Raw Bluegrass Talent Discovered Deep in the Mountains

As a fellow new Yorker born a year before that film of yours I was exposed to everything living in Manhattan. Old and in the way ( Garcia) was my first bluegrass record. I was lucky enough to see Bill Monroe once . Good old new York back when most had a new York accent. My whole family were elevator mechanics. I'm still one today, one year from retirement.

My early childhood was spent in the mountains of eastern KY. I remember singing till the wee hours of the morning, us kids on pallets on the floor, not even pretending to sleep. Pot liquor on the stove and cornbread in the cupboard after midnight, so the women folk could engage in the festivities. The songs reflected the struggles conquered, and those yet to come. The fears and hopes and history of a time and place that never was before, and never will again, so the living of it was important. The music was the mortar that joined our lives. They called us "clanish", even hostile, towards outsiders, but it was really a wall that defended a way of life on the cusp of dying. It was a knowing that we might not get to rest beside of Grand Dad when our turn came to meet the Reaper. Though our minds refused to face it, our hearts knew that even our world would have to change. But the music was a tether between the now and then of life. A connection through the heart. Miles and miles have passed since my bare feet felt the bottom of old Stillhouse Branch, and the world has swept beneath my wings. I've learned four languages and seen changes at a dizzy rate. I've seen the wonders of far off lands, yet a compass in my heart always points back to those days when life was still a song, and dreams were all we needed. Thank you for this video, for this work. For knowing that you were witness to change, and knowing it's worth as a faded memory. For knowing such a thing would never again present a picture so clear and bittersweet. Thanks for the memories. ❤

As a Roots/Blues player myself who went to Mississippi in 1981 to find Mississippi Hill Country Bluesman R.L. Burnside, wound up living with him, touring with him, and other Country Bluesmen....the music is still out there.... Much respect to you Mr. Hoffman.

I'm down in Australia and I have to say, I was transported to North Carolina listening to Obray and his friends talking and playing that beautiful mountain music. Just loved it. Thank you for all your documentaries highlighting these people and their music.

Almost brought me to tears. Haven’t heard anything like this in years. If you could hear me speak you would understand. My uncle used to play fiddle round about North Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina almost every weekend. In fact he got drunk one time and passed out on the way home and his toes froze and my granny cut them off and buried them in a fruit jar. Sam MacCrosky RIP. I saw my first flush toilet when I was 6 and started school. Nobody we knew had electricity, running water or indoor plumbing. Heated and cooked with wood and coal. Nothing wrong with being poor, momma said Jesus was too. My mind is not what it used to be or boy could I tell stories. God Bless you for doing this work. I swear I think I actually saw this years ago.

I was 13 in 1968. I had a brother in Vietnam and I was listening to the Beatles with friends and I was listening to Bluegrass at home with cousins and grandparents. I miss the old people. We still have traditions that carry on. The buck dancing, the Smithville Fiddler's contest here in Tennessee. I am an hour East of Nashville. I miss the speech of our old people. Many different dialects. I have not heard the term whistle pig in a very long time.

If you want to see real authentic wholesome good people go to Appalachia you will find them there. Hard times made them strong an resilient and HAPPY. Thank you so much for this video! I'm 63 and I grew up listening to my daddy playing alot of mountain music and loving it ! This brought back so many memories and thank you for taking the time to document these fine folks for us to see today.🤔🇺🇸

David these recordings and videos are priceless. They give life to that whole era of mountain folks. I thank you for these collections.

Your genuine love of these underappreciated people and their music makes me love you and your work. Thank you for your foresight in preserving this rare American cultural treasure.

Your a legend for this. I love the mountains