Country Nights
This November Radio 2 and 大象传媒 Four delves into the rich history of country music and explores its current revival. Settle in for some wholesome ‘County Nights’
The season will feature original contributions from the likes of Kenny Rogers, Emmylou Harris and Kacey Musgraves, as well as rare archive performances from Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Garth Brooks.
Radio 2 will be in Nashville for the 48th annual CMA Awards, the biggest night in the country music calendar, with (2pm, 5 November - Radio 2) and from the awards (6pm, 8 November - Radio 2)
On 6 November, live from the Radio Theatre in London, Bob Harris will host In this unique performance this country superstar will perform stripped back acoustic versions of his hits with the songwriters who worked on them with him.
大象传媒 Four Highlights
a historical biography of the glittering hub of Country Music that reveals the dynamic relationship between commerce and art that has defined Nashville since 1925 (9pm, 7 November - 大象传媒 Four)
chronicling Kenny’s remarkable rise to the top of his game and the golden era of country music he ushered in (21 November - 大象传媒 Four)
in which ‘Whispering’ Bob journeys to Music City USA to find out how music has shaped Nashville and why today it’s a place of pilgrimage for musicians from all over the world (14 November - 大象传媒 Four)
, a rare chance to see Robert Elfstrom’s 1969 classic film that captures the Man in Black at his peak, the first of many in a looming roller-coaster career (14 November, 大象传媒 Four)
The season will also include two compilation programmes:
Country Kings At The 大象传媒 will feature classic male country singers from the 大象传媒 vaults, journeying from the Everly Brothers and Jerry Lee Lewis to Garth Brooks and Willie Nelson and featuring classic songs and performances by Glen Campbell, Charley Pride, George Hamilton IV, Kenny Rogers, Clint Black, Johnny Cash, Eric Church and more.
Meanwhile classic female country stars in action on a variety of 大象传媒 studio shows and feature Bobbie Gentry, Anne Murray, Emmylou Harris, Tammy Wynette, Billie Jo Spears, Crystal Gayle, Taylor Swift, Lucinda Williams with Mary Chapin-Carpenter and more. (10.30pm, 7 November - 大象传媒 Four)
Highlights on Radio 2
- The Ryman Auditorium: Bob Harris takes a guided tour through this iconic building which is now seen as an integral character in country music's story.
: Musician and writer Sid Griffin presents this celebration of Harold Bradley, who since 1946 has been playing three sessions a day - five, six or seven days a week - with an average of three songs a session (10pm, 4 November - Radio 2)
: Originally broadcast as part of Radio 2’s coverage of the second C2C (Country To Country) Festival at London's O2 Arena, Paul Sexton takes the pulse of country music in the UK with the help of Nashville stars, writers and executives who are frequent visitors to our shores (10pm, 6 November - Radio 2)