Biggest Oversights in the Ken Burns Country Music Documentary
The Ken Burns Country Music documentary that aired on PBS in mid September was a supreme gift to true country music fans and those who would become one over the 8 episodes, and 16 1/2 hours of the film. But understandably with an undertaking so vast as trying to tackle an entire genre of music, there were multiple artists that were not highlighted that arguably should have been.
Country fans who are up in arms over their favorite artists being “snubbed” need to appreciate that it would be difficult to impossible to highlight every entertainer, and even if the film had included 20 more artist profiles, there would be 20 more artists people would complain got overlooked. In hindsight, perhaps it would have taken 10 episodes instead of 8 to do the subject matter justice, but you can’t include everything, and you have to make sure what you produce is compelling to the audience. As Ken Burns and screenwriter Dayton Duncan have said, it was one of their biggest concerns that not enough stuff was highlighted, but they wanted to make sure the film came across not as a dry history work, but as something that tells the overarching story of country music, which they accomplished with flying colors.
Also worth noting is the final episode was meant to be more of a summation as opposed to a deep dive into the 80’s era. Just like Ken Burns did with his baseball film, the Country Music documentary was made opened ended, meaning it could be added to in the future. It is a living work, just like the story of country music itself. So for those disappointed artists like George Strait didn’t get more air time, or that the current era wasn’t included, that may be forthcoming in future installments, and is not entirely fair to get hung up over, at least not yet. It’s also important to not just dwell on who was forgotten, but who was included. The Maddox Brothers & Rose, Emmloyou Harris, and others that had major contributions to country, but sometimes get left out of top tier consideration in country history, were given their proper due.
But artists not featured from earlier eras are unlikely to receive more attention in the future. So not as a rebuke of the work of the documentary, but as an addendum for those who watched and might want to dig deeper into the history of country through some of its more important personalities not represented well in the film, here are some of the Country Music film’s biggest oversights.
Jim Reeves
The story of the tragic plane crash that killed country star Patsy Cline, along with Hawkshaw Hawkins, and Cowboy Copas on March 5th, 1963 was one of the centerpieces of the Ken Burns documentary, as was her career that was very significant to country as Patsy became one of the first artists to cross over to pop, and help define the early “Nashville Sound” era.
But as country music historians will argue, at the time, Jim Reeves was just as significant, as was his plane crash that occurred just over a year later in 1964, ending his career tragically. The Country Music Hall of Famer’s career track was eerily similar to Patsy’s, where he was known for a more polished sound, and died right as his career was taking off. Unlike Patsy, many recordings from Reeves were still in the vault when he died, resulting in Jim having a robust career after his passing, resulting in four #1’s, and eleven Top 10’s. Jim Reeves was still charting Top 20 singles a decade after his death, including “I’d Fight The World” which came in at #13 in 1973.
The Jim Reeves plane crash was mentioned briefly in the documentary, but his life and career wasn’t, even though the Patsy Cline story gave it the perfect opening, and they were inexorably linked in the minds of many country fans at the time. In 1982, a compilation album called Remembering Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves was released, and was Certified Gold.
Don Williams
Don Williams was another Country Music Hall of Famer that didn’t even get a mention, though a brief shot of what appeared to be him from behind on stage entered the frame early in Episode 7. Don Williams played a huge role in country music, not just as a successful artist commercially, but as the guy many country fans will cite as being one of the most dear to their hearts. The “Gentle Giant” had seventeen #1 hits, 45 Top 10 hits, was the 1978 CMA Male Vocalist of the Year, and only had three singles from late 1974 into 1991 not make it into the Top 10.
Don Williams was not about promoting himself, and didn’t fit snugly into any specific sound or era. He wasn’t a flamboyant presence on or off the stage. He just sang his songs. This is probably one of the reasons the film passed him over, but this is also one of the reasons he was one of the most universally-beloved performers in country history. The warmth that accompanied his music was unparalleled. It was comfort music.
