Private Project

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies

Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies
A true story of the unreal life of an unsung country music hero

Willie Nelson and friends share stories of the enigmatic Texan, Ben Dorcy (aka Lovey), an unsung hero who shaped American music history, pioneered an entire profession as the world’s first roadie, and rivaled time itself to keep the show on the road.

Ben Dorcy, aka Lovey, the first and oldest roadie, is recognized by the cultural icons who depend on him just as he’s losing his independence. Having outlived all his relatives, Ben learns he can rely on his music family. Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Johnny Knoxville, Kinky Friedman, Jamey Johnson, Ann-Margret, and more come together to honor this legend among legends who, unbeknownst to many, shaped Texas and American music history. “King of the Roadies” celebrates all who work to keep the wheels turning behind-the-scenes; and reminds us that with spirit, passion and perseverance, our best days may still be ahead of us if we continue doing what we love.

“It’s one thing to have a bunch of good ideas, but to make them work and to put them into action, you need someone like Ben to do it, and he never failed.” – Willie Nelson

The Soundtrack Project for the film features the worlds biggest artists performing cover versions of songs featured in the film and will be released in May 2024. (Would have been Lovey's 100th Birthday)

  • Amy Lee Nelson
    Director
  • Trevor Doyle Nelson
    Director
  • Willie Nelson
    Producer
  • Shooter Jennings
    Producer
  • Annie Balliro
    Producer
  • Kevin Moyer
    Producer
  • Amy Lee Nelson
    Producer
  • John Paul DeJoria
    Producer
  • Gina Giampa Grimm
    Producer
  • Jesse Plemons
    Producer
  • Angela Bettis
    Producer
  • Jackson Browne
    Producer
  • Peter Williams
    Producer
  • Trevor Doyle Nelson
    Producer
  • Willie Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Honeysuckle Rose, Red Headed Stranger, Dukes of Hazzard, Wag the Dog, Angels Sing & Many More
  • Ben "Lovey" Holiday Dorcy
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Waylon Jennings
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Johnny Cash
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • June Carter Cash
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Kris Kristofferson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Jessi Colter
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Jesse Plemons
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Kinds of Kindness, Friday Night Lights, Killers of the Flower Moon, Date Night, Black Mass, The Power of the Dog, The Irishman
  • Jamie Johnson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Amy Lee Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Lukas Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    A Star is Born
  • Micah Nelson
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Johnnt Knoxville
    Key Cast
    "Self"
    Jackass Series, Men in Black II, Bad Santa, Dukes of Hazzard
  • Kinky Friedman
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Ann-Margret
    Key Cast
    "Self"
  • Willie Nelson
    Executive Producer
  • Project Type:
    Documentary
  • Genres:
    Music, documentary, American, Entertainment, Outlaw Culture, Entertainment History, Americana
  • Runtime:
    1 hour 26 minutes
  • Completion Date:
    June 24, 2024
  • Production Budget:
    100,000 USD
  • Country of Origin:
    United States, United States
  • Country of Filming:
    United States, United States
  • Language:
    English
  • Shooting Format:
    Digital, Multi-Media
  • Aspect Ratio:
    16:9
  • Film Color:
    Color
  • First-time Filmmaker:
    Yes
  • Student Project:
    No
Director Biography - Amy Lee Nelson, Trevor Doyle Nelson

Amy Lee Nelson, a native of Austin, TX, is a director and producer of the documentary film, along with her cousin Trevor Doyle Nelson, Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies. She is 1/2 of the musical duo Folk Uke and co-produced the Grammy nominated album "Rainbow Connection" by Willie Nelson. She also is co-founder of the humane education initiative "Willie's Kids".

Trevor Doyle Nelson is an actor/filmmaker from Austin, TX. His first role, at 13 was in "The Journeyman", w/ Barry Corbin & Willie Nelson ( won Audience Choice Award at the 2001 SXSW Film Festival). He worked on the sets of several Austin-based productions, notably "Friday Night Lights". He is a director/producer of "Willie Nelson Presents: King of the Roadies".

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Director Statement

From the young roadies Lovey mentored along the way to the music legends he called colleagues and friends, his impact was enduring and undeniable. “Ben has a shared legacy with all the artists he worked with because he was able to help them create their legacy,” said co-director/producer Amy Lee Nelson. “By telling his story, we want as many people as possible to get to know Lovey. I want to make Lovey proud and I hope audiences come away with a deep appreciation for the folks working behind the scenes in all the ways we don’t usually think about. Let us consider and appreciate the folks who chose vocations where, when they’re really good at their job, they go largely unnoticed.”

This true American tale, which was 16 years in the making, honors and celebrates all the unsung heroes who have worked tirelessly for years to keep the wheels turning behind-the-scenes. Dorcy’s story also reminds us that with some spirit, passion and perseverance, our best days may still be ahead of us if we continue doing what we love, just like Ben. “When you stop doing what you love is when you fade away,” said Amy Lee Nelson. “Ben was happy until the end.”