3/22/14 - "Hirsch," the short film that I wrote, directed by Chad Allen Barton and Patrick Churvis, is screening tonight, Sunday March 23rd, at the Downtown Independent for Fudgefest in Los Angeles.  The festival, created by PJ Gaynard, is in it's second year.  Patrick Churvis will be in attendance and tickets are FREE, so everyone in Los Angeles:  Go! Go! Say hello to Mr. Churvis.  For more information, click here.

Take me to the river, directed by Martin Shore, is a documentary that follows a series of recording sessions that put young and older generations of musicians, mostly Memphians, at the legendary royal studios. I was fortunate enough to be one of the camera operators for the film, and now it's getting it's world premiere at south by southwest festival. Go and see. For more information, click here: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_FS15125

These last two weeks in October are chalk full of awesome things to see and do in Memphis.

Here's a brief overview:
Butch Americana finishing
Hope Clayburn Show
Video Showcase
Moon in Indie Memphis
Eric Huber Paintings Showcase
Shocktober Drive-In
I Filmed Your Death
Snake Drive

First things first:  Last night, we finished tracking all of the music for "Friends Over There" For Butch Americana.  Jeff Culley added an incredible guitar part to the now epic-length song.  Every time someone records for this, the song just goes to another level.  It's a truly awesome experience.  I can't wait to record all of my friends talking next week; after that, the song will be wrapped.  Somehow the stars aligned on this one, and it's a great feeling to have all of my friends involved.

And >>>> I'm playing a show with Hope Clayburn's Soul Scrimmage THIS SATURDAY NIGHT at The Cove Bar, 10 -1.  Always a great show, and the food and drinks ain't bad neither.

So!  Did you know there's this little thing called "Lights, Camera, Bullshit?"  It's a feature film from my friend Chad Barton.  I've recently been helping him edit the film, and we just finished the first trailer that will PREMIERE tomorrow (Thursday) at the Don't Be Afraid of the Video Shorts Showcase at Studio on the Square.  Not only that, but it'll premiere alongside "Hirsch," a short film I wrote that was directed by Chad and Patrick Churvis.  But wait!  It doesn't end there.  The showcase will be host to some fine Memphis short films from some great friends of mine.  Be there.  Tomorrow at 7pm, Studio on the Square.  $3.

Let's not forget:  Indie Memphis is in less than two weeks!  On Nov. 2, a short film that I had the pleasure of making with some fine folks out in Orange, CA, "The Moon" will be competing at the festival at 9pm at Studio on the Square.  It's awesome to get in the ring!  Click here for tickets.

Friday's full as well - My friend Eric Huber is showcasing his paintings at Ameriprise Financial during Trolley Night and RiverArtsFest. It's called the Space For Thinkin' Art Show.  Go, he does good stuff.   More Info

After you've checked out ol' Huber's artwork, head on over to one of the last remaining Drive-In's in America on Summer Ave. for the Shocktober Drive-In Series.  The “Shocktober” lineup includes a “horrorthon” trio of 1980s shockers -- “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” “Evil Dead 2,” and “Return of the Living Dead” -- plus Russ Meyer’s infamous “Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!” (1965), about top-heavy go-go dancers on a loco crime spree.  Click here for More Info.

And last but not least, my friends Sam Bahre's movie, "I Filmed Your Death" will have a nice little ol' sneak preview on Halloween night at 10pm at Studio on the Square.  Not only will it be some nice horror business, but my friend, Sir Charlie Metz III is IN THE THANG.  So, now you have to go.  More Info.

P.S. It's not confirmed, but the Snake Drive music video I recently shot for the North Mississippi Allstars might be out in the next few weeks too... so...

And while you're at, strut on over to fine feeling waters of pianomanpictures.com

I'm currently on the road with the North Mississippi Allstars' "World Boogie is Coming" tour throughout September.  Alongside doing live VJ work, social media, and music videos, I post videos from every other show on the road.  The most current episode of the NMA:Road series are New York City and Philadelphia.  Next we're heading to the Americana Music Festival in Nashville, then the Music Midtown Festival in Atlanta, working our way through cities ending at the House of Blues in Chicago.  Check out the New York vignette below, and check out all of the Road series on my videos page.  Also, starting this Monday, Piano Man Pictures will be in production of the next music video for the Allstars, "Snake Drive."
     Other quick tidbits:  I'm currently editing Chad Barton's debut feature "Lights, Camera, Bullshit."  I had the pleasure of being a part of the project for the past two-and-a-half years, and I'm pleased to say it's shaping up to be a great comedy.  More news will come on that late in October.  And, by the way, don't miss his production of Cormac McCarthy's Sunset Limited starting Sept. 27 at Our Own Voices theater in Memphis, TN.  It runs through Oct. 12.

Come out to see me playing drums with the incomparable Hope Clayburn and her Soul Scrimmage.  Two upcoming dates:
8/31 at Memphis Music and Heritage Festival
9/6 at Rock for Love

Check out the band on my music page.

One of four music videos I did for the North Mississippi Allstars' upcoming release "World Boogie is Coming" just released.  I'm really proud of this one.  It's comprised of footage from a seven-month long tour across the US.  Click here to read the USA TODAY ARTICLE about it.

The drum tracking is now totally complete for Butch American.  We worked on the final three songs tonight.  "Years After Yesterday" is a song about being the crazy one in bad relationship.  "Friends Over There" is great Bruce Hornsby-esque tune about that feeling when you realize better friends are far off somewhere else.  And finally, a Matthew Garth original, "Ode to G" is a soulful groove that ultimately will have a reprise that - I swear - when Matthew recorded it last week, brought us to tears.  It's that incredible.  So, next we move to the good stuff:  keys, bass, sax, guitars, etc.  We'll be starting in about two weeks.

Here's another sample track from Butch Americana, "Prolly."  I'm really proud of this one.  The dulcimer finally gets a front-row seat.  This one also features Michael Joyner on guitar and Khari Wynn on bass.