SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL(TM) TO PREMIERE THREE MUSIC DOCS IN MARCH FEATURING BLONDIE, AMY WINEHOUSE AND DR. JOHN

ROCKING THE OPERA HOUSE: DR. JOHN Premieres March 7

AMY WINEHOUSE: ONE SHINING NIGHT Premieres March 14

BLONDIE'S NEW YORK Premieres March 21

New York, February 19, 2014 - Smithsonian Channel will premiere three music documentaries in March, all featuring iconic performers. First up is the March 7 premiere featuring the Night Tripper, Dr. John. On March 14 is a remarkable 2006 performance from the late Amy Winehouse, right at the moment when her breakthrough album Back to Black was exploding across the charts. The rise of Blondie - who are celebrating their 40th anniversary this year - against the backdrop of New York City in the late 1970's is explored in a riveting documentary premiering March 21.

ROCKING THE OPERA HOUSE: DR. JOHN - Friday, March 7 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Dr. John won his sixth Grammy last year, for Locked Down, a collaboration with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys. This program tells the story of the New Orleans musician originally born as Malcolm John Rebennack Jr., and his evolution in the 1960s into "Dr. John, The Night Tripper," tracing his extraordinary journey through the American musical landscape. It's a journey that includes writing songs with Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones, as well as performing with Sonny and Cher. The special was filmed on location at the Opera House, an intimate, 100-year-old venue that is nestled in the Shenandoah Valley in the oldest town in West Virginia.

AMY WINEHOUSE: ONE SHINING NIGHT - Friday, March 14 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

In October 2006, Amy Winehouse released Back to Black, her second studio album and the record that would define her. Winehouse went on to win a Brit Award, two Ivor Novello Awards, and in February 2007 five Grammys(R), including Best New Artist, Song of the Year, and Record of the Year. Quite simply Back to Black was a monster album, and Amy Winehouse was catapulted to superstardom. Shortly after the album's release, Winehouse made a pilgrimage to the small fishing village of Dingle in the southwest corner of Ireland. There she performed in a tiny 200-year old church in front of less than 70 people, and later shared the story of her music and musical influences.

BLONDIE'S NEW YORK - Friday, March 21 at 10 p.m. ET/PT

Crime and blight in New York City were rampant in 1978. The arts scene, however, was expanding and thriving. It was a time when rich creativity and grinding poverty and drug abuse were hand in hand on the sidewalks of the Lower East side. Out of this unique and troubled time and place, emerged a legendary band and one of the best-selling albums of all time, Parallel Lines. Its music and lyrics celebrate and capture this vibrant and edgy chemistry.

At the time, the members of Blondie had two punk albums behind them and were establishing a name for themselves at the famed Lower East side club CBGB together with groundbreaking bands such as the Ramones, Television and Johnny Thunder. Then Chrysalis Records executive Terry Ellis saw them and spent a million dollars to buy out their recording contract. Needing his investment to pay off, he had to ensure that their next album was a hit. He brought in maverick Australian record producer Mike Chapman, who would help turn this crew of New York punks into world stars. The result, Parallel Lines, defined a time and place, and launched lead singer Debbie Harry into superstardom and as a fashion icon. BLONDIE's NEW YORK is narrated by Kim Cattrall.

ABOUT SMITHSONIAN CHANNEL

Smithsonian Channel is owned by Smithsonian Networks, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution. Its programs are largely inspired by the assets of the world's largest museum complex. Smithsonian Channel features award-winning original documentaries, series, and groundbreaking programs highlighting America's historical, cultural and scientific heritage. Smithsonian Channel brings the American experience home in high definition and Dolby Digital 5.1 and is available to customers of DirecTV, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Charter Communications, Cablevision, Verizon, AT&T, and more. Learn more at http://smithsonianchannel.com.