Seen at...
Invisible: Gay Women in Southern Music
- Director: T.J. Parsell
- Producer: T.J. Parsell; Bill Brimm
CGiii Comment
Who would have thought that behind many a great country song there stood - in the shadow - a woman, a gay woman at that!?! Well, there a quite a few in this macho, male-dominated industry...and they have many a story to tell and many more great songs to sing.
So...sit back and prepare yourself for an onslaught of emotion...and, rage - at the talent lost.
It would be unfair to single anyone out...all have incredulous stories, all have momentous songs. The highlights are frequent...the women sitting around a table having a wee impromptu jam, Linda Ronstadt being serenaded and, that harmonica!
There are stories to make your jaw drop, songs that will cause your tears to fly rather than flow...T.J. Parsell has done these women and [their] country music a massive justice...by giving them this platform and, by gosh, do they all step up to the plate!
There are two commons threads that have excluded these women from their deserved place in the limelight...men and church. It's time these twisted threads are unravelled and permanently cut...
Screw Nashville, screw Country Radio, screw the church!
Rather than being called Invisible...this film should have been called 'Invincible' - because that is exactly what all these women are...it's time to take your rightful place...in the limelight. We'll be watching and listening and crying and rejoicing.
A fantastic film.
Trailer...
The(ir) Blurb...
Contemporary country music is finally coming out of the closet. The contributions of lesbian singer-songwriters are generally not the first thing that come to mind in the arena of country music, but some of the greatest hits in the genre are the work of gay women writing, producing, and persevering in an extremely traditional and corporate industry that requires most to keep their authentic selves secret for fear of committing career suicide.
Invisible explores the collective and individual journeys of these talented women, who have created hits for country music legends Barbara Mandrell, Johnny Cash, Charley Pride, Willie Nelson, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, and so many others. Author, activist, and filmmaker T.J. Parsell brings their hidden stories, songs, and stunningly beautiful voices to light in this affirming, personal, and sensitively produced documentary featuring stellar interviews with music icons Linda Ronstadt, Emmylou Harris, Pam Tillis, Chely Wright (Wish Me Away, Frameline35), Mary Gauthier, and Ruthie Foster.
— LEAH LOSCHIAVO
Cast & Characters
Cidny Bullens
Kye Fleming
Mary Gauthier
Emmylou Harris
Jess Leary
Pam Rose
Pam Tillis