FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 11, 2005
Contact:
October Strategies, Inc. (for BlueHighways TV)
Lela Cocoros, 303-627-4545, lela@octoberstrategies.com
BLUEHIGHWAYS TV'S AMERICAN JOURNEYS TO PREMIERE THE JIM & JESSE STORY
Legendary Bluegrass Duo and Their Music Profiled This Month and in August
Hendersonville, TN - This month, BlueHighways TV will premiere a two-part special edition of its original series, American Journeys, entitled The Jim & Jesse Story. Following the extensive career of Bluegrass duo Jim and Jesse McReynolds, The Jim & Jesse Story weaves memories, stories and rare vintage footage of their nationally syndicated television show and captures their legendary talent and significance in Bluegrass and country music history. The special will air on the BlueHighways TV segment of the RFD-TV channel available on Dish Network, DirecTV and Mediacom Cable. Part One of The Jim & Jesse Story will air on Tuesday, July 12th at 7:00 PM Eastern/4:00 PM Pacific, followed by Part Two on Tuesday, August 23rd, again at 7:00 PM Eastern/4:00 Pacific.
The show also features BlueHighways TV's Ronnie Reno, himself a successful Bluegrass artist and musician, as he sits down with Jesse McReynolds, the surviving member of the duo, to talk about the brothers' lives and careers, their induction into the Grand Ole Opry, family harmonies and a special demonstration of Jesse's famous cross picking mandolin style. Vintage clips include performances of "Golden Rocket," "Truck Driving Man," their standard "Hard Hearted," the gospel ballad "Swing Low," Chuck Berry's "Memphis" and "When My Blue Moon Turns to Gold." For over fifty years, the brothers toured throughout the United States, Europe and Africa. In 2002, both brothers were diagnosed with different types of cancer. Although Jesse's battle was successful, Jim succumbed to the disease on December 31, 2002, ending the longest active professional brother duet in country music.
"Jim and Jesse were first generation Bluegrass," said Reno. "Until Jim's death, they stayed true to their art form with their harmony and Jesse's cross-picking style of mandolin playing. The footage featured in The Jim and Jesse Story is a national treasure for future generations."
Both Ronnie Reno and Jesse McReynolds will be featured on Westwood One Radio's nationally syndicated Jim Bohannon Show this evening to talk further about The Jim and Jesse Story. The Jim Bohannon Show airs Monday through Friday, from 10:00 PM - 1:00 AM Eastern (re-feeds for West Coast).
About BlueHighways TV
BlueHighways TV is a satellite and cable-delivered television network that grew out of the great interest that audiences have in exploring and re-freshening the folklore, music, traditions, destinations, festivals and artistry of America. Conceived and created by Network Creative Group, LLC, BlueHighways TV captures that welcoming, down-home spirit that Americans are known for - and are increasingly seeking on television -- delivered with an interesting, honest and exploratory voice. The network has developed a number of innovative ways to work with satellite distributors and cable operators to reach and serve their local audiences, and BlueHighways TV is currently in active negotiations for carriage.