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It told stories that hadnt been heard; it gave voice to the voiceless.
What emerges is a history of American ingenuity, of enterprising thinkers paving ways where they hadnt yet existed.
Country Musics early hours are a dance between advances in tech and developments in culture.
Rodgers sang of hustlers and gamblers in tunes like Blue Yodel No.
Singing cowboys like Gene Autry made a mint on motion pictures and promotional products carrying their names.
People craved realism, but they wanted showmanship too.
Strike the right balance between the two and the audience might love you forever.
Deviate from the script and you were on your own.
Talent won for Willie; the label releasedStrangerto appease him and was surprised by its critical and commercial success.
But many country artists suffered for differing from the norm.
The documentarys musings on race and gender examine the shortcomings of conservatism as a tentpole in the arts.
Texas country-and-folk genius Townes Van Zandt caught the spark listening to Lightnin Hopkins.
Johnny Cashs muse was bluesman Gus Cannon.
Country Musicexplores womens struggles too, but it treads very lightly.
In these areas,Country Musiclets the viewer draw the obvious conclusions.
Its honest but never judgmental.
The lifers are a riot.
Ken Burns: Country Musiccarries something for fans at every level of their journey with country and western music.
The greatest compliment you could pay an undertaking like this is to wish there were more of it.
Its gratifying, illuminating television regardless.
