Oh the manifestations of a film. First there was just the making of this film, eight years, but who is counting. Then the festival circuits, which included several versions of The Crooked Tune, ranging from 90 minutes to 30 minutes to 15 minutes. And now finally a true airing of this film. Since we started filming we’ve lost Lester McCumber, Alan Jabbour Keith Johnson in England and recently Franklin George. No doubt the old tunes are in good young hands, but the context is changing fast. Of course that could be said every turn of a generation, but we all know there is something different about these times, where the simple act of going outside much less going blind down a road to meet up with a legendary musician, seems like a lost practice, replaced by a few strokes on the phone. But that is why Old Time seems to be enjoying a renewed life especially amongst the younger folk. I think they embrace the tactile feel of learning the music by ear and appreciate the richness of having so many tunes still out there to be discovered. If I’m lucky this film could play a role in giving the tradition a push. People like a little definition, a kind of celebration of what this music has become. Dave Bing has always said, he was never in it to preserve it and that seems to be the case over-all. This music is too vibrant and can’t stand still enough. Please let me know about any opinions or info. I am still aiming to create an interactive site for The Crooked Tune. 
The Crooked Tune will air on West Va. Public TV 2 p.m. January 18.
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