Documentaries
Through the years, Alice has been the subject of two documentaries. On this page, you’ll be able to watch one in full, and view the trailer of the other.
Alice & Mike Seeger
By Yasha Aginsky
A history of rural southeastern traditional American music, as told and played by Mike Seeger and Alice Gerrard. Mike and Alice recount their own involvement with this music, and briefly trace its history as we meet their mentors: the late Tommy Jarrell, Lily May Ledford, Roscoe Holcomb, Elizabeth Cotton and many other musicians.
Filmed in 1978 and 1979 in the states of Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, Washington and California, the film follows Mike and Alice home, and to folk music festivals where a new generation of musicians are picking up and passing on American traditional music. The filmmaker grew up with this rich and beautiful music and wanted to share it with younger generations who might not be aware of it and its role in American cultural history.
By Kenny Dalsheimer
You Gave Me A Song offers an intimate portrait of old-time music pioneer Alice Gerrard and her remarkable, unpredictable journey creating and preserving traditional music. The film follows eighty-four year old Gerrard over several years, weaving together verité footage of living room rehearsals, recording sessions, songwriting, archival work, and performances with photos and rare field recordings. Much of the film is told in Alice’s voice and via interviews with musical collaborators and family members who share the story of Alice and others chasing that high lonesome sound.