Soundtrack

Congratulations to our friend Beth Harrington, director of the moving Carter Family documentary 'The Winding Stream'... The soundtrack to the movie has been named one of the best country music albums of 2015!

The release date is Oct 16...
http://omnivorerecordings.com/music/the-winding-stream/

The film itself is currently touring the country...
http://www.argotpictures.com/film/the-winding-stream/

Congratulations to "Winding Stream"!

Congratulations to Beth Harrington and crew on the success of "The Winding Stream", the definitive documentary of the Carter and Cash families.  The film had its New York debut to a packed house at Lincoln Center on Monday. It has won four festival awards (so far). And was written about by Rolling Stone: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/9-things-we-learned-from-the-new-carter-family-documentary-20140806

I'm still waiting for it to come to Seattle...  Can't wait to see it!

Beth Harrington on TV

In this link, documentary filmmaker Beth Harrington talks about her Carter and Cash Family documentary, " The Winding Stream" on Portland TV... Every time I see clips from this movie, I get chills. I can't wait to see the whole thing!!

http://www.katu.com/amnw/segments/Documentary-on-The-Carters-and-The-Cashes-256777571.html

Happy Birthday, Beth Harrington!

 

Our friend Beth Harrington, who has been working for years on what seems likely to be the definitive Carter Family documentary, celebrates her birthday today.  Have a great day, Beth!  We look forward to watching "The Winding Stream" one day very soon...

Jewel to play June Carter Cash

Well, I'm a little late with this news, but maybe it will be new to you, dear reader...  Singer Jewel Kilcher is going to play June Carter Cash in a Lifetime bio pic called "Ring of Fire," which is based on the book "Anchored in Love" by John Carter Cash (the son of June Carter and Johnny Cash).  I don't have high expectations, but I'll probably watch it if I get the chance.  Here's a photo of Jewel made up to look like June...

Other cast members:
John Doe (of the bands X and The Knitters) plays A.P. Carter!
The Peasall Sisters (from O Brother Where Art Thou?) play the young Carter Sisters.
Matt Ross plays Johnny Cash.
Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under) plays Maybelle Carter. 
Andy Stahl plays Ezra "Eck" Carter. 

I cannot find an air date, so I guess they're still figuring that out.

If you've been a regular reader here, then you know there is also a documentary on the Carters and Cashes coming out later this year...
"The Winding Stream." 
What a good year for Carter Family fans!

NW Tour Recap: Portland!

On October 25, Frank and I gave a reading and signed copies of our book at the world's greatest little store, Reading Frenzy, in Portland, Oregon.

 

(photo by Corin See)

We had a great turn-out, Reading Frenzy sold all its copies, and I even sold the five I'd brought along with me. Thank you, Portland Comics Scene for representing!  It was great to see old friends, and meet some new old friends. 

During the Q&A, someone asked how long the project took.  We explained that it all began in 2002, when our friend Ilse was playing recorded music to her baby, in-utero.  She played a CD of hillbilly music, and suggested to me that some of those old hillbilly musicians might have some good stories.  That got the ball rolling toward me asking Frank if he knew anything about The Carter Family.  I was able to point to the back of the room and tell everyone that Ilse's baby is now a ten year-old boy...

(Thank you, Gary and Arlo, for coming to see us!)

It was especially nice to have Beth Harrington present.  We showed a clip from her Carter Family documentary-in-progress, "The Winding Stream."  She was kind enough to sing Carter Family songs, a capella, during our reading of the Bristol Sessions chapter.  She's been a wonderful supporter of our book, and we can't wait to see her film!!

(Beth and husband Andy)

Thank you, Chloe and the staff of Reading Frenzy for fantastic event!!! 
All of my photos from the reading are posted here.

The Cash Sisters

Back in late August, Leeann and I were excited to journey down to Portland and meet two of Johnny Cash's daughters, Tara and Rosanne (and show them an advance copy of the book, which they kindly posed with)...

 

I complimented Rosanne on her heartfelt and gorgeous-sounding album, "The List," which is a selection of songs from the list of 100 essential Country songs that her father wrote for her when she was a teenager.

The occasion was a reception for Kickstarter backers of Beth Harrington's Carter Family documentary "The Winding Stream."  Rosanne spoke passionately about the Carter Family and about the importance of supporting what looks to be the definitive documentary about the Carter and Cash Families, featuring interviews with Johnny Cash, Rita Forrester, Janette Carter, Joe Carter, Mike Seger, and countless other people who figure strongly in American music.  The movie is in post-production and Beth is looking for supporters to help complete this 10+ year labor of love. Go to the Winding Stream website for details!

(Here is Beth, excited to see the book for the first time, with Leeann & me.)