Glen Campbell
It’s somewhat understandable why the legacies of some artists got overlooked in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary. Some artist’s legacies get lost over time. Others don’t have living advocates or champions helping to keep their contributions alive in the public consciousness. But during the production of the Ken Burns film, Glen Campbell was going through a farewell tour, and a high profile battle with Alzheimer’s. There was a compilation album, and tribute concerts. The Band Perry won a Grammy for re-recording his hit “Gentle On My Mind” written by John Hartford (who also didn’t get a mention in the film).
Similar to Jim Reeves, Glen Campbell was not a died-in-the-wool honky tonk crooner, he was a crossover star known just as much for pop as country. But his “Glen Campbell Show” (which got a quick mention, and was the only reference to the “Wichita Lineman” singer) was huge in spreading the appeal for country music, and was a big boost for the personalities who appeared on it. The Country Hall of Famer sold 45 million records worldwide, including twelve gold albums, four platinum albums, and a double-platinum album. He won five Grammy Awards, and ten ACM Awards. And before he became a country music superstar, he was a guitarist in the famed “Wrecking Crew” of studio musicians in Los Angeles who played on many on the biggest hits of the era.
Above and beyond his contributions and accomplishments, Glen Campbell defined what country music was for many people. Songs like “Gentle On My Mind” embodied the restlessness of the time. Not seeing Glen Campbell featured was almost like seeing someone in your family forgotten.
Conway Twitty
Many names have been offered up as artists overlooked in the series, but arguably the biggest one was Conway Twitty. And not just because the Country Music Hall of Famer was the most accomplished country artist to not receive a profile, or even that he was completely ignored. It’s that the film referenced Conway in passing, and twice, but both times only as a former rockabilly star turned country artist, not a guy with 44 #1 singles, let alone his career with Loretta Lynn as a duet partner.
To play Devil’s Advocate, the legacy of Conway Twitty is a spotty one. He was more of a commercial force in country rather than a creative one. His songs like “Never Been This Far Before” and “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” are retroactively creepy to some audiences. His persona was the inspiration for country comedy star Unknown Hinson, and fights between his kids and wife around his estate, and specifically “Twitty City” which was sold off to evangelists as opposed to being the shrine to his legacy it was meant to be, have put Conway on the wrong side of history.
But Conway Twitty is a Top 5 country music artist of all time from a statistical standpoint. Even if the film mixed the good with the bad in a retroactive on his career, Conway deserved more than a passing reference for his time in rockabilly. To many, Conway Twitty is country music.
Johnny Horton
Johnny Horton wasn’t especially prolific, and just like Patsy Cline and Jim Reeves, he died tragically in an accident when a car he was riding in with Tommy Tomlinson and Tillman Franks hit a truck head on in 1960 in Milam Country, Texas, and he passed away on the way to the hospital. But songs like “North To Alaska” and “Honky Tonk Man” were massively influential in country, and “Battle of New Orleans” has been considered one of the most significant songs of the last century by the Grammy Awards and other institutions. Though his career and life was short, Johnny Horton was beloved by his fellow performers. Johnny Cash attended his funeral.
Another interesting part of Johnny’s story that would have been perfect for the film is that at the time of his death, he was married to Billie Jean Horton—the same woman Hank Williams was married to when he died. Billie Jean is another personality (though never a performer) who seemed to be missing in the documentary. Billie Jean did a lot to keep the legacy of Johnny alive after his death.
Johnny Horton has also been mistaken for being a proprietor of racism over the years, which may have put him on the outside of being included in the documentary. His song “Johnny Reb” is considered more of a historical work, similar to “The Battle of New Orleans.” But a white supremacist singer named “Johnny Rebel” often is mistaken with both the song, and Johnny Horton.
