'American Epic' traces our musical roots

A new PBS and BBC Arena project coming to the U.S. and the U.K. in fall promises to be musically epic.

It's two works: A three-part historical documentary, American Epic, and a feature-length film, The American Epic Sessions.

They will tell the story of our musical history, focusing on the birth of modern music in our country. British filmmakers Bernard MacMahon and Allison McGourty take us back to the late 1920s when talent scouts searched the country with a recording machine for the first time to capture raw talent for record companies. The recordings including blues, country, gospel, Hawaiian, Cajun and folk music.

And some big names are behind it — executive producers include T Bone Burnett, Robert Redford and Jack White.

Not only will our musical story be told, the piece will showcase contemporary artists in recording sessions.

In addition to the broadcast, Columbia Records will release contemporary performances from the series. Sony Music's Legacy Recordings will release a companion series of archival recordings, featuring groundbreaking audio restoration of 1920s and 1930s recordings by Lo-Max Films, Nick Bergh and Peter Henderson. Third Man Records will release a deluxe box of vinyl records.

The American Epic Sessions features performances by Alabama Shakes, The Americans, The Avett Brothers, Beck, Frank Fairfield, Ana Gabriel, Rhiannon Giddens, Merle Haggard, Bobby Ingano, Elton John, Auntie Geri Kuhia, Pokey LaFarge, Bettye LaVette, Los Lobos, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Taj Mahal, Steve Martin & Edie Brickell, Fred Martin and The Levite Camp, Ashley Monroe, Nas, Willie Nelson, Charlie Kaleo Oyama, Blind Boy Paxton, Raphael Saadiq, and Jack White.

"This is America's greatest untold story," says Redford in the release. "It's an account of the cultural revolution that ultimately united a nation."

"These musicians we profile are the real American heroes," says Burnett. "They set out from the darkness with nothing but a guitar on their backs, put out their thumbs and conquered the world."

American Epic will be available on DVD and Blu-ray from PBS Distribution. The film will also be available for digital download.