OK Buckaroos: A Troubadour's Journey

This was the official website for the film about Jerry Jeff Walker and his music, Ok Buckaroos (2010). The content below is from the site's archived pages and other outside sources.

Jerry Jeff Walker's story should not be forgotten.
Go to Jerry Jeff Walker 's website to see what this amazing artist is up to: http://jerryjeff.com/

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This is the story of a troubadour's journey in the last years of the twentieth century. Jerry Jeff Walker's music has led him from the nation's biggest arenas to hundred-year old honky-tonks; from upstate New York to the beaches of Key West and the hustling sidewalks of New Orleans to the solace of the Texas Hill Country - and for beyond. He's been a cog in the wheel of the recording industry's star-making machinery and an involuntary pioneer on the frontier of artistic independence. He wrote one of the biggest mainstream hits of all time and still managed to help jump start a maverick musical movement. 

Back Story

It was in 1985 that Jerry Jeff took control of his career and severed all major label ties. He and his wife Susan start their own label, Tried and True Music. They take over every aspect of the creative process by unleashing a marketing and management coup that is truly a precursor to the independent and digital revolution that has overwhelmed the major labels today.

It's July 4th, 2009 - Independence Day - and from a stage in Round Rock, Texas, with over two thousand raucous fans we hear "OK Buckaroos," and once again with twinkle in his eye Jerry Jeff lets the opening chords from Gettin' By wash over the crowd. It's show time. Whether a back country saloon or a stadium filled with thousands of fans, he has brought people together to celebrate who they are and what they feel about life and love and freedom. The show never gets old. Jerry Jeff is singing his life story, what he knows of good times and bad.

The 2009 concert is interwoven throughout the film. With over forty years of archival footage, including performances, interviews and anecdotal stories from Jerry Jeff's contemporaries, the film explores the half century journey of this Gypsy Song Man from upstate New York to the beaches of Florida and the hustling sidewalks of New Orleans to a hot summer night in Round Rock, Texas.

Related: I have followed Jerry Jeff Walkers career throughout my life. I have seen dozens of shows from smoky bars to large arenas when he was playing screaming cowboy rock 'n' roll to thousands of people in the 70's and 80's. Yup, I'm that old. The other day while taking a break from training sales reps about the finer points of garbage & trash bags for the e commerce janitorial store I work for, I was telling these young pups about the various singer-songwriters that I like. I mentioned Jerry Jeff Walker and the American pop standard, "Mr. Bojangles" he wrote and performed. I reminisced about first seeing him in NYC at the Electric Circus. I was just out of college and working in the Big Apple. Saw him the next year at the Newport Folk Festival. That was the year he released the album, Mr Bojangles. Blank stares. I then switched gears and drilled the pups on the various GladForceFlex trash bags, Natural trash bags, and black garbage bags in their various sizes. Everyone perked up. Oh well. I went back to work whistling Mr Bojangles and heard one of the pups say, 'Hey, I've heard that tune. My father whistles it all the time." What can I say!

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Update #15
I'm Going To Get Drunk
Dear Kickstarter Supporters,
We did it. Discs are being pressed and new website launched in the last hour. We have release dates and pre-sale package. Jerry Jeff gets back in a few weeks and I will be playing arts and crafts putting rewards together and getting his signature on some of the items.
Spread the word to all music lovers you know. Thanks for the support. It's been a long road.
Now for several cold ones....later.
Best,
Patrick

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Update #14
May 15 2014
Once Upon A Time
Dear Kickstarter Backers,
Well I am indeed a story teller and I'll stipulate right now the story of getting OK Buckaroos out is getting old for all of you. In my last Update of Jan 29th I pointed out and I emphasized again the three legs to our fund raising stool that would allow us to get the film out - Kickstarter, Screenings and Private Equity. It is important to understand that our finished film would only be a completed film once we jumped through all the legal hoops that are required with licensing of 29 songs and secure the money to execute those contracts. I mentioned that our music coordinator was very close to wrapping the negotiating side with 12 different publishers. Well three weeks ago it was wrapped up, finally. Why the delay? I'm going to be totally honest with ya and at this point I'm not over concerned about making friends or enemies in the US Copyright world...which needs a major overhaul. The song Chattanooga Choo Choo is in the film - the beginning of Act 1. Sony owns the publishing and made our life miserable in terms of getting a MFN (Most Favored Nations) contract with the other 11 publishers ( who were great!). For those of you who don't know what MFN means it simply allows the highest price to become the price for all participants. Their position was, of course Glynn Miller and Chattanooga Cho Cho is worth more than anything from Jerry Jeff. See Bojangles and the BMI list of most popular songs ever recorded for a good laugh! Sorry had to vent.