Hank Snow
Aside from getting some face time singing his big hit “I’ve Been Everywhere,” it’s hard to say Hank Snow received his due, not only from the documentary, but many complaining about who got snubbed. The Canadian and Country Music Hall of Famer logged seven #1 hits, and 33 Top 10 songs during his heyday, and was a huge force in country music for decades. Similar to Don Williams, and unlike many other country stars, Hank Snow wasn’t all about marketing himself, which can make his impact blend into the background. But he had a big impact nonetheless, including opening up the appeal for country music in the Canadian market.
Hank Snow also holds a very historical distinction with his song “I’m Moving On,” which before the modern era and Billboard’s chart changes in 2012, held the record for the longest-charting #1 in country history at 21 weeks. Now that pop crossover spins are incorporated into country charts, Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise,” Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Backroad,” and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant To Be” have hypothetically eclipsed that record. But if all things are equal, that record rightfully belongs to Hank Snow.
Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe
If you’re a fan of Johnny Paycheck and David Allan Coe, you have a right to be disappointed they weren’t even mentioned, but you also can’t be surprised. With their spotty pasts and the controversy that could have brewed from showing them in a positive light, it’s understandable why Ken Burns and writer Dayton Duncan just avoided the whole anthill. Still, both played significant roles in country, and it’s strange Paycheck couldn’t at least get a mention as being a side player behind numerous performers who were profiled, and the whole story behind “Take This Job and Shove It” seems perfect for a feature in the film, and a tie-in to country’s working class roots.
And if you wanted to see these guys in the documentary, you may have an unlikely ally. Some folks have criticized the film for whitewashing country history, and not including sketchy personalities like Coe and Paycheck. Remember, the point of the film is not to promote personalities, but to give an acculturate portrayal of country music from a historical perspective. If this is your goal, these two probably should be included.
Jerry Lee Lewis
The Sun Studios era was covered in depth in the documentary via Johnny Cash, the Million Dollar Quartet was referenced, of which Jerry Lee Lewis was a part of, yet he didn’t get his due for the second wind in his career when the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer arguably put together a Country Music Hall of Fame-caliber career.
Once again, personal behavior may have cause the filmmakers to shy away from giving Jerry Lee Lewis too much attention, but all the tie-ins and openings were there.
Jerry Jeff Walker, Doug Sahm, Michael Martin Murphy
You can be disappointed, but not particularly surprised that Doug Sahm didn’t make it into the documentary. His contributions to country music were mostly regional, and with such a premium on time, some people were going to get squeezed. Nonetheless, just mentioning his name in reference to Austin and the Armadillo World Headquarters would have gone a long way with Doug’s friends and family, and was warranted.
If it wasn’t for Jerry Jeff Walker, there arguably wouldn’t have been any music scene in Austin for Willie Nelson and others to come home to, or to rise from. He took his success with “Mr. Bojangles,” and along with songwriter Michael Martin Murphy, helped establish Austin as a country music epicenter. Of course Walker never saw similar success as he did in his folk days, but his support of Guy Clark (who was profiled), and other Texas songwriters deserved mention.
Bluegrass and Newgrass – John Hartford, Sam Bush, Alison Krauss, Jimmy Martin, et al.
The Ken Burns Country Music documentary did an excellent job making sure bluegrass didn’t play second fiddle to country in the film, and though there could have been more names and players mentioned, it did a valiant job representing this important portion of the music. However the legacy of Jimmy Martin, who was the self-professed “King of Bluegrass” got overlooked once more, just as Bill Monroe would have wanted.
Though it’s understandable that you can’t mention every artist, and John Hartford, Sam Bush, and Alison Krauss didn’t get mentioned (though Bush was pictured a couple of times behind other performers), perhaps a segment on more contemporary bluegrass, or “Newgrass” was warranted. Alison Krauss is the most awarded female in Grammy Awards history with 27, and has another 42 nominations, making her the third most in history among everyone.
The good news is if the documentary is ever added to, you can be assured that the O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack released in 2000 will play a big role, and many bluegrass artists overlooked the first time will receive their due.
OTHER OVERSIGHTS:
Tanya Tucker – Even before her recent career resurgence, Tanya Tucker could be considered a Top 5 female artist in country music all time in regards to sales and radio support. She is likely to be a Country Music Hall of Fame contender in the coming years.
