The Appalachian Mountains have been called America’s first frontier. The pioneers who settled this great wilderness played a distinctive part in the nation’s history, and their story is the story of America.

In a film The New York Times called “a welcome step toward a new image for a population still unprotected by political correctness,” The Appalachians provides a fresh perspective on this rich part of America’s heritage.

Beginning with a look at the earliest settlers and the indigenous music that served as the foundation of country music, the three programs follow a historical chronology of the land and people, interspersed with comments and songs from nationally known artists such as Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Loretta Lynn, and a host of others.

The documentary finds that the cultural fabric of the nation has been deeply interwoven with the music, literature, folklore, and art of the mountain people.