7 October 2013. Country music is conservative, patriotic and religious. These are some of the current clichés. Martin Schäfer, Blues Special editor of Radio SRF 3, would like to eradicate these prejudices with a lecture series on "Johnny Cash and the American country and folk tradition".

For in spite of these reservations, Johnny Cash has become an idol for ever new generations – even among the rock and pop audience. One reason for this is his close links with the authentic traditions of American folk music from folk and blues to rockabilly and the "Nashville sound". To give Cash his proper place and to eliminate the clichés, Martin Schäfer’s lecture series will return to the roots of country: to Jimmy Rogers, the Carter Family and to Hank Williams.

The lectures will take place at the University of St.Gallen and will start on Mondays at 6.15 p.m. in Room 01-014. Dates: 14, 21 and 28 October, and 4 and 11 November.

Photo: filmset / Photocase