o brother where art thou, movie, music, & tours
When the Coen brothers chose me to play real-life Delta bluesman Tommy Johnson (based on Robert Johnson’s crossroad myth) in the Hollywood movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?" they weren't exactly going out on a limb. Long before the star acting role came along, I was singing and playing Southern blues in my dad's juke joint Tabby's Blues Box, and Heritage Hall and recording for various labels, including my own. My acting chops may have been a surprise, but it wasn't surprising for blues fans to find me slipping comfortably into Johnson's musical shoes.
No one, however, could have predicted the soundtrack to O Brother Where Art Thou selling more than 10 million records and the success of the rush of related concert tours and recording offshoots. In addition to joining a stellar cast of country and folk musicians on the Down From The Mountain Tour and follow-up album, I also recorded a bestselling O Brother-inspired album titled "The Legend of Tommy Johnson." I went on to co-headline The Down From The Mountain Tour, which sold out arenas across America and grossed a record 25 million dollars according to Billboard Magazine. Songs from my O Brother period will always be a major part of my concerts.
I'm at the Mississippi Crossroads on the set of O Brother with Directors Joel and Ethan Coen.
The Soggy Bottom Boys on the set of the old-time Radio Station scene.
Picture taken around 2004 after Down From The Mountain album went gold and O Brother reached 6 million in sales. Down From The Mountain went on to sell more than one million copies and O Brother more than ten million.
Pictured with my agent Paul Kahn founder of Concerted Efforts Agency, circa the Down From The Mountain Tour.
My agent Paul Kahn at my right, and my heart Mariann Thomas on my left. In the Limo on our way to a sold-out Down From The Mountain concert.
Relaxing on set and trying to stay cool in the shade between filming in the summer Mississippi heat.
