I have watched all eight episodes, they are available online. There was no additional coverage in the later episodes, just that few second mention.
PSA: You can watch all eight episodes here:
I think the purpose of including Jack White was to make Marty Stuart’s hair seem downright pedestrian by comparison.
Heh, when typing that I accidently wrote “Jack Black” at first, and that would have been a more interesting person to include.
Dwight Yoakam got me teary eyed last night when he started crying quoting Merle Haggard’s lyrics.
And I loved how 12 year old Marty Stuart said he was going to marry 29 year old Connie Smith, and he wound up doing it.
What was wrong with his hair? I thought he looked surprisingly well groomed. It was short and combed.
Heh, was on the same site this morning and it gave the impression they wouldn’t be available until they aired. But if you go ahead and click on the videos, it’ll go ahead an play now.
I knew almost nothing about Kris Kristofferson. What a brilliant lyricist, I’ve just been going through his songbook and videos.
It was brushed straight up and obviously gelled to stay. It was at least 4inches up. Stoopid, IMHO.
Yep Kris Kristofferson is the dang bomb. No way around it.Yeah, but Kristofferson usually sang like he didn’t have any confidence in his voice, and it showed. It’s sad, because he really did have a good voice when he was young.
Nice set up for Willie’s return to Texas.
Kris as a singer wasn’t the best. And I think he never really wrote for himself. When he was with ‘The Highwaymen’ he sang great, IMO.
And I’m sorry, I know he’s an Icon and all, but Willie just creeps me out.
The Kristofferson piece was very moving. I never realized what an amazing lyricist he was. I enjoyed the Me and Bobby McGhee story. I also learned for the first time, thanks to Wikipedia, that his full name is Kristoffer Kristofferson.
I thought it was a nice setup for George Jones and Tammi Wynette. I have a good feeling about those two!
I knew a man who worked on the Johnny Cash TV show as a sound/electronics guy. He told me he was called in to work one day, even though he was on vacation. He refused, telling his boss that he was getting married the next day and going on his honeymoon. The boss offered him triple pay because it was an “important show”, so in he went, but not happily.
He was kneeling on the floor, hooking up cables when he heard someone walk up behind him, and a familiar voice said “I heard that you came in on your day off to do this for me and I appreciate it.” When he turned around, he was looking up at Elvis. Elvis then said “I also hear you’re getting married, so here’s a little somethin’ for your honeymoon,” and handed him several hundred dollars.
That’s a damned cool story 
.
Yeah, he also roomed with Ronnie Milsap for awhile (who isn’t totally blind, apparently). He said the guy was a real hound in those days, always bringing women back to the room. He said that he came home once and discovered that Ronnie had used his pillow as a bit of hip support for his latest sexual liaison, so he told him not to do that again because, you know, disgusting. He came home a few nights later and found the same mess, so he picked Milsap up (this guy is 6’8" and around 325), carried him outside, and tossed him into the pool from the second story walkway.
I had heard a couple Kristofferson songs and thought they were nothing special. But Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen are distinctive singers, but not brilliant ones. Hank Williams and Paul Simon are great lyricists and, to my ears, better singers. Many country stars have exceptional voices.
I just bought a CD of Kristofferson’s best. They are all duets, and, frankly, better off for that.
Looking forward to more episodes. Willie Nelson is a bit jazzy, but no Django. Marsalis seems a little out of place, but his perspective gives some contrast, I guess.
Anyone else get a kick out of Maybelle Carter liking One Toke Over the Line, even though she didn’t know what a toke was?
For a guy I get choked up pretty easy, but it’s always something random. When Kathy Mattea was talking about her uncle that always told her he’d be watching for her on “Hee Haw” and then she got on it and got to do a “Salute!” to her home town…I teared up a little.
The way Burns is tying it all together, bringing the whole story in a full circle is amazing. Good show!
Since I don’t listen to country music per se it was difficult to follow. But it is very well done and fascinating to watch. I love music and this has been a very satisfying documentary. It could be the world standard of documentaries going forward.
I will never be able to listen Hank Williams JR’s Family Tradition again without smiling. Often when it’s played in bars there’s a crowd participation element to it. Now I know the meaning behind the song.
Ken Burns brought to light all the behind the scenes mentoring that went on. A lot of good stories that will warm your heart.
I loved the music award announcement of John Denver which the announcer set on fire before reading.
I never realized Willey Nelson started Austin City Limits on PBS.