BBC Four and BBC Radio 2 celebrate country music in new season of programmes

Country Nights delves into the rich history of country music and explores its current revival, with a range of new commissions that will air across Radio 2 and BBC Four in November.

Published: 2 October 2014
The history of country music is full of incredible stories, larger-than-life characters and wonderful music. This season will provide an entertaining and original take on this most enduring of musical genres.
— Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four

The season will feature original contributions from the likes of Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris and Kacey Musgraves, as well as rare archive performances from Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.

Highlights on BBC Four include:

  • The Heart Of Country - How Nashville Became Music City USA, a historical biography of the glittering hub of Country Music that reveals the dynamic relationship between commerce and art that has defined Nashville since 1925
  • Kenny Rogers – Cards On The Table, chronicling Kenny’s remarkable rise to the top of his game and the golden era of country music he ushered in.
  • Bob Harris: My Nashville, in which ‘Whispering’ Bob journeys to Music City USA to find out how music has shaped Nashville and why today it’s a place of pilgrimage for musicians from all over the world.

Cassian Harrison, Channel Editor, BBC Four says: “The history of country music is full of incredible stories, larger-than-life characters and wonderful music. This season of programmes will offer an in-depth look at a city whose influence has spread worldwide, and provide an entertaining, original and at times surprising take on this most enduring of musical genres.”

Radio 2 will be in Nashville for the 48th annual CMA Awards, the biggest night in the country music calendar, with Patrick Kielty broadcasting live in the run-up to the ceremony and Bob Harris presenting a round-up of highlights from the awards, including interviews with the winners and the best performances from the night.

Another highlight on the network will be Brad Paisley And Friends, a unique performance recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC’s Radio Theatre in central London, in which this country superstar performs stripped back acoustic versions of his hits with the songwriters who worked on them with him. This concert will also be broadcast on BBC Four.

Bob Shennan, Controller, Radio 2 and Director, BBC Music says: “Radio 2 has been supporting country music for a long time, but it’s riding a wave of popularity at the moment, with superstars like Taylor Swift, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood selling millions of records worldwide. I’m delighted that Patrick Kielty and Bob Harris will be broadcasting from Nashville on one of the biggest days in the country music calendar, bringing some of the magic of the CMA Awards to Radio 2 listeners. I’m particularly pleased that BBC Four is joining the celebrations this year with its season of programmes on the unique relationship between Nashville and country music.”

Further details on programmes in the season:

The Heart of Country – How Nashville Became Music City USA, BBC Four

This historical biography of the glittering hub of Country Music reveals the dynamic relationship between commerce and art that has defined Nashville since 1925. It explores the conflicts that have confronted Nashville’s artists and music industry down the years; for example, the creative pressures of 'the Nashville sound'; the devastating impact of Elvis and then Bob Dylan; the rise and fall of the Urban Cowboys and the struggle of several Nashville legends to confront their inner demons.

Music City’s Hollywood-style star system has long been a magnet for aspiring performers and songwriters. But Nashville’s true identity is rooted deeper, in its distinctive institutions like the Ryman Auditorium, where the Grand Ole Opry once thrived, in its Southern Baptist churches, and in those downtown bars where the honky-tonk of Hank Williams and Kitty Wells still seems to belong.

The story unfolds through the testimony of musicians, producers, broadcasters and rare archive of the country legends. These include Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson and several hit-making contemporary stars - Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley and Jason Aldean. This cast reveals the unique power of country music to hold up a mirror to its fans and create what Kristofferson calls the ‘white man’s Soul Music’.

Also featured are extensive musical performances by Nashville’s greatest: from Johnny Cash to Loretta Lynn, George Jones to Garth Brooks. And several of Nashville’s younger stars describe their on-going journey from their hometowns in the South to the streets of this city, from the first studio demos and the sawdust of the Broadway bars to the stadiums and promo videos that now define country stardom.

