Watch Grassroots to Bluegrass - Grassroots to Bluegrass - Volume One

The movie "Grassroots to Bluegrass - Volume One (Day One)" is a captivating exploration of the traditional music of the southeastern United States. The documentary follows the Grassroots to Bluegrass band as they take a musical journey from the roots of folk music to the modern sounds of bluegrass. The film opens with the band traveling to the small town of Galax, Virginia, where they take part in the Old Fiddlers' Convention, the largest and oldest traditional music festival in the country. The convention's atmosphere is electric, with musicians from across the region gathering to compete and play together.

The band immerses themselves in the festival culture, strolling through the camping area where musicians are jamming day and night, and chatting with local fiddlers about the history of the festival and the music it celebrates. They attend concerts and competitions, capturing on film the virtuosity and passion of the performers.

From Galax, the band sets out on a road trip through the Appalachian Mountains, stopping at musical landmarks along the way. They visit the Carter Family Fold, a rustic performance venue in Hiltons, Virginia, where the legendary Carter Family played their first radio broadcast in 1927. The band watches a performance by the Fold's resident band, the Carter Family Memorial Music Center, and speaks with Janette Carter, daughter of founding member A.P. Carter, about her family's musical legacy.

Later, the band drives to Bristol, Tennessee, known as the "Birthplace of Country Music" for its role in the recording sessions of the Bristol Sessions in 1927, which featured some of the first recordings of Appalachian music. The band visits the Bristol Sign, a landmark that straddles the state line between Tennessee and Virginia and represents the town's cultural importance.

The film then follows the band to Asheville, North Carolina, where they attend the Mountain Dance and Folk Festival, the oldest continuous running folk festival in the country. The festival takes place in an open-air amphitheater, and the band captures on film performances by traditional dance groups and musicians, including fiddlers, banjo players, and cloggers.

Through their travels, the band learns that traditional mountain music is not just a sound or a style, but a way of life. They discover that the region's music is steeped in history and heritage, passed down through generations of families and communities. They learn about the struggles and triumphs of the people who created and nurtured this music, and the importance of preserving it for future generations.

The film is filled with interviews with musicians and historians, interspersed with beautiful shots of the Appalachians and the people who call it home. The music is the star of the film, with performances ranging from haunting ballads to foot-stomping hoedowns.

"Grassroots to Bluegrass - Volume One (Day One)" is a must-see for anyone interested in the history and culture of traditional music in the southeastern United States. The film is an entertaining and informative look into the world of mountain music, and will leave viewers with a newfound appreciation for this unique and vibrant art form.

Grassroots to Bluegrass - Grassroots to Bluegrass - Volume One is a 2016 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 11 minutes.