Morehead State instructor’s film to air nationally on PBS

The new feature-length documentary “From the Cowboy’s Boot Heel” from Senior Instructor of Mass Communication Steven Middleton (Class of 2004, 2008) has been selected by the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) for distribution to PBS stations nationwide beginning in November 2025.

The film chronicles the musical journey of Appalachian honky-tonk artist Rob McNurlin. Through interviews, performances, and storytelling, the documentary highlights McNurlin’s unique blend of country, folk, and gospel traditions, while offering a broader exploration of music as a vessel for Appalachian cultural identity.

Since its debut, “From the Cowboy’s Boot Heel” has garnered critical recognition at film festivals across the globe. The documentary has received several awards, including:

• Best Musical Film at the Eutopia Arthouse Film Festival in Belfast, Northern Ireland
• Green Apple Award for Top Documentary and Overall Featured Film at the 2025 Appalachian Film Festival in Huntington, West Virginia
• Honorable Mention at the Athens International Film Festival in Athens, Greece
• Honorable Mention at the Eastern European Film Festival in Bucharest, Romania

In addition, the film has been featured as an Official Selection at nine festivals across seven countries, including festivals in Tokyo, New York, Lisbon, Athens, and Louisa, Kentucky.

Dr. James Masterson, interim chair of the Department of Communication, Media, Art & Design, praised Middleton’s achievement.

“Mr. Middleton’s latest documentary is engaging for those with any musical interest. It is a fascinating story of a humble, yet iconic entertainer from Eastern Kentucky,” Masterson said. “Mr. Middleton assembled an amazing cast of who’s who to help him tell the story of Mr. McNurlin, allowing the audience to get to know Mr. McNurlin from the perspective of a constellation of musical stars.”

For Middleton, the project represents more than a professional accomplishment—it reflects his personal and academic mission.

“This project exemplifies my dedication to exploring and preserving Appalachian culture through documentary filmmaking,” Middleton said. “It blends creative practice with regional scholarship and provides a platform for engaging students in media production, cultural studies, and real-world festival strategy.”

To learn more about his work, contact Middleton at s.middleton@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-9583.

For more information, contact the Department of Communication, Media, Art & Design at cmad@moreheadstate.edu or call 606-783-2766.