Kenny Rogers – Cards On The Table, BBC Four

Examining the life and career of the artist who 'knows when to hold ’em and knows when to fold ’em', this documentary chronicles Kenny’s remarkable rise to the top of his game and the golden era of country music he ushered in.

Associates and luminaries provide personal insight into how the poor, music-obsessed boy from Houston, Texas went on to become a superstar with over 120 million albums sold worldwide: singer, songwriter and producer Kim Carnes recalls how the New Christie Minstrels folk group - of which she and Kenny were members in the late 1960s - was like a ‘school on the road’ that provided them both with a springboard from which to explore other musical ambitions; actor and musician Mickey Jones recounts his time with Kenny in the band The First Edition, whose hit single Just Dropped In To See What Condition My Condition Was In, made Kenny an unlikely poster boy for the psychedelic generation; while long-time friend Lionel Richie reveals how a trip to the bathroom played a crucial role in the recording session for one of Kenny’s biggest hits, Lady.

Away from music, the programme reveals how Kenny’s drive and ambition – what he describes as his ‘impulsive-obsessive’ nature – led to success in other fields: the country music legend managed to achieve national ranking in tennis; and he was also determined to master the art of photography, according to the internationally renowned photographer John Sexton (Kenny is an accomplished photographer and was recently awarded an honorary Master of Photography degree by the Professional Photographers Association).

With exclusive insight and candour from Rogers himself and performance footage gathered on his recent Through The Years tour, this honest and eye-opening film provides a backstage pass to a remarkable 50-year career of performing and recording.

Bob Harris: My Nashville BBC Four

‘Whispering’ Bob Harris journeys to America’s country music capital and reveals why Nashville became Music City USA. From the beginnings of the Grand Ole Opry on commercial radio, through the threatening onset of rock ‘n’ roll in the 1950s, right up to the modern mainstream hits of Music Row, this is the story of how music has shaped Nashville and why today it’s a place of pilgrimage for musicians from all over the world.

As well as iconic venues on Lower Broadway and the historic hit factories of 16th Avenue, Bob also explores the East Nashville music scene and discovers a rebellious flip-side to the country coin.

With exclusive performances from the city’s top talent and interviews with Emmylou Harris, Duane Eddy, Dave Stewart and Rosanne Cash, Bob explains why country music owes its enduring success to Nashville’s unique nurturing community of songwriters.

Back to Beth’s – A Nashville House Concert [Red Button]

After Bob Harris: My Nashville, viewers can continue to enjoy the delights of the Nashville music scene on the Red Button, with an intimate concert recorded at the home of renowned singer/songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman. The programme features stellar performances from some of Music City’s finest artists, including Gretchen Peters, Jason Isbell, Kim Carnes, John Fullbright, Suzy Bogguss and Beth herself.

Fans can be part of a unique night when the cream of Nashville’s music community gathered to share songs and socialise in a relaxed and warm environment.

Johnny Cash – The Man, His World, His Music BBC Four

BBC Four will also provide viewers with a rare chance to see Robert Elfstrom’s 1969 classic film that captures the Man in Black at his peak, the first of many in a looming roller-coaster career. Fresh on the heels of his Folsom Prison album, Cash reveals the dark intensity and raw talent that made him a country music star and cultural icon. Director Robert Elfstrom got closer than any other filmmaker to Cash, who is seen performing with his new bride June Carter Cash; in a rare duet with Bob Dylan; and behind the scenes with friends, family and aspiring young musicians - painting an unforgettable portrait that endures beyond the singer’s 2003 death.

Compilation programmes BBC Four

The season will also include two compilation programmes: Country Kings At The BBC will feature classic male country singers from the BBC vaults, journeying from the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis to Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson and featuring classic songs and performances by Glen Campbell, Charley Pride, George Hamilton IV, Kenny Rogers, Clint Black, Johnny Cash, Eric Church and more. This 50 years-plus compilation will present a chronological look at Country Kings as featured on BBC studio shows as varied as In Concert, Wogan, The Late Show and Later With Jools Holland, plus early variety shows presented by the likes of Lulu, Harry Secombe and Shirley Abicair.

