In 1971 I bought an authentic steamed powered aero plane. I made my bed with a crease in the middle, got caught holdin' ,and hung out down on the river bank on Sundays. Later that year I met John Hartford at the Cellar Door in Washington D.C.My musical hero did not disappoint me in real life, he was kind to a young man that he didn't have to be kind to. I like what I like, and for a long time that has been John Hartford......and his music.

I went to see John Hartford when he was an attraction for a crafts fair in West Virginia. I got there kind of early and everyone was very focused on the crafts. John had set up his microphone and amplified plank in a field with no stage about 50 yards from the crafts fair. When he started playing, no one had noticed him yet. I walked over and was standing about 15 feet from him, as he played his first songs. Since I was the only one there, he pretty much made eye contact with me throughout. It was really great, but after a few songs I found the humor in being the only member of the audience, and broke into a wide smile, which he returned. Pretty soon, people began wandering over from the crafts fair. John Hartford has always been my favorite country performer. Love the guy.

I saw John play a few venues around the St. Louis area in the 1970s and early 1980s. His music inspired me to get a banjo when I was a teenager in 1973, but I still have not learned to play it very well. After a performance at Washington University in the late 1970s, John announced that he would stick around and sign autographs. I ran out to my car, grabbed my banjo and stood in the autograph line. When it was my turn, I asked him if he would sign the drum of my banjo. He replied "That would be defacing a good instrument." Stupidly, I said: "Oh, it's not that good of an instrument." I cringed, but he just smiled and signed my banjo with a permanent marker I brought with me. That banjo has spent most of the last 4 decades in it's case, but it is out now and I have renewed my interest in playing. John's signature has faded a little, but the memory of him signing my banjo is as bright and clear as it was when I was a young man. That not-that-good-of-an-instrument is now my most prized possession. Thank you, John Hartford!

I was vert very fortunate to see John shortly before he passed. He played at a river festival at Sellwood Park in Portland, Oregon. I will never forget a moment when he looked out into the audience with a very wistful look on his face. R.I.P.

What a shame this never was completed! People would have loved it! I had the privilege of getting to know John and his wife Marie shortly after I moved to Nashville. John was one of a kind. He left an empty place that will never be filled. But he will always be with us through his music. RIP, John and Marie. We miss you both so much.

We are working hard to complete this project and hopefully when folks miss John they can watch his story and walk away feeling like he is with them.

One of the greatest Americans of the modern era. No other country could possibly produce someone like John Hartford. Long may he wave.

I remember seeing John Hartford on the Glen Campbell show sitting behind Glen on a metal chair playing his banjo in the late 60s, maybe very early 70s, Remember seeing Smothers Brothers on TV during that same time period. My parents had several comedy albums by the SB and they were great too. I bought John Hartford's album "Aero-Plane" album early 70s and remember playing it as loud as I could on my hi-fi stereo and loving every minute of it at the time. Later I learned that Vassar Clemens played the fiddle and wow it was great! A little later in life in the late 80s he was at a bluegrass festival in my home county in SC and he was one of the star performers (my dad had a weekly newspaper at the time, I had a press pass taking pictures, etc.) He was solo on that date, had his little plywood platform, tap shoes on, fiddle at times, banjo at other times. Always tap dancing to the tune he was playing! Great show! I went back stage to interview him. He seemed to be very shy, would not answer any "interview" questions but was gracious all the same. I told him how much I had enjoyed his show and also the few times I had seen him on TV in the 60s and would always be a fan. He tipped his hat and said, "I need to go." He got on his bus and was gone. I still felt like I was lucky to have been in his presence, not only during his concert, but I at least got to talk to him after his show and shake his hand. I'll never forget that!

Would be nice to get an update on this. Don't let the man's memory die - please !! As a Brit I never had the opportunity to see John but I thank him for introducing the banjo to me. Five years later I'm still practicing every day, hopefully I will succeed, my dear wife just purchased a JH signature 5 string and it's the second love of my life. RIP John & thank you for bringing thousands such happiness with your music. You truly were a gentleman.

One of the great ones: -Great writer -Great performer -Greatly missed.

I often sit and listen to the subtleties that John put into his playing...whether it be on his fiddle, guitar, or my favorite, his banjo playing. From the steamboat surges and pressure releases, to the "human-voicing" dialogues he put onto five strings. He often stated that what he played was simple, and that if it wasn't...he couldn't do it. Mr. Hartford you are sorely missed, and never forgotten. :) Allllll-right...

