Blue Moon Of Kentucky movie news

The bluegrass world has been abuzz since it was announced that a biopic is going to be made about the life of Bill Monroe. Movies about music stars’ lives have proved very successful, and I hope Bill’s will follow in the same fashion. In the same vein as Coal Miner’s Daughter, Walk The Line, and Ray!, Blue Moon of Kentucky should make any bluegrass fan jump for joy!

Production dates have been shuffled around for the past year, but it seems that things are finally back on track. The film is based on Richard Smith’s best-selling biography on Monroe, Can’t You Hear Me Calling. Writer/director Finn Taylor and Academy Award winner, Callie Khouri (Thelma and Louise) co-wrote the screenplay. With an all-star cast, this is one I can’t wait to see.

The updated cast is as follows:

  • Bill Monroe – Michael Shannon (Take Shelter, Vanilla Sky, Pearl Harbor)
  • Bessie Lee Maudlin – Olivia Wilde (TRON: Legacy, House, Cowboys & Aliens)
  • Lester Flatt – Tim Blake Nelson (O Brother, The Incredible Hulk, Holes)
  • Earl Scruggs – Ed Helms (The Office, The Hangover, The Lorax)
  • Charlie Monroe – John C. Reilly (Step Brothers, The Aviator, Gangs Of New York)
  • Uncle Pen – Sam Shepherd (The Notebook, The Right Stuff, Black Hawk Down)
  • Carolyn Monroe – Ashley Judd (Heat, Double Jeopardy, High Crimes)

What is just as exciting as a movie about Bill Monroe is the SOUNDTRACK to a movie about Bill Monroe! Produced by Ronnie McCoury and T Bone Burnett, the soundtrack to Blue Moon Of Kentucky features the cream of the crop from all styles of American music:

  • Earl Scruggs
  • Ralph Stanley
  • Vince Gill
  • Ricky Skaggs
  • Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys)
  • Keb Mo
  • Dierks Bentley
  • Neko Case
  • Jim James (My Morning Jacket)
  • Del McCoury
  • Old Crow Medicine Show
  • Chris Thile
  • Jim Lauderdale
  • Pam Tillis
  • Patty Loveless
  • Peter Rowan
  • and MORE!

A two and a half minute teaser for the film has been released, which features what is said to be the closing credits. Enjoy!

http://djangoproductions.com/images/BMoK-Intro-T_Edit._3.FT-H264.mov

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About the Author

Daniel Mullins

Daniel Mullins is an IBMA award-winning journalist and broadcaster from southwestern Ohio, with an American Studies degree from Cedarville University. He hosts the Walls of Time: Bluegrass Podcast and his daily radio program, The Daniel Mullins Midday Music Spectacular, on the Real Roots Radio network. He also serves as the station’s music director, programming country, bluegrass, and Americana music.