Free screenings of Ken Burns’ new documentary, “Country Music"

Friday, August 16, 2019

KOSU will host three free screenings of Ken Burns’ “County Music” on Aug. 25 in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Stillwater.

The 45-minute advance screenings will provide an overview of the entire “Country Music” series and include stories about Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and more.

"Oklahoma has such a rich history in country music that it makes sense to preview Ken Burns' new film here," Ryan LaCroix, KOSU operations director said. "From singing cowboys to western swing to red dirt, and, of course, huge country stars like Reba, Garth, Vince, Carrie, Toby, Blake and more, Oklahomans have made a giant impact on country music."

The new documentary series will premiere Sept. 15 on PBS stations.

 

Screening Information:

Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. / Circle Cinema in Tulsa

Free tickets available at the Circle Cinema box office. Limit two per person.

Mimosas and a musical performance by Bandelier at 1 p.m.

Post-screening Q&A with Carolyn Wills (daughter of Bob Wills), longtime country music manager Jim Halsey, and Betsy Brumley (daughter of Albert Brumley, who wrote "I'll Fly Away," among others).

Presented with Circle Cinema, OKPOP and the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture.

 

Sunday, Aug. 25 at 2 p.m. / OSU Student Union Theater in Stillwater

RSVP for free at bit.ly/KenBurnsSTW or call 405-744-9974

Musical performance by the Red Dirt Rangers at 1:30 p.m.

Presented with OSU Allied Arts

 

Sunday, Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. / Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City

Free tickets available at towertheatreokc.com

Presented with Tower Theatre and the Oklahoma Film & Music Office

 

About “Country Music”

“Country Music” is an eight-part, 16-hour documentary series directed and produced by Ken Burns, that explores the history of a uniquely American art form. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century.

“Country Music” explores questions such as What is country music? and Where did it come from? while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped it. From the Carter family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, and many more, the documentary will explore their stories, as well as the times in which they lived.

“Country Music” traces the genre’s origins and its early years when it was referred to as hillbilly music and played across the airwaves on radio station barn dances. The series follows how Hollywood B movies instituted the fad of singing cowboys, like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers, and how the rise of juke joints after World War II changed the musical style by bringing electric guitars and pedal steel guitars to the forefront. It continues by following the rise of bluegrass with Bill Monroe and how one of country music’s offspring — rockabilly — mutated into rock and roll in Memphis. And, it will explore how Nashville slowly became not just the mecca of country music, but “Music City USA."

 

MEDIA CONTACT: Ryan LaCroix 405-896-4332 or ryan@kosu.org