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 it’s 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 .
ABOUT WGBY
WGBY ( wgby.org ) is a community-supported public broadcasting organization connecting the people of western New England to events, ideas, and each other through national PBS programming and locally produced content. With four digital television channels, video on demand, and streaming video, WGBY is one of the region’s most accessible community institutions. WGBY is available over the air on digital channel 57-1 and on cable throughout western Massachusetts and northwestern Connecticut and can be seen in high definition in western Massachusetts at Comcast 857, Time Warner 1807, Charter 782, and over the air on channel 57.
ABOUT SIGNATURE SOUNDS
Based in Northampton, MA, Signature Sounds Presents brings The Green River Festival to Western Massachusetts every July (now in it's 33rd year). They also present The Back Porch Festival, Rubblebucket's Dream Picnic, The Arcadia Folk Festival, and also produce approximately 120 shows each year featuring the best in roots, folk, and indie rock at The Academy of Music, The Shea Theater, Gateway City Arts, Race Brook Lodge and in their own venue, The Parlor Room.
Signature Sounds Recordings is the label component whose roster includes Chris Smither, Eilen Jewell, The Suitcase Junket, Birds of Chicago, Parsonsfield, And The Kids, Winterpills, Twisted Pine, and Dustbowl Revival among others. Alumni artists include Lake Street Dive, Josh Ritter, Mary Gauthier, and Lori McKenna. The label was formed by Jim Olsen and Mark Thayer in 1995 to promote the burgeoning acoustic music scene in and around Northampton, MA. Since the label's inception, Signature Sounds has released over 175 albums of singer-songwriter, Americana, modern folk and rock music. Signature Sounds Recordings is distributed exclusively worldwide by Redeye Worldwide.
In 2015, Signature started an artist development and management wing to work with talented new artists.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Cerillo
Senior Director, Marketing and Communications
New England Public Media
WGBY and New England Public Radio
413-735-6605
vcerillo@nepr.net
