Cybergrass Bluegrass Music News: A Kentucky Treasure: The J.D. Crowe Story

BMNN wrote: on Aug. 19, 2008:
By Russ Farmer
Since I had asked for help from this list a year or so ago in producing the documentary on J.D. Crowe, I thought I should let folks know that the project has been completed and submitted for approval to J.D. and the folks at KET. I am extremely happy to report that both J.D. and KET were impressed with the finished program.

There were many bluegrass fans and those in the business who helped immensely in the hunt for photographs, video, and film.

This was my first "independent" production. The big difference of course was in not having a staff to do all the things I had been used to having KET staff do. It was a massive undertaking for one person and one which I was not fully aware of when we first began. I say "we" because with immense help from Frank and Marty Godbey, with both interviewing skills, photographs and general knowledge, the project turned out better than I ever envisioned. (Marty is presently writing a biography of J.D.)

Frank, Marty and I traveled the southeast conducting interview with about twenty five former New South band members and some folks who just wanted to comment. Everyone from Sonny Osborne, Mark Schatz, Ricky Skaggs, to Bela Fleck, Tony Trischka, Earl Scruggs and Alison Krauss were eager to participate. Some artists made it a point to be included. When I called Jerry Douglas to do the interview he said, "It's about time someone did a documentary on J.D.". Later, he called back and said, "Alison would like to participate, would you mind". Are you kidding?

The program is entitled A Kentucky Treasure: The J.D. Crowe Story and is ninety minutes in length. The "world premiere" will be at the J.D. Crowe Bluegrass Festival on Thursday night the 28th of this month. Dean Osborne, promoter of the Crowe Festival has arranged for large screens to be set up under the tent and after the jam and bean dinner on Thursday night (approximately nine o'clock) the program will be show in public for the first time. I hope to see some of you folks there.

I am told by the folks at KET, who are responsible for the grant money which enabled me to do this project, the program will air sometime in November on KET. I believe it will air nationally sometime after that and I will try to keep folks appraised of that information. The program is not available on DVD and there are no plans at this time for that to happen. However, it may well be that the program will be offered as a premium for contributing to your local PBS station.

Thanks to all who helped to realize this wonderful salute to a true bluegrass legend and a true Kentucky Treasure.

Seed Newsvine

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