Behind nice touring musicians are groups of roadies, and Willie Nelson helps draw consideration to one of many males who first made it doable. A brand new documentary referred to as Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies follows the achievements of Benjamin H. Dorcy, III, a.ok.a. Lovey, who the movie credit with being the world’s first roadie.
The movie will premiere on the Dallas Worldwide Movie Competition (DIFF) on Sunday, April 27 on the historic Texas Theater. It is a long-awaited occasion, because the movie has been within the works for 16 years.
Put merely, a roadie is somebody who travels with a band to assist arrange tools. However a roadie’s life is not all the time lived utterly behind the scenes. Some bands have legendary roadies that have been with them each step of the best way, producing fan-favorite tales and even inspiring artistic revelations.
“It’s one factor to have a bunch of fine concepts, however to make them work and to place them into motion, you want somebody like Ben to do it, and he by no means failed,” mentioned Nelson, as quoted in a press launch.
The discharge describes Dorcy as “the primary and oldest roadie who formed music historical past, pioneered a complete career, and rivaled time itself to maintain the present on the street.” He made his mark in nation music, particularly, working with Nelson, Johnny Money, Kris Kristofferson, Patsy Cline, Waylon Jennings, John Wayne, and extra. Waylon Jennings even wrote “Ode to Ben” as a tribute to Dorcy.
A few of the above musicians seem within the movie to debate Dorcy’s impression alongside some clips of the person himself.
The movie dives into a few of Dorcy’s previous, together with household tragedy, a World Struggle II head harm, and his escapades throughout a seven-decade profession. It does greater than shine a lightweight on the work Dorcy did; the trailer raises the query of how Dorcy got here to be related to so many important stars, implying that he had a watch for (or a hand in) who would later make it huge.
“Ben has a shared legacy with all of the artists he labored with as a result of he was in a position to assist them create their legacy,” mentioned co-director Amy Lee Nelson. “We would like as many individuals as doable to get to know Lovey. I hope audiences come away with a deep appreciation for the parents working behind the scenes in all of the methods we don’t normally take into consideration. Allow us to think about and respect the parents who selected vocations the place, once they’re actually good at their job, they go largely unnoticed.”
The discharge additionally notes Dorcy’s perseverance a number of instances, portray an image of a resilient employee not simply in physique however in spirit.
“Whenever you cease doing what you’re keen on is while you fade away,” mentioned Amy Nelson. “Ben was completely satisfied till the top.”
Movie poster for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies at DIFFPicture by Piper Ferguson
People tuning in from residence can take heed to the companion idea album for Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies, which compiles songs utilized in and impressed by the movie, “reimagined by a few of right this moment’s prime artists.” Lastly, Dorcy’s one hundredth birthday, March 19, 2025, will mark the first-ever Nationwide Roadie Day.
Competition passes are actually on sale beginning at $100.
