Grammy award-winning author, Colin Escott, writes the first "real history of country." Music complemented by over one hundred rare or previously unseen photographs.

Companion to the BBC television series. Originally published: London : BBC Books, 2003.

Seize the palpitating air -- The Bristol sessions -- Playboys and cowboys -- Tin Pan valley comes of age -- There's a little nightspot on the outskirts of town -- Bluegrass : water from an ancient well -- Tonight, live from Nashville, Tennessee... -- Songs for home folks -- You might have something with this hillbilly thing -- The king of western bop -- Bakersfield, California -- Honky-tonk angels -- To the brink and back -- What condition my condition was in -- Hard hat days and honky-tonk nights -- Nashville rebels -- Old wine in new bottles -- Branson, Missouri -- Alternative and beyond -- Stadium country