A documentary celebrating an influential yet often overlooked figure in Texas music is set to premiere at SXSW, and the legendary Lyle Lovett is part! The Man with the Big Hat tells the story of Steven Fromholz, an unsung pioneer of 1970s Texas Progressive Country.
About The Man With The Big Hat
Steven Fromholz earned admiration from artists like Lovett, Willie Nelson and John Denver, despite never achieving widespread commercial success. After later reinventing himself as a Rio Grande river guide, a devastating stroke erased his musical memory. The film blends newly discovered archival materials, rare recording, and interviews with fellow musicians and collaborators to paint an intimate portrait of artistic resilience and the meaning of legacy.
The film marks the feature directorial debut of Austin resident Austin Sayre. This SXSW premiere is especially meaningful as he unveils the project in his home city.
“When Lyle Lovett contacted me and asked to be in the film, I knew I had a very special project on my hands,” Sayre says. “I’ve never been more genuinely inspired by a person I’ve never met or seen in real life than I have been by Steven Fromholz.”
An Amazing Honor For An Amazing Man
The documentary features interviews with Lovett, Ray Benson,Terry Lickona, Butch Hancock and several members of the Fromholz family – including his daughters Darcie Jane Fromholz and Felicity Rose Fromholz.
“As a family, we couldn’t be more excited that Austin found my father’s music and decided to tell his story,” says Felicity Rose Fromholz. “We’re so thankful for everyone who participated — from telling their tales about my dad to helping produce the movie — it’s all just amazing.”
The Man with the Big Hat runs 87 minutes and will screen three times during SXSW, offering audiences a chance to discover the story of a Texas artist whose influence reached far beyond the spotlight. More info on the screenings can be found here.