GPB to Screen "Country Music" during Ida Cox Music Series

Press Release

Release: Immediate
Contact: Main Street office
Date: May, 2019
Re: GPB screening of “Country Music” documentary

GPB is pleased to partner with the City of Toccoa for a free preview screening of Ken Burns’ Country Music documentary and a concert by the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry on July 20, 2019 as part of the annual Ida Cox Music Series. Guests will enjoy selected footage of the highly-anticipated 16 hour documentary film followed by a live performance by bluegrass artist Edgar Loudermilk in Toccoa’s beautiful Historic Ritz Theatre.

The evening will begin at 7:00 pm outside of the historic Ritz Theatre with three local musicians performing. At 8:00, the documentary will begin inside the theatre, followed by a performance by Edgar Loudermilk featuring Jeff Autry and their band.

The eight-part documentary, “Country Music” tells the story of the rise and evolution of this uniquely American art form which has deep roots in ballads, hymns, and the blues. Through music, the American story is told of the lives lived throughout areas of the U.S. The documentary shares the stories of the people who lived, wrote and performed the songs. Over 80 people were interviewed for the production, each representing a different era or aspect of the story. “Country Music” will premiere on PBS, Sunday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 18, and will air again Sunday, September 22 through Wednesday, September 25 from 8:00 pm – 10:00 pm.

Edgar Loudermilk, well-known throughout the world of bluegrass for his songwriting as well as his singing, will perform at 8:40. Each year, Loudermilk and Jeff Autry travel around the US and Canada and have received numerous awards for their work. Currently, Loudermilk resides in Eastanollee, Georgia.

The Ida Cox Music Series is a free concert series that takes place every Saturday in June, July, and August in Historic Downtown Toccoa. Featuring many different genres of music, the Ida Cox Music Series is a community event series named after legendary Blues artist and Toccoa native, Ida Cox.  The event features live entertainment, food from local restaurants and food trucks, beer, wine, and more. The opening act begins at 7pm, and the main act performs from 8pm - 10pm. The Ida Cox Music Series is generously sponsored by the City of Toccoa and Main Street Toccoa.

The event is free and open to the public. There will be limited seating in the Ritz. For more information go to www.ritztheatretoccoa.com