Homemade Hillbilly Jam Directed by Rick Minnich, 2007

In the 1800s a scrappy group of Scotch-Irish immigrants settled in the Ozark Mountains of Southwestern Missouri.  Stereotyped as poor, lawless degenerates, these isolated hill folk over time became the butt of countless jokes and earned themselves the name of “hillbillies”.  This documentary captures the wonderful sounds of hillbilly music by following three families of modern-day hillbillies back to their music-making roots.  Leading the pack is singer/songwriter Mark Bilyeu from the band Big Smith, who delight audiences with their foot-stompin’ repertoire of songs, including some passed down through generations – twisted tales of moonshining and adultery alongside heartfelt stories of faith and life.  Shot on film and embellished by old photos and archival footage, HOMEMADE HILLBILLY JAM is both a celebration of modern-day hill folk and a vivid reminder of their hell-raising, bootlegging ancestors – all in a salute to the hillbilly spirit, which refuses to die.