Country Music

“The Hillbilly Shakespeare” (1945 – 1953)

In episode 3 of Ken Burns' Country Music, see how the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America, and meet honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprising emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life.

One to One with Bill Goodman

David Jones (Part 1)

In this 2009 episode of One to One, Bill speaks with David Jones, founder and former president of Humana, about current health care issues. With a customer base of over 11.5 million in the United States, Humana is the largest (by revenues) Fortune 500 company headquartered in Kentucky. Jones died on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 88. Watch now.

Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music

Examine the history of bluegrass music, from its origins to its eventual worldwide popularity, and hear from dozens of musicians who explain the ways bluegrass music transcends generational, cultural and geographic boundaries.

Country Music

“Hard Times” (1933 – 1945)

In episode 2, watch as Nashville becomes the heart of the country music industry. The genre grows in popularity during the Great Depression and World War II as America falls in love with singing cowboys, Texas Swing and the Grand Ole Opry’s Roy Acuff. Watch now.

Connections with Renee Shaw

Cokie Roberts on Current Politics and a Storied Career

In this episode of Connections, Renee speaks with NPR and ABC political commentator Cokie Roberts, whose more than 40-year career in broadcasting earned her countless awards, including induction into the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame. Roberts died on Sept. 17, 2019, due to complications from breast cancer. Read highlights from the interview.

American Masters

Raul Julia: The World’s a Stage

Explore a warm and revealing portrait of the charismatic, groundbreaking actor’s journey from his native Puerto Rico to the creative hotbed of 1960s New York City, to prominence on Broadway and in Hollywood. Filled with passion, determination and joy, Juliá’s brilliant and daring career was tragically cut short by his untimely death 25 years ago, at age 54. Watch now.

Country Music

“The Rub” (Beginnings – 1933)

In episode one of Ken Burns' Country Music, see how what was first called “hillbilly music” reaches new audiences through phonographs and radio, and launches the careers of country music’s first big stars, the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers. Watch now.