Arthur Johnson was born in 1927 in a small coal mining community in Eastern Kentucky. Blind since childhood, Arthur left his mountain home to attend the Kentucky School for the Blind in Louisville. According to Arthur, he loved music from the moment he first heard it. He has never let his blindness interfere with his interest in and talent for music. In some ways, though, this isn’t surprising. Arthur’s business card currently states the following: “Never Underestimate the Power of Negative Thinking.” His optimism and his talent have assisted him in honing his skills as a fine musician. He uses his voice as well as his dulcimer, banjo, guitar, harmonica, and keyboard as a means of conveying and perpetuating the music of his mountain heritage.
Arthur plays and sings mountain music at many community festivals and events around Cumberland, Kentucky, and he travels far and wide to bring the music of his homeland to those outside the region. This documentary focuses on Arthur Johnson’s active participation as a community musician and leader. In the film, Arthur plays his instruments, sings, and entertains his audiences with song. The film also provides Arthur’s insight as to why mountain music is so meaningful to him, his community, and Appalachian society.