Learn all about country music’s roots in ballads, hymns, and the blues. Train your ear and explore where country music came from and how it reflects and influences American society today.
The course culminates with a bonus film screening featuring highlights from Ken Burns’ new documentary series, Country Music, along with live music by local artists from other genres covering their favorite country music songs.
This class is open to all "lifelong learners" who want to learn about what makes country music a truly American art form.
Registration required. Call 801-581-7155 or visit osher.utah.edu and enter code "KUED" to register for free, or pay a $1 donation to support our costs.
Class #1: "What Rock Owes Country"
Wednesday, September 11, 3:15–4:45pm
Instructor: Dr. Michael Hicks
During this class, we will take inventory of the ways in which country music fed sixties groups like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. We'll trace the essentials: instrumentation, guitar licks, the fast two-beat groove from Hank Williams and the legendary "Million Dollar Quartet" of 1956 through "rockabilly," Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, the Everly Brothers, and even George Jones – a huge influence on none other than Mick Jagger.
Class #2: Song Sessions Presents: "Everybody Has a Song…Find Yours”
Wednesday, September 18, 3:15–4:45pm
Instructors: Anna Wilson and Monty Powell
Facilitated by multiple Billboard #1 and Grammy award-winning singer/songwriters Monty Powell and Anna Wilson, this class will guide you as you write an original song with the group that tells your story, taking you on a musical journey focused on the theme of storytelling. Together, you will unlock your creativity and learn storytelling techniques used by professional composers to condense and communicate a powerful, unforgettable message.
Class #3: Country Crossovers
Wednesday, September 25, 3:15–4:45pm
Instructor: Dr. John Costa
This class will unfold the history of country music’s crossover into mainstream America from various angles. We’ll look at cowboy culture as exemplified by Gene Autry to the multi-styled musical hybrid that would inspire the birth of rock ‘n’ roll. We’ll discuss singles that gained attention by addressing controversies and poking fun at current trends including the new mainstream trend of 1970s country rock as first anticipated by Gram Parsons (the father of country rock) and popularized by artists such as Linda Ronstadt and The Eagles. We’ll discuss Nashville’s mainstream crossover with country western’s first national TV variety show, Hee Haw and we’ll touch on the current country music trend of another hybrid: its synthesis with pop sensibilities and modern celebrity-brand status.
Concert and Documentary Screening
Thursday, September 26, 7pm
All class registrants will be provided with a reserved seat at the Tribute Concert and highlight screening of Ken Burns' Country Music on
NOTE: The Main Library's Rooftop Terrace is closed for renovations.
Salt Lake City's Main Library, designed by internationally-acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie in conjunction with VCBO Architecture, opened in February 2003 and remains one of the most architecturally unique structures in Utah. This striking 240,000 square-foot structure houses more than 500,000 books and other materials, yet serves as more than just a repository of books and computers. It reflects and engages the city's imagination and aspirations. The structure embraces a public plaza, with shops and services at ground level, reading galleries above, and a 300-seat auditorium.
A multi-level reading area along the Glass Lens at the southern facade of the building looks out onto the plaza with stunning views of the city and Wasatch Mountains beyond. Spiraling fireplaces on four floors resemble a column of flame from the vantage of 200 East and 400 South. The Urban Room between the Library and the Crescent Wall is a space for all seasons, generously endowed with daylight and open to magnificent views.
