Back Beat

Country Music

Explore the history of a uniquely American art form: country music. From its deep and tangled roots in ballads, blues and hymns performed in small settings, to its worldwide popularity, learn how country music evolved over the course of the 20th century, as it eventually emerged to become America’s music.

How Music Works with Howard Goodall

John Safran's Music Jamboree

John Safran's Music Jamboree was a light-hearted Australian music documentary television series, hosted by John Safran for SBS television. The program was produced by Selin Yaman and directed by Craig Melville, Clayton Jacobson and a number of other directors under the production company Ghost of Your Ex-Boyfriend Productions in association with SBS Independent. It screened in 2002, and consisted of sketches and outlandish public stunts, typical of Safran's work. The series won two Australian Film Institute Awards; "Best Comedy Series" and "Most Innovative Program Concept". SBS followed the series up with the similarly styled John Safran vs. God in 2004. An infamous stunt of the series was sneaking nine friends into an exclusive Melbourne nightclub by dressing them up as the masked American metal band, Slipknot. The producers arranged entry for the impostors by pretending to be an American management company over the phone. Other stunts included disguising himself as well known entertainers such as Ozzy Osbourne and Prince to harass the public, sketch versions of music videos such as Eminem, the creation of Jew Town, a Jewish boy band to compete with Christian pop, and returning to Yeshivah College to pay homage to Kevin Bacon in Footloose. He also details his time in the hip-hop group Raspberry Cordial, and the related incident in which he met the Beastie Boys and the band's former DJ attempted to steal his girlfriend at the time.

Ke$ha: My Crazy Beautiful Life

The series sheds a completely different light on Ke$ha as she works through all the drama and adventures in both her personal and professional life over the course of two years. Filmed by her journalist brother Lagan Serbert, and filmmaker Steven Greenstreet, it also encompasses the artist as she creates her newest album, Warrior, and travels to various countries.

Bluegrass Underground

A musical adventure series emanating from The Caverns in Tennessee's majestic Cumberland Mountains. Celebrating the diversity of America’s musical heritage with artists from the full spectrum of genres: Bluegrass, yes but also Americana, Country, Soul, Blues, Rock N Roll, Gospel, Folk, and everything between.

Rock N' Roll Stories

Music Professionals share their most memorable stories of their career in the Rock N' Roll world.

Jubilee

KET’s Jubilee series features the performances of nationally known artists and popular local musicians at summer folk music festivals in Kentucky. Since its premiere in 1996, Jubilee has presented an eclectic mix of traditional and contemporary bluegrass, blues, folk, gospel, and other forms of music from around the world to your backyard.

Balade

Balade à Toronto

The Song That Changed My Life

A beautiful and intimate look into the pivotal, life-changing songs, moments and experiences of brilliant musicians that inspire the world over.

Transatlantic Sessions

Folk musicians from both sides of the Atlantic come together in what have been called “the greatest backporch shows ever.” Collaborative live performances by various leading folk and country musicians playing music from Scotland, Ireland, England and North America.

Mélomaniaques

Def Poetry

Def Poetry, also known as Russell Simmons Presents Def Poetry or Def Poetry Jam, which was co-founded by Bruce George, Danny Simmons and Deborah Pointer, is an HBO television series produced by hip-hop music entrepreneur Russell Simmons. The series presents performances by established spoken word poets, as well as up-and-coming ones. Well-known actors and musicians will often surprise the audience by showing up to recite their own original poems. The show is hosted by Mos Def. Def Poetry is a spin-off of Def Comedy Jam. As he did on Def Comedy, Simmons appears at the end of every episode to thank the audience.

CMT Crossroads

Country music stars collaborate with performers from other musical genres and exchange stories about their mutual love for music.

Countdown: Do Yourself a Favour

Celebrating Countdown's 40th anniversary, host Julia Zemiro takes us through the show's fascinating story. Backed by a stellar cast of stars, original footage and music bringing the 70's and 80's alive.

Minnesota Hardcore

A fast-paced, musical docu-series that examines the punk scene in the Twin Cities from 1980 to 1985. The Minnesota scene was a close-knit community of artists and fans that encouraged culture and spawned huge talents like Hüsker Dü, The Replacements, Soul Asylum, Rifle Sport and more. Minnesota Hardcore is made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.

Muziekstad

Each episode focuses on one city, where three artists or bands map their local scene. They show us around the places where they write their music, the locations that have been formative and inspire them. They provide an intimate glimpse into the kitchen, and the artists perform at the local pop stage.

Bigbít

Billy Connolly's Tracks Across America

Billy Connolly takes to the rails for a six thousand mile trip through the backyard of America.