Arts and Music

Have Guitar Will Travel World

Nashville singer-songwriter Mark Allen takes viewers on an epic journey around the globe to experience the music, stories and celebrations reflecting a region’s unique identity. A “travel cinéma vérité” series, Have Guitar Will Travel World lets viewers experience the unscripted discovery, spontaneous jam sessions, and the enthusiasm that erupts when musicians are your guides to their culture.

Ireland & the Sound of Independence

26m 51s

Mark travels to Dublin Bay, seeking a deeper meaning behind the Irish ballads he’s sung for years, and explores a friend’s familial connection to the pivotal 1916 Easter Rising. Veteran trade union leader and activist Des Geraghty explains the relationship between music and social reform, while Uilleann piper Gay McKeon introduces the instrument often recognized as “the Sound of Ireland.”

Episodes

  • Ireland & the Sound of Independence: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Ireland & the Sound of Independence

    S1 E106 - 26m 51s

    Mark travels to Dublin Bay, seeking a deeper meaning behind the Irish ballads he’s sung for years, and explores a friend’s familial connection to the pivotal 1916 Easter Rising. Veteran trade union leader and activist Des Geraghty explains the relationship between music and social reform, while Uilleann piper Gay McKeon introduces the instrument often recognized as “the Sound of Ireland.”

  • Wales & the Soul of the Red Dragon: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Wales & the Soul of the Red Dragon

    S1 E105 - 26m 51s

    Mark goes on a musical quest in search of the soul of North Wales, and finds himself in a land of dragons and druids, jam sessions and jazz guitars, where bardic poets wear crowns, and the resilience of the Welsh culture can be heard in its language, lore and songs.

  • Sheffield, Steel & The People’s Republic of South Yorkshire: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sheffield, Steel & The People’s Republic of South Yorkshire

    S1 E104 - 26m 45s

    Mark joins musicians at the Tramlines festival of Sheffield and discovers the newest metal of “Steel City” is the steel guitar. He explores the origins of pub rock with iconic artists and revolutionary music promoters, has a pint with the DJ keeping music in the hands of the people, and examines the changing identity behind England’s folk music scene.

  • Sins, Switzerland & the Crossroads of Culture: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sins, Switzerland & the Crossroads of Culture

    S1 E103 - 26m 50s

    Mark explores the musical crossroads and charm of a cinematically iconic Swiss village. While journeying with local musicians from the Central Plateau of Switzerland to the Alps, Mark picks up both new skills and new friends by examining old Swiss traditions, from fondu to folk music, all while learning a bit about yodeling and the accordion along the way.

  • Myths & Monsters of the Scottish Highlands: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Myths & Monsters of the Scottish Highlands

    S1 E102 - 26m 51s

    Mark treks to the Scottish Highlands on Burns Night as Scots worldwide celebrate their national poet and bard, Rabbie Burns. From the folk clubs of Inverness to the Battlefield of Culloden and even the misty banks of Loch Ness, Mark discovers the deep stream of tradition carrying the sounds of Scotland to present-day Nashville and beyond, even in how we bid farewell through Auld Lang Syne.

  • The Shetland Sound: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    The Shetland Sound

    S1 E101 - 26m 51s

    Mark sails deep into the North Sea to learn the secrets of the legendary “Shetland Sound.” Through their craftsmanship and camaraderie, local musicians give Mark a taste of the magic —and mutton!— unique to this northernmost archipelago of the UK. Mark meets a new generation of Islanders keeping ancient traditions alive through their music and the making of the legendary Shetland fiddle.

Schedule

  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    The Shetland Sound

    Saturday
    Dec 6

    30 Minutes

    Exploring the secrets of the "Shetland Sound"; a new generation of islanders keep ancient traditions alive through music and the making of the Shetland fiddle.
  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    Myths & Monsters of the Scottish Highlands

    Saturday
    Dec 6

    30 Minutes

    A trek to the Scottish Highlands on Burns Night as Scots around the world celebrate Rabbie Burns; tradition that keeps the sounds of Scotland alive.
  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    Sins, Switzerland & the Crossroads of Culture

    Saturday
    Dec 13

    30 Minutes

    Exploring the musical crossroads and charm of a Swiss village; examining old Swiss traditions, from fondue to folk music; yodeling; the accordion.
  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    Sheffield, Steel & The People's Republic of South Yorkshire

    Saturday
    Dec 13

    30 Minutes

    Tramlines Festival of Sheffield; the origins of pub rock; the changing identity behind England's folk music scene.
  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    Wales & the Soul of the Red Dragon

    Saturday
    Dec 20

    30 Minutes

    A musical quest in search of the soul of North Wales leads to a land of dragons and druids, jam sessions and jazz guitars.
  • Have Guitar Will Travel World: TVSS: Iconic

    Have Guitar Will Travel World

    Ireland & the Sound of Independence

    Saturday
    Dec 20

    30 Minutes

    Seeking a deeper meaning behind Irish ballads in Dublin Bay; Des Geraghty explains the relationship between music and social reform; uilleann piper Gay McKeon.

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