Music, Memphis, and Making Song Sung Blue With Craig Brewer

Music, Memphis, and Making Song Sung Blue With Craig Brewer

From Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley by Universal Entertainment

December 17, 2025 · 39 min

About this episode

Craig Brewer discusses his new film Song Sung Blue and the intersection of music and storytelling.

Filmmaker Craig Brewer has always been drawn to stories where music fuels big dreams — often against the odds.From his award-winning films Hustle & Flow and Dolemite Is My Name to acclaimed series like Empire and Fight Night, Brewer’s work is steeped in rhythm and resilience. Now, he's back directing Song Sung Blue, a new Focus Features film starring Kate Hudson and Hugh Jackman, about the incredible true story of "Lightning & Thunder," two Milwaukee musicians whose Neil Diamond tribute act became an inspiring sensation.In this episode, Craig sits down with Jacqueline Coley to talk about transforming a documentary into a feature film, earning the trust of the family behind the story, and capturing the soulful spirit that runs through his work. Craig opens up about his Memphis roots, his long creative partnerships, and the musical heartbeat that drives his storytelling. Plus, he shares the wild origin of the Oscar-winning “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp” and the touching note Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder sent after reading the Song Sung Blue script.

People in this episode

Host: Jacqueline Coley

Guest: Craig Brewer

Topics covered

Keywords

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Song Sung Blue, Hustle & Flow, Dolemite Is My Name, Empire, Fight Night, It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp

Places: Milwaukee, Memphis

More episodes of Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Seen on the Screen with Jacqueline Coley podcast page.