ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL, THE: STORY OF AN AMERICAN
ANTHEM (TV)
Summary
This documentary is about "The Orange Blossom Special," one of the world's most famous fiddle tunes and the unofficial bluegrass anthem. The film opens with railroad historian Theodore Shrady talking about the actual Orange Blossom Special, a prestigious passenger train first launched in 1925. Musician Charlie Daniels talks about the feelings a distant train whistle evokes in him. A locomotive engineer discusses what the various train whistles and bells mean. Shrady talks about how the start of the song is meant to resemble the mystique and romance of a steam engine, despite the fact that the Orange Blossom Special was a diesel engine. Then, the program looks at Ervin T. Rouse, the composer of the song and a renowned "trick" fiddler. Musician Vassar Clements discusses the "true artist" and "genius" Rouse. Then, the program details how Rouse came to write the song, despite another oft-told story by Rouse's friend and fellow fiddler Chubby Wise. Wise would go on to popularize it and make it a "great" song, according to record producer Tom Riggs. Clements, Daniels, and musician Richard Greene discuss how difficult it is to play the song, specifically the "figure eight" portion of the tune. Other musicians such as Bela Fleck demonstrate the unique portions of the song. New Zealand fiddler and school teacher Marian Burns discusses how she first became aware of the song and began playing it as footage shows her in concert in Auckland. Next, the documentary visits the Mark O'Connor Fiddle Camp in Burns, Tennessee, where youths learn the improvisational form of fiddle-playing. Musician Aubrey Haynie shows how he improvises and the different ways he plays similar chords. Mark Wood shows how he plays an electric version of "The Orange Blossom Special" on his specially outfitted fiddle. Next, the program looks at how Rouse's song went from something he employed simply to garner big tips into an American classic that whips crowds into a frenzy. Then, Clements details how he became the Grand Ole Opry's fiddle player by playing "The Orange Blossom Special" during an audition. He also details how the song relates to another American classic, Glenn Miller's "In the Mood." Other musicians discuss why Clements is such a talented fiddle player. Del McCoury discusses the greatness of the fiddle and its importance in bluegrass music. He notes how the fiddle is the only instrument that mimics a human voice. Next, the program looks at Florida's role in inspiring "The Orange Blossom Special." Forklift operator Red Robbins details the importance of both Florida citrus and bluegrass in his life. Then, the program visits The National Oldtime Fiddlers Contest and Festival in Weiser, Idaho. Phil and Vivian Williams discuss how skilled players can manipulate the psyche of their audience with their fiddling. Then, Gene Christian discusses the great fiddling skills of his longtime friend Rouse. Next, clips show Johnny Cash singing his version of "The Orange Blossom Special" and accompanying it on his harmonica. Christian details how he thought Cash "screwed that tune up" -- though Cash's version became a great success. Next, the program visits Rouse's one-time girlfriend Elon Schiefer, who tells of his proposal to her at age seventeen, and his reaction to her turning him down. Then, the scene shifts to Rouse's isolated shack in the Everglades, now in ruins. "Lucky" Cole, a former neighbor in the Everglades, discusses his dealings with the frequently drunk and mentally ill Rouse during his latter days. Christian discusses being a pallbearer at Rouse's sparsely attended funeral where a huge bouquet of orange flowers -- shaped like a train engine -- was sent by Cash. As countless versions of the song are played, the program ends with many people summarizing why they believe "The Orange Blossom Special" is such an enduring masterpiece
Details
- NETWORK: PBS
- DATE: 2005
- RUNNING TIME: 0:58:01
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:89258
- GENRE: Public affairs/Documentaries; Music
- SUBJECT HEADING: Music and musicians
- SERIES RUN: N/A
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Bestor Cram … Producer, Director
- Miguelangel Aponte-Rios … Co-Producer
- Zachary Stauffer … Co-Producer
- Michael Majoros … Co-Director
- Marian Burns
- Johnny Cash
- Gene Christian
- Vassar Clements
- Cole, "Lucky"
- Charlie Daniels
- Bela Fleck
- Richard Greene
- Aubrey Haynie
- Del McCoury
- Glenn Miller
- Mark O'Connor
- Tom Riggs
- Red Robbins
- Ervin T. Rouse
- Elon Schiefer
- Theodore Shrady
- Phil Williams
- Vivian Williams
- Chubby Wise
- Mark Wood