Banjos, Bluegrass & Squirrel Barkers

When you mention bluegrass music, most people think of the mountains of Appalachia, not palm trees and beaches. Banjos, Bluegrass & Squirrel Barkers looks specifically at the San Diego bluegrass scene, from its inception in the 1960s on to the present day.

The DVD takes a look at a number of prominent artists who got their start there, including Chris Hillman (The Byrds), Alison Brown, Ron Block, Stuart Duncan, Larry Murray (Hearts & Flowers, The Johnny Cash Show), Grammy winning artist Nickel Creek (Chris Thile, Sean & Sara Watkins), plus the granddaddies of the San Diego set, The Scottsville Squirrel Barkers. That was the group that helped propel the careers of Hillman, along with Bernie Leadon of The Eagles and Kenny Wirtz of Country Gazette.

This film tells the rich history of the great musicians who helped form the alliance and bonds for future generations of bluegrass. It has won several awards, including “Best Documentary” at the Gold Movie Awards in London 2017.