For Release: June 25 , 2007
Heart of the Hills -- The Story of Mountain Music chronicle s the history of Appalachian music from its Irish/English roots up through Jimmy Rodgers and on to the current wave of bluegrass music. Featured commentators and performers include Bill Monroe, Dwight Yoakam, Wynonna, Ricky Skaggs, Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn, Ralph Stanley and Grandpa Jones. The program airs Thursday, July 12 at 10/9 p.m. CT on KET1 and Sunday, July 29 at 9/8 p.m. CT on KET2.Through archival film footage, photographs and recordings, Heart of the Hills examines the role of music in Appalachian Mountain s ociety . The program also explores the history of classic songs like "Danny Boy" and "Froggie Went A-Courting , " explaining how the isolation of the region allowed the music to remain unadulterated by outside influence until the end of the 19th century.
Then, Heart of the Hills examines the influence that the incoming railroad, the rising popularity of the radio and the new African-American population had on mountain music.
Finally, the program looks at the future of the music with a rollicking performance from the bluegrass students at East Tennessee State University.
This film is supported by the KET Fund for Independent Production (KFIP). KFIP has been awarding grants to Kentucky-based film and video makers since 1990. More information about KFIP can be found at www.ket.org/kentucky/fund.htm.
Heart of the Hills -- The Story of Mountain Music is produced by Michael White. More information about KET programming and education services, as well as how to support KET, can be found at www.ket.org.