KOSU Radio will host three free sneak preview screenings across the state of Ken Burns’ new documentary “Country Music” on Sunday, August 25, ahead of its September 15 premiere on PBS stations. This 45-minute screening will provide an overview of the entire series.
“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, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music.
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 stories as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself, the series tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people.
“Oklahoma has such a rich history in country music that it makes sense to preview Ken Burns’ new film here,” said Ryan LaCroix, KOSU Operations Director. “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 Oklahoma Film and Music Office (OF+MO) is proud to present the Oklahoma City screening at Tower Theatre. “We’re extremely proud to partner with KOSU on this multi-city screening of ‘Country Music’, which highlights many of Oklahoma’s most influential musicians and our own Rhythm and Routes Oklahoma Music Trail inductees,” said OF+MO Director Tava Maloy Sofsky. “Filmmaker Ken Burns is no stranger to capturing the pioneering spirit of Oklahomans having previously been nominated for an Emmy for his mini-series ‘The Dust Bowl’, and we trust his newest film will celebrate country music as well as show the depth of Oklahoma’s contributions to this genre.”
SCREENING INFORMATION:
Sunday, August 25 at 2:00 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 1:00 p.m.
Post-screening Q&A with Carolyn Wills (daughter of Bob Wills), longtime country music manager Jim Halsey, and Betsy Brumley (granddaughter of Albert Brumley, who wrote “I’ll Fly Away,” among others).
(Presented with OKPOP and Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture)
Sunday, August 25 at 2:00 p.m. / OSU Student Union Theater in Stillwater
RSVP for free at https://bit.ly/KenBurnsSTW
A musical performance by the Red Dirt Rangers at 1:30 p.m.
(Presented with OSU Allied Arts)
Sunday, August 25 at 4:00 p.m. / Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City *SOLD OUT*
Sunday, August 25 at 5:30 p.m. / Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City
Free tickets available at towertheatreokc.com
(Presented with Oklahoma Film & Music Office)
For more information and to watch clips from the “Country Music” series, visit kosu.org.
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About Oklahoma Film + Music Office
Created in 1979, the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO) strives to share all that Oklahoma has to offer by welcoming filmmakers and music professionals to the state and by creating a network of support to develop Oklahoma’s film and music industries. For more information about the Oklahoma Film Enhancement Rebate Program or the Oklahoma Film + Music Office please visit okfilmmusic.org.
