Pages tagged “wanda jackson”

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

Related links:
WandaJackson.com
Wanda Jackson on BloodshotRecords.com
SmithsonianInstitution.edu

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After much talk and many obstacles, the Elvis tribute album promised by Wanda Jackson will finally hit the street Jan. 31, 2006. The album, I Remember Elvis, will feature classic Elvis tunes that Jackson has interpreted in her own style, including “Love Me Tender” and “Blue Moon of Kentucky.”

Wanda Jackson has been called the Queen of Rockabilly, and is known not only for her music but her relationship with Elvis Presley. The two toured together from 1955-56, and dated during that time. Jackson attributes Presley with encouraging her and guiding her through her musical career; she views I Remember Elvis as her way of returning the favor.

Country and rockabilly pioneer Wanda Jackson has been named a 2005 recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts’ National Heritage Fellowship. The fellowship is the country’s highest honor in folk and traditional arts, and is accompanied by an award of $20,000.

The fellowships are awarded on the basis of artistic excellence, cultural authenticity and contributions to each artist’s respective field.