Linda Ronstadt – Though she converted to rock and pop early in her career, her work as an ambassador for country music rivals that of Gram Parsons, and if nothing else, her efforts with the “Trio” of Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris was worth mentioning.
Eddie Rabbitt – Though considered part of the “pop” problem in country by some, it’s hard to find songs more infectious than “Driving My Life Away” and “I Love A Rainy Night.” Eddie Rabbit was another who died young so his legacy was never properly cemented in country music. But it could have been with even a quick mention in the documentary.
Vern Gosdin – “The Voice” had a significant impact on country, and is considered a favorite artist by many. He was one of the casualties of the film’s quick pass through the mid 80’s that will hopefully be rectified if there are future installments.
Keith Whitley – Whitley was mentioned in reference to Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain,” but as the favorite artist of many, could have received a deeper dive into his career and tragic passing.
Marty Robbins – Marty was mentioned numerous times throughout the film, but probably deserved his own profile from the impact he had on the music.
Who did you think could have received more screen time? Give your opinion below.
November 1, 2019 @ 6:57 pm
Shockingly absent of nearly every artist who represents and has framed country music for the last 20 years. There were parts that were good but much of the series was wasted on stories of a few artist that were important but only a piece of a much larger puzzle. The beginning was painfully boring but we persevered but we’re so disappointed in the end. This was very clearly written by someone who does not understand or has ever been a fan of country music.
November 6, 2019 @ 11:00 am
For the most part, I loved this series and thought it did a great job maintaining a narrative. The end of Episode 7 where they tied things up in a knot was amazing.
And you can’t include everyone and I agree with the oversights listed above. Two I would add are the influence of the Eagles on modern country music and how if they came out two decades later, they’d have been country musicians.
I also thought the cultural and political divide associated with country music and how many of the artists don’t represent the views of much of their audience would have been an interesting thing to address, especially around Okie From Muskogee.
January 19, 2020 @ 5:30 pm
Spade Cooley?
April 14, 2020 @ 8:21 am
I thought it was fascinating, not boring at all. Perhaps you simply find history boring. The attention paid to the truly influential and groundbreaking artists was spot on, especially Loretta Lynn and other women whose lyrics were daring for their times. He can’t fit everyone into it, unless he made it a thousand hours long. I always wondered what the heck happened to the awesome music being made in the ’80’s and early ’90’s simply disappearing from both radio and t.v. Now we know; corporate greed and monopolies killed the variety. Everyone has to sound exactly alike now. What a pity.
May 17, 2020 @ 8:57 am
Marion Try Slaughter aka Vernon Dalhart. Dalhart had a hit single with his 1924 recording of “The Wreck of the Old 97” recorded for the Victor Talking Machine Company.
It was awarded Gold by the
Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and was the biggest-selling, non-holiday record in the first 70 years of recorded music.
Dalhart was my Great Grandfather on my Mother’s side. Her Mother passed down documentation of his career.
June 2, 2020 @ 7:14 pm
Alabama for God’s sake! Super group from the eighties!
November 2, 2019 @ 8:23 pm
Dave and Sugar had many hits and weren’t even mentioned. Tanya Tucker had a long career and was barely mentioned. It was mostly about Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Very disappointed in the series.
November 3, 2019 @ 1:41 pm
Just finished watching. Eddie Rabbitt needed a mention. Wrote some great country songs in the 60s and 70s…Kentucky Rain for Elvis. Alabama was mentioned in passing when talking about Garth Brooks.
November 3, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Where is Tex Ritter? No mention? Tragedy…
November 22, 2019 @ 7:02 pm
Yes, you’re right! Wow, another omission. I didn’t hear a word, not one, of Jimmie Dean, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. I don’t get it. There were no time restrictions.
