American Roots Music

American Roots Music, companion volume to the four-part prime-time PBS series, digs down deep to uncover the blues, gospel, folk, country & western, and other traditional genres at the heart of the nation’s musical heritage. Incisive essays, informative sidebars, and first-person narratives from key artists are illustrated with portraits, performance shots, and ephemera. The compelling tales of the pioneers, entrepreneurs, and artists who brought the music to the world stage, including Jimmie Rodgers, Lead Belly, Woody Guthrie, Hank Williams, B. B. King and so many more, are told with honesty and insight, illuminating this vibrant musical heritage.