KVMR AND ONYX DOWNTOWN PRESENT OPEN COUNTRY

October 2nd at 7:00 pm

Tickets available at theonyxtheatre.com

Filmmakers Glenda Drew and Jesse Drew exemplify Marshall McLuhan’s famed quote, “The medium is the message,” by not just bringing clarity to the storied history of country music but by using the film itself as a tool to raise funds for community music and employ local musicians to open for each screening. In this case, KVMR is the co-presenter and benefactor of this fundraising event, along with local musicians who will perform prior to the film. The film will be followed by a Q&A with filmmaker Jesse Drew.

OPEN COUNTRY traces the history of what is now called country music back to its roots in diverse cultures as far flung as Africa, Hawaii and yes— Switzerland—the home of yodeling. Known originally in the United States as ‘hillbilly music’ then folk music and around the time of McCarthyism, rebranded as country music, whatever you call it, this music is deeply woven into American life. Many musicians regarded today as country musicians, such as Hank Williams, considered themselves folk musicians.