My Ozarks Documentary Film Series

My Ozarks is a collection of short documentary films: intimate portraits of real people, places and experiences in the Ozarks. Our goal is to increase interest in the Ozarks and expand cultural and ecotourism to generate economic opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs across the region.

Episode 5: Andrew

The fifth episode in the My Ozarks mini-documentary web series introduces Andrew Hampton, an Ozark musician from Reynolds County, Missouri. Andrew, his wife Rachel, daughter Charlotte and son Matthew, all enjoy a life rich with music and Ozark heritage. Andrew grew up listening to the bluegrass music and picking sounds of his dad, grandpa, family and friends. Like many other traditions passed down in the Ozarks, Andrew learned to play music by listening and doing. Learn how music is not just important them, but a way of life for this family and their community.

The Film

A film by Jason Brasier and Quintin Huckaby, filmed in Reynolds County, MO

BARN AT THE HAMPTONS, 37.2745° N, 90.9210° W

The Back Story

ANDREW HAMPTON

For Andrew music is about tradition and bringing people together.  That is a very important part of his life growing up in Ellington, Missouri, as part of a multi-generational musically inclined family in the Ozarks.  It seemed only natural that Andrew join the ranks.  Growing up seeing pictures and watching his grandfather and father play with their family and friends gave Andrew and his best friend Buck the spark that would set them on their path to playing music as well. 

You can tell in the way Andrew talks how important music is to the area and its history.  Years ago before they had television, families would clear the furniture out of the house, have people over for big square dances and play music.  That is just what they did.

During our interviews Andrew recalled how exciting and nerve wracking it was when he had finally proven himself as a musician and his family invited him to play with them during a gathering. He told us with a chuckle how he wanted to play perfectly because he would never hear the end of it if he messed up. The guys that play together push each other to play better and bring something unique to the music. It means something to play well enough to sit with them, a sense of pride, family and connection.

Music is a way of life in the Ozarks. For Andrew, it is connected to everything from his childhood memories of his grandfather, father and other family members playing, to meeting his wife Rachel. Giving Rachel guitar lessons changed his life. After asking her father for her hand, Andrew proposed with what came natural to him, music. He chose her favorite song, placed the ring in his guitar case and waited for her to arrive. He was nervous and messed up some of the words. It didn’t matter though, Andrew swears Rachel said yes before he had the chance to really ask. 

Music again showed it’s importance in their lives when they got married. Rather than writing vows, the couple chose a song for each other. Being married in the barn that Andrew’s grandfather built was important to both of them. To honor his grandparents, Andrew had their photo inlaid in the concrete pad when they were renovating the barn for the wedding. 

As Andrew reflected on the importance of music on his life he looked at his children. He hopes they show an interest and he and Rachel can teach them. His daughter Charlotte already has her own guitar. It won’t be long until she can join the guys in picking.

RACHEL HAMPTON

Rachel was also born and raised in Ellington, Missouri. Both she and Andrew left for a time, but family and their hometown kept calling them back. Now along with raising her family here she also owns her own business, Print and Stitch.  Recalling how her relationship began with Andrew, she laughs and says that her Mom might have had a hand in that. Rachel’s Mom decided Rachel needed guitar lessons and made arrangements for Andrew to teach her. Of course, her Mom was right; something blossomed between them. Rachel had actually stopped the guitar lessons for a time after realizing something was developing between them. 

That didn’t stop what was happening however. Soon they were talking more and hanging out when everyone would meet on the gravel bars for get togethers during the summer. Their camp outs on Current River at the Quarter Riva gravel bar were always rich with music, laughter, friends and family. That gravel bar also holds lots of memories, but it holds one very special memory for the couple. They shared their first kiss under a sycamore tree there. Amazingly, that tree still stands today after the historic Ozark flooding in 2017.

So much of their relationship revolves around music. As Rachel reflects, they met because of music, Andrew proposed while playing music, they exchanged songs rather than hand written vows at their wedding and though Rachel doesn’t play as much now that she is a Mom and a business owner, their children still hear music almost daily. Rachel does counter Andrew’s statement that she said yes before he even asked though, while laughing she said that she was pretty sure he asked somewhere in there.

BRANDON “BUCK” RODERMAN

Andrew’s best friend, Buck, has been in Ellington his whole life. He doesn’t remember a time when he didn’t know Andrew, they have just always been friends. Their grandfathers and fathers played together, and now they play together. He is pretty sure if you’re a Hampton, you can probably play a guitar, that’s just how it works, he noted with a smile. Buck was nervous but honored when Andrew and Rachel asked him to play at their wedding. 

FILMED ON LOCATION OUTSIDE ELLINGTON, MISSOURI

The Ozarks have a rich musical heritage.  You can find music most easily in the summer evenings on the gravel bars along Current River.  If you are camping in the area, it is common to hear the sounds of a live music somewhere nearby. It won’t be a big concert where you have to buy tickets, but whoever is playing will welcome you around their fire, if you ask to listen.  

The Barn at the Hampton’s offers some pretty amazing concerts during the year. After Andrew and Rachel’s wedding, the Hampton family wanted to share their beautiful venue with others. So they opened their doors and are ready to welcome you. 

There is much to be seen and experienced in Reynolds County, Missouri, especially if you’re willing to slow down, disconnect from your normal day to day and reconnect with nature. Please visit Ellington’s Chamber of Commerce website to see what other experiences can be had in Ellington. Also check out SeeTheOzarks.com to plan your next visit to the Ozarks.

The Filmmakers

Interested in more Ozark stories?

Meet Sasha Daucus, a regional expert on Ozark wild herbs who discovered the Ozarks nearly 40 years ago while visiting the East Wind Intentional Community in Tecumseh, Missouri. What was intended to be a short stay while waiting for a job opportunity became a completely new path in her life. Sasha experiences great joy living in the beauty of the Ozarks and teaching others about herbal remedies and the healing power of nature.