Kevin Booth

Booth was born in Connecticut on October 2, 1961.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0095745/ | title=Kevin Booth | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=June 17, 2013 }} He was the son of George Booth. His brother Curt played in several rock bands and influenced his musical interests.{{cite book|author1=Kevin Booth|author2=Michael Bertin|title=Bill Hicks: Agent of Evolution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgNmEqz8T28C|date=June 24, 2010|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers |pages= v, 29, 49, 119 |isbn=978-0-00-737503-5}} Booth met Bill Hicks and Dwight Slade at Stratford High School in Houston, Texas. The trio formed Stress, an early rock band. Booth played the bass and Hicks the lead guitar and lead vocals.{{cite book|author=Cynthia True|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=March 1, 2002|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-380-80377-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/21 21]–24, 26–27, 33}} He attended the University of Texas in Austin.{{cite book|author=Cynthia True|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=March 1, 2002|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-380-80377-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/62 62]}}

Booth started the rock band Year Zero, with Brent Ballard, Robert Reilly, Patrick Allen Brown and Ron Fair.{{cite book | title=Year Zero | publisher=WorldCat |oclc = 050484723}} Year Zero signed a major contract with Chrysalis Records,{{cite book|author=Cynthia True|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=March 1, 2002|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-380-80377-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/160 160]}} and in 1987 released an album including the single Hourglass. When Year Zero broke up, Booth continued working with drummer Pat Brown and formed Marble Head Johnson. Booth wrote and performed with Hicks on Arizona Bay and Marble Head Johnson.

In 1982, while living in Austin, Booth started Absolute Creative Entertainment production company with Hicks,{{cite book|author=Cynthia True|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=March 1, 2002|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-380-80377-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/61 61]–62}} which became Sacred Cow Productions.

In 1989, Booth was a producer at the local public access station in Austin called ACTV. While there, he taped Bill Hick's stand-up comedy routine at the Laff Stop, called Sane Man.{{cite book|author=Cynthia True|title=American Scream: The Bill Hicks Story|url=https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true|url-access=registration|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=March 1, 2002|publisher=HarperCollins|isbn=978-0-380-80377-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/americanscreambi00true/page/146 146]}} Booth produced most of Hick's videos, full-length comedy concerts, and CDs, including Relentless.{{cite web | url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/431755-Kevin-Booth | title=Kevin Booth | work=Discogs | accessdate=June 19, 2013}} After Hicks' death from pancreatic cancer in 1994, Booth produced Rant in E Minor. It was voted by SPIN magazine as the 11th greatest comedy album of all time.{{cite web|url=https://www.spin.com/2011/11/spins-40-greatest-comedy-albums-all-time//?page=5 |title=SPIN's 40 Greatest Comedy Albums of All Time | SPIN | Best of SPIN | All Time |publisher=SPIN |date=November 1, 2011 |accessdate=June 18, 2013}} In May 2005, Booth traveled to Britain to promote his first book Bill Hicks – Agent of Evolution{{cite web |url=http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Our_Titles/Pages/Home.aspx?objId=32185&isbn=9780007198306&WT.mc_id=biHTMLWidget8789336a-5559-44b5-b830-3c034ec6f26b |title=Bill Hicks : Kevin Booth and Michael Bertin |publisher=HarperCollins |date=April 3, 2006 |accessdate=June 18, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130615204330/http://www.harpercollins.co.uk/Our_Titles/Pages/Home.aspx?objId=32185&isbn=9780007198306&WT.mc_id=biHTMLWidget8789336a-5559-44b5-b830-3c034ec6f26b |archivedate=June 15, 2013 |df=mdy-all }} about his professional life and seventeen-year friendship with Bill Hicks; It was co-written by Michael Bertin. He also appeared in the 2009 documentary about his friend's life entitled American: The Bill Hicks Story.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1179947/ | title=American: The Bill Hicks Story | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=June 19, 2013 }}

In 2012, Booth collaborated with several companies providing him the financial means to produce this documentary about the medicinal benefits of marijuana.{{cite news | title=Cannabis Science Chooses Filmmaker Kevin Booth for Specialty Documentary | work=Wireless News | publisher=Close-Up Media, Inc. | date=March 22, 2012 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-203758708.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117045710/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-203758708.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 17, 2016 | accessdate=June 17, 2013 }} He also completed works about political issues, such as the Waco siege{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0354785/ |title=On the Seventh day in Waco | publisher= IMDb | accessdate=June 19, 2013 }} and the New World Order conspiracy theory.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0462415/ |title= Martial Law 9/11: Rise of the Police State | publisher= IMDb | accessdate=June 19, 2013 }}