November 3, 2019 @ 10:56 pm
Over the history of the genre, there have been 4 KINGS of Country Music in my opinion: Jimmy Rodgers, Hank Williams, George Jones and George Strait. I felt the documentary did a wonderful job highlighting the first 3. George Strait deserved far more airtime than he received. He certainly deserved more emphasis than Gram Parsons, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jeannie Seely, Rosanne Cash and others. He has more #1 hits than any other country artist ever. Given his significance to country music, he deserved much more airtime than he received.
November 13, 2019 @ 12:06 pm
To me, there was Hank and Johnny, Patsy and Loretta and then there was everybody else.
April 2, 2021 @ 1:24 pm
The Kings of Country are Hank Williams and then Jim Reeves. It ends there. There ade some greats but not Kings…leavr that to these two alone.
November 10, 2019 @ 11:28 am
A lot of the cementers are mentioning acts who were or are great, but not unique. No mention of Buck Owens is a terrible over site.
December 4, 2019 @ 1:22 pm
Buck Owens and the Bakersfield Sound were both profiled in Episodes 4 and 5.
November 11, 2019 @ 3:40 pm
If Steve Goodman wrote the perfect country song, Ed Bruce had the perfect country voice and recorded some great music. He deserved at least a brief mention.
November 12, 2019 @ 3:36 pm
Ferlin Husky’s hit song “Gone” is considered to be one of the first and most important “Nashville Sound” songs. He also was responsible for much of the song’s production. Ferlin and his alter ego Simon Crum made many important contributions and I missed any mention of him in the documentary although I saw him in a picture.
Sonny James also had an early monster Nasville Sound record “Young Love” along with many many other number one records. I saw nothing of him in the series.
Many others were horribly overlooked, Jean Shepherd, Wanda Jackson, Jim Reeves, Faron Young, Freddie Hart, Glen Campbell, the Louvin Brothers and so many more.
Look at the members of the Country Music Hall of Fame and you’ll see dozens of names ignored by the series. They all made significant contributions to the genre.
November 12, 2019 @ 8:55 pm
Are there no Robert Earl Keen fans out there? Sheesh!
January 1, 2021 @ 2:37 pm
You are right about Keen. Major talent.
November 15, 2019 @ 10:23 am
In my head, I create an episode devoted to the country weirdos of the ’70s. Lee Hazlewood gets his due for his beautiful production, wry lyrics, and crossover success with Nancy Sinatra. Terry Allen gets lauded for being such an outlaw in country music that he was also a sculptor (but his barrelhouse piano is badass, and how about that Lubbock howl?). And then Chris Gantry is brought in to talk about doing peyote with a one-legged man named Jesus before recording an acid-country album at Cash Studios that wouldn’t get released for forty years.
November 22, 2019 @ 6:58 pm
Has anyone ever heard of Jimmie Dean from the Country Music Hall of Fame? He wasn’t mentioned as a foot note once. Not even for his famous food or TV show, for introducing The Muppets to people. Not even a mention? I don’t understand.
December 2, 2019 @ 8:04 pm
Missed Alabama – they were a tidal wave from 1983 with Old Flame, Love In The First Degree, Mountain Music, My Home’s in Alabama etc. Sold out stadiums before Garth.
December 4, 2019 @ 9:12 pm
Tanya Tucker deserved a full segment. She’s amazing and has been performing since he was 14.
July 11, 2020 @ 6:46 am
Now we need a new article on who was left out of this article! How do you leave Alabama out of the series and the article about who was left out!?!? Geez guys.. biggest band of the 80s!
December 20, 2019 @ 11:24 am
No mention of such honky tonk stalwarts as Gene Watson and Moe Bandy. But the biggest oversight, IMO, was Gary Stewart — not a huge hitmaker but enormously influential and often cited as the greatest honky tonk singer in the history of C&W. Kathy Mattea? please.
December 25, 2019 @ 2:18 am
No Alison Krauss? WTF!
If this were a class assignment you’d fail.
