It’s safe to say that most Americans of a certain age are familiar with the story of Pecan Pinwheelie, the rambunctious country music trailblazer that played as hard as he lived. If they don’t know his catalog front-to-back, they’re at least familiar with chart-topping classics like “Pick Up the Penny.” No matter how they feel about his off-stage antics, few can deny the power of his songbook and the lasting impression he left on everyone that set out to create art after him.
Pecan Pinwheelie (played by Owen Legendre) backed by Hatchback Huey (played by Evan Doremus).
After all, we’re talking about one of the most enigmatic and influential musicians of the 20th century.
Does any of that ring a bell? You’re not alone if it doesn’t. That’s because Pecan Pinwheelie–or as his fans affectionately call him, the Pensacola Prophet–is a fictional character. He’s also the subject of a new mockumentary from New Orleans comedy-music duo Bare Handed Bear Handlers. Their 40-minute film, Pensacola Prophet: The Story of Pecan Pinwheelie, debuts at a special event this Friday and, if all goes well, its titular character really will become a household name.
The pioneering, occasionally crude, musician is played by the man who dreamed him into life, Bare Handed Bear Handlers’ Owen Legendre. Originally conceived as a new live comedy act, the project evolved after audiences responded surprisingly well to the shows.
“Last April, I was asked to open for a band called Turquoise Jeep at Siberia as Bare Handed Bear Handlers,” Legendre recalls. “Dave Davis [the other half of the duo] lives in Los Angeles now, so I told him I would make up a new character so I could do the show as something else. I came up with Pecan Pinwheelie, who is this guy from Pensacola. He’s kind of like Kid Rock, but dumber.”
The first performance was so successful that Legendre was immediately asked to bring the gig to Howlin’ Wolf, which led to additional bookings, a festival gig and more. Eventually his friend and associate, Nick Friend, suggested making a promotional video on Youtube, and things ballooned from there.
“I started writing a script,” Legendre says. “But the script ended up being almost 100 pages long.”
The result is Pensacola Prophet. Co-directed by Legendre and Friend, the hilarious short(ish) film dives into “the life of Pecan Pinwheelie, where he came from, his upbringing, how he got into music, the people that shaped him and his influence on other musicians.”
The production, which premieres at The Studio in Mid City this Friday, features appearances by plenty of New Orleans musicians, including Ruby Rendrag, Ballzack, members of The Generationals, Motel Radio and, of course, Bare Handed Bear Handlers. Local comedy luminary Matt Owens, who opened for Louis C.K. at the Joy Theater in 2014, also has a prominent role in the movie. However, those that attend the premiere will be treated to something a bit more immersive than the average movie theater experience.
“We’re not just screening the film on Friday,” Legendre notes. “The Pecan Pinwheelie Band is going to play a full set, and there will be sets from two more bands, Midriff and Yung Men. They’ll play after the screening, and we’ll throw down. It’s going to be a party.”
“I get into character and I don’t leave,” he adds. “I often berate my band, things like that. I played a show a couple of days ago where I kicked my guitarist out of the band during the second-to-last song. I didn’t tell the audience it was a joke and it freaked some people out, but it was funny to me. People will come up to me after shows and say, ‘you’re not really about to drive to Pensacola to play a show at Buffalo Wild Wings right now, are you? It’s 11pm and you’re hammered.’ I’ll just tell them, ‘Hell yeah I’m going to Buffalo Wild Wings. Huey’s driving!’ Then I’ll leave without telling anyone that it’s not real and we’re actually from New Orleans.”
Pensacola Prophet: The Story of Pecan Pinwheelie will premiere at The Studio in New Orleans (650 S. Rocheblave St.) on Friday, June 17. The event begins at 7pm, and will also feature performances by the Pecan Pinwheelie Band, Midriff and the Yung Men. Admission is $5.
