Brief outages are expected today due to maintenance. More information here.

Stream live and on-demand content now on our new app:
RMPBS+

Help tell more stories in 2026 - make a year-end gift!

Give Now
go back to Shows
Country Music show's poster

Country Music

Explore the history of country music – from its roots in ballads, hymns and the blues to its mainstream popularity – and meet the unforgettable characters and storytellers who made it “America’s Music.” Directed by Ken Burns.

Latest episode

RMPBS Passport

Please log in to your PBS Passport account to watch this video

Become a Member

“Don’t Get Above Your Raisin’” (1984 – 1996)

Country Music | Broadcast Version Episode 8 | 115m 40s | CC

Episode 8 | Learn how “New Traditionalists” like George Strait, Randy Travis and the Judds help country music stay true to its roots. Witness both the rise of superstar Garth Brooks and the return of an aging Johnny Cash to the industry he helped create.

Funding for Country Music was provided by Bank of America, the Annenberg Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Belmont University, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Rosalind P. Walter and by members of ‘The Better Angels Society,’ including: The Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Schwartz/Reisman Foundation, the Pfeil Foundation, Diane and Hal Brierley, John and Catherine Debs, the Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, the Perry and Donna Golkin Family Foundation, Jay Alix and Una Jackman, Mercedes T. Bass, Fred and Donna Seigel, Gilchrist and Amy Berg, James R. Berdell Foundation, David Bonderman, Deborah P. and Jonathan T. Dawson, Senator Bill and Tracy Frist, Susan and David Kreisman, Rocco and Debby Landesman, Lillian Lovelace, John and Leslie McQuown, Mindy's Hope Foundation, the Segal Family Foundation, Michelle Smith. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.

Related stories

Rocky Mountain PBS
Matt Maes' tendency toward "hyper-focus" led him to a career as an artist and a cozy life as a family man.
 | Elle Naef, Alexis Kikoen
Rocky Mountain PBS
Matt Maes' tendency toward "hyper-focus" led him to a career as an artist and a cozy life as a family man.
 | Elle Naef, Alexis Kikoen
Rocky Mountain PBS
Celebrating synergy between business and the arts
CBCA's 'Business for the Arts Awards' went virtual this year to honor dynamic partnerships from an unprecedented year.
 | Rocky Mountain PBS