| May 9th, 2003
Hey Folks:
We just got back from the Nashville and Maryland Film
Festivals. King of Bluegrass had its World Premiere
at the 34th Annual Nashville Film Festival. The film
sold out a 325-seat theater and word has it that
the festival had to turn away over 100 people at the
door.
On the spot, the festival decided to add another
screening for Friday night.
This was definitely not
the usual film festival crowd
as bluegrass legends and fans took over the lobby and
theater. First and foremost, Jimmy Martin and Mary
Ann Garrison and the Sunny Mountain Boys pulled up
in Jimmy's
Widowmaker tour bus and parked right in front of the
theater. Outside of the theater were Earl and Louise
Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Del McCoury, JD Crowe, Paul Williams,
Josh Graves, Marty Stuart, Jim Lauderdale, Curly Sechler,
and a host of others.
After we moved everyone into the
theater, Tom T. Hall, who had received a preview
copy of King of Bluegrass,
did an amazing job of introducing the film. Thanks
Tom!
After the film screened to rousing applause, Jimmy
received a standing ovation as he came down and gave
an emotional
speech. Following a reception organized by Jimmy and
Mary Ann, the Sideman hosted a Jimmy Martin Tribute
at the Station Inn, which was a great time and included
my buddy Lawrence Peters being invited onstage and
singing
Losing You with some of Nashvilleís finest pickers.
Many thanks to the Station Inn and the Sidemen for
hosting the party.
After another screening the following
day, Associate Producer Will Wall and I flew to Baltimore
for the
Maryland Film Festival. Our Saturday night screening
was packed
and we got an awesome response from the crowd, which
seemed to be about half hard core bluegrass fans and
half independent film buffs. The question and answer
session went so long that the festival had to shut
it down so the next film could show.
Now, weíre back in Chicago, entering some more
film festivals, discussing possible VHS and DVD distribution
options, and trying to generate more buzz about the
film. We're also starting to think about what extras
to include in the DVD.
Thanks to all for the interest
and support. We'll
post upcoming screenings on the website and keep working
to find the best route to get the film released on
DVD and video.
George Goehl
Director
May 9th, 2003
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