WHO: WSRE public television presents the new mega-documentary, “Country Music,” directed by Ken Burns and produced Burns, Dayton Duncan and Julie Dunfey. For a special screening event, The Gator Boys bluegrass band, made up of Jacob Graffrath, Brenan Woody, Dylan Williams and Dustin Hicklen, will perform starting at 6 p.m., an hour before the film. After the film, a panel discussion will be led by country comedian J. Terryl “T. Bubba” Bechtol and include Nashville songwriter and record producer Rusty Budde, Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival Director Reneda Cross, award-winning songwriter Mark Sherrill and artist Ricky Lee Phelps of Brother Phelps and the Kentucky Headhunters.
WHAT: WSRE will host a free big-screen preview of the new Ken Burns “Country Music” documentary, which chronicles country music’s history from the 1920s through the 1990s and premieres on PBS stations this fall. A 45-minute screener of the 16-hour film series will be shown, featuring Kathy Mattea, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Carlene Carter, Dolly Parton, Merle Haggard, Garth Brooks, Rodney Crowell, Marty Stuart, Brenda Lee, Jimmy Dickens, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, Elvis Costello, Jack White, Loretta Lynn, Rosanne Cash, Reba McEntire, Jeannie Seely, Billy Sherrill, Vince Gill, Dierks Bentley and others. The full-length film series premieres on WSRE over eight nights starting Sept. 15.
WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 5 with local bluegrass band, The Gator Boys, playing at 6 p.m., film starting at 7 p.m., followed by a panel discussion with audience Q&A.
WHERE: WSRE Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio at Pensacola State College
WHY: To explore the remarkable stories of the people and places behind a true American art form and gain the perspectives of local music industry insiders.
HOW: Admission is free. No tickets required. Register at wsre.org/countrymusic.
Media Contact:
Mary Riker
mriker@wsre.org