History Channel interview with William C. Blizzard Aug. 26
Wess Harris, William C. Blizzard, and Steve Fesenmaier celebrating Bill’s 90th birthday in Ripley, WV in 2006.
Appalachia: America’s First Frontier is the name of the two-hour documentary produced for the History Channel that will air on August 26 from 8 pm- 10 PM according to Wess Harris, the publisher of the landmark book, “When Miners March” by William C. Blizzard. Blizzard’s interview that took place at the UMWA District 17 headquarters in Charleston will be included along with more on The Battle of Blair Mountain. Ross Ballard, the creator of the audio movie of Blizzard’s book, worked with the producers when they toured WV - as did Wess Harris.
Here is a nice article published in a Belfast newspaper by Billy Kennedy, author of several books on the Scotch-Irish, about his work with the filmmakers - http://www.newsletter.co.uk/feature?articleid=2955862. West Virginia author Betty Lewis was also interviewed for the film - http://www.infinitypublishing.com/index2.php?option=com_content&do_pdf=1&id=36.
She is the author of “Appalachia: Spirit Triumphant.”
Mr. Harris is still working with several screenwriters and others on producing an official film version of Blizzard’s book. Hopefully the resurgance in interest in Appalachia because of the Sago Mine Disaster, the coming 100th anniversary of the worst mine disaster in 1907 in Monongah, Marion County, WV, etc. will help make his dream a reality.
