A Lesson in Folk History Comes to the Burns

By JBFC Programmer Karen Sloe Goodman

Like so many of us who grew up in the wake of the 60’s folk revival, I shared the joys of the folk song tradition with fellow musicians, exploring Appalachian roots and the history of our country through the lens of American stories made popular by Pete Seeger and Woody Guthrie. Emerging musicians such as Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, The Grateful Dead, and The Band were the defining voices in what we imagined was a brand new sound, but soon discovered that all shared a common influence going back to the roots of the American folk tradition in the music of the original Carter Family—A.P. and sisters Sarah and Maybelle.

The impact of the Carter family as early radio and recording stars in the 1920s is not widely know or acknowledged, nor as the creators of songs that became standards in the country and folk tradition, including anthems for human rights advocacy and the American labor movement such as “Can the Circle be Unbroken,” “Worried Man Blues,” “Keep on the Sunny Side,” “Gospel Ship,” and so many more. But then came filmmaker Beth Harrington, a former musician and documentary filmmaker who has focused on work that explores American history, music, and culture, and whose previous film Welcome to the Club: The Woman of Rockabilly, was narrated by Rosanne Cash and nominated for a Grammy Award in 2003. Harrington embarked on this “epic story of the dynasty at the heart of American roots music,” which she began over 12 years ago, to bring their rich story and enduring music into the public eye. After years of research, interviews with iconic musicians, including Johnny Cash just before he died, and through several Kickstarter campaigns, this wonderful film finally emerged in 2015.

The Winding Stream: The Carters, the Cashes and the Course of Country Music is a labor of love (and a family affair, Harrington’s sisters Amy and Nancy are credited as producers), as Beth takes us on an engaging and enlightening journey through these iconic musicians’ lives and work. As a bonus, the film features studio performances by contemporary artists whose work as roots music practitioners point strait back to the legacy of the Carter and Cash families (The Carolina Chocolate Drops, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny and June Carter Cash, Roseanne Cash, and others).

I am thrilled to bring this film, along with a live music performance by the Shovel Ready String Band, to our JBFC audience on February 11 for a celebration of the Carter family’s music … in the true spirit of their folk legacy!

This event is SOLD OUT. Unredeemed tickets may become available for purchase. Sign up at the box office for the stand-by line one hour before showtime.