Presented by Nashville Public Television

"The Appalachian mountains have been called America's "first frontier." The story of the brave poineers who settled this great wilderness is the story of America: immigration, settlement, the Revolution and the Civil War, the growth of industry and the use and abuse of land. In addition, Appalachia has had a powerful impact on American music, folklore and culture, giving birth to what we know today as country music. Appalachia has always played a critical role in American history. It has been closely tied to the nation's economic fate--in particular, the roller-coaster cycles of boom and bust with coal, timber and steel. In every era, life in the mountains was reflected in song" --Container

Writer and producer, Phylis Geller ; executive producer, Mari-Lynn C. Evans ; project developers, Mari-Lynn C. Evans and Tom Robertson ; original music composer, Charlie Barnett ; editors, Barbara W. Burst and Sam Green ; narrator, J.W. Mahoney

Features Johnny Cash, Ricky Skaggs, Loretta Lynn, Marty Stuart, Little Jimmy Dickens, and others. Narrator: J.W. Mahoney

DVD format