Robbie Robertson Portrays His Unique Native American Musical Journey With Controversial PBS Special Airing Wednesday, Jan. 6 On KCET in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES--(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)--Dec. 23, 1998--Capitol recording artist Robbie Robertson has consistently been an innovator and leader in American rock history.

Now, the legendary musician/songwriter embarks on a pilgrimage of rediscovery in "Robbie Robertson: Making A Noise -- A Native American Musical Journey," a one-hour PBS documentary special exploring his musical history in relation to his Native American heritage.

The special began airing in various markets on Aug. 14, 1998. "Making A Noise" includes rare archival footage of an actual peyote ceremony, as well as controversial comments by American Indian Movement leader John Trudell and imprisoned activist Leonard Peltier.

Illustrated with film of Robertson's return to the Six Nations Indian Reservation where he spent his summers growing up in Canada, "Making A Noise" is a revelatory chronicle of rediscovered pride and blending of musical worlds. The show is scheduled to air on Wednesday, Jan. 6 on KCET in Los Angeles at 10 p.m.

Robertson's critically acclaimed current CD "Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy," was released earlier this year. National AAA radio airplay and video rotation on VH1 with the disc's first track "Unbound," coupled with glowing album reviews, have generated considerable awareness of this release.

"Redboy" rated a FOUR STAR review in Rolling Stone, the LEAD review in People, a SPOTLIGHT in Billboard, a FEATURE in Raygun, a Rolling Stone INTERVIEW, a FRONTMAN in Musician and a COVER on EQ. This is all in addition to great CD reviews in USA Today, Interview, Swing, Buzz, Guitar, Request, CMJ Monthly, Men's Journal and Stereo Review, among others.

Robertson was also featured prominently in a recent Wall Street Journal story titled "Tribal Roots Music Goes Mainstream," written by James Ring Adams.

National television appearances on "Politically Incorrect," "The Late Show With David Letterman," "The Charlie Rose Show," CNN's "Showbiz Today," "The Late Late Show With Tom Snyder," "CBS Sunday Morning" and VH1's "Behind the Music" have reinforced Robertson as a contemporary musician for the '90s.

On May 24, Robertson was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the First Native American Music Awards hosted by the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation and Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Mashantucket, Conn.

Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a leader of The Band, Robertson's live performances are rare events, but in "Making A Noise" he's shown both in concert and in the studio performing portions of several songs from "Contact From The Underworld Of Redboy."

Also appearing are other musical artists of Native American heritage, from well-known Rita Coolidge and Buffy Sainte-Marie to those introduced to a wider audience for the first time on his current record, such as Bonnie Jo Hunt, Joanne Shenandoah, Jackie Bird, Cree Summer, the group Ulali, and Primeaux and Mike, peyote healers from the once-outlawed Native America Church.

On "Making A Noise," Robertson continues his journey which began in earnest with 1994's "Music For `The Native Americans'" from Robbie Robertson And The Red Road Ensemble. That album featured songs from the Robertson-scored soundtrack to the landmark TBS television documentary chronicling the history of Native Americans.

(Additionally highlighted in "Making A Noise" are songs from "Music For `The Native Americans'," including "Coyote Dance" with the American Indian Dance Theatre.)

Punctuated by family photos, "Making A Noise" finds Robertson playing guitar with older cousins on his mother's reservation, attending a pow-wow, visiting the local radio station, encouraging a young Native American singer-songwriter-guitarist, and being "welcomed back to the bush."

But most of all, "Making A Noise," is a journey of understanding for anyone interested in the travails of the original inhabitants of North America. Robertson and others relate the story of alcoholism and redemption contained in his song "The Code Of Handsome Lake," the tragedy of the Wounded Knee Massacre in the mid-1800s, the struggle of the American Indian Movement uprising in the mid-1970s at the same location, and how Hollywood and the mass media have portrayed Native Americans.

One man's view of the past and present of the Native American, "Making A Noise" is also a glimpse into a future where Native Americans are no longer silenced or ignored -- culturally, musically or otherwise. As Robertson says in the documentary, "We need to make a noise to make these voices heard." "Robbie Robertson: Making A Noise -- A Native American Musical Journey" does just that.

Produced and directed by Dana Heinz Perry, the Perry Films Production was funded in part by Native American Public Telecommunications (NAPT) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Executive producer for NAPT was Frank Blythe. Co-executive producers were Gustavo Sagastume and Hart Perry. Executive producer for Capitol Records was Liz Heller, executive vice president.

Visit the Web site at http://hollywoodandvine.com/robbierobertson