McCoury Announces Music-To-Film Contest on Today’s Episode of LUNCHBOX on IFC.com
New York, NY – July 22, 2008 – Blending traditional and contemporary roots music, passion for democracy and social justice, and an appreciation for the power of grassroots creativity, IFC and McCoury Music have launched a competition aimed at inspiring music fans to create their own short film interpretations of the songs from McCoury Music’s new album, Moneyland. Beginning today, fans of the new album are invited to enter into the short-form film competition at www.LivinginMoneyLand.com. The winning film for each song will be awarded cash prizes. A grand prize winner chosen among each of the song finalists will be aired on IFC and IFC.com.
To learn more, watch today’s episode of LUNCHBOX on www.IFC.com, the network’s daily web series (visit https://www.ifc.com/video/Web-Series/Lunchbox/1683647215 for the archived episode) featuring Del McCoury and his producer Stan Strickland talking with Jim Shearer about the new Moneyland album and why they feel so passionately about this project.
"Moneyland is a powerful compilation album of thought-provoking, legendary music and IFC is proud to participate in and promoting this contest, giving aspiring film makers an opportunity to motivate change in our world," said Jennifer Caserta, executive vice president and general manager of IFC.
Featuring new music from bluegrass legend Del McCoury along with songs new and old by Country Music Hall of Famers Merle Haggard and Emmylou Harris, National Heritage Fellow and Bluegrass Hall of Famer Mac Wiseman, Grammy winner Tim O’Brien and more, Moneyland offers a hard-hitting look at issues of economic and social injustice through music. With songs ranging from the blistering title track to a grassy interpretation of the Beatles’ "When I’m 64" to the Haggard classic "If We Make It Through December" to the gritty small-town tale of Chris Knight’s "A Train Not Running," Moneyland serves up music that’s both convincing and filled with vivid imagery ripe for translation on film-especially in the hands of everyday people.
"It just seemed like a natural connection," says Del McCoury, a Grand Ole Opry member who, together with his band, owns more International Bluegrass Music Association awards than any other artist and has taken his music to venues well beyond the bluegrass faithful. "The problems that Moneyland talks about are going to take a lot of work and creativity to solve, and creating short films to go along with each of the songs is a great way to get people thinking about these issues, and encourage them to get involved in creating solutions."
IFC News is also creating a segment on the issues addressed in the Moneyland album including an additional interview with Del McCoury scheduled to air later this month. For details on the film competition, including entry information, visit www.LivinginMoneyLand.com.
About McDoury Music
Founded in 2003, McCoury Music is a full-service label named for its owner-one of the most respected musicians in American popular music. Starting with a critical early 1960s apprenticeship with the Father of Bluegrass, Bill Monroe, Del McCoury became a legendary figure in the genre as a part-timer before taking on a full-time musical career in the company of his sons, Ron and Rob, in the early 1990s. Since then, he and his band have become the most-awarded group in the history of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s annual awards while bringing their music to audiences far beyond the bluegrass faithful. They’ve shared the stage with opera singers and jam bands, appeared on prime time and late night television, and toured extensively across North America and around the world, earning a Grammy award and numerous other honors along the way. In addition to releasing Del’s own music, McCoury Music has scored with releases by Ron McCoury, bluegrass veteran Larry Sparks and, most recently, Country Music Hall of Fame member Merle Haggard.
About IFC
IFC (The Independent Film Channel) is the first and only network dedicated to independent film and related programming, 24 hours a day, uncut and uncensored. Operating under the mantra ’always, uncut,’ IFC presents feature-length films, "cult classics," thought-provoking original documentaries such as At the Death House Door and This Film Is Not Yet Rated, shorts, animated series, exclusive web series, and television’s most comprehensive independent film library. The network also offers some of the most innovative and edgy original series on television, including the sketch comedy "The Whitest Kids U’ Know." Providing a voice for independent thought not found anywhere else on television, IFC broadens the audience for independent film and supports the independent film community through its exclusive live coverage of notable film events like the Independent Spirit Awards. The network’s On Demand offering, IFC Free, gives audiences the opportunity to watch premieres of all of IFC’s original series in HD before they air on the linear network. IFC is a subsidiary of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC.
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE: CVC). Rainbow Media is a leading producer of targeted, multi-platform content for global distribution, creating and managing some of the world’s most compelling and dynamic entertainment brands, including AMC, IFC, WE tv, Sundance Channel, LIFESKOOL, SPORTSKOOL, and VOOM HD Networks. Through IFC Entertainment, Rainbow Media also owns and manages the following: IFC Films, a leading distribution company for independent film; IFC Productions, a feature film production company that provides financing for select independent film projects; and IFC Center, a three screen, state-of-the-art cinema in the heart of New York’s Greenwich Village. Rainbow Media also operates Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation, its advertising sales company; Rainbow Network Communications, its full service network programming origination and distribution company; and 11 Penn TV, a company that manages Rainbow Media’s NYC studios and post-production facilities.