Willis Brothers

In 1963 German filmmaker Dietrich Wawzyn set out to shoot a series of films for German television that took him through the southern US in search of American jazz and roots music. He contacted Arhoolie Records founder Chris Strachwitz, who jumped at the chance to join him and share his enthusiasm for regional musical traditions. Wawzyn made three films dealing with blues, gospel, and hillbilly music. The negatives to those films were lost. This film recreates the journey from the best elements still available and includes much previously unreleased footage.

Overlooked when the Tennessee legislature reapportioned the state, the 40-acre community of Shagbottom is discovered and notified to elect a state representative. The feud between Pa Culpepper and Uncle Foxey Calhoun resurfaces, with several incidents occurring at Postmaster Amos Quint's general store between Simon Crumb and Uncle Foxey, while at the Culpepper farm Ma Culpepper is trying to persuade Pa not to run for office. Lovers Nancy Calhoun and Del Culpepper are separated by the hostilities until the Smokey Mountain Jamboree arrives to televise the election and their country music revue.