WEXT Podcast

After decades of trials, tribulations, evictions, losses, and near bankruptcy, Lena Spencer saw her inspired vision of a creative gathering place for her community become a reality with Caffe Lena . Her boundless passion and perseverance served as the driving force behind her renowned establishment now known as the longest-running coffeehouse in the country, recognized as an American Treasure by the Library of Congress, and a place where folk music continues to thrive after six decades.

After decades of trials, tribulations, evictions, losses, and near bankruptcy, Lena Spencer saw her inspired vision of a creative gathering place for her community become a reality with Caffe Lena . Her boundless passion and perseverance served as the driving force behind her renowned establishment now known as the longest-running coffeehouse in the country, recognized as an American Treasure by the Library of Congress, and a place where folk music continues to thrive after six decades.

Explore the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music. Country Music features never-before-seen footage and photographs, plus interviews with more than 80 country music artists. The eight-part 16-hour series is directed and produced by Ken Burns;

Country Music explores questions –– such as “What is country music?” and “Where did it come from?“–– while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating characters who created and shaped it — from the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers and Bob Wills to Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks and many more — as well as the times in which they lived. Much like the music itself, the film tells

Legendary artist Graham Nash is a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee – with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and with the Hollies . He was also inducted twice into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, as a solo artist and with CSN, and he is a GRAMMY Award winner. Towering above virtually everything that Graham Nash has accomplished in his long and multi-faceted career, stands the litany of songs that he has written and introduced to the soundtrack of the past half-century. Graham Nash and his band

Hear all about the 8-part documentary series Country Music by Ken Burns in this behind the scenes podcast. Even if you think you're not a Country Music fan, this documentary will be of interest. As Ken Burns says, it's not about just the music. It's the story of America. There's so much history. You cannot put the whole story of Country Music into any series, or documentary. So, they decided to tell stories. Hear more about the coming documentary in this episode of the Country Music companion

Jessie Scott presents a behind the scenes look at the Ken Burns documentary on Country Music. As Ken says, "Country Music is the story of humans." Hear how the program came together. Hear some of the music, some of the interviews. Get a taste for Country Music, airing on WMHT-TV. Discover about the artists, the traditions, and the songs. Country Music, a film by Ken Burns. Go behind the production to hear all about how it came to be.