For folks with access to BBC2, this documentary (7pm Saturdays) is really interesting, documenting the origins & growth of Country Music in the States.
Last Saturday’s programme was about Bluegrass, featuring the Carter family, Earl Scruggs, Lester Flatt & others, with recordings from the 20s through to WW2 roughly, but also dipping into the early influences on today’s Country Music.
I’d highly recommend this, especially if you play guitar, mandolin, fiddle or banjo. There’s another 3 programmes still to go, each lasting an hour.
I happened to see that show saturday night on accident actually.
It was a great show , although I had never heard of Bluegrass before. Some great interviews and footage of legendary bluegrass players. When there’s a rerun, be sure not to miss it.
Saw it and enjoyed it greatly. Look forward to watching the next instalments.
Growing up in the culturally stifling Ireland of the 1950s meant exposure to dire home-grown imitations of the worst of C&W (commonly known as “Country and Irish” or, to Dubliners, as “Culchie and Western”. It turned generations off the stuff. Now it’s so counter-culture that it’s even respectable to admit that you appreciate Doly Parton as long as you make it clear that it’s in a post-modern way.
i saw that programme too-very enjoyable,some good footage of vintage performers,and Earl Scruggs discussing his Banjo technique! Looking forward to next week’s instalment about ‘HonkyTonk’ and the daddy of them all, Hank Williams!