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Home , Hank Williams, Loretta Lynn, Pam Tillis, Tammy Wynette

2020 LABOR DAY MARATHON ONLY ON KPTS – CHANNEL 8

SEPTEMBER 5 : LIVE IN Celebrate the superstar in an electrifying 1980 concert filmed at the height of her career. Ronstadt held the audience spellbound with powerful renditions of her biggest hits, including "Blue Bayou," "It's So Easy" and “You're No Good.“ Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 5 at 10:30 a.m.

COUNTRY MUSIC: A FILM BY KEN BURNS will chronicle the history of a uniquely American art form, rising from the experiences of remarkable people in distinctive regions of our nation. From southern ’s songs of struggle, heartbreak and faith to the rollicking western swing of , from California honkytonks to ’s , it follows the evolution of country music over the course of the twentieth century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music. Country Music will be a sweeping, multi-episode series, exploring the questions, “What is country music?” “Where did it come from?” while focusing on the biographies of the fascinating characters who created it—from the , Jimmie Rodgers and , to , , , , , , , , and many more. Episodes 1-4 Airs: Saturday, Sept. 5 from noon to 10 p.m. on Channel 8.1 and Channel 8.2 Episodes 5-8 Airs: Sunday, Sept. 6 from noon to 11 p.m. on Channel 8.1 and Channel 8.2

Episode 1: “The Rub (Beginnings -1933)” airs Saturday, Sept. 5 at Noon. See how what was first called " music" reaches new audiences through phonographs and radio, and launches the careers of country music's first big stars, the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers.

Episode 2: “Hard Times (1933 -1945)” airs Saturday, Sept. 5 at 2:30 p.m. Watch as Nashville becomes the heart of the country music industry. The genre grows in popularity during the and World War II as America falls in love with singing cowboys, Texas Swing and the Grand Ole Opry's .

Episode 3: “The Hillbilly Shakespeare (1945 – 1953)” airs Saturday, Sept. 5 at 5 p.m. See how the bluegrass sound spreads in post-war America, and meet honky-tonk star Hank Williams, whose songs of surprising emotional depth are derived from his troubled and tragically short life.

Episode 4: “I Can't Stop Loving You (1953 -1963)” airs Saturday, Sept. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Travel to Memphis, where Sun Studios artists Johnny Cash and usher in the era of . crosses America's racial divide by recording a country album. shows off Music City's smooth new .

KANSAS COUNTRY is all about Kansan’s contribution to country music from the beginning until now. It’s a fast-paced, informative, and entertaining 30-minute documentary that includes interviews with such stars such as Johnny Western, and Martina McBride and a lot of fascinating history that explains the key role Kansas has played in the development of the Country-Western genre. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 5, at 10 p.m.

KEN BURNS COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS Join host to learn more about the making of the epic documentary series Country Music by Ken Burns. This show highlights the most passionate, inspiring and revealing moments from the 16-hour, epic film Country Music, which premiered in September 2019. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 5, at 11 p.m. SEPTEMBER 6

JOHN DENVER COUNTRY BOY is a definitive documentary that explores the private life and public legacy of . Exclusive accounts from those closest to him reveal the man behind the music in an intimate profile to mark the anniversary of his 70th birthday. Featuring pivotal people in Denver's life, from his former managers to his son, brother, and former wives. Bonus features include never-before-seen extended interviews. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Sunday, Sept. 6 at 9 a.m. ICONIC WOMEN OF COUNTRY Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, and more legendary female country singers were paid tribute on the PBS program, Iconic Women of Country. The special, first aired on June 1, covered the influence of the iconic performers and how, at times, the songs reflected their personal lives. Original interviews were recorded of various female singers. , , and more made appearances on the 90-minute special. Country singer Kathy Mattea opened the show with a poignant observation, “It took some unique women pioneers to kick those doors down.” The in-depth discussions, complimented with archival performance footage, were centered around how these performers overcame gender inequality in country music. Driving home that point, Yearwood stated, “Now, the conversation is so much about women in country and radio airplay, and how few women get played on the radio.” She jokingly added, “I picture Loretta Lynn listening to those interviews and going, ‘Girls, you have no idea how hard it was.’” Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Sunday, Sept. 6 at 10:30 a.m.

COUNTRY MUSIC: A FILM BY KEN BURNS A continuation of this groundbreaking documentary chronicling the history of a uniquely American art form, rising from the experiences of remarkable people in distinctive regions of our nation. Episode 5: “The Sons and Daughters of America (1964 -1968)” airs Sunday, Sept. 6 at Noon. See how country music reflects a changing America, with Loretta Lynn speaking to women everywhere, Merle Haggard becoming "The Poet of the Common Man" and audiences looking beyond race to embrace Charley Pride.

Episode 6: “Will The Circle Be Unbroken? (1968 -1972)” airs Sunday, Sept. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Learn how country music responds to a nation divided by the , as Army captain turned songwriter sets a new lyrical standard, and artists like and the Byrds find a recording home in Nashville.

Episode 7: “Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973 -1983)” airs Sunday, Sept. 6 at 5 p.m. Witness a vibrant era in country music, with Dolly Parton finding mainstream success; Hank Williams, Jr. and emerging from their famous fathers' shadows; and Willie Nelson and launching the "Outlaw" movement.

Episode 8: “Don't Get Above Your Raisin (1984 -1996)” airs Sunday, Sept. 6 at 8:30 p.m. Learn how "New Traditionalists" like , and help country music stay true to its roots. Witness both the rise of superstar Garth Brooks and the return of an aging Johnny Cash to the industry he helped create.

COUNTRY MUSIC: LIVE AT THE RYMAN A concert celebrating Country Music: A Film by Ken Burns, and hosted by Ken Burns. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Sunday, Sept. 6, at 11 p.m.

