For The Sake Of the Song will
weave together two distinct stories; the historical
saga and legacy of the musical establishment and
the family of people bound together by their love
for the music. Three primary voices will be heard-the
singer-songwriters, the family of Anderson Fair's
volunteers and loyal patrons, and the insight and
opinions of music and history scholars.
Intimate interviews featuring five generations
of artists who have graced the stage of this hallowed
hall as well as volunteers, loyal patrons, and other
members of this remarkable family will tell the story
in their own words and with their own music. Scholars
from the fields of music, history and the humanities
will add historical and social context to the film.
At
Anderson Fair "it's all about the music" and
music will be featured prominently throughout the film.
Thirty-five years of archival film, video and still
photos will support these disparate voices. New performance
footage will capture the feeling, the experience of
being "at" The Fair.
The film will showcase
priceless archival footage of performances at The Fair
by Ramblin' Jack Elliot (Woody Guthrie's greatest living
protégé),
Carolyn Hester (on whose 1960 Columbia album Bob Dylan
first appeared as a back-up harmonica player), John
Gorka, Nanci Griffith, Robert Earl Keen Jr., Lyle Lovett,
Dave Van Ronk (known affectionately as the Mayor of
MacDougal Street), Townes Van Zandt, Lucinda Williams
and many others.
In addition to introducing the next
generation of artists unveiling their talents at The
Fair, the film will also feature new performance footage
and interviews with Vince Bell, Guy Clark, Slaid Cleaves,
Steve Fromholz, Nanci Griffith, Carolyn Hester, Tish
Hinojosa, Robert Earl Keen Jr., Lyle Lovett, Shake
Russell, Eric Taylor, Lucinda Williams, and other celebrated
performers who launched their careers at Anderson Fair.
Interviews
with prominent American musicologists and historians
such as Dr. Don E. Carleton and Dr. Ronald D. Cohen
will add historical and social context to the film.
Dr. Carleton is director of The University of Texas
at Austin Center for American History. He is the author
of several articles and books on 20th century American
life including the award-winning Red Scare and Back
Where We Started: A Brief History of Houston. He has
also served as an historical advisor to Walter Cronkite's
production company for a series of documentaries on
the Discovery Channel and to James A. Michener for
his novel Texas. Dr. Cohen is Professor of History
Emeritus at Indiana University Northwest and a leading
authority on 20th century American Folk music. He is
the author of many publications on the subject including
Rainbow Quest: The Folk Music Revival & American
Society. In addition to providing on-camera interviews,
Dr. Cohen and Dr. Carleton will serve on the advisory
committee for the film.
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