Fretless Films

08/01/2018

We're so pleased that "Don't Get Trouble in Your Mind: The Carolina Chocolate Drops' Story" will screen as part of the part of the 2018-2019 Southern Circuit Tour. Check out the line-up--it's fab! Proud to be in such distinguished company.

Announcing the 2018-19 Southern Circuit Tour of Independent Filmmakers. Experience independent film in your community, and meet the filmmakers. FILMS MAP

02/13/2018

Regret to say Algia Mae Hinton, one of the last great Piedmont blues players, passed away at age 88, http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/music-news-reviews/article199182894.html I was lucky enough to film her with Lightnin' Wells performing at the 2005 Black Banjo Gathering. This tender rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic brought down the house. https://vimeo.com/255626268

North Carolina’s Algia Mae Hinton, who ranks with Elizabeth Cotten and Etta Baker among Piedmont blues greats, has died at age 88.

04/13/2017

The Highland Villager newspaper published an interview with filmmaker John Whitehead today! You can pick up copies for the next 2 weeks in and near St. Paul, MN. See newsstand map: http://www.zeemaps.com/pub?group=520918&nopdf=1&geosearch=1&x=-93.147416&y=44.923388&z=5

04/13/2017

Filmmaker John Whitehead was interviewed by KBEM radio's Phil Nusbaum about about his new documentary, "Don't Get Trouble in Your Mind: The Carolina Chocolate Drops' Stor." on Bluegrass Saturday Morning April 1, 2017. The short interview starts at 1:43.40. The interview includes the Carolina Chocolate Drops playing songs from their album, Dona Got a Ramblin’ Mind: Old Corn Liquor, Starry Crown, Short Life of Trouble and Rhiannon Giddens singing Shake Sugaree. John’s band, Blue Yodel No. 9, was also interviewed on the same show on April 8.

kbemroots

Bluegrass Saturday Morning    4/1/2017 7:00 AM Philip Nusbaum           28:45   Artist Song Title  Album Title Label Lamb & Williams Tennessee Wagoner Twin Sisters 2 Voyager Sideline Bittersweet Memories of Home Colors & Crossroads Mountain Fever Reno & Smiley Where Did Our Young Years Go Bluegrass…

04/12/2017

The April 13 screening is SOLD OUT! We just had to turn off the Eventbrite waitlist after letting some people in. Because the tickets are free, we’ll also likely have some no-shows if you want to take your chances and get in our standby ticket line (you can enjoy the DQ next door--just do not park in the DQ lot!). We also hope to bring the film back if we raise enough funds at http://southerndocumentaryfund.org/projects/dont-get-trouble-mind-carolina-chocolate-drops-story/ or z.umn.edu/chocdrops. Thanks for everyone’s enthusiasm!

03/16/2017

Folks, we've had a great response, and we want to ensure that everyone can get a seat, so we're asking you to please reserve a seat or seats (you can reserve as many as you need for your group) in advance. Admission is still free. To register is simple and will help us track attendance. www.eventbrite.com/e/screening-dont-get-trouble-in-mind-the-carolina-chocolate-drops-story-tickets-32933673504

This is a sneak preview John Whitehead's new documentary. Don’t Get Trouble in Your Mind: The Carolina Chocolate Drops’ Story is a documentary portrait of the Carolina Chocolate Drops, a string band from Raleigh, North Carolina, and their mentor, fiddler Joe Thompson (1919—2012). The film captures…

04/25/2014

04/05/2014

My buddy, Mark Hembree, played with Bill Monroe for five years (1979-84). In 2008, Mark got together with two other former Bluegrass Boys, and mando virtuoso, Mike Compton, at The Sugar Maple Festival outside Madison, WI. In this no-budget production, Frank Anderson and I capture the hot pickin' and cool reminiscing that went on that weekend.

04/04/2014

A piece I produced that recently aired on Twin Cities Public TV, the first of six episodes

Many older Americans are worried sick. The good news is that we are all living longer. But the bad news is that old age carries with it a lot of chronic disease. And this is not just a problem for the elderly. We have a health care delivery model that works great for acute illness for open-heart sur...

04/04/2014

The High 48's, a stellar bluegrass outfit from Minneapolis commissioned me to make this EPK (electronic press kit) piece to help promote the band and their brand of "Northern bluegrass."

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04/04/2014

A clip from my work-in-progress doc on the Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Vimeo is the home for high-quality videos and the people who love them.

04/04/2014