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Prolific Duplin County singer/songwriter/senator Charlie Albertson is the subject of a new documentary short film that will premiere on Thursday, July 25, on PBS North Carolina. Denver Hollingsworth, who lives in Wilmington now but grew up in the Pin Hook community, has been friends with the former state senator for a number of years, and decided Albertson would be a fascinating subject for a documentary film.
“I’ve been doing filmmaking off and on for most of my life,” Hollingsworth told Duplin Journal. “About two years ago, I came up with the idea of a documentary about Charlie Albertson and his life.”
There’s a 60-year age gap between Albertson and Hollingsworth, but the two meet for lunch at least once a week, Hollingsworth said. “He’s always telling me stories, and they’re always so interesting,” he added.
Albertson is a Beulaville native who has been a country music singer and songwriter, once performing at the Grand Ole Opry, a U.S. serviceman, and a state senator, serving Duplin, Harnett and Sampson Counties from 1993-2010. He’s played music with country legends Loretta Lynn and Charlie Pride, and was one of the longest-serving members of the North Carolina Senate.
“We were sitting down one day and I just told him, ‘Wow, these are amazing stories. You should tell people these stories,’” Hollingsworth said, adding that Albertson’s life “covers an incredible span of history.”
“He was born in 1932, and had several brothers serve in World War II,” he said. “Then in the senate, he became part of politics at an interesting time. There was the hog farm moratorium, legalizing the lottery, all of that happened during his time in the senate. It’s interesting to hear his perspective on those events.”
Albertson, despite all of his amazing experiences, remains humble about all the attention. “It was something I wasn’t expecting,” he said of the documentary. “I had no idea they’d want anything to do with my stories.”
“He’s very humble,” Hollingsworth said. “When I brought up the documentary idea, he said, ‘I don’t think anyone will be interested in that.’ He’s been pleasantly surprised that PBS picked it up and they’ve done a lot of marketing for it.”
Albertson admits that he’s had some pretty interesting experiences. “I have had a lot of experiences,” he said. “I think during my time in the service and touring, seeing the rest of the world, and people with different customs, it really opened my eyes. Serving in politics was also a great honor.”
Hollingsworth said that he feels the documentary is a validation for all that Albertson has experienced during his 92 years. “One of the most fascinating things to me is that he is still writing and recording songs,” Hollingsworth said. “He’s still doing music videos. A lot of people at 92 years old may want to close the book and relax a little, but not Charlie Albertson.”
The documentary is 30 minutes long and covers key aspects of Albertson’s life, while also following him as he writes and records a new song. “I specifically kept it short so it would be good for PBS,” Hollingsworth said.
“The Singing Senator” will premiere on PBS North Carolina Thursday, July 25, at 10 p.m. EST. Viewers nationwide can stream the film online at video.pbsnc.org or on the PBS App. The PBS App is free and available on iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, Samsung Smart TV, Roku and more.
Hollingsworth will also host a free screening and Q&A with Albertson at the East Duplin High School Fine Arts Building on Wednesday, July 17, at 7 p.m.
A preview for the documentary can be viewed at video.pbsnc.org/video/preview-the-singing-senator-3rcdmb/.
When asked what he hopes people get out of the documentary, the ever humble Albertson said, “I don’t really know, quite frankly.” Hollingsworth, on the other hand, stated, “I’m most hoping people will get his perseverance, his ambition and his hope for change. I hope people will say, ‘Wow, here’s a person who’s still trying to create a positive influence on the world, even at 92 years of age.’”