SEPTEMBER 7

KEN BURNS COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS Join host Kathy Mattea to learn more about the making of the epic documentary series Country Music by Ken Burns. This show highlights the most passionate, inspiring and revealing moments from the 16-hour, epic film Country Music, which premiered in September 2019. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 5, at Noon

JOHN DENVER COUNTRY BOY is a definitive documentary that explores the private life and public legacy of John Denver. Exclusive accounts from those closest to him reveal the man behind the music in an intimate profile to mark the anniversary of his 70th birthday. Featuring pivotal people in Denver's life, from his former managers to his son, brother, and former wives. Bonus features include never-before-seen extended interviews. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept. 7, at 1:30 p.m.

LINDA RONSTADT: LIVE IN HOLLYWOOD Celebrate the superstar in an electrifying 1980 concert filmed at the height of her career. Ronstadt held the audience spellbound with powerful renditions of her biggest hits, including "Blue Bayou," "It's So Easy" and “You're No Good.“ Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 7 at 3 p.m.

ICONIC WOMEN OF COUNTRY Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tammy Wynette and more legendary female country singers were paid tribute on the PBS program, Iconic Women of Country. The special, first aired on June 1, covered the influence of the iconic performers and how, at times, the songs reflected their personal lives. Original interviews were recorded of various female singers. Trisha Yearwood, Pam Tillis, Terri Clark and more made appearances on the 90-minute special. Country singer Kathy Mattea opened the show with a poignant observation, “It took some unique women pioneers to kick those doors down.” The in-depth discussions, complimented with archival performance footage, were centered around how these performers overcame gender inequality in country music. Driving home that point, Yearwood stated, “Now, the conversation is so much about women in country and radio airplay, and how few women get played on the radio.” She jokingly added, “I picture Loretta Lynn listening to those interviews and going, ‘Girls, you have no idea how hard it was.’” Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Sunday, Sept. 7 at 4:30 a.m.

JOHNNY CASH — A CONCERT BEHIND PRISON WALLS Linda Ronstadt and join the Man in Black at the Tennessee State Prison for a nationally televised live concert appearance from 1974, featuring the songs “Folsom Prison ,” “Hey Porter,” “Desperado,” “You're No Good,” “Shuckin' the Corn,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” and more. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept, 7, at 7 p.m.

JOHNNY CASH — A CONCERT BEHIND PRISON WALLS Linda Ronstadt and Roy Clark join the Man in Black at the Tennessee State Prison for a nationally televised live concert appearance from 1974, featuring the songs “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hey Porter,” “Desperado,” “You're No Good,” “Shuckin' the Corn,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” and more. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept, 7, at 7 p.m.

THE LAST OF THE BREED Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and — the elder statesmen of music who have inspired artists and thrilled fans for decades — return to KPTS in an encore presentation of Last of the Breed, a once-in-a-lifetime concert event taped in March 2007 during the final performance of their sold-out “Last of the Breed” tour that played to rave reviews everywhere. Nelson, Haggard and Price (backed by Grammy® Award winning “Kings of Texas Swing” Asleep at the Wheel, led by , and Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys) deliver rousing performances of their greatest hits in the richest voices this side of the Rio Grande. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m.

WAYLON JENNINGS: THE OUTLAW PERFORMANCE captures Waylon Jennings at the pinnacle of the Outlaw Movement. This concert was taped but never released and includes a 16-song set including “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” “This Time,” “Good Hearted Woman,” “Luckenbach Texas,” and “Are You Ready for the Country?” Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept. 7, at 9:30 p.m.

JOHNNY CASH — A CONCERT BEHIND PRISON WALLS Linda Ronstadt and Roy Clark join the Man in Black at the Tennessee State Prison for a nationally televised live concert appearance from 1974, featuring the songs “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hey Porter,” “Desperado,” “You're No Good,” “Shuckin' the Corn,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” and more. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Monday, Sept. 7, at 11 p.m.

KANSAS COUNTRY is all about Kansan’s contribution to country music from the beginning until now. It’s a fast-paced, informative, and entertaining 30-minute documentary that includes interviews with such stars such as Johnny Western, Logan Mize and Martina McBride and a lot of fascinating history that explains the key role Kansas has played in the development of the Country-Western genre. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Monday, Sept. 7, at Midnight.

SEPTEMBER 12

JOHNNY CASH — A CONCERT BEHIND PRISON WALLS Linda Ronstadt and Roy Clark join the Man in Black at the Tennessee State Prison for a nationally televised live concert appearance from 1974, featuring the songs “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Hey Porter,” “Desperado,” “You're No Good,” “Shuckin' the Corn,” “A Boy Named Sue,” “Silver Threads and Golden Needles,” and more. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday Sept. 12, at 10 a.m.

THE LAST OF THE BREED Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Ray Price — the elder statesmen of classic country music who have inspired artists and thrilled fans for decades — return to KPTS in an encore presentation of Last of the Breed, a once-in-a-lifetime concert event taped in March 2007 during the final performance of their sold-out “Last of the Breed” tour that played to rave reviews everywhere. Nelson, Haggard and Price (backed by Grammy® Award winning “Kings of Texas Swing” Asleep at the Wheel, led by Ray Benson, and Ray Price’s Cherokee Cowboys) deliver rousing performances of their greatest hits in the richest voices this side of the Rio Grande. Airs on Channel 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday Sept. 12, at 11 a.m.

KEN BURNS COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHLIGHTS Join host Kathy Mattea to learn more about the making of the epic documentary series Country Music by Ken Burns. This show highlights the most passionate, inspiring and revealing moments from the 16-hour, epic film Country Music, which premiered in September 2019. Airs on Channels 8.1 and 8.2 Saturday, Sept. 12, at 2 p.m.