I agree it is almost impossible to include everyone, there are some glaring omissions. I’m 43 which means country music from the early 80s is what I heard in my childhood. I am not from a country music listening family, but you could not turn on the radio in the 80s without hearing Kenny Rogers. He needed more than a mention. Same with Johnny Paycheck and David Allen Cole. Let’s tell the whole story, even if it isn’t pretty. Biggest oversight is easily The Highway Men. I know all were well covered in their own right but to not feature 4 of the biggest icons in country playing together in a supergroup is a sin. It could have been easily covered in 2-3 minutes instead of 10 plus min of roseanna cash who many feel is as much pop or contemporary as she is country. If she was not Johnny Cash’s daughter, she would not have gotten nearly as much time compared to other, more deserving artists like Twitty, Haggard (who absolutley deserved more time), Cole, Rogers, or even Alabama (who defines 80s country to many). Its clear that commericial success was more ignored later in the series. That said, Burns still did a very good job doing the almost impossible. Final grade: B+