When Ken Burns releases a documentary, it’s a big deal. When the subject is country music, it’s an even bigger deal, especially around here.
To celebrate, and to promote, the Sept. 15 release of the “Country Music” eight-part series on PBS, local affiliate WTCI-TV Channel 45 has created promotional spots featuring six local people in the industry talking about how important the genre is to them.
The spots debuted Thursday and will air at various times on the station. They will also be shown during a special local preview screening/party at Songbirds Guitar Museum on Sept. 5 at 6 p.m. The party will include a performance by The Dismembered Tennesseans, a Chattanooga bluegrass band founded in 1945.
Featured in the promotions are Roger Alan Wade, Tom Morley, Laura Walker, Ken Hicks, Angel Snow and James Rogers. The 30-second spots depict the locals discussing how important country music has been in their lives.
“I’m too lazy to work and too nervous to steal, so country music just fit my stride,” says singer/songwriter Wade.