Friends, fans and family of Buddy Red Bow packed the studio of South Dakota Public Broadcasting on October 2, 2019, for a pre-screening of the documentary Red Bow. Williams and Bald Eagle talked about their good friend following the viewing. Photo by Richie Richards / Native Sun News Today

Arts & Entertainment | National

Red Bow doc hits the mark

Monday, October 21, 2019

By Richie Richards

Native Sun News Today Correspondent

nativesunnews.today

RAPID CITY – When the documentary “Red Bow” ended in Rapid City, those in attendance cheered loudly for their country music hero.

On Wednesday, October 2, South Dakota Public Broadcasting held a pre-screening of Red Bow and the studio space was packed with guests. Many in the crowd were close friends and relatives, while others were admirers of the music legend.

The film follows the life of Buddy Red Bow (Oglala Lakota), since the time of him being left on the steps of a reservation church, to his times of singing on the tables in local bars as a boy, right up to becoming a legend in Indian Country. His life is similar to the lives of many Native American people, especially the Lakota.

His lyrics capture the essence of a person having to walk in two worlds; a white man world and a spiritual world. The documentary captured this duality throughout. The persons interviewed gave great descriptions of Red Bow and his life during the period in which he lived and sang from. This era was a transitional period for this generation and Red Bow’s music spoke directly to the ones longing for the old days and old ways.

Red Bow: Winds of Life
“One of my favorite memories of my brother was when we lived in our house up here in Rapid [City] and he’d be outside on the porch with a notebook just playing his guitar singing and writing down his lyrics and trying it out... and just hearing him sing out there. The next thing I knew it was on the album Black Hills Dreamer.”--Annie Red Bow This clip from the upcoming SDPB Documentary Red Bow features Buddy Red Bow’s song Winds of Life from his Black Hills Dreamer album.
Posted by South Dakota Public Broadcasting on Wednesday, September 4, 2019

South Dakota Public Broadcasting: Buddy Red Bow: Winds of Life

The event was one of a few pre-screenings leading up to the October 14 premiere on SDPB-TV. Filmmaker, Lee Michael Strubinger, was on hand to thank Buddy Red Bow’s family and friends. Several of the persons interviewed in the documentary were present as well, including Tim Giago, Donnie Williams, Leo Bald Eagle, and Red Bow’s daughter, Stardust Red Bow.

“I think the documentary is a great depiction of my dad’s musical life. I was actively involved in the production. My dad’s producer, Dik Darnell, and I had final creative approval,” said Stardust Red Bow. “There are many stories one could tell about my dad, and I think focusing on his music was smart given the time allotted for the documentary.”

A major influence in Buddy Red Bow’s life was his spirituality and the friendship he had with Lakota Chief Fools Crow. Throughout the film, Fools Crow’s influence and guidance was discussed. Red Bow credited his balance to his relationship with his creator and the humble teachings of the Lakota leader. Many of the scenes where Red Bow talked about Fools Crow and then sang some of his songs were from a television show filmed in 1977 at the KEVN-TV station on a show called The First Americans hosted by Oglala Lakota newspaperman, Tim Giago.

“He wrote about the past: Lakota history, myths, and spiritual beliefs. He told stories, which were passed down to him from Lakota elders. My dad listened to the stories they told and understood their importance. He learned extensively from Chief Fools Crow,” said Red Bow.

The music of Buddy Red Bow spoke about love; love for others, love for self and love for the spiritual world. His lyrics are as relevant today as they were decades ago when they were written. His booming voice often spoke like thunder during his songs and interviews from the time period.

“My dad’s music is timeless, because the history and spiritual beliefs of the Lakota haven’t changed. Humans continue to struggle with finding ‘quiet heart’, as Trixie Koontz calls it in her book Bliss to You,” said Stardust Red Bow. “They allow negative thoughts, pain, grief, and heartache to consume them rather than letting go, being of service to others, and allowing beauty and contentment into their lives.”