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When Houston Had the Blues

Play trailer 2:40 Poster for When Houston Had the Blues 2023 1h 57m Documentary Music Play Trailer Watchlist
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Houston's early and indelible mark on American music and the blues--often overlooked despite its rich history--is celebrated in this soulful, feature-length documentary. While Houston may not come to most people's minds as a major "music city" like Memphis, Chicago or New Orleans, it has a legacy that few other cities can match. Years before Elvis hit the charts with "Hound Dog," it was originally recorded by Houston's Big Mama Thornton (arguably the defining version). And long before Motown, Houston was home to one of the most successful Black music empires in the country.

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When Houston Had the Blues

Critics Reviews

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Michael Talbot-Haynes Film Threat 09/17/2024
9/10
A powerful and crucial telling of one of the biggest untold stories in music. Go to Full Review Read all reviews
When Houston Had the Blues

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Cast & Crew

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Alan Swyer

Director

Drew Barnett-Hamilton

Producer

Alan Swyer

Producer

Drew Barnett-Hamilton

Executive Producer

Bongani Mlambo

Cinematographer

Andreas Wood

Cinematographer
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When Houston Had the Blues

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When Houston Had the Blues

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Movie Info

Synopsis Houston's early and indelible mark on American music and the blues--often overlooked despite its rich history--is celebrated in this soulful, feature-length documentary. While Houston may not come to most people's minds as a major "music city" like Memphis, Chicago or New Orleans, it has a legacy that few other cities can match. Years before Elvis hit the charts with "Hound Dog," it was originally recorded by Houston's Big Mama Thornton (arguably the defining version). And long before Motown, Houston was home to one of the most successful Black music empires in the country.
Director
Alan Swyer
Producer
Drew Barnett-Hamilton, Alan Swyer
Distributor
Summer Hill Entertainment
Production Co
PhotoBooth Productions
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Sep 24, 2024
Runtime
1h 57m