The film will make its world premiere on April 27th at the Dallas International Film Festival
Directors Amy Lee Nelson and Trevor Doyle Nelson are proud to announce the upcoming world premiere of Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at the Dallas International Film Festival (DIFF), an official Oscar qualifying festival, on Sunday, April 27th at 4 pm at the historic Texas Theater.
A true American tale —16 years in the making — Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies honors and celebrates the story of Ben Dorcy, aka Lovey, the first and oldest roadie who shaped music history, pioneered an entire profession, and rivaled time itself to keep the show on the road. An unsung hero of country music, Lovey was the man behind the bona fide legends of the past century. Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Knoxville, Kinky Friedman, Jamey Johnson, Ann-Margret and more come together to honor this legend among legends who shaped Texas and American music history.
Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies illuminates the invaluable role this pioneering figurehead played in the golden era of American country music. The film aims to honor all of those in the service industry who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly with little or no public recognition.
“Ben has a shared legacy with all the artists he worked with because he was able to help them create their legacy,” states Amy Lee Nelson. “We want as many people as possible to get to know Lovey. I hope audiences come away with a deep appreciation for the folks working behind the scenes in all the ways we don’t usually think about. Let us consider and appreciate the folks who chose vocations where, when they’re really good at their job, they go largely unnoticed.”
With the odds stacked against him, Lovey overcame family tragedy and a head injury in World War II to work with the most revered figures in history — Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, and John Wayne to name a few — throughout his seven-decade career. Lovey was not only respected by these luminaries, but they would turn to him for help in a pinch. As Waylon Jennings said in his song, “Ode to Ben,” “He did everything we couldn’t do; we were busy being stars.”
Lovey’s story reminds us that with some spirit, passion and perseverance, our best days may still be ahead of us if we continue doing what we love. “When you stop doing what you love is when you fade away,” Amy Nelson continues. “Ben was happy until the end.”
Now the incredible story of this unassuming, enigmatic Texan who – unbeknownst to many – shaped Texas and American music history is finally being told. And, as Lovey often says, “We ain’t got no time for romance. We gotta get this show on the road.”
The companion concept album for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies will feature songs from and inspired by the film, reimagined by some of today’s top artists, to be released on Luna Wolf Records. Mark your calendars to celebrate the First-Annual National Roadie Day on May 19th, on what would have been Lovey’s 100th birthday.
