The Return Of Tanya Tucker –

November 6, 2023 11:51 am Published by Carrie Buchanan

Yesterday afternoon I was treated to a screening of the movie – The Return Of Tanya Tucker. The showing hosted by Cine Sarnia at the Sarnia Library Theatre, and I was so impressed.

First of all – I didn’t realize we had this group of movie lovers in our community and I feel terrible about admitting that, but what an incredible group of people they are. If you visit the website you will get to know more about them.

Basically, Cine Sarnia is a not-for-profit charitable volunteer group dedicated to bringing quality Canadian and International films to Sarnia. They work with the “Film Circuit” which is part of TIFF – The Toronto International Film Festival group.

Films are shown Sunday afternoons at 2pm and again Monday evenings at 7:30 at the newly renovated Sarnia Library Theatre auditorium.

I love learning about the artists who make the music. I love to know where they came from, and how they got started.

I have been a fan of country music since my first job in radio. Tanya Tucker was one of the biggest female artists of the time. She is a legend.

I just didn’t realize she started so young. Performing by the time she was 11. Wow. Her parents uprooted themselves to pursue her career in music.

This film came about when Brandi Carlisle (another musician and self-proclaimed fan of Tanya Tucker) wanted to remind the world of the incredible talent of Tanya Tucker. You see the bond these two women have. When someone believes in you and pushes you, amazing things happen. Like a Grammy award winning album. Belinda saw Tanya Tucker for the legend she was. For all that she did for country music. She saw something in Tanya Tucker that the world needed to remember. She did it to remind Tanya herself of what she was, and what she was capable of. To remind her of her talent as an artist. Brilliant to watch it unfold.

Tanya was different from the beginning. She refused to conform. She refused to reduce herself to someone else’s standards. She even refused to change her name. She wore what she wanted – which happened to be a lot of pant suits because she wanted to be able to move across the stage like Elvis did. Elvis Presley was her inspiration. She loved him and his music.

This movie is an emotional journey for sure. I have a greater respect for Tanya Tucker as an artist. A deeper appreciation for her music. Now I understand the full story of this album that was created because one woman saw something in another and pushed for more. It was emotional to watch the magic happen. Creating songs with such depth and meaning.

To get to know her story on a deeper level was an incredible experience. You don’t even have to love country music to appreciate it. But if you do, you will appreciate the other faces mentioned.

So much I didn’t know about this woman. Both her successes and her heartbreaks.

To watch the creation of a comeback album was incredible to watch. So many songs I loved. Including her version of Miranda Lamberts “The House That Built Me” and the one she started writing decades ago that was never complete until this album – Bring My Flowers Now. That one packs an emotional punch. It won her a Grammy. It’s that good.

If you get the chance – go see this movie tonight. 7:30. Sarnia Library theatre. You can get tickets online at cinesarnia.com

Two more movies coming up in this film season. The winter season is expected to be announced soon.