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  • community event

Necessity is the mother of invention. Less is more. Make it work with what you’ve got. Two guitars, a junkyard drum kit, a handful of harmonicas, voices, and above all… songs. The Ballad of Shovels and Rope captures the tours and detours of a husband and wife as they create and release the critically acclaimed album O’ Be Joyful. From working for tips to becoming “Emerging Artist of the Year,” the two-man family band uses ingenuity and hard work to create something out of nothing.

In partnership with Newport Folk Presents™

Post-film Q&A with producer Paul Bannister

Run time: 72 minutes
Directors: Jace Freeman
Producers: Paul Bannister, Sean Clark
The Ballad of Shovels And Rope
This is a past event

Be prepared to fall in love with Shovels & Rope.”

 WKSU Radio

The cheerful storyline will likely please fans as the narrative juxtaposes the band's hits against the couple’s teasing commentary and unrehearsed slapstick”

Film shown in partnership with