A new docu-reality TV series examining the unpredictable lives of musicians in the Texas Music scene will feature a couple dozen artists over 22 episodes. And based on last night’s red-carpet premiere, Fort Worth’s own Guthrie Kennard might just turn out to be the star of the show.
Troubador, TX debuts Sunday night, Oct. 2, on KTXA Channel 21.
Kennard is featured front and center on the Troubador, TX website, and he gets face time during Episode 1, which serves as a comprehensive look at the Texas Music industry and a set-up to the upcoming season. The next 21 episodes will focus on the travels — and travails — of a couple-dozen Texas singer-songwriters.
The cameras absolutely adore Kennard’s worn-out face, gravelly voice, shock of tangled hair, and comedic timing, and he’ll be featured more extensively in upcoming episodes. Fort Worth violinist Marian Brackney performs with Kennard and will get screen time as well.
Last night they played songs with other Troubador, TX artists at a red-carpet premiere at Kessler Theater in Oak Cliff, a cool and cozy venue with lots of mojo.
Episode 1 of Troubador, TX suffers from over-analysis, too many interviews with industry types, and frequent intrusions by narrator Stacy Dean Campbell. But when the program gets rid of the talking heads and simply focuses on an artist’s everyday life with cameras rolling, the show soars.
Episodes 2-22 should be fascinating.
