Filmmaker Chris Simon

Filmmaker Chris Simon’s “I Hear What You See — The Old-Time World Of Kenny Hall” will be screened on January 29 in Redwood City as part of the 5th annual NCBS International Bluegrass Music Museum Film Festival. The festival will run Noon-5:00pm at the Redwood City Main Library, 1044 Middlefield Road.

Kenny Hall reviews his interview with Chris Simon.

Fresno’s Kenny Hall, born blind in 1923, is a mainstay of the California old-time music scene. Despite his far-reaching influence in creating and preserving traditional music, he chose to avoid a career on the national stage in favor of playing music with his friends and enjoying an outdoor lifestyle. He still performs regularly with his Long Haul String Band at area events, including the annual Sweet’s Mill gathering in the California mountains.

Young guitarist Kenny Hall with the Desmonds.

Chris Simon is a fourth generation Californian now based in Salt Lake City. She collaborated with documentarian Les Blank for over 15 years creating classic traditional music films before founding her own company Sageland Media in 1995. Her longtime involvement in the traditional music scene led her to Kenny Hall, and she began this five-year-long film project while living in Fresno.

Sweets Mill String Band

Simon and her associate Maureen Gosling are currently working on a forthcoming documentary about Chris Strachwitz and Arhoolie Records.

Complete BOB Festival Weekend Schedule

The Northern California Bluegrass Society’s January 27-29 Bluegrass On Broadway Festival, including the film festival, is FREE. Principal financial support comes from the Redwood City Civic Cultural Commission, Redwood City Public Library, One World Montessori School, Wickersham & Murphy and the Tapestry Church.

Kenny Hall

Posted Jan 19th, 2012 by Michael Hall in Bluegrass on Broadway |