Rissi Palmer To Be Featured In ‘American Masters’ Documentary

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Rissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles

American Masters and Firelight Media announced the second season of the documentary short series In the Making. The premiere episode will feature Grammy-nominated country artist and radio host, Rissi Palmer.

The new season focuses on nine artists across a variety of disciplines, whose work explores and influences American culture. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Audra McDonald will host the broadcast premiere of American Masters: In the Making, and the documentary short film, Rissi Palmer: Still Here.

Palmer is one of only five African American women to ever hit the Billboard charts in the history of country music. In 2007, Palmer became the first Black woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987. She has dealt with obstacles in pursuing her career yet continues to create a spotlight for herself, other Black women, and women of color.

“No one becomes an ‘American Master’ overnight, and the idea behind In the Making is to take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists who are on their way to becoming masters in their field,” says Michael Kantor, Executive Producer for American Masters.

In Rissi Palmer: Still Here, director Dilsey Davis focuses on Palmer’s work on her upcoming new album while managing her family life and one of her busiest professional years in a decade. She hosts her own radio show, Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, on Apple Music Country. It is part of her work to change beliefs about people of color’s present and past involvements in country music.

In addition, Palmer has released three critically acclaimed albums independently. She also garnered two Grammy nominations in the Best Children’s Music Album category. Palmer is also Governor of the Recording Academy Nashville chapter and correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 countdown.

Rissi Palmer: Still Here premieres Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m. est / 8 p.m. cst on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS App. The film is a production of Firelight Media and Café con Leche Media, in association with American Masters Pictures and Black Public Media.

Caela Griffin
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