BT-10. Stay Prayed Up

USA, Feature Documentary, 2021, 74 min

The joy is self-evident, contagious even. This—the ability to awaken a crowd—is her magic. Hollywood Reporter

The only thing mightier than Lena Mae Perry’s electrifying voice is her faith. She’s spent the last 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. This fast-paced, foot-thumping documentary follows Perry and The Branchettes, and producer Phil Cook, a white Wisconsin-born gospel enthusiast, as they prepare to record their first live album. Stay Prayed Up features full-on vocals from Perry, glittering keys from Wilbur Tharpe and soaring harmony by Angela Kent, all backed by The Guitar Heels. Through shared prayer, laughter, hardships and praise, this “church gospel noisy crew” demonstrates that music, like faith, ain’t nothing without some fire inside.

Directed by D.L. Anderson, Matt Durning

Boulder Premiere