Pandora Partners With Ford For County Built Episodes

Otis Gibbs

Pandora has joined with Ford F-Series Trucks to produce a first of its kind experience – Country Built. Like Ford Trucks, the genre of country music exemplifies the principles of toughness and being built to last. Through this relationship, Country Built pays respect to the grit and endurance that have shaped the sounds of country music. The experience celebrates its riveting history while highlighting select next-generation artists carrying the torch into the future through a series of custom-curated mixtapes, interviews, exclusive performances and behind-the-scenes videos.

The episodic radio program is narrated and hosted by songwriter Otis Gibbs and guides Pandora listeners through the genre’s greatest tales and its impact on American culture. The series kicked off with a deep dive into “The Roots of Country” with a themed mixtape, expert interviews and a session performance with the buzzy Nashville newcomer Cale Tyson and will continue through 2015, delving into the landmark eras of country with the stories and legends that shaped them. Upcoming guest interviews include Jay McDowell, curator at The Musician's Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, noted author and journalist Barry Mazur and Peter Cooper from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Our content team worked closely with Ford to create a station where the content matches the product perfectly. Generations of country music have played on the radios of Ford F-Series pickups over the past 60 years, and we built a station that celebrates both the heritage and vibrant present of country music,” said Pandora Senior Vice President Music Makers Group, Lars Murray.

This relationship is the latest example of Pandora's efforts to connect artists and listeners in unique and interesting ways. This series with Ford Trucks demonstrates our ability to create compelling, customized content that translates to personalized experiences for country fans.