OK, so we ultimately  got some concessions and now have a plan which includes our physical product and digital download rights and options for Streaming, Cable etc. (and our DVD cover above!). It goes like this:

• Film with final credits/chaptering/bonus material will go to manufacturing the first week of June.
• We will launch a new website at the same time with a store for pre-orders.
• Kickstarter physical rewards will be shipped in late June along with pre-orders
• General Release of the film is targeted for July 4th

Thank you again for your patience and know that this has been a painful and costly process for me personally (if you need film/video work, I'm available) but I will not let you down.
Patrick

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Update #13 
Jan 29 2014
I Swear We Are Not Pissin' in the Wind
Dear Kickstarter Backers,
I have had several inquiries over the last couple of weeks, RE: when is the DVD coming out and where are our rewards. Again, as referenced in the many updates we have hit several bumps along the road, with the big one being my two month illness that really set us back. Subsequently we have been back on track trying to achieve our three part strategy to get the film cleared/legal and finished - Kickstarter (done), Screenings (happening) and Private Equity (happening). My primary focus over the last couple of months is getting the filmed screen, a laborious process but important to our over all success. We will continue with screenings and seeking new partners but the good news we have raised and/or have committed enough funds to get the film licensed for DVD and Digital downloads. We have targeted March 18th and a screening at The State Theater in Austin for our DVD release party. Running up to that my focus will turn to final technical needs on the film for DVD authoring (yeah, there will be bonus material)and preparing all other rewards.
Our music supervisor in LA is very close to wrapping all 13 publishers in deals that will allow us to get you the DVD. So that's why we are targeting March 18th. We will continue to screen the film at different venues throughout the country beyond that date for our 1k contributors or we like to see you at the March 18th shindig in Austin. Or if would like to come to Nashville next week, let me know know. www.franklintheatre.com 
I want to thank you again for your patience. Some of you have been so kind and understanding, others a little miffed - I deserve both! No one whats this film out more then me. We are so close.
Many thanks,
Patrick

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Update #12 
Nov 27 2013

Hey Buckarooos,
I want to take a moment to get everyone on the same page. There are a few of you who have felt a little consternation for me: lack of communication and delivery of Rewards and I hate knowing that! There are also a few issues I would like you to understand. First as I commented on yesterday there have been technical issues with Kickstarter and emails not getting to me. This has been a two month problem that was finally rectified yesterday. So fire away and I will get the alerts. Secondly as I hoping you know from reading previous updates I had serious health issues that incapacitated me from mid July to early Sept. That obviously put a huge dent in our schedule. Finally I want to refer to some of the copy in Risk and Rewards from our original page:
So our plan has three parts: money from current and new investors, Sneak Previews in targeted markets throughout the US and engage all the fans through Kickstarter. We know we can always fall back to a DYI - DVD only release. So the primary risk is time. We have a well thought plan that we feel can be executed in 90 days but it may take longer. So come on board and be a part of the plan. We'll keep you updated as we continue down this road.  
The biggest risk was and always has been with this project "time." This is my third year of attempting to get the film released. While painful, it's not completely unusual for a music documentary to experience this process. The recently released film about Levon Helm, "I Ain't In It For My Health" took two years from finish to clear the legal and licensing. I've got 29 songs in this film none of which I'm willing to jettison! So we are back on track. The same 90 model was re-configured in late Sept and we are working diligently to execute...it may be more like 120 though! here's what I know:
Music Publishing Negotiations are in full swing on a DYI -DVD/DD license ASAP with options for other outlets TBD later.
Screenings are lining up: Currently Houston, Dallas, Nashville, New Orleans, Atlanta and Austin are in different stages of booking and we won't stop there. For you 1k EP donors out there I will be providing more detail in the surveys going out Friday. Our plan is to have the DVD Release Screening and Event in March in Austin day TBD (around JJ's Birthday). Hope to see ya there or one of the screenings.
As mentioned in above Risk and Reward section, there were and remain three legs to our fund raising stool to address the completion and release issues - private equity, screening fund raisers and Kickstarter. 
Kickstarter has been the most successful leg of the the three, without which none of the above would be happening. From bottom of my heart I thank you for giving us the momentum once I got out of bed and back to work.
Surveys Friday....with early Rewards going out. Have a Happy Thanksgiving.
Blessings,
Patrick

