Country music was alive, well, and booming in the 90’s. Massive stars
like Garth Brooks and Shania Twain pushed the genre into new
territories, traditionalists like George Strait and Alan Jackson kept it
firmly grounded in its potent roots, and now-timeless acts like The
Chicks burst onto the scene and walked that oh-so-fine line between the
two. The spinoff genres of americana, alt-country, and roots were
growing in popularity as well, bringing attention to the likes of Steve
Earle, Dwight Yoakam, and other disciples of outlaw legends like Willie,
Prine, Jerry Jeff, and Kristofferson.
In 1992 I set out with a cameraman (usually my buddy Peter McCallum) to
gain insight into the inspirations, stories, and influences behind songs
in all corners of country music. Over the next ten years I interviewed
artists, songwriters, and musicians in bars and clubs, hotel rooms and
tour buses, backstage green rooms and backyards. Some brought their
guitars, some invited us to their band rehearsals, and others would even
welcome us into their homes. Unbroken Circle presents the
archival footage of these conversations and intimate performances in
their entirety for the first time. - CH