New BBC documentary to feature Carters, Rodgers August 11 on CMT

On Wednesday, August 11th at 8:00 PM (ET/PT), CMT will present Lost Highway: The History of American Country, a critically acclaimed BBC documentary series. Narrated by Grammy Award-winning Texas singer/songwriter/musician Lyle Lovett, the four-part series has been hailed by The Times (London) as "a fascinating road map of the genre." The series celebrates the history of country music, from its origins in the folk songs of the working classes of the southeastern states to the multi-million dollar industry of modern Nashville.

The series is made up of two episodes: " Down From the Mountain / The Road to Nashville" and "Beyond Nashville / The Sweethearts of the Rodeo." Check out each episode page at the link below for a full description and to find out which artists will be featured.

Until the first recordings of the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers at Bristol in 1927, the mountain music of Kentucky and Virginia was limited to rural communities. "Down From the Mountain" traces the history of country music from Clinch Mountain to the sophisticated modern bluegrass of Alison Krauss and the resurgence of roots music sparked by the success of the film O Brother Where Art Thou?. Featured artists in this episode include the Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, the Louvin Brothers, the Stanley Brothers, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss.

The roots of Nashville's position at the heart of country music lie with the honky tonk heroes who moved from the bars of the Southeast to the Grand Ole Opry. " The Road to Nashville" moves from the inspired and mournful sound of Hank Williams to the birth of Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley's smoother "Nashville Sound," in response to the rise of rock 'n' roll. Featured artists in this episode include Hank Williams, Lefty Frizzell, Ray Price, Jim Reeves, Ernest Tubb, Eddy Arnold and Brenda Lee.

Lost Highway: The History of American Country will air Wednesday, August 11th at 8:00 PM (ET/PT).

For more information on the series, please visit http://www.cmt.com/shows/dyn/lost_highway_the_history_of_american_country/series.jhtml