February 24, 2020 @ 2:06 pm
In the final episode, an Americana chart was shown. On it, Alison Krauss was #1. Toward the end, a photo of AKUS appeared for a couple seconds. As a fan, I think she deserved more. But the series doesn’t cover the last ~25 years. She was still very young and new on the scene in the early 90s.
December 29, 2019 @ 4:12 pm
John Stewart
January 6, 2020 @ 3:10 pm
What about Mel Tillis? I’m no expert on country but I think his music is great!
April 22, 2020 @ 6:38 pm
Mel was featured a lot commenting on other artist and himself, including Brenda Lee
April 24, 2020 @ 2:59 pm
I watched it on bbc in the uk and just realised they edited out half of each episode due to time constraints! M-M-Mel Tillis stood no chance!
I’ll have to get the full version and watch it again! Well if lockdown continues during the uni summer holidays I’ll have plenty of time!
January 7, 2020 @ 12:28 pm
I’ll take this conversation in a different direction and say Ralph Emery.
He was the most influential DJ in the industry for decades. His wealth of knowledge was not tapped by Mr. Burns. I did see him get some airtime, but Ralph could’ve written the whole series better than Burns. Ralph’s experiences with WSM and later with the Nashville Network would’ve taken the documentary to a new level.
January 9, 2020 @ 11:09 pm
The total omission of Jim Reeves was inexcusable.
April 2, 2021 @ 1:22 pm
I 100% agree. How can you do any sort of documentary and bot include Jim Reeves. He is country music.
January 14, 2020 @ 11:10 pm
Jerry Lee was country from the start (“Crazy Arms”) and came back with a huge arc in the late 60s, early 70s, influencing a ton of folks along the way. But he never let himself be buttonholed in a genre, and continues to be ignored by the Country establishment. But the Killer lives on – last man standing.
January 27, 2020 @ 1:37 pm
I watched the series once and now am on the second time. Also have read the book. What an undertaking! I realize that everyones favorite could not be mentioned either by time restrictions or by contract restrictions. I have been a fan since the 40’s and saw several names mentioned that I was not aware of. I’m sure several were regional favorites. Personally I am glad that the series stopped in the 90’s as Country music has under went such a change! I think George Jones made a comment to the fact that todays music was great but there needed to be a new name for it. A couple omissions , along with many that have mentioned, are Elton Britt and Jimmie Skinner. Hats off to Ken Burns for such a project! I would look forward to more!!!
April 14, 2020 @ 8:14 am
Amen, brother. The series was great. Not everyone can be included unless he made it 900 hours long. However, try “has undergone.” Perhaps English is not your native tongue.
January 28, 2020 @ 9:01 am
I enjoyed the show, but I can’t imagine how Webb Pierce was left out. Between the death of Hank Williams and the advent of the Nashville sound, Webb WAS Country music. In 1954 he had the number 1 record 28 weeks ………. in 1955 he was number 1 for 33 weeks. Terrible oversight!
February 14, 2020 @ 3:58 pm
How could Ray Price have left out? That ruined the whole series for me. Politics? Money?
February 18, 2020 @ 10:04 am
Ken Burns’ Country Music was a highly curated version of history, which was his right as he has pointed out in many interviews. But the many critiques of his curation ring more true than hollow. I believe Burns error was not using authorities and experts as he admittedly was neither when it came to country music. This left him vulnerable to a shallow and or biased views of the history of country music which turned out to be the case. Those issues aside, I really liked the series – Burns’ is an amazing film maker. What he missed I believe is the link between Conway Twitty, Glen Campbell, and the Eagles to today’s money driven Nashville scene. I’ve heard current country music described as the Eaglesization of music, just get everything highly rehearsed and sounding just right and sell, sell, sell. Don’t think Waylon done it that way.
February 20, 2020 @ 8:20 am
Merle Travis did much more than just influence Chet Atkins. How many 20th century country guitarists employ some form of Travis picking? How about all of them. He was also a fine writer, penning Sixteen Tons and Dark as a Dungeon, one of the heaviest country songs ever written. Bad oversight.
