91ȱ

© 2025 91ȱ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Les Leverett: Opry Photographer

18m 37s

Les Leverett was the official staff photographer for The Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, from 1960-1992. During those 32 years, he captured images of nearly every country star of note, from Minnie Pearl and Roy Acuff to Garth Brooks and Emmylou Harris. Along the way, his photographs revealed the changes and continuities in the music he loved and the people who made it.

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
New country artists like Loretta Lynn and Charley Pride reflect a changing America.
Visit Memphis during the era of rockabilly, and see how Patsy Cline rises to stardom.
Meet the country stars of post-war America, including the Hillbilly Shakespeare.
Nashville transforms into Music City as America falls for singing cowboys and Texas Swing.
So-called “hillbilly music” reaches new listeners and launches its first stars’ careers.
Randy Scruggs exhibits the playing styles of Maybelle Carter, Merle Travis and Doc Watson.
Interviewees pick they would send into outer space to represent country music.
The songwriters, producer, and fans discuss this classic song's genesis and significance.
Explore the influence of the Carter Cash family and the theme of family in country music.
The filmmakers discuss the origins of their latest project and what they've learned.