Various history the bakersfield sound country music capital of the west 1940. Jun 14, 2014 billy mize and the bakersfield sound adopts this path, charting the rise of a unique style in the mid50s southern california country scene, but more importantly it highlights one of the. Unheard merle haggard tracks surface in new bakersfield. Billy mizes contributions to country music shaped the industry. Make sure you watch the end when billy joins buck on stage. It looks like we dont have a synopsis for this title yet. He regained his ability to sing and performed at his 80th birthday party in 2009. The compelling story of how a country music cottage industry transformed bakersfield into the country music capital of the west, sometimes called nashville west, a serious challenge to nashvilles commercial country dominance.
Saturday and there will be poker, impressive prizes guitars signed by merle haggard and billy mize, tickets to the bakersfield sound exhibit at the country music hall of fame etc and music. Including a larger number of previously unreleased studio and live recordings, radio recordings and demos. Jul 03, 2019 bear family records will delve deep into the legacy of the bakersfield sound on a new 10cd box set, the bakersfield sound, 19401974, out aug. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound nw film center. However, the bakersfield sound is much more than owens and haggard. How a generation of displaced okies revolutionized american music, is available now. This film isnt just about a music movement its about legacy and the institution of family.
Buck owens and merle haggard emerged from the dim lights, thick smoke. When billy was 3yearsold, his father, earnest forth, skipped town leaving billy and his mother to suffer the dust bowl depression of kansas. Mize s gentle on my mind, make it rain, and johnny campbells galloping mr. A new documentary film seeks to tell the story of one of the most influential figures in the development the bakersfield sound. Of course, there are many theories on how the bakersfield sound developed. Jun 19, 2014 billy mize and the bakersfield sound shows that what billy mize might not have fully achieved in notoriety as a solo music act, he left a legacy in his influence.
People say theres a literal meaning of the bakersfield sound, they know it. Produced by scott bomar and bear family founder richard weize, the bakersfield sound is a crowning achievement in the labels decorated history. The bakersfield sound buck owens, merle haggard, the crystal. With willie nelson, merle haggard, ray price, billy mize. Performers such as cousin herb henson, bill woods, billy mize, oscar. How a generation of displaced okies revolutionized american music. History of the bakersfield sound the official bakersfield.
Merle haggard, billy mize, bobby durham with matching pompadours in the 1960s. The trio were among a generation of talented musicians who forged a new sound in the barrooms of bakersfield that revolutionized country music. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound merle haggard. Film festival, the movie is sure to book more festival gigs.
The bakersfield sound is a documentation, study, and field guide to this once burgeoning music scene in the middle of californias forgotten. Its detailed biographies of every artist, will take hours to devour fully, and its worth every second. The bakersfield sound 1940 74 new sealed 2019 10 cd. One of the established facts, no matter whom you talk to, is that the bakersfield sound was created in the honky tonks. However, there are so many other stories and sounds to be found in bakersfield in the period between 1940 and 1974 that the box covers.
Unheard merle haggard tracks and other rarities are included in new box set. By the middle of disc four, the bakersfield sound hits its stride, alternating between these foundational figures and obscure names who nevertheless cut a few 45s that sound as sweet as anything else on the box. This page is dedicated to bring awareness to a feature documentary on billy mize and. His charm and golden voice are legendary among the insiders. Bomar, profiles on each artist, and a trackbytrack commentary that puts the sprawling 10disc collection in context to illuminate the story of how a country. Heres a marvelous rendition of billy mize by famed bakersfield artist patti doolittle. In 1953, he, bill woods and herb henson put together a local tv show called the cousin herb trading post show on kero tv bakersfield then channel 10, where he became affectionately known as billy the kid.
More precisely buck owens and merle haggard may come to mind as just occurred while i was talking to a client in new mexico this week. But as billy mize and the bakersfield sound details, a series of exceedingly challenging personal setbacks put his career on a loweraltitude trajectory than anyone would have predicted. But the book also says something more profoundand troublingabout. He sang very smooth, more like the nashville country that was more popular in his time. That bakersfield sound news rockabilly hall of fame. The accompanying 220page book includes hundreds of photos, a foreword by foo fighters guitarist chris shiflett, indepth analysis by grammynominated bakersfield sound historian scott b. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound 2014 movie moviefone. An incredibly gifted musician and lyricist well loved and respected by his peers, mize, a product of the dust.
A gifted musician and songwriter, mize was also a committed family man. Enjoy a rich lineup of tv shows and movies included with your prime membership. Hear rare buck owens live performance from bakersfield sound box set previously unreleased 1973 recording of yall cometall dark stranger is featured on massive 10disc set from. Sep 19, 2014 mize helped stars like buck owens and merle haggard. Mize moved to bakersfield, california and formed his own band playing local gigs and. Various artists bakersfield sound on collectors choice music. Mar 19, 2015 billy mize s contributions to country music shaped the industry. Bakersfield sound pioneers oscar whittington, billy mize, cousin herb henson and bill woods outside the legendary blackboard cafe about 1960.
But as billy mize and the bakersfield sound details, a series of. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound 2014 moviefone. Billy mize s contributions to country music shaped the industry. Saunders traces the life story of billy mize, from his triumphs through his tragedies. The bakersfield sound by various artists, released in 2019 on bear family.
