In 2018 the Duluth Armory Became a Stage for a CW Duluth Television Program. Now It Is Streaming Online as a Miniseries

In the same way that bloggers and journalists have historically recycled content they created, so we've seen the Internet do likewise, absorbing and re-purposing nearly all the media content created since the dawn of civilization. This week I received notice that the local Duluth CW program that I wrote about in 2018 is now streaming on Amazon Prime and will soon be available on Tubi. 

The program was recorded mid-winter at the unheated Historic Duluth Armory, where Bob Dylan saw one of Buddy Holly's last performances, in blustery cold winter weather not unlike the night of that 1959 Winter Dance Party. Five local musicians were featured in a five-episode miniseries that aired locally here in Duluth.

The series, renamed "Acoustic at the Armory," features acoustic performances by Charlie Parr, Alan Sparhawk of Low, Ingeborg von Agassiz, Superior Siren, and Rick McLean, and it intentionally references ties to the Armory's storied past.  

Filmed in Duluth during the winter of 2018, each musician braved frigid temperatures for the opportunity to perform for the small camera crew assembled there. Because of a demolition order that was placed on the Armory in 2001, no one could technically make use of the building at that time. Temporary access to the building was granted by the City of Duluth, however. Each episode featured live performances and interviews with the artists, as well as untold stories of the Armory’s music history, rare photos of Buddy Holly in Duluth, along with background music provided by musicians from the Twin Ports.

Yesterday I reached out to Keith Hopkins, a producer for local television station KBJR, who was Series Director for this miniseries. I asked how his Armory miniseries ended up on Amazon. Hopkins explained that "Amazon has open submissions. This means any producer can submit projects for consideration. I submitted ours six to seven weeks ago and they agreed (to stream it.)" 

When asked what other side projects he's been currently working on, Hopkins said, "Right now I'm working on a documentary about some local guys who do parades and parties as Ghostbusters to raise money for the Ronald McDonald house. 100 percent of the money raised is donated." 

That sounds like fun. I'm sure we'll be hearing more about that as the story unfolds.  

You can find Acoustic at the Armory here on Amazon.

The series trailer can be viewed here on YouTube.

A very big shout out goes to Mark Poirier, Executive Director for the Armory Arts & Music Center, whose work behind the scenes helped make this show possible.

Related Links

A Visit with Local TV Producer Keith Hopkins

HexagonMotionPictures.com

BUDDY HOLLY LINKS

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2019/05/a-visit-to-buddy-holly-crash-site-in.html

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2019/02/in-memoriam-buddy-holly-stood-on-these.html

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2019/01/more-buddy-holly-fingerprints-not-fade.html

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2019/01/sunday-nights-blood-moon-plus-more.html

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2010/08/day-music-died.html

https://pioneerproductions.blogspot.com/2018/01/remembering-buddy-holly-dance-party-jim.html