The BBC is “shining a light on country music” across the year on radio, TV and digital
For BBC2 is Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip (W/T) (3 x 60m), which will see Brydon journey around America’s southern states to discover country music’s origins and what led to its recent global explosion.
Also for BBC 2 is feature doc Rebel Country (1 x 120m) – which explores a “new breed of country stars who rewriting the rules and challenging the culture of the genre.”
Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip (W/T), produced by Salamanda Media, will TX in September.
The road trip begins in Nashville, Tennessee, which is celebrating 100 years of The Grand Ole Opry. He also heads to Kentucky, the home of bluegrass and into the Appalachian Mountains, where he’ll learn how British settlers brought their traditional ballads and instruments that influenced the country music sound. In Bristol, Tennessee, he’ll meet Carlene Carter, granddaughter of Carter Family founding member and country music pioneer “Mother” Maybelle Carter, before heading to meet Dolly Parton’s niece Heidi in Dollywood. Other stops include: Alabama, where he plays homage to Hank Williams and Mississippi, where he’ll visit Tupelo where Elvis grew up listening to country and blues and Memphis, including Sun Studios where Elvis jammed with Johnny Cash and pioneered the rockabilly sound.
Rachel Davies, Commissioning Editor, BBC Popular Music TV says: “We’ve seen an explosion of interest in country in the past few years, so it’s a great moment to explore the history, evolution and rising significance of this genre. We’ll be bringing audiences extended coverage of the biggest moments in the country music calendar and we’re delighted that Rob Brydon will be sharing his love of the music and putting his own unique spin on a tour around the US southern states.”
Rebel Country is directed by Francis Whately and produced by Janet Lee for whynow Studios and BMG.
The feature-length documentary explores a new breed of authentic stars who are rewriting the rules and challenging the culture of country music. Rebel Country explores the current tensions of race, class, poverty, gender, sexuality and creativity versus commerce and geography that are still prevalent in the United States today, while acknowledging their connection to Nashville’s rebellious roots. Artists paving the way include Jelly Roll, Blanco Brown, Breland, Lindsay Ell, Brooke Eden and Lainey Wilson. The success of rapper Lil Nas X and his 18-million-selling, country-inspired hit Old Town Road is emblematic of a seismic shift that is happening in US country music now, as is Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter album, which won Best Country Album at this year’s Grammy Awards.
The film features archive footage from original rebels like Johnny Cash, contributions from some of country’s leading musicians and historians, and live performances, including Jelly Roll’s gig in a prison where he used to be incarcerated.
In November, the Country Music Association Awards will once again be streamed live on BBC iPlayer. BBC Four will broadcast a highlights programme (1 x 90m) in the days that follow the live stream. In December, Country Music Christmas (1 x 40m) on BBC Four “sees country music’s shiniest stars get together for a night full of festive classics, celebrating the joy of Christmas in true Nashville style.”
Staff Reporter
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