Bullock Museum's Texas Focus series spotlights documentary film on Doug Sahm

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 (AUSTIN, TX) — The Bullock Texas State History Museum will offer an exclusive screening of the documentary film, Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove, on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the Museum's Texas Focus film series. Austin writer/director Joe Nick Patoski will be in attendance for a pre-screening reception and a Q&A after the film.

Sir Doug and the Genuine Texas Cosmic Groove is the first documentary to explore the legacy of influential Texas native Doug Sahm. The film is Austin-native Joe Nick Patoski’s foray into documentary filmmaking. The film, which premiered at the 2015 SXSW in Austin, features poignant interviews and rare performance footage of this Texas icon. 

Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in Tex-Mex music. He was the founder and leader of the 1960s rock-and-roll band, the Sir Douglas Quintet, and co-founder with Augie Meyers, Freddy Fender and Flaco Jiménez of the Texas Tornados.

"Doug Sahm is, in my opinion, one of the artists who has had the most influence on Austin music," Bullock Museum Director of Film and Theaters Josh Jacobs said. "Mixing San Francisco culture with his San Antonio roots, Doug and Augie brought the cosmic cowboy into the Austin consciousness."

Described by Patoski as the “wild man musician’s musician” and “unsung hero of Texas music,” Sahm became one of the most influential musicians of his era. The dynamic imagery of this documentary, along with the rousing sound of Sahm's music, make it easy to understand why Sahm once said we should all be "loving and feeling rock and roll."

"Sir Doug is for groovers and non-groovers alike. This film beautifully articulates the importance of Doug Sahm in Austin's collective musical history," Jacobs said.

Born in San Antonio, Texas, Doug Sahm (1941-1999) released his first record at the age of 11 and began pursuing what he loved most – making music and creating his own unique sound.

Sahm is best known for being the leader of the Sir Douglas Quintet, a name influenced by the British Invasion that included The Kinks, The Who and The Beatles. The Sir Douglas Quintet produced such hits as "She's About a Mover" and "Mendocino." After a short stint in San Francisco, Sahm returned to Austin as the cowboy hippie rocker who later co-founded the Texas Tornadoes with Flaco Jiménez, Freddy Fender, and Augie Meyers, as well as Los Super Seven. Sahm’s influence defined the sound of Texas music and what it means to live "the groove."

Patoski is a prolific and established writer concentrating on little-known but influential stories about nature, Texas history, sports, and music legends. His books include, Willie Nelson: An Epic Life, Generations on the Land: A Conservation Legacy, and Texas High School Football: More Than the Game.

This film event will be held at the Bullock Museum, 1800 N. Congress Ave., in the Texas Spirit Theater on the second floor. Ticketholders are invited to a 6:30 p.m. reception with a cash bar. A limited number of tickets are available. Cost is $3 for Bullock Museum members and $5 for non-members. Parking is free in the Museum's garage after 5 p.m. For more information and tickets, visit TheStoryofTexas.com.

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​​The Bullock Texas State History Museum, a division of the State Preservation Board and an accredited institution of the American Alliance of Museums, creates experiences that educate, engage, and encourage a deeper understanding of Texas. With dynamic, award-winning exhibitions that illuminate Texas history, people, and culture, educational programming for all ages, and an IMAX® theater with a screen the size of Texas, the Museum collaborates with more than 700 museums, libraries, archives, organizations, and individuals across the world to bring the Story of Texas to life. For more information, visit www.TheStoryofTexas.com or call (866)369-7108.