'Whispering' Bob Harris journeys to America's country music capital to reveal why Nashville became Music City USA. From the beginnings of the Grand Ole Opry on commercial radio, through the threatening onset of rock 'n' roll in the 1950s, right up to the modern mainstream hits of Music Row, this is the story of how music has shaped Nashville and why today it's a place of pilgrimage for musicians from all over the world.
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29 Oct 2004
Born on a sharecropping plantation in Northern Florida, Ray Charles went blind at seven. Inspired by a fiercely independent mom who insisted he make his own way, He found his calling and his gift behind a piano keyboard. Touring across the Southern musical circuit, the soulful singer gained a reputation and then exploded with worldwide fame when he pioneered coupling gospel and country together.
01 Apr 2013
After having released her fourth album "Red" in October 2012, Taylor Alison Swift continues to tear up the charts. In this film we learn how Swift becomes one of America's biggest Country and Pop music artists.
25 Dec 2019
Dolly Parton leads a moving, musical journey in this documentary that details the people and places who have helped shape her iconic career.
01 Jan 1989
This program traces Hank Williams' incredible life story through rare film clips, and revealing interviews with his friends and fellow performers such as Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl and Chet Atkins. Included are performances of many of Hank's greatest songs by today's top country music recording artists who also tell how Hank Williams inspired their career.
17 Sep 2007
R&B legend, Grammy winner, and Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Solomon "The King" Burke makes a once in a lifetime trip to Nashville in an evening of country and roots music at the famed Belcourt Theatre. Emmylou Harris, Patty Griffin, Gillian Welch and band leader Buddy Miller join Solomon along with songwriters Jim Lauderdale, Paul Kennerley, Kevin Welch and Shawn Amos in a soul inspiring night of collaboration and music.
01 Jun 2006
A look at what goes on backstage during the last broadcast of America's most celebrated radio show, where singing cowboys Dusty and Lefty, a country music siren, and a host of others hold court.
01 Jan 2007
Nothing says "I Love You" like a country song. And no singer ever expressed these sentiments better than Dolly Parton in I Will Always Love You, one of the highlights from Love Songs. Patsy Cline and Ferlin Husky address the pain of separation. Sexy Conway Twitty gets right down to business in I See the Want To In Your Eyes. As for Ray Price - he make a failed romance sound mighty pretty in For the Good Times.
21 Nov 2007
Back in 1961, the Country Music Association founded the Country Music Hall of Fame to recognize the top artists, songwriters, broadcasters and executives in the business. Hall of Fame set honors the illustrious Class of '73 - Chet Atkins and Patsy Cline - with Chet's instrumental hit Yakety Axe and Patsy's Imagine That. Johnny Cash appears twice, while Willie Nelson in Mr. Record Man shows his rarely seen pre-outlaw, clean-cut side.
27 Oct 2006
Shut Up and Sing is a documentary about the country band from Texas called the Dixie Chicks and how one tiny comment against President Bush dropped their number one hit off the charts and caused fans to hate them, destroy their CD’s, and protest at their concerts. A film about freedom of speech gone out of control and the three girls lives that were forever changed by a small anti-Bush comment
24 Apr 2014
A documentary film detailing Glen Campbell's final tour and his struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
07 Mar 1980
Biography of Loretta Lynn, a country and western singer that came from poverty to fame.
11 Jun 1975
The intersecting stories of twenty-four characters—from country star to wannabe to reporter to waitress—connect to the music business in Nashville, Tennessee.
01 Aug 2017
For Ada and Piper Spencer, singing is as natural as breathing. Blessed with talent and determination, these sisters hope to fulfill their dream of performing on the stages of Nashville. But there's a family secret the girls never knew.
02 Oct 2007
Doug Sahm a/k/a Sir Doug was both a Texas rock & roll legend and pioneer. True, there were others before him (Buddy Holly and Roy Orbison come to mind), but the Sir Douglas Quintet counterattacked the British invasion of the mid 1960's with their own brand of Chicano-influenced rock that they had been playing around their hometown of San Antonio. This performance, recorded October 14, 1975, came after Doug had temporarily retired the Sir Douglas name, but features original member Augie Meyer along with musical compadres Martin Steitle, John Barber, Steve McDaniels and Harry Hess.
17 Feb 2006
In March 2005, Neil Young was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm. Four days before he was scheduled for a lifesaving operation, he headed to Nashville, where he wrote and recorded the country folk album Prairie Wind with old friends and family members. After the successful operation and recovery period, he returned to Nashville that August to play at the famed Ryman Auditorium, once again gathering together friends and family for this special performance.
Eddie, an overconfident Nashville star, who is hiding a dark secret – he stole the songs for his hit debut album. Now, with a new wife and a baby on the way, Eddie must write his follow-up solo or risk losing everything. But just when things seem most hopeless, Eddie discovers a musical genius in the form of a magical possum with whom he strikes a dangerous Faustian bargain.
07 Jul 1969
From Nashville With Music is another slim plot that gives an excuse for Nashville country stars to perform. The stars are Leo G. Carroll, Marilyn Maxwell, Jose Gonzalez-Gonzalez, Marty Robbins (singing "El Paso"), Buddy Allen, Bill Anderson, Don Gibson, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Cousin Jody, Buck Owens, Bonnie Owens, Charley Pride, Susan Raye, Carl Smith, Wynn Stewart and Tammy Wynette. (from http://archive.tennessean.com/article/20070511/SPECIAL0907/705110501/1969-Movie-From-Nashville-Music)
09 May 2025
The absolute queen of country music, Dolly Parton succeeded in rallying a fractured America to her peroxide-colored beehive and her self-assumed paradoxes. Portrait of an immense artist and an irresistibly mischievous icon.
25 Aug 1994
The Eagles performed live for the first time in April 1994 after a fourteen-year-long hiatus. Their reunion album’s name was in reference to Don Henley’s quote after the band’s breakup in 1980, when he commented that they would only play together again “when Hell freezes over”. Recorded at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California for an MTV special, the live sessions produced eleven tracks for the album, including a new acoustic version of “Hotel California”.
01 Jan 1990
The Authorized Video Biography. The true story of Waylon Jennings. From his days as Buddy Holly's protégé to his battles with the Nashville system. From his musical breakthrough in the '70s to drug addiction and recovery in the '80s to his death in 2002. A memorable portrait of one of the great legends of country music. Featuring rare footage and over 20 classic song clips and performances of Waylon's greatest hits, including: Honky Tonk Heroes, This Time, Good Hearted Woman, Luckenbach, Texas, Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way, Amanda, America and The Eagle. Special guest appearances by: Chet Atkins, Johnny Cash, Jessi Colter, Rodney Crowell, George Jones, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr, Richie Albright, Herb Alpert.