I've enjoyed it very much. There is soooooo much that could be covered, it had to be hard picking what to touch on, what to go in depth on, and what to ignore completely. But, even knowing that, there have still been some surprises on what's been (or not been) on so far.

 

* Sons of the Pioneers - Been around since 1932, but I don't think were mentioned at all.

* Roy Rogers - Mentioned almost as a footnote to the Gene Autry storyline.

* Tennessee Ernie Ford - may have had one mention

* Jim Reeves - No mention at all, I believe

* Conway Twitty - A brief mention in one episode, and a small inclusion with Loretta, almost an afterthought, in last night's discussion about George/Tammy.

* The Byrds - Was surprised to see them featured as much as they were the other night. But, guess they figured they needed to lay the groundwork to start the Emmylou Harris arc that they focused on last night.

* Linda Ronstadt - Saw her name on a billboard in last night's episode, but so far, no mention of her.

 

If I had to lay odds on who's still yet to be featured, I'd go with:

* George Strait

* Randy Travis

* Reba McEntire

* Alan Jackson

* Vince Gill

* Garth Brooks

* Shania Twain/Faith Hill

* Carrie Underwood/Taylor Swift

* Jamey Johnson

The reemergence Of Johnny Cash is in the final episode.

Best line I’ve heard so far: Immediately after finishing the recording of “He Stopped Loving Her Today” he told producer Billy Sherrill, “Well, there’s your record. But no one is going to buy the morbid son of a (gun)”.

I've enjoyed it very much. There is soooooo much that could be covered, it had to be hard picking what to touch on, what to go in depth on, and what to ignore completely. But, even knowing that, there have still been some surprises on what's been (or not been) on so far.

 

* Sons of the Pioneers - Been around since 1932, but I don't think were mentioned at all.

* Roy Rogers - Mentioned almost as a footnote to the Gene Autry storyline.

* Tennessee Ernie Ford - may have had one mention

* Jim Reeves - No mention at all, I believe

* Conway Twitty - A brief mention in one episode, and a small inclusion with Loretta, almost an afterthought, in last night's discussion about George/Tammy.

* The Byrds - Was surprised to see them featured as much as they were the other night. But, guess they figured they needed to lay the groundwork to start the Emmylou Harris arc that they focused on last night.

* Linda Ronstadt - Saw her name on a billboard in last night's episode, but so far, no mention of her.

 

If I had to lay odds on who's still yet to be featured, I'd go with:

* George Strait

* Randy Travis

* Reba McEntire

* Alan Jackson

* Vince Gill

* Garth Brooks

* Shania Twain/Faith Hill

* Carrie Underwood/Taylor Swift

* Jamey Johnson

 

1994-96 is kind of the cut off, so a few of those came after that. There is a photo montage at the end of current artist, including many of those.

 

The biggest miss that I thought of was Alabama. They played one of their songs and Garth mentions them but that is all of the Alabama in it.

 

I think they had to limit it to artist that had a huge influence or provided a shift in country music. I love Conway, but he didn't do anything that Jones, Cash and Haggard didn't do better...so he didn't make the cut.

 

There are 100's of hours that had to be cut to 16, in the end I was happy with the result.

1994-96 is kind of the cut off, so a few of those came after that. There is a photo montage at the end of current artist, including many of those.

 

The biggest miss that I thought of was Alabama. They played one of their songs and Garth mentions them but that is all of the Alabama in it.

 

I think they had to limit it to artist that had a huge influence or provided a shift in country music. I love Conway, but he didn't do anything that Jones, Cash and Haggard didn't do better...so he didn't make the cut.

 

There are 100's of hours that had to be cut to 16, in the end I was happy with the result.

 

Didn't know the 94-96 cut off, thanks.

 

I agree with Alabama, if they don't get any more mention than the 30 seconds or so from last night, that is a surprise.

To me, Alabama begat Garth Brooks. Many think Garth was the original front man in Country Music. But to me it will always be Randy Owen.

It would only be fitting if they ended the final episode by playing George Strait and Allan Jackson’s “Murder On Music Row”.

That would have been a good ending, but I like the song and the version of it that they used to play it out at the end better.

To me, Alabama begat Garth Brooks. Many think Garth was the original front man in Country Music. But to me it will always be Randy Owen.

 

Garth comments, that when he was coming up and playing in bars and for students that he played more Alabama than Alabama did.

Tonight's episode covered 68-72 and was a strong episode, especially with some of the groundwork that has been laid in previous episodes.

 

I'm not 100% sure of the other three, but Mother Maybelle Carter deserves to be on the country music Mt Rushmore. From her inventive guitar playing to what she and family did to build country music on their backs. Her influence and that of The Carter Family may never truly be out of real country music.

 

I did not realize that my father was an 'Outlaw' when it came to country music. I just thought that Waylon and Willie and Jessie Colter WERE country back then. He had the Hank Jr, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson albums. That included the "Wanted" Album they featured in this segment. Also he had the Emmy Lou Harris albums. Toss in some Linda Ronstadt and Loggins and Messina and that is what "country" was to me growing up.

Is Alison Krauss considered to be country ? I did see one billboard with her name on it ,but no mention of her in any of the programs Overall I really enjoyed the production.

Is Alison Krauss considered to be country ? I did see one billboard with her name on it ,but no mention of her in any of the programs Overall I really enjoyed the production.

 

Country/Bluegrass, I think like others it just came down to time. There are dozens that could have had small features that weren't even mentioned. You can't fit nearly 100 years of history into 16 hours and include everything. Also, the majority of her success came in the mid 90's and 2000's...that's after the time they really focused on.

I did not know the Keith Whitley connection to "Go Rest High On That Mountain". Had always just heard that it was written about Vince's brother. Makes total sense, though, when you hear the lyrics.

I did not know the Keith Whitley connection to "Go Rest High On That Mountain". Had always just heard that it was written about Vince's brother. Makes total sense, though, when you hear the lyrics.

 

I knew Vince had started the song before his brother died, but like you I wasn't aware it was for Whitley.

If you know Whitley's music there was a clue in the first verse.

 

"I know your life

On earth was troubled

And only you could know the pain.

You weren't afraid to face the devil,

You were no stranger to the rain."

 

I'm still a few episodes behind, but it's been a great documentary. I've learned a lot so far.

To me, Alabama begat Garth Brooks. Many think Garth was the original front man in Country Music. But to me it will always be Randy Owen.

 

I've had a pretty insanely busy couple of weeks, and as much as I love Ken Burns documentaries, I hate not having the time to pay the attention that I want to them when I watch. I've caught the first two episodes thus far, and they were really really good.

 

It's interesting that you mention Alabama/Randy Owen and Garth Brooks as "front men" in country music, because that is basically the point where I part ways completely with country music. The things I listen to from today's artists that some people might describe as the more twangy parts of my musical taste are what I would usually describe more as Americana artists or southern rockers than I would describe them as "country". And those artists' lack of overall popular status at things like the CMT Awards tend to support that. Hays Carll, Jason Isbell, Lucinda Williams, Ryan Adams, Sturgill Simpson, Scott Miller, John Prine, Justin Townes Earle, Ryan Bingam, Jeff Tweedy, Jay Farrar, Tyler Childers, Joe Pug, Colter Wall....that's my jam these days. Not much of anything making its way onto the CMTs. That stuff is just top 40 pop music wearing a cowboy hat.