WGBY-TV and Signature Sounds Celebrate Ken Burns’ New Film
Country Music with a Live Screening Event

Springfield, Mass. (August 26, 2019) – On Sunday, September 8, beginning at 7:00 p.m., WGBY-TV and Signature Sounds will present a special evening in celebration of Ken Burns’ highly anticipated new film Country Music at the Academy of Music Theatre in Northampton. A full week before the nation-wide premiere, join us for a night of soulful singing, lively conversation, and never-before-seen footage and recordings of country music artists from the Carter Family to Hank Williams to Loretta Lynn.

The evening will include exclusive previews of Country Music; spirited conversation led by Signature Sounds’ Jim Olsen with country artist Laura Cantrell and musician and Grammy-award winning producer Jim Rooney between clips, live performances by Cantrell and Rooney and a very special surprise guest band.

“Ken Burns' new series Country Music will be a revelation for avid country music fans and neophites alike," said Jim Olsen of Signature Sounds. "The sprawling eight part series traces the history of the music and its relationship to the American immigrant experience with rare photos, video footage and extensive interviews. I look forward to sharing some great clips from the series and bringing some authentic live country music to the stage of the Academy.” 

The evening is free and open to the public, but attendees are encouraged to register online beforehand at wgby.org/countrymusic. For a $20 donation in support of WGBY, western New England’s PBS station, guests can reserve a seat in the preferred seating section. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

About the Panelists:

• Jim Rooney is a Nashville-based musician, songwriter, recording engineer, music publisher, and Grammy-winning record producer.
• Laura Cantrell is a country music artist, born in Nashville and currently based in New York City. She has performed on A Prairie Home Companion, Mountain Stage, and the Grand Ole Opry.
• Jim Olsen has been part of the local music scene since moving to the valley in 1984. In 1994 Olsen and his partner Mark Thayer started the Signature Sounds Recordings label and have produced over 150 albums together.

Country Music, the new eight-part, 16-hour film directed by Ken Burns, and produced by Burns and his long-time collaborators Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey, premieres Sunday, September 15 through Wednesday, September 18, and Sunday, September 22 through Wednesday, September 25 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. on WGBY. The first four episodes will stream on wgby.org and PBS Passport members will be able to stream the entire series for a period of six months beginning Sunday, September 15.

The documentary chronicles the highs and lows of country music’s early days, from southern Appalachia’s songs of struggle, heartbreak and faith to the rollicking Western swing of Texas, California’s honky-tonks and Nashville’s “Grand Ole Opry.” The film follows the evolution of country music over the course of the 20^th century as it eventually emerges to become “America’s music.”

Country Music explores crucial questions –– “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?”–– while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating trailblazers who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bill Monroe 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 — as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself,  the film tells unforgettable stories of hardships and joys shared by everyday people.

“We are thrilled to present this opportunity for music fans to get a first look at this very special film,” said Vanessa Cerillo, Senior Director of Marketing and Communications for WGBY and New England Public Radio. “With Jim Olsen, Laura Cantrell and Jim Rooney live on stage too, we’re are in for a real treat.”

The live event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton, Massachusetts. Register for tickets and learn more about the screening at wgby.org/countrymusic.