February 21, 2020 @ 10:52 am
George Strait definately deserved more time. He was able to keep country, Country. When it was getting overrun with non country music, George kept real country in the forefront.
February 21, 2020 @ 9:38 pm
I don’t remember seeing anything about The Osborne Brothers.
February 25, 2020 @ 12:30 am
Donna Fargo?
February 26, 2020 @ 8:14 pm
How could they not even mention Doc Watson, who revolutionized flat-picking on acoustic guitar?
April 9, 2020 @ 6:52 pm
My favorite picker was Doc Watson; I noticed that he had a 5 second appearance, but I don’t think his name was mentioned. If half of Marty Stuarts commentaries were removed, Doc could have played for at least a half an hour.
April 22, 2020 @ 6:46 pm
The amount of time they spent delving into Minnie Pearl could’ve arguably been spent on Tanya Tucker & Conway Twitty. I have 2 episodes left to watch but am praying Charlie Rich gets a lot more exposure than he has thus far. I thought the Kris Kristofferson, Graham Parsons & NNDB exposure could’ve been reduced to make time for more worthy mentions, tho I learned important tidbits about KK and GP’s past. Sometimes these specials are meant to highlight the INFLUENCE some had on the genre, vs. the number of hits or recording experience they had.
June 12, 2020 @ 8:26 am
I just watched the documentary for the third time! All my comments from January 27 still stand! Each time I watch I pick up something that I had missed. I had missed mention of Elton Britt !! Would probably watch the early years again!!
June 28, 2020 @ 7:04 am
George Hamilton IV. Known rightly as the “International Ambassador Of Country Music” he took the genre pretty much all over the world. Probably too self effacing for his own good. Also a travesty that he hasn’t been elected to the Country Music Hall Of Fame, especially considering the number of light weights who have made it.
Other notable omissions would be Dick Curless and Hal (Lone Pine) Breau for their contributions to country music popularity in the North Eastern USA and Canada.
I would also endorse that Hank Snow should have been given more time (along with Carl Smith, another all time but sadly overlooked all time great). By the way I am a UK citizen.
June 30, 2020 @ 11:58 am
And this is why you don’t let city hucksters like Burns cover country music. He already mangled baseball and the Civil War.
Keep him away from cherished American institutions.
July 16, 2020 @ 6:21 pm
Excuse me, but, where is Chris LeDoux mentioned,
This is a glaring oversight, the man was a champion bronc rider turned singer. What’s more country than that!!! Unless of course authenticity doesn’t matter!!!
August 27, 2020 @ 5:25 pm
Jim Reeves was the first artist I remember who did the crossover from country to pop successfully.
August 29, 2020 @ 9:02 pm
Trigger was so right about Linda Ronstadt. Here is a woman that had so many country hits, but wasn’t even mentioned since she also covered other genres as well. She wasn’t just a Pop star, she was just someone who made music she felt a connection with. Her success made it possible for other country musicians to be noticed. That is the problem with trying to categorize a performer, it pulls a shroud over their contributions, a shroud that obscures, instead of celebrating their efforts.
January 1, 2021 @ 2:48 pm
So true. Ronstadt was a huge country talent, including writer. The fact that she was also a rock and Spanish operatic virtuoso would not be held against her.
October 24, 2020 @ 7:12 am
The list of omissions is a good one, but ironically also has omissions; based only on his solo work, Ian Tyson deserves at least a passing reference.
But Johnny Horton is more problematic. There’s no denying the appeal of his hits, and even ‘Johnny Reb’ can possibly be overlooked. But I have a comprehensive Johnny Horton set that includes the unforgivable ‘That N***** Ain’t Dead, He Just Smells That Way,’ and the censoring is solely mine.
October 24, 2020 @ 7:53 am
I thought the biggest omission was The Dillards. Hugely successful bluegrass group/family, who also played The Darling Family on The Andy Griffith Show. I agree that Jim Reeves and Hank Snow deserved bigger segments. I had also hoped for more that a quick peek at k.d. lang.