Martial Law 9/11: Rise of The Police State (2005) was co-produced by Booth with Alex Jones, who directed the documentary. It explores the changes in the United States since the September 11 attacks.{{cite book|last=Schell|first=Bernadette Hlubik|title=The Internet And Society: A Reference Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xPFrOIsUKTkC&pg=PA279|accessdate=June 17, 2013|year=2007|publisher=ABC-CLIO|isbn=978-1-59884-031-5|page=279}}

Booth directed American Drug War: The Last White Hope (2007) to examine governmental policies concerning drugs since Richard Nixon declared a "war on drugs" in 1971. It examines the government's prosecution of users, incarceration of non-violent drug offenders, focus on marijuana (a "gateway" drug), and alleges a lack of focus on large corporations that launder drug money.{{cite book|author=Attallah Ali|title=The Black Papers: An Exploration of the Dilemma Within the African-american Community|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kNOc4bhwGAsC&pg=PA48|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=January 2013|publisher=AuthorHouse|isbn=978-1-4685-9489-8|page=48}}{{cite book|author=William B. Russell|title=Teaching Social Issues with Film (Hc)|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=r081zAPaTXQC&pg=PA75|year=2009|publisher=IAP|isbn=978-1-60752-117-4|pages=75–76|accessdate=2013-12-21}} The documentary explores the involvement of the CIA and Contras cocaine trafficking in the US, including the experiences of one of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) "chief beneficiaries", "Freeway" Rick Ross. Ross declared the war on drugs as the "last white hope".{{cite book|author1=Shirley Halperin|author2=Steve Bloom|title=Reefer Movie Madness: The Ultimate Stoner Film Guide|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2WMt_bUB6SkC&pg=PT942|accessdate=June 17, 2013|date=February 4, 2011|publisher=Abrams|isbn=978-1-61312-016-3|page=942}} Appearing in the documentary are Tommy Chong, of Cheech and Chong; General Barry McCaffrey, a previous drug czar; and people involved in drug use, sales or convictions of drug users or traffickers. Booth provides insight about addiction within his family.{{cite news | title=American drug war: the last white hope review | work=Curve | publisher=Outspoken Enterprises | date=September 1, 2008 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-189931649.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924150137/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-189931649.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2015 | accessdate=June 19, 2013 }}

It was shown on Showtime from 2008 to 2010 and won several awards for best feature documentary at film festivals in the United States. For instance, in 2007, the film won Artivist Film Festival's Best Feature, International Human Rights Award.Market Wire (November 2007). 4th Annual Artivist Film Festival and Artivist Awards Announce the Winning Films of this Year's Festival. Press release. The documentary has also been shown in other countries, like South Africa, Canada and Australia.

American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny was released theatrically in 16 cities across the nation beginning on June 6, 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.tugg.com/titles/american-drug-war-2 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130414024040/http://www.tugg.com/titles/american-drug-war-2 |archive-date=April 14, 2013 |title=Tugg - American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny}} The second installment to American Drug War starts at the 2012 election that legalized recreational use in two states and the film follows the traumatic story of a young boy named Cash Hyde who is repeatedly denied cannabis oil, the only medicine that appears to shrink his brain tumor. ADW2 also documents the saga of filmmaker Booth and his wife becoming foster parents and encountering the over prevalent use of pharmaceuticals on foster kids. These stories and much more underline the film's theme of children being the ultimate victims of American drug policy.{{cite web |url=http://americandrugwar2.com/american-drug-war-2-synoposis/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611235629/http://americandrugwar2.com/american-drug-war-2-synoposis |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |title=Synopsis : American Drug War 2 - Premiering June 6th, 2013}} The film talks about the United States Department of Health and Human Services 2003 patent on cannabinoids.{{cite web | url=http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=175500#.UcHVnJzgUoI | title=US: Thursday, June 6, 7:30 PM most venues, thought-provoking sequel to American Drug War premieres limited showings in theaters coast to coast | work=Web Wire | date=June 4, 2013 | accessdate=June 19, 2013}} It also explores the prohibition of "ancient drugs" on children through the story of an infant named Cash Hyde who was diagnosed with brain cancer.{{cite web | author=Kevin Booth | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2820820/ |title=American Drug War 2: Cannibis Destiny | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=June 18, 2013 }} The film shares findings of Dr. Donald Abrams, Head of Oncology at San Francisco General Hospital, and a Canadian man named Rick Simpson who reportedly devised a new type of cannabis oil used to treat serious illnesses. In the film Booth and wife Trae become foster parents and explore the issue of foster children being over-medicated. Booth and two New York Times journalists filmed in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico, to show how young boys are being recruited by drug cartels.{{cite web | url=http://www.hightimes.com/read/american-drug-war-2 | title=American Drug War 2 | work=High Times | date=June 5, 2013 | accessdate=June 19, 2013 | author=Mary Ought Six | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611101919/http://www.hightimes.com/read/american-drug-war-2 | archivedate=June 11, 2013 | df=mdy-all }}{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/video/demo_reel/vi1850320409/ | title=Demo Reel ( Rediscovering Cannabis Oil. Clip No. 3 from "AMERICAN DRUG WAR 2") | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=June 19, 2013}} It is available through a "world-wide video-on-demand" system for theaters provided by Gravitas Ventures' start up, TUGG.com,{{cite news | title=The X-Change Corporation Announces the Sacred Cow Production presentation of 'AMERICAN DRUG WAR 2: Cannabis Destiny,' a film by Kevin Booth | work=Pediatrics Week | publisher=NewsRX | date=May 4, 2013 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-328772347.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924154317/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-328772347.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 24, 2015 |accessdate=June 18, 2013 }} and Warner Brothers.

