Last of the Breed, a documentary film on the life and music of Dave Evans, is rounding the final pole, heading in to the back stretch. Filmmaker Matthew Pellowski tells us that he is now starting post production, with a hope to release the final project by the end of 2014.
Evans has been something of a bluegrass enigma for much of his life. Those who only know him through his music recognize Dave as a powerfully evocative singer, who can captivate an audience with a simple story. His friends in the music business know of the dark, more mysterious side of the man. He might be active touring and recording for years, and then drop out of sight with no communication at all for several more.
And of course you have to consider both sides to fully understand who he is. That has been Pellowski’s goal with this project, which tells Dave’s story through interviews with those who have known him. His life is examined from childhood in Columbus, OH, to his time working with Larry Sparks, through to a later life marred by trouble and a jail term that took him away from the music.
Tom T. Hall is an associate producer, and appears in numerous segments with his wife, Dixie, along with Mark and Dave Freeman of Rebel Records, Art Menius and Becky Johnson, Don Rigsby, Jim Mills, Gary Reid, James King and several others.
Director Pellowski says that the process has been enlightening for him personally.
“Making this film has been life changing for me, being an outsider from the bluegrass world and eventually being accepted into it. Learning about the culture, family, and lifestyle has been extraordinary. I never expected this journey to take me on the path that it has.
I am actually writing a memoir as a companion piece with my film because so many things have happened behind the scenes… things that I was not able to capture in front of the lens that I think are important for people to know and understand about Dave.
He is such an amazingly talented musician and so misunderstood by even his closest of friends.”
Here’s a look at a trailer he put together to aid in fundraising.
The producers are trying to raise $20,000 on Kickstarter to finish the film now. If you feel motivated to support this project, you can find all the details online.
