I got a hold of this short doc over the weekend, which served as my introduction to Valerie June – the self-taught musician, singer and song-writer from small-town Humboldt, Tennessee, whose music has been described as an amalgamation of blues, folk, gospel, soul, Appalachian and bluegrass.

A trip home to her working-class roots in Jackson, Tenn., contrasts June’s earthy, holistic life outlook and incense-scented faith in manifestation with her occasional melancholy.

The film is one in a 12 documentary anthology called $5 Cover Amplified, which paints video portraits of what it describes as the rousing art, uncertain careers and sometimes problematic home lives of a diverse, distinctive and often eccentric group of Memphis music-makers.

This one is directed by Alan Spearman, who also directed another short film I posted last week, titled As I Am, which, based on your comments, was very-well received.

Watch and get to know Valerie June if you didn't already know her:

EMMY WINNER | $5 Cover Amplified | Valerie June: Manifest from alan spearman on Vimeo.