Just in time for the Grammys, Showtime has unveiled the first trailer for Cameron Crowe‘s upcoming music series Roadies.
The hourlong comedy — which has also secured a June 26 premiere date — is the first television series written, created, directed and exec produced by the Almost Famous Oscar winner.
Showtime’s ‘Roadies’ Is an Extension of Cameron Crowe’s Love of Music
Crowe will write, direct and executive produce Roadies, which offers a backstage look at a tight-knit group of rock band “roadies.” Exec producers include Winnie Holzman (My So-Called Life) and J.J. Abrams and his producing partner Bryan Burk (Lost). Luke Wilson stars as Bill, the tour manager; Carla Gugino plays Shelli, the band’s production manager; and Imogen Poots is the electrical tech.
“I love music and stories where music is a character,” Crowe told reporters in January at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. “Over time I was struck by the fact that Almost Famous spoke loudly to people. It was a very personal story for me and I didn’t expect it to touch people that way. I wanted to revisit the world of writing about music but in a different and contemporary way … [telling] authentic stories about people behind the curtain presenting music to people every day.”
Production on the 10-episode series will begin in March. Kelly Curtis, Pearl Jam’s manager and a regular collaborator with Crowe, serves as producer and music supervisor. (Pearl Jam’s “Hard Sun” serves as the song featured in the trailer.)
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Roadies features The Head and the Heart in the pilot and will continue to include bands and musicians in a regular capacity — many of them playing slightly different versions of themselves. Eagles’ Joe Walsh will guest star in an upcoming episode that sees the show’s central band having troubles maintaining an opening act.
Crowe stressed that several characters or plot points included in the series are based on true stories — and legends — that exist within the music industry. A story in the pilot about a pianist who flips out when there are fingerprints on his piano is based on Freddie Mercury, Crowe said, while co-star Peter Cambor’s guitar tech is based on Elvis Costello.
Watch the trailer, below. Roadies will bow Sunday, June 26 at 10 p.m. on Showtime.