A three-part music special recorded in Nashville, Tennessee, celebrating the history and contemporary stars of country music.
This series of programmes was recorded on location in the capital of country music, Nashville. The first installment is introduced by Glen Campbell, who performs his hits ‘Rhinestone Cowboy’, ‘Galveston’ and ‘Wichita Lineman’ with guests including Ray Charles, Tammy Wynette, and Crystal Gayle. The second part is hosted by Dolly Parton, with a lineup that includes Loretta Lynn and Merle Haggard. The host for the final programme is Roy Clark, who is joined by previous hosts Glen Campbell and Dolly Parton as well as country music legends Johnny Cash and Charlie Rich.
Recorded on location in Nashville, this series was a significant transatlantic production for the BBC, presenting the authentic sound of mainstream country music to a British audience. The three programmes, fronted by some of the genre’s biggest names, function as a survey of its contemporary landscape at the close of the 1970s. The musical direction by Bill Walker, a respected Nashville veteran, ensured the performances were genuine representations of the Grand Ole Opry tradition. By securing a lineup of both established legends and current chart stars, the series acted as both a primer for newcomers and a celebration for established fans.
Broadcast: BBC Two, 3 Episodes, 2 September, 10 September, 17 September 1979
Musical Director: Bill Walker
Executive Producer: Joseph Cates
Introduced by: Glen Campbell (Part 1), Dolly Parton (Part 2), Roy Clark (Part 3)
Featuring: Ray Charles, Tammy Wynette, Crystal Gayle, Loretta Lynn, Larry Gatlin, Merle Haggard, Bob Willis, Texas Playboys, Johnny Cash, Charlie Rich
