Stay Prayed Up

“The power of gospel music comes alive here, and the doc’s subjects, the practitioners of this fervent form, keep it engaging.” – Lovia Gyarkye, Hollywood Reporter

“packs in a lot of spirited music” – Glenn Kenny, New York Times

“Lena Mae Perry’s resilience and beaming personality, as well as the blues-tinged music she’s been making for nearly half a century, make it hard to resist her story.” – Pat Padua, Spectrum Culture

A spirited celebration of 83-year-old Lena Mae Perry and her legendary North Carolina gospel group The Branchettes.

The film documents The Branchettes as they record their first, fully live album. Through shared prayer, laughter, hardship and praise, this “church gospel noisy crew” demonstrates that music, like faith, ain’t nothing without some fire inside.