The Stampede

Media Credit: Tim Hurtak Kellie Brown

The work of violinist Kellie Brown, associate professor of music, will be featured in Ross Spears’ new documentary, "Appalachia, a History of Mountains and People." The first part of the 4-week series aired April 9, at 10 p.m. on PBS.

Narrated by Academy Award Winner Sissy Spacek, “Appalachia, A History of Mountains and People,” is the first film series to reveal the historical background of the Appalachian mountain ranges and the diverse peoples who have inhabited them. Director Ross Spears, producer Jamie Ross and composer Kenton Coe worked on this project for 10 years.

Brown was commissioned by Johnson City native Coe, an internationally known composer. Coe is best known for the 1968 film score he composed for Universal’s “Birds in Peru.”

“Kenton Coe is a local celebrity,” Brown said.

Brown, who has been playing the violin for 26 years, was asked to assist in the production of the score. Over a three-year period, Brown joined two other violinists, a violist and a cellist to record the score in two- to three-minute excerpts.

“It was very interesting to observe the process and the collaborative nature,” said Brown. “Through trial-and-error we finished the score while a relaxed atmosphere was maintained.”

On April 23, Brown will be one of 12 area women to be honored as part of YWCA's eighteenth annual Tribute to Women. The Tribute to Women Awards Program, one of the nation’s most prestigious awards given by the local and regional YWCA’s, recognizes successful women for their outstanding achievements.

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