Other Cinema - PEOPLE'S MUSIC - DREWs’ OPEN COUNTRY + CASH’s RIDIN’ THE RAILS +

So in tune with the current class crisis, Jesse and Glenda Drew truck in from the Valley to deliver a robust updating of their big-hearted embrace of the real proletarian roots of the Country/Western genre. Their much-anticipated historical essay situates the origins of C/W music as being drawn from the same well as “hillbilly” or “folk”, written from the perspectives of the marginal poor...but appropriated by post-War corporate consolidation of broadcast radio audiences and McCarthy’s anti-communism. Some 5 years after their last luv-fest here, the Drews delight us again with new developments from their researches and interviews—focusing particularly on the dobro, Irish Aires, and the Hawaiian pedal steel guitar. CO-BILLED is the Premiere Revival of a truly obscure 16mm treasure, Ridin’ the Rails, an irresistible tribute to the nation’s train system, guided by narration and songs by Mr. Johnny Cash himself! A delicious 45-min. slice of authentic Americana happily surviving since its 1974 release, Cash here re-enacts the most important events in US railway history. Come early for the Reluctant Trucker on banjo, Country Corner dancing, and copious moonshine!