Oklahoma musicians, filmmakers to create Will Rogers documentary

A group of notable Oklahoma musicians and filmmakers has announced plans to create a documentary tracing the life of Will Rogers across the United States.

Director/Musician Beau Jennings

“The Verdigris: In Search of Will Rogers” will consist of two parts — a documentary film and an accompanying record. Oklahoma-born musician Beau Jennings, has spent the past several years writing songs about Rogers, his boyhood hero. Oklahoma filmmaker Bradley Beesley will follow Jennings across the United States as he performs these original songs at various locations where significant events in Rogers’ life occurred — from Oklahoma to Hollywood to Alaska.

“‘The Verdigris’ is something that has become very special to me — it’s named for the river that runs through both my hometown and Will’s — and I hope it can become something special to others, too,” Jennings said. “I think everyone knows Will as Oklahoma’s favorite son, but I also think he has faded into the past a bit, reduced to a few memorable quotes. Hopefully with this project, we can all rediscover what made Will Rogers so cool.”

The accompanying album will include songs performed on location, as well as songs recorded in the studio.

In addition to Jennings and Beesley, the project team will include producers Eric Steel and Adam Donaghey, co-producer Jonathan Fowler (Fowler VW’s general manager), and music producers/studio engineers Jarod Evans and Chad Copelin from Blackwatch Studios.
The team will launch a six-show fundraising tour beginning on April 21 in Denton, Texas, and culminating on April 30 at the Norman Music Festival in Norman, Okla. Other tour stops include Dallas, Tulsa and Austin.

“I’m asking anyone and everyone who is interested to come to a show, watch the trailer screening, hear us play some songs, and donate whatever you can to help us make this project a reality,” Jennings said.

To coincide with the first date of the fundraising tour, Jennings and the rest of the team will launch an online Kickstarter page. Supporters will be able to donate through this webpage or directly at the shows.


TOUR INFO:
Thursday, April 21 – Denton, TX @ Dan’s Silverleaf
103 Industrial St. | (940) 320-2000 | www.danssilverleaf.com

Friday, April 22 – Dallas, TX @ The Texas Theatre – FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm – 11pm

231 W. Jefferson Blvd. | (214)948-1546 | www.thetexastheatre.com
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

Saturday, April 23 – Norman, OK @ The Chouse – FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm – 11pm
717 W. Boyd | 405-447-9805
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

Monday, April 25 – Tulsa, OK @ The Church Studio – FUNDRAISER SHOW
7pm – 11pm
304 S. Trenton | 918-747-3360 | www.thechurchstudio.com
No cover at the door, suggested donations only. Trailer screening and live album preview. Musical performances by others TBA.

Tuesday, April 26th – Austin, TX @ The Mohawk
912 Red River | www.mohawkaustin.com

Saturday, April 30 – Norman, OK @ Norman Music Festival
Downtown Norman, OK | www.normanmusicfestival.com