REVIEW: Country music photography explored in new documentary
Country: Portraits of an American Sound details the emergence and evolution of country music with a particular emphasis on the influence and impact of Nashville as an epicenter for the best in the business. However, the story is not simply told from the perspective of the musicians who pluck their guitars, wear their cowboy hats and croon about love, both lost and found. There certainly are musicians in the film, but the bulk of the documentary is focused on the photographers who captured these singers throughout the generations.
Steven Kochones, the director of the project, uses a lot of stellar photography and archival film to re-create the early days of country music. He goes fast with the narrative, never focusing on one time period for too long, and this means many talking heads are included in the film. In less than 90 minutes, he’s able to include dozens of stories and storytellers.
The photography from throughout the years is quite revealing. Many of the early shots are from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry; other photography comes from magazine shoots and promotional material for albums.
By exploring these images, Kochones is able to define the “look” of country and how it has changed over the last 100 years. There are many distinct periods, including the singing cowboy era, the rhinestone cowboy era, the pop era and the outlaw era. Of course, these eras were constructed both by the photographs and the musicians who populated them.
Special emphasis is given to Johnny Cash, the Carter family, Lyle Lovett, Garth Brooks, Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson. However, almost every famous country singer is seen for at least a few seconds. There’s footage of Hank Williams, Dolly Parton, Rosemary Cash, Keith Urban, Elvis Presley, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Waylon Jennings and Kenny Rogers.
One could argue that the documentary goes too fast because it hardly slows down to consider what country means, how the genre has changed, the issue of diversity and modern image of “pop country.” Each of these topics is given some screen time, but as soon as a fact is learned, the narrative continues to the next topic.
The best attribute of the film are those rare, yet iconic, photographs, especially from the Grand Ole Opry. There seems be something lost in today’s country scene, and these photographs offer evidence of what exactly that is. Depicting the early days of the genre and the dance halls that populated the United States, these images are a genuine history of people, places and timeless songs.
Kudos to the Annenberg Space for Photography, which produced the film, for preserving these photographs and putting the rightful emphasis on the country: both in front of and behind the lens.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Country: Portraits of an American Sound (2017), directed by Steven Kochones, is currently available on VOD and digital HD. Click here for more information. Rating: 
