Coming to streaming on April 22, 2025, Dusty & Stones brings the inspiring journey of two African country music dreamers to Amazon & Apple TV—where passion meets the heart of Nashville.
For country music fans, Nashville is hallowed ground—a place where legends are made, where twang meets soul, and where dreams either fly or fall. But for Gazi “Dusty” Simelane and Linda “Stones” Msibi, a pair of country musicians from the tiny African kingdom of Swaziland, it’s more than just a city. It’s a destiny. Their incredible journey is captured in Dusty & Stones, a gripping and heartwarming documentary that follows their once-in-a-lifetime trip to record in Music City and battle it out in a Texas battle of the bands.
For years, Dusty and Stones poured their hearts into country music, inspired by the sounds of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and George Strait—all from thousands of miles away. Their big break finally comes when an unexpected invitation arrives: Nashville wants them. Texas wants them. America is calling. What follows is a whirlwind ten-day pilgrimage through the American South, where they step into top-tier recording studios, immerse themselves in the culture they’ve idolized for years, and prepare for their first-ever U.S. performance.
But like any great country song, trouble finds its way into the story. When they arrive in Jefferson, Texas, their much-anticipated debut performance is suddenly thrown into chaos when issues with the local backing band threaten to ruin everything. With the odds stacked against them, Dusty and Stones have no choice but to dig deep, take the stage, and fight for Swaziland—proving that country music isn’t just about where you’re from, but where your heart belongs.
Praised as “one of the most compelling and joyful music documentaries of the year” (Living Life Fearless), Dusty & Stones is more than just a film—it’s a testament to passion, perseverance, and the power of music to connect worlds. Directed by Jesse Rudoy, produced by Melissa Adeyemo, and executive produced by Sam Bisbee and Cody Ryder, the documentary has already won multiple festival awards, including Best Documentary Feature at the Atlanta Film Festival and Best Director at RiverRun International Film Festival.
With standout performances, emotional highs and lows, and a soundtrack straight from the heart, Dusty & Stones is the must-watch music documentary of the year. Whether you’re a country fan or just love an underdog story, this is one journey you won’t want to miss.
