Century of Country

The birth of country music through the 1920s, from its rural roots in fiddle music to early legends including the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.

A look at the venerable Grand Ole Opry show and how it has inspired generations of country music artists.

The romantic myth of the singing cowboy captured the imaginations of Hollywood and Nashville thanks to superstars like Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.

Bluegrass gave rise to stars like Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs and Ricky Skaggs, while Western swing created legends from Bob Wills to Hank Thompson.

Female trailblazers Kitty Wells, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette broke new ground and redefined the role of women in country music.

An examination of the hard-living soul of honky tonk music through the lives of pioneers like Hank Williams, Ernest Tubb and Lefty Frizzell.

The birth of rockabilly in the ‘50's and the ascendance of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.

Nashville ... Music City USA ... became the center of country music entertainment worldwide and home to a multi-billion dollar industry.

Contemporary stars of this Century of Country tell their tales of life on the road, and off.

Dolly Parton, country's first superstar, and the rise of pop-influenced country music by Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers, Anne Murray and others.

Buck Owens' musical movement in Bakersfield, Calif. paved the way for country outlaws like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Merle Haggard.

In 1980, the hit movie Urban Cowboy brought new listeners -- by the millions -- to country music. The lush sounds of Kenny Rogers to the new-traditionalist swagger of Dwight Yoakam brought country music to town.

A look at the hugely popular crossover country artists, as well as the new traditionalist movement in the 1990s. It also focuses on the multi-media mega-hits that have helped to take country music from the hills and hollows to the world in less than a century.