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Update #11 
Nov 26 2013
Back on Line
Backers,
The good folks at Kickstarter have resolved the email alert issue. 
Kickstarter Support, Nov 26 15:29 (EST): Hi Patrick, It looks like we were having some issues delivering emails to your address, but we have since resolved the issue. I've just sent along a password reset email as a test. Best, Katherine ________________________________________  
Again, I apologize for not getting back to specific questions - didn't know they were there. To all standby info is forthcoming and I'll comb the message box for specific questions.
Best,
Patrick

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TO  ALL  OF  YOU  BELOW  WHO  MADE  OUR  KICKSTARTER  PROJECT  A  HUGE SUCCESS, THANK YOU.

Jerry Jeff Walker 

An upstate New Yorker named Ronald Crosby, became Jerry Jeff Walker in 1966, embarking on a fifty year (and counting) career of musical and personal highs and lows that can only be described as “legendary.” During his early busking days, Walker landed in a New Orleans jail cell with a down-on-his-luck drunken tap dancer known as Bojangles; Jerry Jeff turned the experience into one of the most recognized songs of the last half-century, “Mister Bojangles.” That experience and that song has colored Jerry Jeff’s career ever since. However, it was the decision to make Austin, Texas his home base that thrust Walker into the forefront of the outlaw country movement, along with Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Ray Benson’s Asleep At the Wheel. Suddenly, the wayward troubadour found himself on the major label treadmill, cranking out an album (or two) a year for MCA and, later, Elektra, throughout the ’70s and early ’80s. During this time, an angel named Susan came into his life, grounding and stabilizing the wild life Walker had led for most of his adult life. As the grind of being a major label recording artist began to take its toll, Jerry Jeff, with Susan’s blessing, walked away from the insanity in 1982. In 1986, Jerry Jeff and Susan Walker formed Tried and True Music, an independent label dedicated to releasing new music from Jerry Jeff, on their own terms. Always being a man who believed in causes and, looking for a way to give back, the couple eventually founded the Tried and True Foundation, which is a reflection of their commitment to the fostering of young musicians’ talents.

More Background On OKBuckaroosTheMovie.com

OK Buckaroos: A Troubadour’s Journey is a feature-length documentary about Jerry Jeff Walker, one of the most iconic figures in American country and folk music. The website OKBuckaroosTheMovie.com served as the official online home for the film, chronicling the life, music, and legacy of Walker through decades of footage, interviews, and live performances. Although the site is no longer active, archived versions and media reports preserve its story — a testament to Walker’s enduring influence and the independent creative spirit that fueled both his career and the making of the film.

The documentary was both a labor of love and a challenge. It captures the life of a troubadour whose music carried him from the streets of New Orleans to the stages of Texas honky-tonks and concert halls around the world. It also reflects the story of independent filmmaking — of a dedicated crew and fanbase who, through grit, patience, and grassroots support, brought the project to completion.

The Film’s Genesis and Concept

OK Buckaroos was conceived as a comprehensive exploration of Jerry Jeff Walker’s five-decade musical journey. Its title comes from Walker’s signature concert greeting — “OK Buckaroos!” — the phrase that would send his audiences roaring into song. The film interweaves his life story with his music, interviews with fellow musicians, and archival concert footage that together trace his transformation from upstate New York folksinger to Texas legend.

