In the 1970s, Mountain Community Television was created as a cable access project in order to focus on local people and local issues in and around Wise County, VA. The programs presented discussions of local news issues; sporting events; high school plays; and portraits of regional craftspeople, laborers, and traditional musicians. MCT also featured performances at Wise County bluegrass festivals such as the Ralph Stanley Memorial Festival, the Shriner’s Bluegrass Festival, and the Dock Boggs Memorial Festival.
The black and white videotapes of these programs were recently preserved by the Appalshop Archive and transferred to fresh viewing copies. As a lead-up to the 2010 Seedtime on the Cumberland Festival, these premiere highlights were shown in the community that first inspired and broadcast them.
Appalshop started in 1969 as an experiment in community-based filmmaking. As we celebrate 41 years of producing and sharing media, we still believe in the power of communities and individuals to tell their own stories. Come celebrate with us!
Video of Bill Monroe and Ralph Stanley
Ricky Skaggs and the Seldom Scene
Video Clip of Dynamite! Variety Show
Video of George Thompson: Street Cleaner