Rachel Liebling talks about 'High Lonesome'
By Matthew Garabedian | July 22, 1994Writer and director Rachel Liebling felt compelled to make "High Lonesome: The Story of Bluegrass Music" because she said she felt it was her responsibility to "bring the music to a new audience." The documentary film follows the evolution of bluegrass music from its roots in Scottish folk music to the influences of jazz and rock and roll. At the end of the 95-minute movie, Liebling presents the music as a living and thriving genre. Liebling said in a telephone interview Tuesday that she was inspired to make this documentary after seeing Bill Monroe, known as "the father of bluegrass," in the Lone Star Caf e in New York City in 1986. Liebling completed the film in 1992 and it was quickly lauded by critics -- winning five major awards on the film festival circuit. Before she made the film, Liebling said she had been listening to bluegrass for about a year, but was not an avid fan. Then, a friend took her to the Bill Monroe concert that ended up changing six years of her life, and maybe her career. "It is hard to connect to a band you don't know," she said.