Saw John play Red Rocks, Colorado. Started Orange Blossom on stage, fiddled all the way up to the top row, Stopped for a few minutes, then continued on down back to the stage. Just AMAZIN! Past spring on way to FL stopped in the Museum of Appalachia just north of Knoxville, TN. They have nice exhibit of some of John's items- derby hat, banjo, shoes, etc. Definitively worth a visit.

What a great insight into a man who wrote one of the best songs of all time, that is Gentle on My Mind.

BEAUTIFULLY ARRANGED, I got to meet this wonderful man and wife Marie at our hometown event, got to chauffeur them each year. I was invited to their huge CHRISTMAS party but we received too much snow to make it. They were the sweetest couple of down home folks I've ever met. LOL TO OUR ANGELS IN THE SKY💜 MAYBE MARTY CAN WRITE A SONG ABOUT THEM. SURE THEY'D LOVE IT. 🤗 SO MISSED. Don't forget to add a pic of his mazes he always drew, so talented.

Just a note to let all know that we are still moving forward after two deaths in our families ... hoping to complete this wonderful journey of John's in the near future

John and Marie were great people and he was an amazing musician...........one who knew when to get off the stage and just be part of the rest of us. Love them both

Was proudly part of the Acoustic Box Office webcast of the Aeroplane Reunion in Albany, NY during John's last days. What a SWEET man and Character!!! AWESOMETASTIC Human Being..... I pray this Documentary finishes as the world needs to hear what real music once sounded like! GOD BLESS John and Marie and his rivers!

It was a great pleasure knowing this man. I still have a picture he drew in pencil for me years ago. I'm so sorry the Mark Twain music CD didn't feature any of John's work. I reckon it was politics. We'll not see his kind come down the pike for many years if ever again. Bless you all for the documentary. RIP Mr. John.

It will indeed cover John's home in Madison , Tn. and those infamous parties that grounded the Nashville musician annually ... Marie of course was a very important part of John's life...WE are trying to cover his ENTIRE story from day one until he went to dance on the clouds...

bless you all for all your work ... happy to learn I have not missed out ! I wait patiently !

Where did that Old Time Riverman Go? We miss you John and you will forever be Gentle On Our Mind 🙏🙏

This documentary has me fired up! Can't wait! Thank goodness we live in a time when video and audio can be gathered and shared like this. Miss you John and listen to you often.

Wonderful! Thanks for the GREAT memories. John was prolific! He deserves a nice, long documentary. I, anxiously, await!

I really hope this doc comes to fruition.

Thank you so much for this... national treasure is so right for the man who made music with each and every breath...

Can't wait to see this. That man's been too long gone.

I heard him play for years at Great Northern Bluegrass Festival, Mole Lake, WI. Some of his songs played: 100 Miles of Hard on for you Baby, Golden Globe Awards, Woman with the Biggest Set of Parakeets in Town. Who else remembers John from the Bluegrass festivals at Mole Lake can finish the stories!

Real Angels don't have wings, although they're sent to us by God to enrich our very souls with their meaningful lyrics and stunning music. John Hartford was one of them.

Oh I hope this is the film that includes his amazing Marie and their wonderful, hug of a home on the Cumberland... John was the guy who really brought that 'joy, joy, joy into our hearts'... Thanks and can't wait!

Well this looks like a true meeting of minds! In my opinion, your technical ability and creativity is a superb match for the multi-talented John Hartford. All power to you!

I'll be happy if this ever does see the light of day ...

john was so very entertaining, and i appreciate your posting this. my brother and i were both lovers of bluegrass having been raised in west virginia. john was one of a kind and sorely missed.

Great work here. have always loved his Aereo-Plain album

John Hartford,the very best mankind has to offer,this world thanks you John!!

David Holt has put up on You Tube a video interview with John Hartford. It's in 8 Parts and well worth watching. It gives a real insight into John Hartford's life, and approach to life, death, love, and music. He constantly practiced to improve his playing.

John, thank you.

I'm really hoping this project will some day be finished! Fingers crossed...

that's beautiful - what a great project.

We saw him at the very first Merle Fest ,maybe 300 peeps. Now everybody there! Also at Wake Forest in the chapel in the late 70's

Been looking for this!