Meanwhile Country Queens At The BBC will showcase classic female country stars in action on a variety of BBC studio shows and feature Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Billie Jo Spears, Crystal Gayle, Taylor Swift, Lucinda Williams with Mary Chapin-Carpenter and more. This will be a chronological celebration of country queens at the BBC, whether on Top of the Pops, OGWT, Later with Jools Holland, Parkinson or their own entertainment specials.

CMA Awards 2014 Radio 2

On Wednesday, 5th November from 2-5pm, Patrick Kielty will broadcast live from Nashville to celebrate the biggest night in country music – the CMA Awards. He will have a star-studded show full of celebrity guests from the world of country as well as live music from his resident house band, fronted by multiple CMA and Grammy Award winning country artist Lee Ann Womack. Patrick will also go behind the scenes of the capital of country looking at its food, history and music, and meeting the people who make Nashville the place it is.

And on Saturday, 8 November from 6-8pm, Bob Harris will be in Nashville to present highlights from the CMA Awards. This year’s nominations are dominated by reigning CMA female vocalist Miranda Lambert, who has nine nominations, matching the record she set in 2010 – the most for any female artist in the history of the CMA Awards. Rising Nashville star Dierks Bentley, who thrilled his UK fans at this year's C2C Festival in London, has five nominations, with other nominees including Kacey Musgraves, Eric Church and Keith Urban. Hosted for the seventh year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the awards will include performances from Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton. In this two hour show Bob Harris will present a round-up of the winners, the best performances and backstage interviews.

Brad Paisley and Friends Radio 2/BBC Four

This programme is a unique performance recorded in front of a live audience at the BBC’s Radio Theatre in central London, and features country superstar Brad Paisley performing stripped back acoustic versions of his hits with the songwriters who worked on them with him. Brad tells the stories behind the songs, reflects on what makes a great country songwriter, and unveils the worst English accent since Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins.

Brad Paisley is one of contemporary country music’s biggest stars with over 13 million albums sold worldwide and a record 10 consecutive number one singles in the US country charts. He is also one of the world’s most accomplished guitarists, whose fans include Eric Clapton and Mark Knopfler.

Other Radio 2 highlights:

The Mother Church of Country Music - The Ryman Auditorium

This important building in the history of country music began life as the Union Gospel Tabernacle in the late 19th century, but by 1943 it was the home of country music institution the Grand Ole Opry Radio Show and has since become recognised as an integral character in country music's story. Bob Harris takes a guided tour through this much-loved building and its history, accompanied by some of its most famous performers. This programme was first broadcast in 2009.

Harold Bradley – The World’s Biggest Unknown Guitarist

Musician and writer Sid Griffin presents this celebration of Harold Bradley, who since 1946 has been playing three sessions a day - five, six or seven days a week - with an average of three songs a session. A Nashville native, Bradley played on every record Patsy Cline ever made, and with Elvis, the Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, Don Gibson, Brenda Lee, Jerry Lee Lewis, Willie Nelson, JJ Cale, Buddy Holly and literally thousands more. You can hear him play on Stand By Your Man, King Of The Road and Jingle Bell Rock. This programme was first broadcast in July as part of Radio 2’s Guitar Season.

Nashville UK

Originally broadcast as part of Radio 2’s coverage of the second C2C (Country To Country) Festival at London's O2 Arena, Paul Sexton takes the pulse of country music in the UK with the help of Nashville stars, writers and executives who are frequent visitors to our shores. He also talks to some British artists who are taking country music across the Atlantic in the other direction.

Jan Younghusband, Head of Music TV Commissioning, says: “This is a warm and entertaining season which combines great storytelling from our top country musicians with a backstage look at Nashville itself. With Bob Harris, it's a chance to see inside the iconic locations which inspired this great music and are still working magic on a new generation of musicians today.”

Country Nights on BBC Four and BBC Radio 2 begins in November.

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