Ken Burns shows that there would be no country music without these humble icons



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Country Music | Sunday-Wednesday, 8 pm, PBS

Country music is three chords and the truth, said Harlan Howard, one of the genre songwriters interviewed in Ken Burns' new documentary. Four episodes, ranging from the 1920s to the mid-1960s, were aired this week (the rest will be aired the week of September 22nd), reminding viewers of the legacy of pioneers such as Jimmie Rodgers, the Carter and Bill family Monroe. Burns also traces the development of icons such as Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and, of course, Elvis Presley. Burns and his team also chronicle the evolution of the violin, banjo and guitar, as well as musical forms such as rockabilly. Kris Kristofferson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris and Rosanne Cash (Johnny's daughter and first wife, Vivian) discuss the legends they grew up listening to and how they shaped their own music. For Cash, country music is "tell the truth, one note at a time."

For 66-year-old Burns, who has made documentaries about everything from baseball to jazz to Vietnam and the American Civil War, this is perhaps his most enjoyable work to date. Ride a chair, sit down and listen.

Jimmie Rodgers (1897-1933) was the first superstar of country music?
That's for sure, since the Carter family is a trio. And as it was more about family values ​​and representing Sunday and church, Jimmie was the rake, the thug, the regular dark bars, the Saturday night country music.

Who is the most influential country musician?
Hank Williams, called Hillbilly Shakespeare, because of his poetry, his voluminous production and the tragedy of his [short] life. But you can not ignore Johnny Cash, who is both a polymate and a patriarch, who is fully interested in country music and exploring the interdependence of folk, rhythmic, blues, jazz and gospel. He helped free our sense of country music, and he went through it.

How did Sun Records producer Sam Phillips change country music?
He eliminated the color and said, "I'm going to marry R & B and hillbilly music." Elvis recorded "It's OK, Mom" ​​on Side B and "Blue Moon of Kentucky," a country song, on Side A of the same record. He was impregnated with both [genres]but he added something new.

Patsy Cline died in a plane crash in 1963 at the age of 30. What effect did his death have on country music?
It was a real shot. People felt intimacy [with her], especially in Nashville. To get an idea of ​​the severity of the loss, think of JFK.

What is the most successful country song?
The number one jukebox album of all time is "Crazy" by Patsy Cline, written by Willie Nelson. Then there's "I can not stop liking," George Jones, "I'm so lonely I could cry," from Hank Williams. I like "He stopped loving him today" from George Jones. It's the quintessence of a country song.


And here's something else to watch this week:

Succession | Sunday, 9 pm, HBO

While Logan (Brian Cox) is looking to finalize an agreement for the acquisition of Pierce media, an unexpected threat arises. Roy kids do not know exactly how to handle damage control.

Cherry Jones, Brian Cox and Holly Hunter in a scene of
Cherry Jones, Brian Cox and Holly Hunter in a "Succession" scene.Peter Kramer / HBO

Dance with the stars | Monday 8 pm, ABC

First season. Can the former White House press secretary, Sean Spicer, dance? James Van Der Beek, Christie Brinkley and Mary Wilson of The Supremes are among the other top dancers.

American horror story | Wednesday, 10am, FX

First season. In the summer of 1984, five friends escaped from Los Angeles to work as counselors at Camp Redwood. As they adapt to their new jobs, they learn that the only thing that is more scary than campfire stories is that the past comes to haunt you.

Mayans, M.C. | Tuesday, 10am, FX

The Mayas demand justice as Galindo's agreement (Danny Pino) ​​takes an unexpected turn south of the border.

Become a God in Central Florida | Sunday, 22h, Showtime

Obie (Ted Levine) and Louise Garbeau (Sharon Lawrence) are organizing a lavish motivational retreat in Paradise Cay for Washington-level entrepreneurs. With Kirsten Dunst.

Why women kill | Thursday, CBS All Access

The secrets are revealed when Simone (Lucy Liu) and Karl (Jack Davenport) dine with Amy's future conservative family-in-law (Li Jun Li). Meanwhile, Taylor (Kirby Howell-Baptiste) reveals a dark truth about Eli (Reid Scott).

The masked singer: Super Sneak Peek | Sunday, 8 pm, Fox

Host Nick Cannon and guests Ken Jeong, Jenny McCarthy, Nicole Scherzinger and Robin Thicke recount the success of Season 1 of the series. T-Pain, the first winner of the contest, returns for a special appearance. Viewers will also meet the characters of the new season.

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