The idea was to create a cinematic biography that would resonate with both longtime fans and newcomers. Directed and written by Marshall Riggan and Ron Deutsch, and co-directed and edited by Sean Schiavolin, the film was supported by an impressive team including producers Beau Ross, John Trube, and associate producer Nate Ferrone. Executive producers Ross and Trube played key roles in navigating the financial and logistical hurdles that came with licensing music, securing rights, and coordinating distribution.

Jerry Jeff Walker: The Man Behind the Music

Born Ronald Clyde Crosby in Oneonta, New York, in 1942, Walker took on his stage name in the mid-1960s during the height of the American folk revival. His early years were marked by restless travel and an openness to musical experimentation — qualities that would define his songwriting for decades. After busking in New Orleans, he had a fateful encounter with a street performer known as “Mr. Bojangles,” which inspired his most famous song. “Mr. Bojangles” became a cultural touchstone, recorded by countless artists including Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Dylan, and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

In the 1970s, Walker relocated to Austin, Texas, where he became one of the leading figures in the “outlaw country” movement alongside Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, and Guy Clark. His combination of poetic storytelling and ramshackle live energy captured the rebellious, freewheeling spirit of the Texas music scene. Songs like Gettin’ By, Hill Country Rain, and Sangria Wine became anthems of a new kind of country ethos — one that valued independence over polish and authenticity over commercial conformity.

The Birth of Tried & True Music

In 1985, Jerry Jeff and his wife Susan Walker took a bold step that would later serve as a model for independent musicians everywhere: they broke free from major label contracts and founded their own label, Tried & True Music. The decision was revolutionary for its time, preceding the digital and indie music revolutions by decades. The couple controlled every part of the process — recording, marketing, touring, and distribution — creating a sustainable career that allowed Walker to make music on his own terms.

This independence became a recurring theme in OK Buckaroos. The film portrays Jerry Jeff not just as an artist, but as a pioneer who understood the importance of creative control long before it became a music industry mantra. The Walkers later expanded their influence through the Tried & True Foundation, a nonprofit initiative that supported emerging musicians, fostering the next generation of creative voices.

Structure and Style of the Film

The documentary’s visual narrative alternates between live performances and reflective interviews, weaving together scenes from different eras of Walker’s life. The filmmakers employed a collage of vintage footage, still photography, and contemporary interviews with legendary musicians and friends including Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Guy Clark, Todd Snider, Joe Ely, and Bruce Robison.

One of the film’s most powerful sequences takes place during a July 4th, 2009 performance in Round Rock, Texas, where Walker plays before a crowd of over two thousand fans. His energy, humor, and connection to the audience are palpable — a living embodiment of the troubadour spirit that defines his career. This concert serves as a narrative anchor for the documentary, with clips interspersed throughout the film to create a sense of continuity between past and present.

Production Challenges and the Kickstarter Journey

The making of OK Buckaroos was an odyssey in itself. Director Patrick Tourville, who spearheaded the project’s production and later managed its Kickstarter campaign, chronicled the ups and downs of independent filmmaking with remarkable transparency. Updates from 2013 to 2014 revealed the daunting realities of music licensing — particularly the challenge of clearing 29 songs from multiple publishers, including Sony Music, which held rights to Chattanooga Choo Choo, featured in the film.

Tourville and his team kept their backers informed with candid messages about legal negotiations, personal health setbacks, and the painstaking process of finalizing contracts. The film’s supporters, numbering in the hundreds, represented a diverse cross-section of Jerry Jeff’s loyal following — fans who had attended his concerts for decades and who saw the documentary as a way to preserve a shared musical heritage.

The campaign exemplified grassroots creativity at its finest. Backers received DVDs, signed memorabilia, and behind-the-scenes access to the film’s progress. Tourville’s humor and honesty in the updates — titles like “I Swear We Are Not Pissin’ in the Wind” and “I’m Going to Get Drunk” — reflected the camaraderie that has always characterized Walker’s fan community.

Completion and Release

After years of effort, the film was completed and officially released in 2014. Its launch coincided with renewed appreciation for Jerry Jeff Walker’s role in shaping the Austin music scene. Screenings were held in cities such as Austin, Nashville, Houston, and New Orleans, with a DVD release event at Austin’s historic State Theater marking the culmination of the project.

