Matt Grimm

The most comprehensive bluegrass documentary ever made, “Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music” will air Sunday at 2 p.m. on WNED. Co-producer, Matt Grimm, is a 1998 graduate of Gowanda Central School, and the son of Nelson and Julie Grimm of Byron, NY and the late Penny Sittig Grimm. He is the grandson of Janet (and the late Ivan) Pecnik of Gowanda.

“Big Family: The Story of Bluegrass Music” offers a deeper look at bluegrass — its origins, the pioneers who shaped its sound and its worldwide appeal. The documentary is narrated by actor and bluegrass enthusiast Ed Helms.

The film traces the genre’s history — outlining how Scots-Irish and African-American influences led Bill Monroe to develop the distinct musical genre to its foothold in popular culture through television and movies.

At the heart of the two-hour film is the music itself, as recordings and performance footage showcase and celebrate its unique sound. More than 50 musicians appear in the film, including Alison Brown, Dale Ann Bradley, Sam Bush, JD Crowe, Bela Fleck, Laurie Lewis, Del McCoury, Bobby Osborne, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Thile, and many more.

Using archival and contemporary photos, footage and recordings, the film also chronicles how bluegrass music evolved as American culture and politics played out — revealing that the story of bluegrass music is the story of America.