I’ve been in college for three years now, alive for 20, and at my boss’ (Andrew) house for 15 minutes. Never in any of this time would I have predicted that I’d be involved with something of this magnitude.

My all-time favorite quote is “Music is my mistress and she plays second fiddle to none.” A jazz pianist named Duke Ellington said that way before I was even born but it is something I believe very strongly in. My life is literally split into experiences based on associations with the songs I’ve heard. “Yellow Submarine” by the Beatles reminds me of my Dad singing (or trying) in the car when I was younger. “Giant Steps” by John Coltrane makes me think of the long nights studying during my first semester in college away from home. Any song by Led Zeppelin reminds me of my days in high school when all I wanted to do was play guitar and go to school for music.

Working on this movie with Joel and Andrew has opened my eyes to the fact that there are a hell of a lot of people out there like me. I enjoy being on the frontlines of the grassroots effort of promoting this film because I hear and read daily the comments and emails we get from people who are as pumped and compelled about music as we are.

This movie is important. It is important because it shows everyone that music is alive and kickin. The spiral of silence we have all experienced as “pre-packaged pop music” has taken over is no more. This movie is a centerpiece in the discussion and realization that the music we all love, is easily attainable and as prevalent as before…just a little harder to find.

- Jay B (the intern)

Many people have asked us about our seemingly endless road trips. So, what were the highs and lows of our those months on the road? Besides meeting great (and sometimes legendary) musicians, just seeing the country was the best part. I lost count after week two, but, I think I spent the night in at least 42 different cities while making this film. So, my “best and worst” of the roadtrip…..( I live in Austin, so, it’s excluded from the list)……

The overall “best city” award goes to Seattle….the people won this one hands down and the fact that we visited twice and never saw a drop of rain put it over the top for me and the rest of the crew. Talk about a music city! Turn on KEXP at any hour and you’ll get non stop mix of the best music in the world. Everywhere were went it seemed as if we were always bumping into musician. I packed my suitcase with about 20 CD’s handed to me by the fine folks of Seattle. Simply the finest city in America (in my opinion). Asheville, North Carolina is the “best town” and believe me I had a hard time leaving the place. We arrived there as spring was in bloom. The food could compete with any large city and the outdoor activity was endless.

“The Biggest surprise” was finding out how beautiful Pittsburgh really is. I never knew that this city in the heart of the rust could be so green and lush. There were Very Very nice people too…..

Well, now the worst….

A low budget indie film crew pulling over at 3am to find a motel in the dark can lead to some rude awakenings. In Trenton, New Jersey we checked in (without knowing) to what was basically a crack house. I’m not sure if it was the banging on the wall, the screaming, or the police lights, but, I won’t be staying on that side of Trenton ever again. Runner up is Houston, for such an enormous city, live music was few and far between. Too many chains and not enough places with original character. Sorry Houstonians, it’s true. Even little ol’ Jackson, Mississippi had more to choose from….musically that is.

- Andrew (the Director)

In the coming months, there will be some press coverage of our film. Within the press articles, there will be information about my brother John (who passed prior to the making of this film). Who was he and how is he tied to this story?

Well for starters, he was a music fanatic. As I grew up, I remember watching him rehearse for gigs. I remember hearing all kinds of different music coming from his room at all hours. He covered his walls with posters of the Beatles, Chicago, Stevie Wonder, Seals and Croft or whatever band was topping the charts in those years. A wide range of LP’s played on his stereo…..from Roberta Flack to Johnny Winters, Grand Funk to the Commodores and so on….

All of these factors played a roll in the importance of music in my own life. What strikes me most, thinking back to that time, is how diverse music really was. The charts in the 60’s and 70’s were filled with acts that did not follow a single trend as it does today. There weren’t “focus groups” deciding what was hot and what was not. My brother collected music after hearing it first on the radio. Or, he would learn about bands by staying up late to watch the now vintage, Midnight Special. I will never forget Wolfman Jack’s power and influence on the world of music. No two acts ever seemed the same on that show. John absorbed that music and I was completely influenced by his fanaticism towards music. I thought there was nothing more important than the music I could listen too. I was ruled by my big brother’s stereo.

John’s music career never took off. Although he had talent, he never pursued a career in music as his best friends did. Like me, he continued to make it a priority. We dreamed that we would one day open a record store called “Songs in the Attic”, but, as time went on, that too faded.

My last conversation with him was about, no surprise, music. In that conversation, we talked about how everything had changed and we agreed that variety had been replaced by repetition. He spoke specifically about how the Dave Matthews Band (who appear in the film), made him feel good and upbeat. John was very very ill when we talked, so, that point was not lost on me. I never told Dave how much it meant that he was in this film, but Dave, if you ever read this….Thank you!

So, when John is brought up in the press surrounding this film, I hope the reader understands that he was just like most of us, a simple music fan that hoped things would one day get better for musicians. He witnessed his musician friends go through a lot of heartache and he never spoke negatively about how his illnesses that kept him from playing the music he loved. He was a fighter. He returned to finish and graduate from college despite his days being numbered. That played a tremendous roll in how I approached the making of this film. I couldn’t give up on making this no matter how many times I was told “no”, simply because, I learned to keep fighting to get it done. Now, with John’s memory intact, this film is set to be released for the world to see.

- Andrew (the Director)

For starters, this is the first time I have been compelled to write a blog. I have never even been in a chat room. There are two reasons for this, one, because I am a techno-dork that has been, gratefully, dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st Century and two, “who has time?” But I do admire those who take the time to share their thoughts and put them out there for everyone, especially when it is done thoughtfully.

I don’t really remember how long ago it was, when I got a call from a mutual friend of Andrew’s and mine, asking me to sit down and talk to these first-time filmmakers. I listened to them tell me about the story they wanted to tell and felt the genuine passion and drive that had gripped them and was not going to let go of them until the story was told. I thought to myself “uh oh, new members of documentaries anonymous.” I gave them my insights, some of which resonated instantly, and others that took time to prove themselves. After a few more meetings we forged a trust and it has been fun watching the life of this story unfold.

These guys are a great team. I love the balance of Andrew’s indefatigable, tenaciousness with Joel’s calm, smart, hardworking approach. They’ve told a densely intelligent and thorough story about the music industry that is reflective of the film industry. I am honored and proud to incorporate my experience to help craft this story and get it to the broadest possible audience. And to be part of forging a life-long creative partnership which I know will bring many great stories to audiences.

- Lisa McWilliams