The Center of Nowhere (The Spirit & Sounds of Springfield, Missouri) (2020)

The Center of Nowhere (The Spirit and Sounds of Springfield, Missouri) illustrates how culture influences the country, folk, gospel, blues, rock and roots music from Springfield, Mo---America's most overlooked regional music scene. Springfield created a fiercely independent sound that has influenced artists all over the world. The film features interviews with musicians Dave Alvin, Brenda Lee, Dan Penn, punk rockers The Del Lords, the pop rock band Somebody Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, Jonathan Richman, Robbie Fulks, Syd Straw and the final on camera interviews with Merle Haggard and Springfield music avatars Bobby "Lloyd" Hicks and Lou Whitney. Springfield's unique sense of community provides the bass line for the region's profound beat, Music is everywhere: in the hills and the lakes of the Ozarks, the churches, the birthplace of Route 66 and even in weird food ways such as "Springfield Style Cashew Chicken." The songs of Springfield, Mo. create a chorus of passion, adventure and connection. If you listen to American music, you have heard the spirit of Springfield, Mo. But have you been there?