Wanda Jackson doc to air on Smithsonian Channel

A documentary on rock pioneer Wanda Jackson that was screened at SXSW last week will air this May on the Smithsonian Channel.

The Sweet Lady With the Nasty Voice follows the 70-year-old Jackson over a two-year period as she performs across the U.S. and Europe. The documentary explores her musical legacy, and features interviews with various musical personalities, including Elvis Costello, Patti Scialfa and Bruce Springsteen.

Jackson broke down many barriers for female artists when she burst onto the music scene in the 1950s – a time when the rock and roll scene was dominated by male artists. Nicknamed the Queen of Rockabilly, she performed with legends including Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis, and toured with then-boyfriend Elvis Presley from 1955-1956.

The Sweet Lady With the Nasty Voice will be screened at film festivals around the country throughout March and April before premiering on the Smithsonian/Showtime-helmed cable network the Smithsonian Channel on May 18.

A listing of film festival screenings is included below. For additional television airdates and times, visit SmithsonianChannel.com.

Festival Dates:

March
24-28 - Buffalo, N.Y. @ Buffalo Niagara Film Festival
27-30 - Memphis, Tenn. @ Memphis International Film Festival

April
17-24 - Nashville, Tenn. @ Nashville Film Festival

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