Peabody Award-Winner 'Whole Lotta Shakin'
PRI's documentary series traces the roots of rockabilly and celebrates it stars -- Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and others.
"Whole Lotta Shakin,'" a ten-part documentary series exploring rockabilly -- the brash, fast-paced 1950s mix of blues, gospel, jazz, country and popular music that is a foundation of rock and roll -- was recently honored with a 2008 Peabody Award.
Hosted by Rosie Flores, the series visits the cradle of rockabilly, Memphis, and presents the music's female stars. It profiles the influential radio program, "The Louisiana Hayride" and explores the rockabilly sounds of California.
In an era when America was tuning into Patti Page and Mitch Miller, rockabilly was a bold, young upstart, like Marlon Brando in the movie "The Wild One." "Whole Lotta Shakin'" profiles the stars of the genre, including Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and Buddy Holly, and shares the stories of the period's best-loved songs, from "Rave On" to "I Walk the Line."
I teach ethnic studies and the kids go wild when I give em some music.... Whole lotta shakin!!!!!! Oh my soul!
Now more Americans know what the Europeans have known about us for decades: that there is first rate American music culture; appreciated abroad but stifled at home as usual.
Rockabilly is fun to listen to! The torch still burns here and abroad and,maybe someday, it can return to a respetable place on the commercial airwaves as well.
I was a drummer playing this music with friends after we finished college. To this day, my feet shake to the beat ...
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