TheRealMayberry.com
Real Stories. Real People. Rural America. That’s what we’re all about.
Small towns are an essential part of America. It doesn’t matter where you live because we are all people, and while we have our differences, we are all alike in more ways than anyone can imagine.
Many of our small towns are struggling to survive, so we ask the question:
How does small town America survive and keep its heart and soul?
We’d like to try to answer this question – one story at time. Through the lives, dreams, and achievements of the real people and businesses in these small towns, we can start to understand how to thrive as individuals, neighborhoods, and communities.
Big city, small town, country, or somewhere in between, we’re all struggling with the same problems and working to find success and happiness in what we do and how we live.
We feel that everyone has a story to share, so please tell us yours!
The Real Mayberry – The Documentary Film
Remember the classic television show The Andy Griffith Show? Who doesn’t want to know more about Andy Griffith’s hometown? Mount Airy, North Carolina is the place where Andy Griffith grew up, and in many ways, it is the real-life Mayberry.
Filmmaker and Mount Airy native Bill Hayes explores the real characters that make up his hometown and the challenges it faces moving forward. The Real Mayberry is an exploration of how small town America can survive and keep its heart and soul. It compares life in Mount Airy with clips from The Andy Griffith Show.
“What a great film – a love letter to small town America,” stated Eileen O’Neill, former General Manager of TLC and Discovery Networks, upon seeing the film.
After the December premiere at the historic Earle Theatre in downtown Mount Airy, David L. Rowe, Mount Airy Mayor, stated in a letter: “Your production has inspired me to work harder at the mayor’s role and I believe others will feel the same way. We will be better because of your good work.”
Bill Hayes, founder of Figure 8 Films and Thunder Mountain Media, has produced over 900 television shows for TLC, Discovery Networks, UPtv, DIY, and other networks. His love of rural small town America led him to make this film.
The film is currently available on iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play.