PBS American Roots Episode 1: Chapter 2: Recorded Music

Summary Episode One: When First Unto This Country traces the emergence of roots music in
America from its European and African origins through its maturation into American musical
genres such as spirituals, blues, country and gospel. For the first time, American "folk" music is
defined as scholars and music industry entrepreneurs travel throughout the nation to record
authentic cultural expression through field recordings, photographs, early newsreels, and
ethnographic footage. "Hillbilly" and "race" records become profitable recording industry genres
that popularize regional music. The emergence of radio broadens audiences and helps the crossfertilization
of various musical forms. Episode One explores such important turning points as the
popularization of African-American spirituals by the Fisk Jubilee Singers, the birth of country music
with the recording of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers by Ralph Peer, the development of the
Grand Ole Opry, and the creation of gospel music by Thomas A. Dorsey with commentary by Pete
Seeger, Bonnie Raitt, Arlo Guthrie, Ricky Skaggs, Rufus Thomas and Keb' Mo' among many others.

Category:

Gaming

Tags:

• ARM
• 1
• 2