Hank Cochran bio doc coming soon

The film will repeat at noon on April 26.

Wes Pryor of Reel Cool Films directed, while Greg Welsch and produced, written and edited. Singer Jeff Bates narrates.

Among those appearing in the film as commentators and/or performers are Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare, Elvis Costello, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Brad Paisley, Jamey Johnson (who has recorded an album of duet versions of Cochran's songs), Lee Ann Womack, Ronnie Milsap, Jeannie Seeley (Grand Ole Opry star and Cochran's second wife), Mark Chesnutt, Mandy Barnett and Mike Henderson.

The film uses dozens of interviews and archival footage and photos to trace Cochran's life from his birth in Isola, Miss., in 1935 to his final days as a still-active songwriter and mentor to younger composers. Along the way it offers glimpses into such Cochran-penned hits as Make The World Go Away" "I Fall To Pieces," "She's Got You," "Ocean Front Property," "The Chair," "Don't You Ever Get Tired Of Hurtin' Me," "A Little Bitty Tear," "Set 'Em Up Joe," "Don't Touch Me," "Why Can't He Be You and He'll Be Back.

"This is my first film to be in a festival," Pryor said. "For it to be picked by the Nashville Film Festival makes it even more exciting since I live here and have made a living playing music here for 20 years." A drummer, Pryor has toured and recorded with such acts as Mark Chesnutt, Baillie & The Boys and Jeff Bates.

"I know Hank would be so proud," Pryor said, "because I was able to show him most of the film footage we shot (before he died in 2010), and he was overwhelmed, especially with the song performances." Pryor credits songwriter Kirk Roth with suggesting the project and introducing him to Cochran.