Comic to explore the roots of country music

He famously sang Islands In The Stream as Bryn in Gavin and Stacey – now Rob Brydon is to host a documentary about the origins of country music and its recent boom in popularity.

The three-part BBC Two series, provisionally titled Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip, will see the comedians journey around America’s southern states

He said:  ‘I’ve always loved country music but never really delved too deeply into it. The current resurgence means it's the perfect time to head over to Nashville and find out more. I can't wait to immerse myself in this fascinating world of music.’

The BBC describes the show as ‘an entertaining, fascinating and laughter filled exploration of country music, past and present, during which Rob discovers its origins, the secrets to its longevity and what led to its recent global explosion all set against the epic backdrop of the American south’.

His road trip begins in Nashville, Tennessee, which is celebrating 100 years of The Grand Ole Opry - the city’s music show that’s synonymous with country. Then he climbs into his truck and heads to Kentucky, the home of bluegrass, then on to the Appalachian Mountains, where he’ll learn how British settlers brought their traditional ballads and instruments that influenced the country music sound.

 In Bristol, Tennessee, he’ll meet Carlene Carter, granddaughter of Carter Family founding member and country music pioneer ‘Mother’ Maybelle Carter, before heading to meet Dolly Parton’s niece Heidi in Dollywood.

Other stops include: Alabama, where Rob plays homage to Hank Williams, whose honky-tonk style made him the biggest country star of the 1940s; Mississippi, where he’ll visit Tupelo where Elvis grew up listening to country and blues, and Memphis, including Sun Studios where Elvis jammed with Johnny Cash and pioneered the rockabilly sound. The adventure concludes back in Nashville, at the Grand Ole Opry, with exploration of the current sound there.

BBC commissioning editor Rachel Davies said: ‘We’ve seen an explosion of interest in country in the past few years, so it’s a great moment to explore the history, evolution and rising significance of this genre. We’ll be bringing audiences extended coverage of the biggest moments in the country music calendar and we’re delighted that Rob Brydon will be sharing his love of the music and putting his own unique spin on a tour around the US southern states.’

Rob Brydon’s Honky Tonk Road Trip is part of series of programmes about country music announced by the BBC today – also including a two-hour film called Rebel Country about a new breed of country stars  challenging the culture of the genre.

And this weekend, Radio 2 airs its Loves Country season with programming from the Country to Country festival in London, Belfast and Glasgow 

Published: 13 Mar 2025