The Banjo Project

Thanks CW5 Jack Cardwell for sharing a video on The Banjo Project featuring the Grand Ole Opry in video form.
"Narrated by Steve Martin, THE BANJO PROJECT is the odyssey of America's instrument from its African roots to the 21st century.
"Give me the banjo..." wrote Mark Twain, and you did! But don't stop the music just yet. We are trying to get as many backers as possible to make a more persuasive argument to potential broadcasters. A bigger budget will make it possible to include more and higher quality archival film footage, historic recordings and stills and to license them for home video and film festivals. It means a more comprehensive and higher quality program, an even better showcase for the banjo's history.

* * * * * * * * * * *

"No instrument has ever had to fight its way through such bitter antagonism as the banjo," wrote a music dealer in 1887. What was true over a century ago still appears to be true today -- especially when it comes to funding. The folks at PBS say "there isn't an audience for this kind of program anymore." But we know otherwise -- since 2002, we've traveled through 16 states, filmed over 100 interviews and performances, seen and heard what the banjo and its music mean to people from all kinds of backgrounds...

Narrated by Steve Martin, THE BANJO PROJECT is a 90-minute documentary about America's quintessential musical instrument from its African roots to the 21st century, featuring performances and commentary from contemporary masters such as Earl Scruggs, Pete Seeger, Taj Mahal, Bela Fleck, Ralph Stanley, The Carolina Chocolate Drops and the late Mike Seeger, as well as leading music historians, builders and collectors. Brought to the New World by enslaved Africans, the banjo has shaped most American musical forms: the minstrel show, ragtime and early jazz, blues, old-time, the folk revival, bluegrass and country. Its rich and contested history highlights lingering conflicts -- race, class, region and folk vs. pop -- still at the heart of American society today. THE BANJO PROJECT weaves together the colorful narratives of historic banjo figures such as Joe Sweeney, Gus Cannon, Charlie Poole and Uncle Dave Macon with contemporary performances and commentary, archival footage, stills and recordings."
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ [login to see] /the-banjo-project-the-story-of-americas-instrument
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC Orlando Illi LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Jeff S. CPT Jack Durish MSG Dan Walther MSgt Robert C Aldi SFC Stephen King MSgt Danny Hope SGT Gregory Lawritson Cpl Craig Marton SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT (Join to see) Maj Marty Hogan

A very important moment in musical history CW5 Jack Cardwell Thank you for the post

Thanks for the share.