We Always Lie to Strangers

There have been some terrific documentaries lately chronicling the trials and tribulations of late 20th century music: Twenty Feet From Stardom, Sound City, Muscle Shoals, and Boston native Beth Harrington’s festival film The Winding Stream, which honors the Carter Family’s contribution to the roots of American country music. Today, country takes many forms: the whiskery country of Willie Nelson, the “bro-country” of Blake Shelton, Tim McGraw’s cowboy writ-large, twanging songs with lyrics about liquor, love, losing your lady, and standing by your man. Allegedly, this is the sound of America singing. But nowhere is the stereotype ladled out with as much cornpone as in Branson, Missouri, a town that is a theme park dedicated to country music entertainment. The so-called “live music capital of the world” with 10,000 residents generates an astounding 2.9 billion dollars from 7.5 million tourists each year. READ MORE ...