Virginia's Country Music Roots

Janis Martin was a teenage rockabilly sensation from Southside, Virginia. Her music was influenced by African American culture, particularly R&B singer Ruth Brown.

American bluegrass and old time music has reached new musicians as it’s spread across the world. Meet a Japanese artist whose love for old time music brought him to Southern Appalachia.

In the third part of VPM's country music series meet Portsmouth's own Tony Jackson. Jackson is a Marine turned bank executive who decided to leave the security of his corporate job in Richmond to work full time as a country music singer.

There’s a vibrant scene in the sprawling campgrounds at the Old Fiddler's Convention in Galax, Virginia, where musicians play, dance and celebrate until dawn.

VPM begins its series on country music in Virginia by going back nearly a century to the Bristol recording sessions that helped launch the Carter Family's and Jimmie Rodgers' careers.

Watch a special preview of this exciting series. Meet the filmmakers, go behind the scenes, and enjoy exclusive clips from the films.