The Works (8.30pm RTÉ One) features Pulitzer prize-winning American author Richard Ford on the return of his character Frank Bascombe. The Heart Of Country: How Nashville Became Music City USA is a 90-minute exploration, featuring rare archive of Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Ricky Skaggs, Steve Earle, Kris Kristofferson. The WW1 drama series, The Passing Bells continues at 7.00pm, on BBC One.
The Works
8.30pm RTÉ One
This week, John Kelly meets Pulitzer Prize winning author Richard Ford ()pictured) who talks about the return of Frank Bascombe in Let Me Be Frank With You, a new collection of four stories about the retired Jersey-based realtor, who is now 68 (two years younger than the author himself.) There’s a report on the exhibition Metaperceptual Helmets in Dublin’s Natural History Museum, while Jennifer Evans performs Colour of Bruises from her debut album, Works From The Dip and Foul. Father and son duo David and Sacha Puttnam also feature.
The Heart Of Country: How Nashville Became Music City USA
9.00pm BBC Four
90-minute film, which is part of Country Nights on BBC Four and BBC Radio 2, a season of programmes delving into the rich history of country music Tonight’s programme reveals the dynamic relationship between commerce and art that has defined Nashville since 1925. It explores the conflicts that have confronted Nashville’s artists and music industry down the years, including the creative pressure of attaining the (presumably easy-to-identify) ‘Nashville Sound.’ When Elvis - and later on Bob Dylan - came along they blew the Nashville sound out of the watyer. Yet Dylan would make an album called Nashville Skyline, featuring a guest appearance from Johnny Cash. So it's complicated. Dolly Parton features, as does Kris Kristofferson, in archive footage.
The Passing Bells
7.00pm BBC One
The year is 1918 and with their minds drifting ever more towards the memory of home, Tommy celebrates the birth of his son. Michael becomes increasingly dependent on his letters from Katie to keep going. Rumours fly through both camps about impending peace. While politicians wrangle over terms and conditions, Michael and Tommy’s parents hope to see their boys again. Although news spreads of the Kaiser’s abdication, the shelling continues on both sides. When a bomb takes out a barbed wire fence, Tommy once again values Derek’s safety above his own, volunteering to mend it in his friend’s place.
