Armadillo World Studios Previewing Epic Six-Part, Twelve-Hour “They Called Us Outlaws” Documentary At Americanafest

Robert Earl Keen, Delbert Mcclinton And Acclaimed Producer Frank Liddell To Join Filmmaker Eric Geadelmann For A Post-Screening Discussion

Special Music Performance From “They Called Us Outlaws” Composer + Kings Of Leon Member Chris Coleman

Armadillo World Studios, the Austin-based “Cosmic Cowboy” division of the newly-formed film finance and production group Shadowbrook Studios, have announced the program participants for their AmericanaFest film preview and panel around the upcoming documentary “THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS - Cosmic Cowboys, Honky Tonk Heroes and Rise of Renegade Troubadours.” After a screening from THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS filmmaker Eric Geadelmann will be joined by legendary musicians Robert Earl Keen and Delbert McCLinton, as well as acclaimed producer Frank Liddell for a conversation; while film composer Chris Coleman (also a band member in Kings of Leon) will provide music for the event. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum® will host AmericanaFest’s THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS panel in their Ford Theater, which takes place Saturday September 17 at 2:30PM CT.

A decade in the making and in final stages of production, THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS comes from Geadelmann and Kelly Magelky, and takes us back to the cosmic 1970s when Outlaw singers and songwriters began blazing new trails of independence that continue to impact American music. Narrated by Jack Ingram and featuring over one hundred interviews with both the era’s most iconic figures (including Keen and McClinton) and those who carry the torch today, the six-part epic is executive produced by Grammy Hall of Fame award recipient Jessi Colter, and nine-time Grammy winner Ray Benson, in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Armadillo World Studios recently shared the first trailer for THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS in a “first look” feature with Rolling Stone. The trailer features clips of the documentary’s interviews with Colter, Kris Kristofferson, Emmylou Harris, Shooter Jennings, Miranda Lambert, Billy Joe Shaver, Eric Church, Margo Price, Tyler Childers and Matthew McConaughey; as well as rare performance footage from Austin’s legendary music venue, the Armadillo World Headquarters.  

The AmericanaFest program for THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS will include an exclusive screening of a documentary segment focused on the ARMADILLO WORLD HEADQUARTERS. The piece of the film was also included in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s recent major exhibit, Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s, which Geadelmann co-curated. Chris Coleman will also lead the audience through "Dillo-specific anthems."

"The Armadillo was a big deal,” says Ray Benson, who played the iconic venue over a dozen times. “ I mean The Armadillo had everybody. Van Morrison, Zappa, Ballet Troops, Wet Willy was another one. Little Feet was huge, you know. The southern rock guys did great there, especially Marshall Tucker and Charlie Daniels. The Armadilloers, they were hippies, man. It was college students, young people. They came from all over the state, all over the region. It was safe. And you might be able to cop some pot there."

Geadelmann stated, “As we work to complete the project, it’s such an honor to take time-out and be part of AmericanaFest; to preview such an important part of Americana Music history, Austin’s 'homegrown' Armadillo World Headquarters. It was a melting pot where rock met country, folk, R&B and more, and where some of the biggest names in American music found their audience during the 70s. The opportunity to share the stage in the Ford Theater with Delbert, REK, Frank and Chris is very surreal and I’m so appreciative of each of them and thankful for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Americana Music Association for the occasion. This program will be some Dillo fun, in the Austin way.”  

More info on Eric Geadelmann’s co-panelists for AmericanaFest's THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS panel on Saturday September 17 (2:30PM CT) at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum: https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/film-preview-and-discussion-they-called-us-outlaws 

ROBERT EARL KEEN

Pioneer singer-songwriter ROBERT EARL KEEN recently completed his I’M COMIN’ HOME TOUR with final performances at the historic Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas and featured Eric Church opening. This tour marked the end of a forty-one year touring career and included numerous special guests (James McMurtry, Todd Snider, John R. Miller, Kelsey Waldon, Hayes Carll and more). Although his touring days have come to a close, Keen has opened the doors to new artistic endeavors including an expansive multi-media project “Western Chill” (graphic novel, album, etc), the continuation of his popular show, “Americana Podcast,” and a feature documentary currently in production directed by “They Called Us Outlaws” filmmaker, Eric Geadelmann, co directed by Spencer Peeples (“The Marfa Tapes”) and produced by Kelly Magelky and Jeff Steen. Just because tour bus wheels have stopped does not mean this is the end. The road does, in fact, go on forever.

DELBERT MCCLINTON

From his early Fort Worth days to becoming one of the most celebrated guests on Saturday Night Live and Austin City Limits, Delbert McClinton was among the first to lay the groundwork for the collision of Texas and Tennessee music, creating his own genre in a melting pot of American culture that would inspire generations to come. Shortly after announcing his retirement from touring, the 81-year-old released his 27th studio album Outdated Emotion in May, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Blues Album Chart. Now over six decades into his chart-topping career, which has included solo hits as well as collaborations with Emmylou Harris, Etta James, George Strait and even The Beatles, McClinton revealed that “what he really wants to do is make people dance.” Outdated Emotion certainly accomplishes that goal while introducing the next generation to the music that influenced him, ultimately proving why he’s earned the title of “the Godfather of Americana Music” (Rolling Stone).

FRANK LIDDELL

Texas native and graduate of the University of Texas (Austin), FRANK LIDDELL, moderator of the panel, is a multi-ACM award winning producer, whose artists are some of the most recognized in both Americana and mainstream country music (albeit, mainstream with an “edge”) such as Miranda Lambert, Eli Young Band, Lee Ann Womack, Pistol Annies, Waylon Payne and Aubrie Sellers. A former A&R director for Decca Records, Liddell founded Carnival Music in 1999 and has established himself as a distinguished music publisher, with 15 number one songs and over 30 ACM, CMA, and Grammy awards. Carnival’s motto is “making the unusual usual” and “protecting what’s important.” Sadly, Liddell got to Austin for college shortly after the Dillo closed it’s doors, but still became consumed by Austin’s cosmic groove and has furthered that spirit musically for over three decades.

This THEY CALLED US OUTLAWS panel is presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association, the Ford Theater and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. A program ticket is required for entry. AmericanaFest badge holders should refer to Americana Music Association instructions to reserve tickets. Limited tickets may be available for visitors who have purchased Museum admission on the day of the program.