Highwoods Documentary Not a Lost Cause After All

So, once upon a time, I tried to drum up support for a crowdfunded documentary project about the Highwoods Stringband. I donated money to help out, and more than a year later I provided an update on the slow progress. Last I heard, there was some old footage of the Highwoods they were trying to acquire. It's been three and a half years now that I first heard about the project, and I still haven't received my DVD.

I figured that's the risk you take with these crowdfunded, Kickstarter-type projects. I had all but given up the documentary as a lost cause. Until today. If I managed to convince any of you to help fund the project, I felt it my duty to pass along this update directly from Highwoods mainstay Walt Koken.

"After several delays and setbacks, we, the members of the Highwoods Stringband and Mudthumper Music have procured the vintage footage and photos in cooperation with the original producers and put them into the hands of another videographer, Larry Edelman, in the hopes of finshing up the project which has been stalled for several years.

Larry, whom you may know as a member of the Old Time community and as a multi-instrumentalist and dance caller, is a vidographer by trade. Besides his work in his occupation, he’s produced videos of traditonal dances, old time festivals, and Mexican-American musicians. He’s also a part of the Central Rockies Old Time Music Association and is instrumental in producing their annual festival in Colorado. He brings a new enthusiasm to the project and gives us a sense of renewed optimism. We hope to have the project completed in a timely fashion, and we will fulfill all pre-paid orders for the product.

Koken went on to thank supporters. While he didn't provide specific time frame for when the documentary will be finished, it's nice to know the project is not dead after all. I hope in the not-to-distant future to provide you all with a review of this long awaited film.