"Time to Lay it Down - The Soundtrack of the Vietnam War" is a two-part documentary special that explores music created during the Vietnam War. The music of the time expressed the deep divisions in the U.S., provided a life line for GIs in Vietnam, and provided veterans with a source of healing when they came home.
The Vietnam War raged throughout Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos over a 19 year period from November 1955 to April 1975. The war intensified deep social divisions within the United States, and many civilians and soldiers alike turned to music for comfort, direction, or purpose.
"Time to Lay it Down" is a two-part documentary that explores the music that came out of the Vietnam Era, including folk, country, blues, R&B, and rock and roll musicians. Notable mentions include Noel "Paul" Stookey and Peter Yarrow of Peter Paul and Mary, Tom Paxton, Country Joe McDonald, Graham Nash, John Fogerty, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, and Marvin Gaye.
The relationship between music and the GIs fighting overseas is also explored, both before and after the war. Discover what music meant to the GIs stationed thousands of miles away, how they created their own soundtrack to maintain their sanity and connection home, and how music helped those Vietnam veterans to heal from such a divisive, destructive war.
This musical special will be airing on Sounds Good next Thursday, October 5, from 11 am to 1 pm.
