Malpass Brothers documentary to premier at Paramount Theatre
By Becky Barclay
Published in News on January 14, 2018 3:05 AM
Most people have probably heard of Goldsboro's very own Malpass Brothers, but may not know much about them.
That will change with the premiere of a documentary about the brothers, their family and friends and the community that has supported them over the years.
"Heading Home," a 56-minute film will be shown Jan. 21 at 3 p.m. at the Paramount Theatre.
The documentary came about when editor/producer Donna Campbell with Minnow Media heard about the brothers from their manager and agent.
"He said they were growing in popularity and that we might find them an interesting story," she said. "So we went to Goldsboro, spent the day with the Malpass family and, at the end of the day, said this is such a great story."
Campbell was intrigued to learn of the story of two brothers who are preserving traditional music. But more than that, the documentary is also about how their hometown of Goldsboro has supported what they're doing over the years.
"We went to their concert at the Paramount, which was sold out," Campbell said. "We met dozens of people from town and interviewed them about the Malpass Brothers, everyone from their second grade teachers to the woman who cuts their hair. We had a great time talking to family and friends."
Since meeting the brothers a year ago, the film crew has visited with them at different shows and has done even more interviews with them.
"One question that came up is whether they should move to Nashville," Campbell said. "We have been with them as they tried to make that decision, and that's sort of what our show is about."
But the question will not be answered until the premiere.
The film crew also explored why it has been so important for the brothers to be here in Goldsboro, a place they love so much.
The film crew still has some post production things to do, like color correction and mixing music. But once it's all done, the documentary will be shown on PBS this spring and then will be released nationally.
"This is a story we want the rest of the world to know about," Campbell said.
When Taylor Malpass was approached about the documentary, he was pretty surprised.
"It was definitely flattering for somebody to want to do something like that on you," he said.
"For a year, they filmed us at home, at our jobs, at our shows and even in Nashville. They asked what it was like growing up here, why we chose to do traditional country music, where we were from, all that kind of stuff."
During the filming and interviews, Taylor said he was kind of nervous.
"In some ways, it made me feel good because I want people to know what we are really like," he said. "Some people have an idea that we are fake, that we're not everyday working guys.
"That's not us. I feel like in some ways, it's a good thing for people to see that we really are country and not pretend country boys."
Aside from their music -- touring with some country greats like the late Don Helms, former guitarist for Hank Williams and opening for music legend Merle Haggard and playing everywhere from the Shetland Islands to Ryman Auditorium to Merlefest, Taylor and Christopher Malpass are regular guys. Taylor is a mechanic in Roxboro and Christopher works at Jennings Transmission in Goldsboro.
They never forgot where they came from, though, and that's why each year they return to their roots and do a fundraising concert for the Paramount Theatre Foundation.
Tickets are $15 and $20 at the Paramount box office, by calling 919-583-8432 or online at www.goldsboroparamount.com.