I enjoyed watching the Showtime series “George & Tammy,” which was based on the book by their only daughter Georgette Jones. We interviewed Georgette for our Opry Docs films on Circle All Access. The George Jones documentary debuted in 2020 but the network held the Tammy Wynette film. I’m hearing Tammy may finally air in 2023 with a re-air of the Jones film. Makes sense. Let’s hope!
TWAPictures has co-produced with Opry Entertainment Group a new music special airing on public television starting in June, 2024. Licensed to American Public Television, Country’s Legendary Duets celebrates the golden age of duets with artists Dolly Parton & Porter Wagoner, Tammy Wynette & George Jones, and Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty. Filmed at the Grand Ole Opry House, the show is hosted by Twitty & Lynn, the grandson of Conway and granddaughter of Loretta. Check your local listings in June for this fabulous pledge special to support public television nationwide.
TWAPictures has begun a documentary about how neighbors in Donelson and Hermitage came together to oppose development of over 1,000 acres of land on the Cumberland and Stones Rivers, which is now Ravenwood Park, Metro Nashville’s crown jewel of public parks in east Davidson County.
February 1st is the 20th anniversary of the tragic loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia and its crew. Our Emmy-nominated film, “The Space Shuttle: Flying for Me” can be streamed or purchased on Prime Video. The Columbia accident is told in gripping first person accounts by flight director Milt Heflin, who was in charge that day in Houston, and by astronaut Clayton Anderson, who was with the families at Cape Canaveral eagerly awaiting Columbia’s touchdown. The Space Shuttle program suffered two tragedies in 135 missions over 30 years. Our film celebrates all the highs, but somberly remembers the two lows as well.
In December, we began releasing a 3-part video series on YouTube documenting the conversion stories of individuals who are now Orthodox Christians. “My Journey to Orthodoxy” is a short subject series featuring fascinating interviews regarding the contemporary appeal of a very ancient faith. Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqWKhSQedvE&t=9s
Businesses need video to stand out on their web sites and social media. We had a great experience producing a package of spots last fall for SailNashville utilizing a drone and GoPros. Shorter versions of the videos became underwriting spots on Sunday nights on our local PBS affiliate WNPT this summer. The videos were produced to expand the company’s market reach for sailing classes.
We produced a short-subject fundraising appeal with actor and musician Jonathan Jackson in support of an Orthodox women’s monastery in New York. The monastery will include a church, the first in the United States to be named for St. Joseph the Hesychast, which Jonathan played in a recent movie. Clips form the film were included in our project. Jonathan is a kind and very spiritual person. Many know him from soap opera work and the ABC series “Nashville,” but he is a much deeper guy. We enjoyed shooting with him (and appreciate the loan of some of his original music).
Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qh734a6KcBw&t=65s
I was deeply saddened by the passing of Charlie Daniels. He was the real deal. I worked with Charlie on a number of projects, including the Opry and the Journey Home Home Project, a non-profit he founded with manager David Corlew to help veterans transition back to civilian life. Charlie was genuinely patriotic. He was also a genuine, devout Christian. He was a friend and I will miss him.
TWAPictures announces the broadcasts of three documentaries (30 minutes) featuring country legend George Jones and bluegrass pioneers Bill Monroe and Flatt & Scruggs. Two additional films about Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash are pending scheduling, Check listings in 2022 on Circle All Access digital platform for airdates and times. This is some great stuff! I got to work with Jones and Earl Scruggs in some of my earlier projects, so it was a honor to produce and write these programs.
George Jones highlights: https://vimeo.com/447302709
Bill Monroe highlights: https://vimeo.com/447302709
Flatt & Scrugg highlights: https://vimeo.com/447302709
Clips from Tammy Wynette and Johnny Cash can be shared privately on request. Thank you.
Former Lt. Gov. Ramsey & Speaker Beth Harwell
We produced five seasons of a public affair series for statewide public television in Tennessee. I love news and public affairs dating back to some of my earlier work for PBS, such as the documentary “Great Smoky Mountains: Code Blue” and the interview special with (then U.S. Senator) Al Gore, “Earth in the Balance.” “Tennessee Capitol Report” was produced to provide greater transparency for the General Assembly.