Cookeville, TN – WCTE Upper Cumberland PBS and Indie Lens Pop-Up, presented by ITVS, Independent Lens, will screen Rumble on Thursday January 10, at the Backdoor Playhouse at 805 Quadrangle Drive on Tennessee Tech’s campus. Doors open at 5:30, the free screening is from 6:00 -7:00 p.m. and will be followed by open discussion.
RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World is an electrifying look at the Native American influence in popular music, despite attempts to ban, censor and erase Indian culture. As the film reveals, early pioneers of the blues such as Charlie Patton had Native as well as African American roots, and one of the first and most influential jazz singers, Mildred Bailey, had a voice trained on Native American songs. As the folk rock era took hold in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Native Americans such as Peter La Farge and Buffy Sainte-Marie helped to define its evolution, and Native guitarists and drummers like Link Wray, Jimi Hendrix, Jesse Ed Davis and Randy Castillo forever changed the trajectory of rock and roll. Directed by Catherine Bainbridge (Reel Injun), co-directed by Alfonso Maiorana, executive produced by legendary rock guitarist Stevie Salas (Apache) and Tim Johnson (Mohawk), and produced by Christina Fon, VP and Executive Producer of Rezolution Pictures, RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World premieres on Independent Lens Monday, January 21, 2019, 10:00-11:30 PM ET (check local listings) on PBS.
RUMBLE brings the music and musicians to life using innovative re-creations, archival concert footage and interviews. Their stories are told by some of the music legends who knew them, played with them and were inspired by them, including Robbie Robertson (Mohawk), George Clinton, Taj Mahal, Slash, Jackson Browne, Taboo (Shoshone/Mexican), Buddy Guy, Quincy Jones, Derek Trucks, Tony Bennett, Iggy Pop, Steven Tyler and Stevie Van Zandt. Also featured are Native American poet and activist John Trudell, rock critic David Fricke, director Martin Scorsese and many more.
“Anyone who loves contemporary music will hear something they connect with in RUMBLE,” said Lois Vossen, Independent Lens executive producer. “From Link Wray's iconic guitar riff that made an indelible mark on the evolution of rock, to how Jimi Hendrix's part-Cherokee heritage shaped his genius, to the spoken music of John Trudell, and Tony Bennett being 'completely influenced' by jazz improviser Mildred Bailey, American music is steeped in Native American sounds from Native musicians. History never sounded so good."
“We are honored to be able to bring another season of Indie Lens screenings and this is a great way to kick off the New Year. The history and music that has been captured in this film will make any music lover appreciate these artists and the sacrifices they have made” said Paula Walker of WCTE.