Booth directed Shadows of Sofia (2019) to examine Russian manipulation on the small eastern European country of Bulgaria.

Booth has shown clips of How Weed Won the West{{cite web | url=http://thepointnews.com/2011/11/should-marijuana-be-legalized | title=Kevin Booth Discusses the Legalization of Marijuana | work=The Pointe News – St. Mary's College of Maryland | date=November 15, 2011 | accessdate=June 17, 2013 | author=Anna Davis | archive-date=February 7, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207114214/http://thepointnews.com/2011/11/should-marijuana-be-legalized | url-status=dead }} and later his documentary American Drug War: The Last White Hope and lectured at universities and other organizations about American drug policy and legalization of marijuana.{{cite web | url=http://www.ciaspeakers.com/pages/drugwar2.html | title=Should Marijuana be Legalized? Promoting Education NOT Incarceration, Kevin Booth | work=Contemporary Issues Agency | accessdate=June 17, 2013}} For instance the Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP) of Tufts University brought Booth onto the campus in December 2012 to screen the film and talk with university students.{{cite web | url=http://www.tuftsdaily.com/ssdp-to-host-premiere-of-drug-war-documentary-1.2797418#.Ub_lG5zgUoI | title=SSDP to host premiere of drug war documentary | work=Tufts Daily | date=November 27, 2013 | accessdate=June 17, 2013 | author=James Pouliot }}{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} In February 2012, the University of New Hampshire's NORML / SSDP group held an event for Booth.{{cite web | url=https://wildcatlink.unh.edu/organization/norml_ssdp/calendar/details/131225 | title=UNH NORML/SSDP hosts Drug War Documentary Filmmaker Kevin Booth! | work=Wildcat Link – University of New Hampshire | date=February 21, 2012 | accessdate=June 17, 2013}}

Booth is married to Trae Painter Booth, who was an associate producer, production accountant and make-up artist on American Drug War 2: Cannabis Destiny. She also appeared in the documentary.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5611408/ | title=Trae Painter Booth | publisher=IMDb | accessdate=June 17, 2013 }}

• Year Zero (1987). New York: Chrysalis Records. OCLC 50484723.

Booth's film and video works include:

Booth has also been an actor, camera operator, cinematographer and has appeared as himself in documentaries, videos and on television.

• Bill Hicks

• {{cite book|author1=Kevin Booth|author2=Michael Bertin|title=Bill Hicks: Agent of Evolution|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hgNmEqz8T28C|date=June 24, 2010|publisher=HarperCollins Publishers|isbn=978-0-00-737503-5}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://kevinboothweb.wixsite.com/kevin-booth/ Kevin Booth] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116171634/http://kevinboothweb.wixsite.com/kevin-booth/ |date=January 16, 2017 }}– Official site
• [http://www.sacredcow.com/ Sacred Cow Productions] – Official site
• {{IMDb name|0095745}}
• [http://americandrugwar2.com/ Official site of American Drug War 2]
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mcFg9LneKE/ American Drug War Film]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Booth, Kevin}}

Category:1961 births

Category:Living people

Category:American conspiracy theorists

Category:Film producers from California

Category:Musicians from Los Angeles

Category:Musicians from Connecticut

Category:Mass media people from Houston

Category:Film producers from Texas

Category:University of Texas at Austin alumni