Texas blues legend Sam Lightnin' Hopkins - Where Lightnin' Strikes

Houston-based Fast Cut Films, in association with Sunset Productions, is working on a documentary feature film, "Where Lightnin' Strikes," about the life and times of Houston blues legend Sam "Lightnin'" Hopkins (1912-1982). His music inspired generations around the world from the Texas Gulf Coast, Mississippi delta to the British invasion. The enduring musical journey of Sam Lightnin' Hopkins began on a cotton farm in Centerville,Texas in 1912. He was drawn to the music he heard played by an older brother. After meeting up with Dallas bluesman Blind Lemon Jefferson, Sam left the hardscrabble life of the Texas cotton fields, determined to play his way to better circumstances.
Possessing a sharp wit and a unique ability for endless improvisation, Lightnin became a master storyteller. He was able to convey profound truths about the human condition via poetic imagery. The "Po' Lightnin" that inhabited his tales of struggle and misery became the "Everyman" that black audiences identified with and white audiences flocked to performances to experience.Whether playing on a street corner on Dowling Street or at Carnegie Hall his style defined Texas blues. He sounded like no one else yet influenced every one. His unique musical style influenced generations of blues, rock, country and soul musicians as well as filmmakers, writers and painters. Over the course of his 60-year career, Lightnin' Hopkins recorded more music than any other blues artist. His discography includes more than 100 albums for more than twenty different recording labels. He made Houston his home in the 1940s. In 1982, his funeral drew more than 4,000 devoted fans and musicians to the city to celebrate and honor him.
The film, currently in production, includes on-camera interviews with family members, band members, historians, eyewitnesses and musicians influenced by Lightnin's work. Additionally the film will explore Lightnin's influence on artists outside of music including painters, sculptors and writers. These interviews will be combined with archival photographs, newsreels, and performance footage.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• movie
• film
• lightnin hopkins
• houston
• texas
• where lightnin strikes
• centerville texas
• blues
• BB King
• interviews
• Jimmie Vaughan

[timberbeast420]

That guitar is so sweet,what brand I wonder??

[lochloosalad]

1968, I couldn't find JM & The Bluesbreakers at the head shop. I went in another store and found The Roots of Lightnin' Hopkins. Had to have it and haven't been the same since. I can't think of Lightnin' and Stevie Ray gone or The Thrill or Jackson Browne being gone without losing it. I listen to each of them all the time, just not on youtube.

[mikeybrod]

I got news for a bunch of you, this a good 5-6 years old..and untill a few years ago he was damn near forgotten by most. A few mentions and a few clips in other docu's have brought most of you here..

[siriushippies]

I enjoyed my time playing bass for Sam, and learned much from knowing him for his last 12 years. I look forward to your film. He was a musical hero to all rockers and bluesmen/women, and his music is a national treasure....

[NoRosesForMe]

ANd he aint forgotten! wtf is that about?You better 'fast-cut' that out of the film hehe im serious.

[NoRosesForMe]

Lightnin is my most favorite. Sweet Sam. Always with me. With us. All of us. If you just listen close enough you can hear him ,,,,even in a silent room. Hes there man hehehe ♥

[TheAsteroth13]

Forgotten?????? You can't forget a lightning when it strikes you boy...the only people can forget Sam are the ones that have never heard of him... R.I.P

[lespauldc]

How can anyone play blues and forget about Lightnin - T Bone -Albert or any of the greats who came before???

[sazajac77z]

Yeah, as long as the film is not done yet, maybe ought to consider taking that line out, "...all but forgotten.". Not true, and will just piss off us diehards.

[timberbeast420]

@flyinfingers1 I hear ya bud,,