Documentary on Texas Country Legend James Hand On The Way
Those who know about the life and career of legendary Texas singer and songwriter James Hand don’t need a history lesson to be convinced that he was the “real deal” and one of the most authentic characters in the history of the country genre. However, so few people actually knew about James Hand, even in Texas, and even in country music, that it’s borderline criminal.
One filmmaker set out to do something about this starting many years ago, and is entering the final stages of a documentary to hopefully bring the life, the story, and the music of James Hand to a wider audience, and a new generation.
Along with an interview with James Hand himself at his home in West, TX and plenty of performance footage, the film will also include interviews with folks like Charley Crockett, who famously paid tribute to Hand though his album 10 For Slim, Hand’s long time guitarist Will Indian (RIP), James White of The Broken Spoke (RIP), Austin music journalist Michael Corcoran (RIP), legendary guitarist Redd Volkaert, and steel guitar/producer legend Lloyd Maines.
Meanwhile, some of the performance footage included in the film comes from James Hand’s legendary shows at places like Austin’s Continental Club, The Broken Spoke, Ginny’s Little Longhorn, as well as Jovita’s and The Oaks. One of the important aspects of this film is it captured James Hand in his prime, and includes interviews with important characters in his life that have since passed on. James Hand himself died in 2020.
“As we began filming James performances and his interview, I learned why James was such a great songwriter and likeable guy,” says director and producer Todd McMullen. “He was an observer, a listener, a normal guy that guided his life-moments into words and songs. He was a collector, maybe even a hoarder of words and phrases. And he was flawed too. But who isn’t? How lucky are we to have been able to discover and learn and enjoy his music at the cost of his successes and failures. I suspect he would not have it any other way.”
Todd McMullen has worked on such legendary films as Casino, The Green Mile and Nurse Betty, along with the TV show Friday Night Lights that James Hand appeared in. He currently lives just outside of Austin. He recently started a Kickstarter Campaign to help fund the post-production of the James Hand film titled The Real Deal.
More information on the film, including a release date, when it is made available. Kickstarter incentives include audio and video from some of James Hand’s legendary shows, as well as VIP tickets to the eventual premier.
March 19, 2025 @ 8:00 am
Thanks for posting, Trig.
The kickstarter link in the piece went to a fairly confusing (to me) page.
I clicked around and this one seems more general and informative about the project: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1653813673/james-slim-hand-the-real-deal/description
March 19, 2025 @ 9:27 am
Posted the link that was sent to me but I agree that’s a better one and swapped it out.
March 19, 2025 @ 12:59 pm
Thank you for posting this article and the link to the Kickstarter campaign.
Finally, almost 20 years later, the James Hand documentary will be completed with your support. So many of James’ biggest fans and supporters are no longer here. But those of us still here should support this project. Todd and Brian started working on this film in 2006 and now is the time to complete it.
Please consider supporting this great project yourself. Take a look at the sneak peak video and you will want this project finished.
Minor corrections
Redd Volkaet instead of Red Volkaert.
Michael Corcoran instead of Michael Cochran.
March 20, 2025 @ 1:44 pm
There IS an R in the last name, so REDD VOLKAERT.
March 19, 2025 @ 2:39 pm
Can’t wait to see this. I knew James son, Tracer, in passing back in the late 90s. Never realized who his dad was until some time later.
March 19, 2025 @ 5:08 pm
One of the greats. So much emotion in that man’s voice. Been a fan a long time but never got to see him live. Looking for forward to this movie.
March 20, 2025 @ 1:57 pm
Magical Memory: Late 90s, cold rainy December night. My husband (Mark Hays) was asked to play with James in Tokio. We had never heard of James OR Tokio. I went with him because the rain was coming down so hard I didn’t want him out on the roads alone. We found the Tokio Store with Christmas lights outside and in. The crowd was tiny because of the weather. Mark set up and met James and introduced me. His politeness to the point of caricature and his Western clothes, hat, boots, in a world where ball caps and jeans were more prevalent was eerie. There was no doubt it was for real and this was HIM, but it still felt like he’d come through a time portal. THEN he sang. OMG what a performance for maybe 30 people. He put on a show. I didn’t hear of him again for several years and then in Austin became reacquainted with him and the managers that tried to focus that style and energy into a career. They had a tough job because he wasn’t the kind of person to capitalize on anything other than his songwriting. I’m glad the songs survived when he did not. An amazing once-in-a-century talent.
March 22, 2025 @ 2:39 pm
Kindest man I ever knew next pa and ma got through playing one night in west asked if I could play his guitar and sing Over There That’s Frank for him just one of the many moments knowing him