Pickin’ & Trimmin’ is a documentary short film from 2008 profiling “The Barbershop” in Drexel, North Carolina, where Lawrence Anthony and David Shirley have barbered for decades, and where bluegrass musicians have jammed in the back room every weekend. Directed by Matt Morris, the award-winning film showcases the people and atmosphere of a small community in rural America, perhaps better than anything you’ve seen before. And the music played in the back room is simply wonderful.
You can find photos taken at The Barbershop on Flickr here. The film itself has been added to the Documentary section of our Free Movies collection.
Update: Lawrence Anthony, the head barber portrayed in this film, passed away in 2009. His son continues to run The Barbershop, but severe water damage has left the shop in need of repair. Here is a video showing the current situation.
By profession, Matthias Rascher teaches English and History at a High School in northern Bavaria, Germany. In his free time he scours the web for good links and posts the best finds on Twitter.
Wonderfully heartwarming record of a vanishing way of life. Brilliant music. I love this film!
Good musik. I like it. Mauno from Finland
My father was from Tennessee and naturally we were acquainted with this music. My training is classical; but a big part of my heart is with Pickin.
Wonderful film. I sent check for $15 for a copy and have heard nothing. Available?
Allen
The rear view mirror on the lazy boy kills me! Probably as close to Mayberry as you can find these days, and I mean that in a good way. Miss those days and ways. Great film!
Great film.
When I lived in Spokane, WA, I played in an AMATEUR bluegrass band. A bunch of people with some degree of talent and a lot of exuberance. Great people and great fun. A lot like these guys except we had a few women in our ranks.
I wonder how crowded the Back Room on Saturday has become since the release of this.