Blaze is an American biographical drama film directed by Ethan Hawke based on the life of country musician Blaze Foley. The screenplay by Hawke was adapted from the novel Living in the Woods in a Tree: Remembering Blaze by Sybil Rosen, who co-wrote the film. It stars musician Ben Dickey as Foley. The is scheduled to be released on September 7, 2018 by IFC Films.

* Close friend of Townes Van Zandt admired by the likes of Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, John Prine and also by newer artists like Kings Of Leon-singer Caleb Followill.

Born in Arkansas, Foley was shot to death way before his time, under circumstances still to be fully clarified. As a homeless, he traveled the streets of the Texan cities to share his music with people in nightclubs and bars. The companion and close friend of Townes Van Zandt always stood up for the weak, which eventually cost his life.

Finally, after a life of rejections and blown opportunities, his work is now gaining recognition. In 2008 his biography Living In The Woods In A Tree was published, followed by Kevin Triplett’s documentary about Foley’s underdog life called Duct Tape Messiah. After the gradual disclosure of many of his unreleased recordings, German independent label eliterecords will now release this beautifully crafted limited RSD- edition.

The 12 songs, including hits like Clay Pigeons and If I Could Only Fly – later to be covered by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard –, showcase Foley’s sound between classic American Country and modern Folk along with his cunning political lyrics and a both punchy and emotional tone.

Today, Foley is admired not only by leading American Folk musicians like Nelson, Haggard or Prine, but also by independent artists like Kings Of Leon-singer Caleb Followill. The latter, in an interview with the L.A. Times in 2010, stated that Blaze Foley’s songs currently were his most important musical inspiration.