January 2001

The Legendary Tammy Wynette

London-based September Films is one of the leading independent cinema production companies in the world. Now, in collaboration with Englands Channel 5, they are making a unique 60 minute film featuring country music's First Lady, Tammy Wynette.

Wynette was a self-made woman who rose from a poverty stricken life in the Alabama cotton fields to international renown. She graduated from the small bar/beer-swilling club circuit to become one of the enduring stars of the old school Nashville scene. Tammy was the first female country artist to sell a million copies of an album and she did it as a part of the last generation of rags-to-riches country stars.

But her 2 Grammies, 16 BMI songwriting honors, 50 Top-10 hits, 20 #1 singles and 40 million record sales came at a price. Her success hid a life afflicted by drug addiction, spousal abuse, five marriages, a still unexplained kidnapping, treatment at the Betty Ford Clinic, crippling stage fright, four divorces, 35 abdominal operations and finally the exhumation of her body for an autopsy more than a year after her tragic death in 1998.

With unique insights from intimate friends, family members and industry insiders, Tammy emerges as a driven woman who achieved fame and fortune whilst haunted by demons. And new revelations will shock and dismay fans and those all over the world who loved Tammy.....what was the true cause of Tammy's death and why were so many facts hidden from the police and The Medical Examiner?

The Legendary Tammy Wynette will be a searing,fascinating and glittering -- but tragic narrative.

Affectionate recollections from many show business greats beyond the country field will help paint a fascinating portrait of a woman who became one of the first female superstars in a male dominated industry.

Show producer Michael Parkinson has written and produced over 180 documentary programs worldwide including award-winning features on Iggy Pop, the New York Dolls, David Bowie and Lou Reed. He has also produced hard-edged examinations of child prostitution, the Arms Race and Chernobyl.

Director Jelena Ilic began making films in 1993 and has directed or worked on over thirty projects to date. Her most recent work includes films on reconstructive surgery, Brighton (England) and breast cancer awareness.

Associate Producer Sharon Chevin has had over 25 years show business experience as a U.K.-based publicist and artist manager. She has worked with superstars as diverse as Whitney Houston, Tom Petty, Alice Cooper, Iron Maiden, Bonnie Raitt and ZZ Top.