The final version included bonus material, interviews, and full performances, making it a treasure trove for fans and music historians alike. With digital distribution options added later, OK Buckaroos reached a wider audience through streaming and cable releases, ensuring that Walker’s story could be discovered by new generations.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Critics and audiences praised OK Buckaroos for its honesty and emotional depth. Rather than relying on myth-making, the film portrayed Jerry Jeff Walker as both a visionary artist and a flawed human being — a man whose wanderlust and creative drive defined his life. The authenticity of this approach resonated deeply with those familiar with his music.

Reviewers highlighted the film’s historical significance, placing it alongside other acclaimed music documentaries like Heartworn Highways and Be Here to Love Me: A Film About Townes Van Zandt. It offered not only a portrait of one artist but a time capsule of an entire musical era — the outlaw country movement that bridged the gap between Nashville polish and the raw, roots-driven sound of Americana.

A Legacy of Independence and Influence

Jerry Jeff Walker’s influence extends far beyond his own discography. His decision to embrace independence in the mid-1980s anticipated the self-releasing ethos now common in the digital age. Artists from the alt-country and Americana movements — including Todd Snider, Pat Green, and Jack Ingram — have cited him as an inspiration for both his songwriting and his career model.

Through OK Buckaroos, the filmmakers captured this legacy in vivid detail. The documentary emphasizes the paradox of fame and freedom: how an artist can touch millions of lives while remaining true to his roots. In one memorable scene, Walker reflects on his own contradictions — a man who could headline stadiums yet still prefer a night of picking songs on a porch with friends.

The Website and Its Role

The now-archived OKBuckaroosTheMovie.com served as the film’s digital hub, hosting updates, screening information, cast and crew bios, and behind-the-scenes material. It also listed the hundreds of Kickstarter backers whose names were featured on the site — a roll call of the loyal fans who helped bring the project to fruition.

The website offered video previews, photo galleries, and interviews, functioning as both a marketing platform and an archival record of the production process. Visitors could purchase DVDs, merchandise, and soundtrack CDs, or read personal updates from Patrick Tourville. Its tone was intimate and conversational, mirroring the DIY ethos that characterized every stage of the project.

Cultural and Social Significance

Beyond its role as a music film, OK Buckaroos reflects a broader American narrative — one of independence, resilience, and the power of community. The story of Jerry Jeff Walker’s artistic journey parallels that of countless creatives who resist conformity in pursuit of authenticity. His music, blending folk storytelling with country swagger, bridged cultural divides and gave voice to an audience that valued honesty over perfection.

The film also underscores the changing nature of the music industry. By highlighting Walker’s early adoption of self-management and direct-to-fan distribution, it situates him as a forerunner of the independent revolution that later transformed how artists share their work. In that sense, OK Buckaroos is as much about the evolution of music business models as it is about one man’s life.

Press and Media Coverage

The film and its release were covered by various regional outlets, including The Austin Chronicle, No Depression, and Texas Music Magazine. Interviews with the filmmakers appeared on radio shows and podcasts dedicated to Americana and Texas songwriting, where they discussed the challenges of independent film production and the importance of preserving musical history.

The project’s crowdfunding success was also highlighted as an example of how loyal fanbases can play a direct role in cultural preservation. Long before streaming giants and digital platforms dominated distribution, OK Buckaroos proved that passion, storytelling, and community could sustain an ambitious creative project.

OK Buckaroos: A Troubadour’s Journey is more than a documentary — it’s a chronicle of an artist’s uncompromising life, a reflection of an era, and a tribute to the enduring bond between music and memory. The website OKBuckaroosTheMovie.com, though no longer active, remains an important digital artifact of that process: a window into the creative collaboration between filmmakers, musicians, and fans who believed in Jerry Jeff Walker’s story.

Through its blend of concert footage, candid interviews, and archival treasures, OK Buckaroos celebrates the spirit of a true American original. Whether performing before thousands or strumming in a Texas bar, Jerry Jeff Walker embodied the soul of a troubadour — restless, honest, and always gettin’ by.