The 1960s and 70s provide a backdrop for students to explore the workings of the country music industry during an era defined by protest. Students will learn about Buck Owens, who helped define country’s Bakersfield sound and made creative and professional decisions on his own terms. During the same period, musician Charley Pride faced significant racial discimination and ultimately overcame both personal and much broader social and political adversity to make music history. And Dolly Parton’s career path has been defined by her tenacity, song-writing talent, and feminist ethos in combination. Students will consider how the social and political trends of the tumultuous period during which Owens, Pride, and Parton rose to fame helped to shap their career trajectories and music.

An historical overview of this period, included in the support materials, provides broader context about the period to offer additional perspective about these artists’ circumstances.