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I don’t care what anyone says, I love Ken Burns, and think he is American through and though, I watched “Country Music” beginning to end. But while I have some Willie Nelson and a few major country hits by other artists on my playlist, I have never been particularly a country fan, so take my novice views for whatever they are worth. Here is what I have learned by watching “Country Music”:

1. Hank Williams was a genius. “Genius” is not a word I throw around a lot.

2. Even though he isn’t quite the songwriter his father was, Hank Williams, Jr. is underrated. His quality songwork vastly exceeds what I knew coming in, “Take This Job and Shove it” and the Monday Night Football theme.

3. Emmylou Harris was, and is, a knockout.

4. Kris Kristofferson is a darn good songwriter.

5. Not much good country music has been made since 1980.

6. While I understand their incentives, Nashville has been bad on balance for the artistic value of country music. Overproduced country music is bad country music.

7. Patsy Cline was more like big band than genuine country.

8. Country and rock and roll are not much different in terms of how they tempt their performers into making foolish life choices.

8. Anyone who dislikes Bob Dylan needs to have his head examined. He loves American music in all its forms., including country.

9. Bakersfield, CA deserves to be better known as a wellspring of country music.

Also, “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” which I had never heard, is a very moving song.

Actually David Allan Coe wrote "Take This Job And Shove It" but mostly your post is spot-on.

I've watched several documentaries by Ken Burns, including this one. I know he has a reputation of being a Lefty, but I have not seen that in his works. At least those that I have seen.