The Story Behind Thomas Hart Benton’s “The Sources of Country Music”

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An early scene in Ken Burns’ new “Country Music” documentary, now airing on KCPT, prominently features famed Kansas City artist Thomas Hart Benton’s “The Sources of Country Music.” Here’s the story behind the creation of the work, which is at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Enjoy the slide show below.…

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Kansas City’s Leading Role in Ken Burns’ “Country Music”

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Kansas City is a jazz town — just ask anybody! So how did KC manage to be featured so prominently in Ken Burns’ new documentary on the history of country music? It’s not exactly coincidence. Dayton Duncan, the longtime collaborator with Burns on “The Dust Bowl”, “The National Parks” and other PBS projects, has spent…

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Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors” Stirs the Heart of Country Music

In this July 31, 2015 file photo, Dolly Parton performs in concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by Wade Payne/Invision/AP, File)

At its very best, it’s not just country music. It’s heart music. As part of our coverage of Ken Burns’ “Country Music” documentary, scheduled to premiere this Sunday on KCPT – Kansas City PBS, we asked local singer-songwriter Scott “Rex” Hobart and music writer David Cantwell to discuss Dolly Parton’s country classic “Coat of Many…

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