November 27, 2020 @ 7:07 am
The story of Hank Williams with reminiscences by family members whitewashed the existence of Hank Snr’s daughter, Jet Williams (originally Cathy) from Hank’s affair with Bobbie Jett. Considering that Hank’s mother raised Jett in her first two years and Hank and Bobbie formalized an agreement with regards to Jett’s custody even during Bobbie’s pregnancy, mention of her birth would have given a more honest account of his later life. Of course it would have made Hank Jr. look like a piece of work since he basically fought her in court to claim her true identity as did Hank’s sister who Jett spent a short time with before her adoption.
November 28, 2020 @ 9:04 am
We kept waiting for any mention of Eddy Arnold in this series. My husband and I grew up with both our parents listening to him on the radio. When you look back at his contribution to Country Music it seems inconceivable that he was not included. Why??? Johnnie Cash was important but given more than enough time. Also, I’m with the group who wonders why Glen Campbell was ommitted. Know it’s impossible to get everyone satisfied, overall good series.
January 1, 2021 @ 3:10 pm
Loved the series .. unforgettable.
Faith Hill sung most evocatively and beautifully and was a stunner as well. Deserved sone time.
Buddy Holly was a tremendous writer, player and singer … some of the greatest country guitar songs of all time. Deserved some time.
Too much Cash, though I like him! No Glen Campbell!? And more Roy O.
Kenny Rogers was great and some of his songs superlative and legendary… deserved some time.
Doc Watson was a great talent — yet most humble, kind and generous, human being. And his annual Merlefest, in his son’s honor, has introduced many thousands to the skill and terrific talent in country music and done much to keep it alive. Having seen him a few times live, can never forget it.
Leaving Ronstadt out, incomprenensible.
Rhiannon Giddens is a fine musician, especially on the banjo. Brings a unique perspective, as Oberlin grad. She deserved some time on the role of the banjo, and slavery, in country music.
We need about three more solid episodes by Ken Burns to address the very articulate responses contained in this thread; thanks for giving us the chance!! Get to work Ken!!
January 26, 2023 @ 12:26 am
Eddy Arnold was mentioned rather extensively in the episode with Hank Willams, not a huge profile but certainly a decent mention in my opinion.
November 30, 2020 @ 4:26 pm
Jerry Reed, I think I saw a picture of him when they were referring to someone else in part 6 or 7. He had a string of hits and was a fantastic guitar player.
May 17, 2024 @ 3:18 am
Absolutely. And he was not only one of the best guitar players of all time, but a true outlaw. He deserves at least a 10 minute profile which should include the tv special he did with Marty Robbins where he says “If I could sing like that… I’d make firewood out of this thing ”
A truly sweet moment.
September 25, 2021 @ 6:15 pm
Gillian Welsh/David Rawlings.
March 17, 2022 @ 11:49 am
Omitted one of the greatest female singers of all time – Linda Ronstadt and just barely mentioned the Eagles. Also failed to mention Poco, Alison Krauss. Ronstadt was just as successful and popular was her two partners in the Trio sessions – Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Went on way two long about Johnny Cash.
June 3, 2022 @ 6:37 pm
Liked the show. There were many omissions but most surprising to me were these:
Given that a strong theme of the show was that country music is part of other forms of music, especially folk and blues, the one artist I thought should have gotten much more time was Woody Guthrie. Yes, people call him folk, but he was an Okie, working class, traveled the country, used country music, and had his music sung often country musicians. Bob Dylan got much more air time; I find that odd.
There was no mention of “Sixteen Tons” by Tennessee Ernie Ford. Very very good and very very famous. Most people consider it country. Ford had a TV show. There were even “Sixteen Ton” clubs in the Soviet Union.
June 3, 2022 @ 6:56 pm
Woody Guthrie
Tennessee Ernie Ford
Johnny Horton
Jimmy Dean
Ian Tyson
Linda Ronstadt
Steve Goodman