An octogenarian singer-songwriter from the English Midlands who has been writing and performing Americana-inspired for 60 years despite having never visited the US, is finally gaining recognition thanks to an award-winning short film about his life.

Pete Boddis, also known as ‘The Guv’nor’ to his friends, family, and fans, starred in the 2022 documentary ‘Black Country Cowboy’ directed by filmmaker Ryan Davis, after decades of playing country, blues, and folk around working mens and social clubs, pubs, and hotels in the industrial heartlands of Birmingham, Dudley, Halesowen and Stourbridge. In a story reminiscent of the Detroit folk-rock musician Sixto ‘Sugar Man’ Rodriguez and Nigerian synth-pop star William Onyeabor, the life and music of Pete Boddis is now reaching new audiences across the globe - thanks in part to the film, which won "Best Short Documentary" at The London Independent Film Festival 2024.

Despite the musician never previously having had a record deal or publishing contract and self-releasing 11 albums, since being discovered by the filmmaker Pete’s fortunes have began to change with a ‘Best Of…Pete Boddis’ album released ahead of his 80th birthday on Friday 13 September via Poster Records. Ryan Davis, the Stourbridge-based writer and director of ‘Black Country Cowboy’, said: “The response to the film has been overwhelming. 

“I spotted Pete at an open mic night and was blown away by the unbelievable quality of his voice and songwriting. When I found out he'd never been signed, I couldn't believe it. I wanted more people to hear his songs and knew then I had to make a film about him.

“It’s exciting to know that Pete’s inspiring story, and most importantly, his fantastic songs have been experienced by a wider group of music fans across the world. Pete has the special and enviable ability, to write songs that hit you right in the heart and not only make you laugh and smile but cry at the same time.”

Pete Boddis was born in 1944, in Stourbridge’s Hungary Hill, an industrial town in the ‘Black Country’ - located in the English Midlands. Introduced to rock ‘n’ roll by his older brothers, a young Pete began to follow and watch artists including Buddy Holly, Eddie Cochran, and Gene Vincent on their historic tours of the UK. before buying his first guitar at 11 years old.

Pete’s first live show - as Johnny D and The Cruisers - was in 1960 at the Midlands Red bus social club (for bus drivers) in 1960, at the invitation of the then Entertainments Secretary. Marrying his lifelong love, Lynn, in 1965, the young musician would then go on to work as a linotype and keyboard operator for local newspapers Birmingham Post & Mail over a 20-year period.

Unsociable night shifts at the paper meant Pete was unable to continue gigging with bands, instead turning to solo songwriting. After previously releasing an EP in 1979 and two albums with his band Mr Peabody's Coal Train, the singer-songwriter would go on to release seven solo albums, recorded on his own TEAC 4-track machine.

After being made redundant from his role due to the introduction of new technology, Pete went on to open a vintage goods store in Stourbridge, stocking everything from vinyl LPs, to guitars, to sofas - at one point amassing 90 guitars. A battle with prostate cancer saw Pete - known locally and by the musicians that revere him as The Guv’nor - temporarily hang up his guitar after performing week in and week out since 1960. 

It was the COVID lockdowns that would encourage the musician to play again, via the medium of weekly live performances of his own material and country covers broadcast via Facebook to hundreds of international viewers, including regular fans from across the USA. After being spotted by the filmmaker Ryan Davis performing at the Claptrap music venue in Stourbridge, Pete agreed to tell his story on camera.

The resulting work, ‘Black Country Cowboy’ has been shown and nominated for awards all over the world (Ireland, France, Kazakhstan) as well as on home turf at Birmingham’s Flatpack Festival and Moseley Folk & Arts Festival, has lead to increased interest and popularity for Pete - who plays with his long-time accompanying guitarist, Pete Arrowsmith. The songsmith’s qualities of passion, talent and resilience, captured in the thirteen-minute short film, have shaped the musician’s determination to write and perform - even in the face of COVID-19, cancer and old age, Pete Boddis continues to make and share music.

“I can't believe it's taken sixty years to be an overnight success,” he said. “The attention from the film has been wonderful, but as long as I'm fit and healthy, I'll carry on regardless.”

‘The Black Country Cowboy (The Best of Pete Boddis)’ was released on Monday 26 August 2024 via Poster Records and is available now on all platforms.