Illinois Country is a one-hour documentary from Illinois Public Media that tells the story of Illinois' singular role in the history of country music in the United States. The film traces the progression of the genre from early gathering halls and small-town hoedowns, to The National Barn Dance in Chicago and Farm Aid in Champaign, and on to today's Illinois-bred Grammy winners. The film begins in Chicago with the story of the WLS National Barn Dance and the Illinois locals - including Tuscola native Smiley Burnette and Decatur's Jenny Lou Carson - who helped make the show a success from 1924 to 1960. In Southern Illinois, we meet writer and singer John Hartford and the alt-rock band Uncle Tupelo. In central Illinois, we highlight the contributions of recording pioneer Jerry Milam of Golden Voice Studios and talk with local country star Marvin Lee, who first put a young Alison Krauss on stage. Finally, we hear from Illinoisans who have made it big in country music, including Alison Krauss, David Lee Murphy, Robbie Fulks, Margo Price, Kendell Marvel and Suzy Bogguss. "Illinois Country" features the original song "Backroads", which viewers see come to life throughout the documentary from simple idea to finished product. Five-time Grammy nominee Graham Edwards and Nashville songwriter John Pennell teamed up to write the song. Curb Records recording artist Mo Pitney performs the final song with an A-list of Nashville performers including Alison Krauss, mandolin star Sam Bush, dobro player Jerry Douglas and renowned fiddler Andrea Zonn.