Dave Stewart: The Ringmaster General:  Thursday 1 November at 10pm on Sky Arts 1

 

“…a terrific songwriter, guitarist and producer and surrounds himself with great players and vocalists such as Alison Krauss, Joss Stone, Jessie Baylin and Diane Birch. Stewart reveals just enough of the love-perplexed man behind the curtain to keep us entranced.”

USA TODAY

 

“A love letter to American roots music, it is steeped in blues, folk and country…”

DAILY MAIL

 

 

Sky Arts announces a new documentary exploring Dave Stewart’s adventures in songwriting and capturing the recording processes behind his albums The Blackbird Diaries and The Ringmaster General.

 

Dave Stewart: The Ringmaster General captures Dave Stewart through the whirlwind recording process at John and Martina McBride’s Blackbird Studios, of two explosive albums The Blackbird Diaries and The Ringmaster General. This tongue-in-cheek documentary follows Stewart’s adventures in songwriting, letting the viewer witness his eccentric but compelling methods of creativity.

 

This extraordinary documentary features contributions from Bob Dylan, Alison Krauss, Reece Witherspoon, Martina McBride, Colbie Caillat, The Secret Sisters, Joss Stone, Stevie Nicks, Jessie Baylin, Diane Birch and Orianthi.

 

The road that led to The Ringmaster General begins in London with the eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano. Dave Stewart was grounded there with no hope of getting home to Los Angeles.  A fortuitous encounter in a vintage guitar shop opened Dave’s eyes to the stories of a guitar’s previous owner, an eccentric country and western star named Red River Dave. From there, a chance flight to Nashville and the start of a fascinating journey of exploration of this city of music.

 

A thoroughly-engrossing documentary bursting with passion and fascinating stories, Sky Arts is delighted to premiere this extraordinary piece on the channel.