You would say billy mize is part of the bakersfield sound, and literally he was, but he wasnt playing that buck owensstyle music. Billy mize was instrumental in defining the bakersfield sound, the exhilarating, innovative movement that forever changed country music. A gifted musician and songwriter, mize was also a committed family man and the rare artist who traded fame for home. Bear family records will delve deep into the legacy of the bakersfield sound on a new 10cd box set, the bakersfield sound, 19401974, out aug. Teen helps carry bakersfield sound into new century duration. Check out this never before seen video of buck owens covering billy mize s who will buy the wine. Merle haggard, buck owens spotlighted on the bakersfield. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound 2014 filmmaker william j.
This was the birth of the bakersfield sound, and one of its founding members was billy mize. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound trailer youtube. In depth analysis by grammynominated bakersfield sound historian scott b. Steinbecks the grapes of wrath marks 75th anniversary. Within his book, bomar traces the origins of the place, the artists, and the tracks, all of which are welcome, but the highest testament to the bakersfield sound is that as a collection of songs, it plays like the jukebox of any country music fans dreams. Country music capital of the west 19401974 on discogs. Order a billy mize and the bakersfield sound dvd with special features today. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound home facebook. Archival footage, firsthand accounts, and expert opinions round out a story of high highs and low lows.
It could prove a smart theatrical pickup, too, drawing ovations for a tremendously likable central figure and his story of remarkable resilience, as well as its celebration of everpopular americana and. Billy mize is a great bio on his life an music during the bakersfield sound days, he recently passed away, he was freinds with merle haggard, buck owens, wynn stewart, an many others were on his tv show in early 50s an 60s i loved it great video. Among the many interesting artists are one of the unsung heroes of bakersfield, billy mize, who was portrayed in william j. Fullcolor illustrated 220page hardcover book with a plethora of photos, many shown here for the first time, and trackbytrack commentary. Billy mizes story is a spectacular tale about unthinkable personal tragedy amidst a country music revolution that changed the world. While nashville country was awash in strings and suffering under the oppressive thumb of producers such as chet atkins and billy sherrill, the dim lights, thick smoke, and loud loud music of the bakersfield sound was keeping boots shuffling and country twangy. To learn more about the documentary, please go to remember to like. But when the film makes its bakersfield debut this thursday night at the crystal palace, the star on the screen wont be buck owens or merle haggard, it will be musician, songwriter and influential tv personality billy mize. Oct 29, 2017 this was the birth of the bakersfield sound, and one of its founding members was billy mize. Robert price, editor of the bakersfield californian and author of the upcoming book the bakersfield sound. This entry was posted in new releases and tagged 80th birthday, bakersfield, billy mize, billy mize and the bakersfield sound, cinema, country music, dave alvin, divorcee. A performer on the brink of fame, his is a spectacular tale about identity and sacrifice amidst a country music revolution.
The beloved ambassador of the bakersfield sound email. Lefty frizzell, gene moles, billy mize, rose maddox, and many others are also covered here. A performer on the brink of fame, his is a spectacular tale about. All critics 1 fresh 1 a fairly traditional biopic with zest provided by its central character. He was the subject of the critically praised 2014 documentary film billy mize and the bakersfield sound. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound posts facebook. A critically acclaimed documentary chronicling the life of mize and his impact on the country music industry was released in 2015. New 2019 10cd boxset with 220page hardcover book, 299 tracks telling the story of nashville west. Billy mize won the academy of country musics tv personality of year from 19651967.
Billy mize and the bakersfield sound adopts this path, charting the rise of a unique style in the mid50s southern california country scene, but more importantly it highlights one of the. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound 23 abc news kero. Mize s composition make it rain 1969 shows up on the box and is a good example of the diversity and depth of the bakersfield sound. A full night of events, doors open at 6pm for a book signing then the first annual boxcar festival talent contest. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound official trailer on vimeo. In 2001, he was honored by the pioneers of western swing organization. Its a wonderful account on many levelson top of being a touching tribute to billy mize, it explores the rich history of the bakersfield sound and honors the people who made the music great.
Mize was also the great uncle of rising country artist logan mize. Buy billy mize and the bakersfield sound microsoft store engb. Mize helped stars like buck owens and merle haggard. Billy mize was instrumental in defining the bakersfield sound, the exhilarating, innovative movement that both changed country music and influenced everyone from elvis and the beatles to the grateful dead. William robert mize april 29, 1929 october 29, 2017 was an american steel guitarist, band. Buy billy mize and the bakersfield sound microsoft store. Pages in category bakersfield sound the following 20 pages are in this category, out of 20 total. Mizes composition make it rain 1969 shows up on the box and is a good example of the diversity and depth of the bakersfield sound. The project, which includes 307 tracks, is a collection of deep cuts, radio hits, live recordings, demos, and previously unreleased studio recordings. This is billy mize and the bakersfield sound official trailer by william j saunders on vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them. Billy mize and the bakersfield sound april 6, 2016 after looking through all our footage with merle and billy ive found a few clips that never made it into the documentary. The film billy mize and the bakersfield sound explores a singersongwriter in california who did more than almost any other to challenge. Mize moved to bakersfield, california and formed his own band playing local gigs and also working as a disc jockey on kpmc.