Ken Burns documentary to be previewed in Toccoa

A spotlight will shine on Toccoa, Georgia when a promotional tour for a new Ken Burns documentary arrives next weekend. On Saturday, July 20, a special screening of Ken Burns’ new documentary “Country Music” will be paired with a performance by Edgar Loudermilk and his band . Those who show up at the Historic Ritz Theatre will selected footage of the 16-hour documentary film, followed by a live performance by Loudermilk . According to Main Street Events Coordinator Sharon Crosby, the screening is part of a promotional tour planned by Georgia Public Broadcasting . “Georgia Public Broadcasting is doing premieres around the state and they asked us here in Toccoa if we would be interested in having it premiere here,” Crosby said. “Unfortunately, he (Ken Burns) won’t be here and it will only be a 30-minute showing of the entire series, but we’re just really excited that they chose us for one of the venues and included us in that tour.” Crosby said the event will begin with a street party at 7:00 p.m. Concessions, food trucks, and beer and wine, will be available. At 8:00 p.m., the documentary will begin inside the theatre, followed by Edgar Loudermilk and his band’s performance at 8:40 p.m. “Country Music” is an 8-part documentary that traces the history of the music genre, from its early beginnings to today’s more contemporary pop-country. It will feature the biographies of some of the greats in country music, including the Carter Family, Merle Haggard, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Hank Williams. “Country Music” premieres on PBS Sunday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 18, and will air again Sunday, September 22 through Wednesday, September 25 from 8:00-10:00 p.m. The Toccoa event is free to the public; however, there will be limited seating in the Ritz.