I'm so glad somebody's documenting the life of this National Treasure.

Looking forward to it! He was why I watched the Glen Campbell show when I was a kid, and there I only could catch glimpses of his marvelous talent.

Is this project going to be finished? I really want to see it.

Can't wait !!

My hat's off to you Miss Sheila and your staff for putting this documentary about John out there. Did you have to mention that John's real last name was "Harford", and Chet Atkins supposedly told him to add the "T" in his name so people would be more familiar with it? Visited with John a few times and always came away feeling I'd talked to one of my heroes, Mark Twain. RIP my friend.

Hurry and get this finished! Lots of folks wanna see it!

I randomly check into the website and this page every now and then to see if there is any news about how this is coming along. Still looking forward to it becoming a reality :) Keep on keeping on.

can't wait!!!

Reading all the comments, John got around. Saw him do an outdoor evening concert in the seventies, i suppose, in the campground area at the bottom of Racoon Mt. at Chattanooga. Anyone else there?

Man I miss John Hartford

I'm glad that I got to hear him perform at the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colorado.

An amazing tribute as this is. A full length would be great!

Can't wait to see that.

He lived an incredible life what an amazing guy

Lots of love for John in the Philly folk community (pfs.org). They have a culture tent at the Philly folk fest where they do screenings. Would be great to see this there someday.

Yes, yes and yes!

love your video.....thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Amazing man!

Love love love you John!

Would play the dearly departed Bottom Line whenever he come to New York and I never missed a performance. I treasure the time I had a chat with him before a show there

please keep us up to date. I miss JH.

Kewl. Can't wait to see the film.

Is there any chance this documentary about John Hartford has been or will be finished? I was fortunate to see him play like several times in the 80's. What an amazing musician and performer.

John never officially changed his name to Hartford ...nor to Twain but either fits...

Long live John Hartford

Over $20 K donated, 8 years gone by ... still no update?

We are well into editing and script writing ...IT IS INDEED coming together and we want to see it as much as anyone else..ha

That Man Was The Greatest Banjo Picker! Even Glenn Campbell Says It. He Put Glenn On The Map!!!

Couple of thoughts (freely given and worth ALMOST that much) Ya know there are musicians who never made it "Big", but they are the ones other musicians listen to. John Hartford is one of them. Looking in from the outside it appears that while he never made it "Big", he had a pretty good life, doing what he wanted having the respect of his peers. And there are Worse Things that can happen to someone, than making a good living doing what you love. Old Timey/Bluegrass/The Blues They never really go away. They drop down for a time, then BOOM they are back on top for a while. How many times have you watched a (say) John Hartford video, and somewhere in the comments "WOW This Is Great! Where Can I hear More?" Some 14 year old kid stumbles across Real Music, being played on Real instruments, by Real People Live, ad suddenly their world expands, and realizes there is more than Pop Music. This is what is known as A Good Thing.

Folks, we are still plugging away with the script and the editing...Hang in there ...it will be worth the wait....

I just became a fan :)

We are editing away ...soon...soon...

Any estimate on when this will be out?

Let us know when the project is done

Well Alright!!

Did this documentary reach completion? Is it available to watch somewhere? John Hartford is one of my all time favourite musician thespian extraordinaire.

A Gift

The man had purpose. God bless him...

now that I've watched this again, is there any chance to get footage of their amazing riverboat house on the Cumberland River? Marie designed it (hell, she formed her own construction company when the men wouldn't listen up) and it was one glorious hug... They were the most sensational couple ever...

What an interesting person he was. I want to know more.

Hi. Did you finish?

And long it will be ...followed by an outtakes dvd ....

Did this ever get finished? Sure would like to see it!

Does this documentary have a title? I would really love to see it.

when will this be coming out i really want to see it?

When will we get to see this?

I would love to see this !! Where can I order it ?

I saw John Hartford perform at the Birchmere in Alexandria, VA in about 1981/82. I also saw Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys perform there at about the same time. Does anyone remember?

Did you take any pictures of john back then ???

is anything ever going to come of this?

Is this finished yet?

So where is this documentary ? Was it ever finished ????

Any updates?

So when is this darn do coming out anyway?

golden globe award

did this ever get made?

I had to clean the apartment today. I even moved the couch to dust off the old sleeping bag. You never know.

music lives.. God bless the South. ♥♪

When is the documentary going to be published?

Any updates???