(Singing) So-so-so-mi-so-la-do (Singing) la-la-la-so-la-si-do (Singing) mi-fa-re-mi-do-re-mi (Singing) do-la-la-so-so - Some of what we have to hang on to.

I hope you can capture it on a film.

I don't know if you can or not, but it's good to try, ain't it?

(soft music) A guy asked me, he was from Texas, he said: "What's a holler?"

I said, "If you could stand flat footed and reach "out and touch the ground."

I said, "You're in a holler."

(Chuckles) The land has been in our family since 1868.

Today, mountain people, they depict them as lazy hillbilly people, you know, always making alcohol and stuff.

That was not my world.

Today, they call it poverty.

We weren't poor at all.

We had more than we needed.

(solo banjo) My grandma lived just across the creek from our house, and I would go spend time.

She would be breaking her beans or whatever chores she had to do in the day, and she would sing.

She would sing Old Harp, and shape note music.

It fascinated me because it was something different, but it was part of who she was.

It was important to pass on what you know.

It's what Old Harp singing is about now.

Today, it's about holding fast to it and not letting it go away.

Things that matter.

(soft music) The book "New Harp of Columbia" was published in East Tennessee.

Most are songs that are ancient, that were handed down.

Our group, everyone's welcome.

All these people somehow come together, and when we sing, it just... everything goes away.

And actually, no one asks of any of your personal affiliations and things, other than, you know, we'll have a prayer.

And everyone is trying their best and singing the way that they really love to sing.

(Singing harmony warm-up exercises) If someone messes up, that's part of it, too.

It's a voice, and it's genuine.

Of course, it is better if everybody hits the right note.

(laughs) (laughter) Somehow you leave the rest of the world behind, for a little bit of time.

(Singing) Oh when I shall see Jesus and reign with him above?

And shall hear the trumpet... (VO) I think we have different senses and we've forgotten about them.

There's something special about just voice.

And I think it sinks in through your hearing.

I guess you created another little family, if I could say that.

You know, we have different families, different places.

And within the group of Harp singers, there is a family.

And you get to contribute to something that is absolutely beautiful.

Maybe that's what Harp singing does.

Maybe it's some joy.

Maybe we're missing some of that.

(banjo music) If I had my way, always, I would be back up in the holler, sitting on a stump in total quiet.

Tennessee, I would say in the mountains, is pretty much where Old Harp singing did flourish and stayed.

(Singing) Soldiers of the cross arise.

(VO) My family is some of the last of the mountain men, and me in particular.

With my nature, and who I am, I really see this as a blessing.

East Tennessee is just a hard place to live.

Years ago, it was hard to clear these hills, and these fields, and plant your crops.

Just before I was born is when electricity got here.

I think that probably extended the closeness of people.

This place is blessed.

(singing) Who the cause of Christ would yield?

Who would leave the battlefield?

Who would cast away his shield?

Let him face the foe.