Country Music show's poster

“Hard Times” (1933 – 1945)

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.

RMPBS Passport

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

Become a Member

“Hard Times” (1933 – 1945)

Country Music | Broadcast Version Episode 2 | 112m 48s | CC

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.

Related stories

History
Sewing together the stories of Colorado’s Japanese American history
This comprehensive Colorado Japanese Women’s Quilt Project collects the quilts of over 80 Japanese-American families in Colorado.
 | Chase McCleary
History
Denver’s Latino community reclaims anti-colonial history of Cinco de Mayo
The commercialization of Cinco de Mayo has obscured its history, which celebrates Mexican strength and resistance against colonialism.
 | Carly Rose
History
Owl Club exhibit spotlights Black excellence amid national efforts to censor Black history
The “Owl Club of Denver: Legacies of Excellence” exhibit at History Colorado runs through April 11.
 | Carly Rose

Country Music

Watch more episodes

See more
See more
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.