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“Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” Written by Mel Tillis

Season 1 Episode 6 | 4m 18s

Mel Tillis tells the true story behind his hit song and all its famous covers. Kenny Rogers and Alice Randall share their thoughts around anti-war songs in country music.

Funding for Country Music was provided by Bank of America, the Annenberg Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Belmont University, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Rosalind P. Walter and by members of ‘The Better Angels Society,’ including: The Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Schwartz/Reisman Foundation, the Pfeil Foundation, Diane and Hal Brierley, John and Catherine Debs, the Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, the Perry and Donna Golkin Family Foundation, Jay Alix and Una Jackman, Mercedes T. Bass, Fred and Donna Seigel, Gilchrist and Amy Berg, James R. Berdell Foundation, David Bonderman, Deborah P. and Jonathan T. Dawson, Senator Bill and Tracy Frist, Susan and David Kreisman, Rocco and Debby Landesman, Lillian Lovelace, John and Leslie McQuown, Mindy's Hope Foundation, the Segal Family Foundation, Michelle Smith. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.
Extras
Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.
Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.
Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
Country music works to stay true to its roots as the genre skyrockets to new heights.
Witness a vibrant era in country music, thanks to mainstream crossovers and a new sound.
Learn what draws artists like Bob Dylan to Nashville as the Vietnam War rages.
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
Marty Stuart describes the marks and inscriptions on his mandolin and how they got there.
Friends and family discuss Johnny Cash's return to simple songwriting and record-making.