Gospel Doc ‘Stay Prayed Up’ Now In Theaters Starting June 17
Now playing in theaters and on Amazon and Apple TV July 5 from Greenwich Entertainment is the gospel documentary Stay Prayed Up, which premiered to critical acclaim at the Telluride Film Festival and DOC NYC.
The only thing mightier than Lena Mae Perry’s electrifying voice is her faith. She’s spent close to 50 years sharing and sharpening both as the steadfast bandleader of The Branchettes, a legendary North Carolina gospel group that has packed churches throughout the South and lifted weary hearts as far away as Ireland.
Directed by D.L. Anderson and Matt Durning, STAY PRAYED UP is a spirited celebration, inviting audiences into “Mother” Perry’s close-knit community as the 83-year-old strives to extend The Branchettes’ sacred song ministry ever forward. The film documents The Branchettes as they record their first fully live album, a hallmark in the canon of Black gospel groups. Health concerns for beloved long-time pianist and friend Wilbur Tharpe underscore the importance of “capturing the spirit” for producer Phil Cook, a white Wisconsin-born gospel enthusiast and musical polyglot half of Perry’s age. Through shared prayer, laughter, hardship and praise, this “church gospel noisy crew” demonstrates that music, like faith, ain’t nothing without heart behind it.
Mikel Barton, Phil Cook, Lena C. Williams and Leslie Raymond served as the feature’s producers.