Nothing is more gratifying than seeing a film that we’ve worked so hard on make it to the big screen. The seats were filled at the Paramount and the ovation at the end summed it up. Many who saw an earlier cut said the “it’s so much better than before”. Well, thanks to Joel’s magic touches in the edit bay, I agree. The moment that got the most attention? Hubert Sumlin’s comment ” I’ve never been a millionaire, but, I’m doing what I want to do…so maybe I am ….” We were told by the audience that they were “touched” and “inspired” and that for me, is what it’s really all about.

Later that night, we saw an amazing show at the Austin Music Hall ! Go Nova wowed with their famous hooks and introduced the crowd to Austin’s next big thing. Correo Aereo took us to another place with their dreamlike set and reminded us of what the payoff is for hard work and discipline. “River Song” is an angel in itself. Blaze refused to let us sit still and had us moving to every beat while they melted three genre’s of music together to form their signature sound. The handsome gentleman Ephraim Owens, brought us back to the glorious age of jazz while introducing us to the future of America’s most precious genre. And then there was Doyle…the man himself is a factory of music. “He’s back! he’s back!” is what one member of the audience shouted. Hell yes he’s back and he is sounding better than ever. No words can describe what a power set he created on stage. It was Doyle’s night to shine and he did so with ease. By the time Erykah Badu hit the stage, the Music Hall was bursting with energy and love. Joined by the beat geniuses Mike Elizondo & Questlove, they spoiled, simply spoiled us that night. The green eye’d Queen opened her set with the ghost of Billie Holiday floating around the room and took us to that place that makes us forget all of the ills of the world. Her presence and words serve to remind us that love is the beauty of the soul. Suzanna, Wendy and Lisa were simply soulful angels while James kept us in church all night. The moment that everyone is talking about? DJ Jazzy Jeff! He validated in my mind just how powerful an instrument a turntable can be. 20 years of scratching and I’m seeing him for the first time? Shame on me.

It was an honor to see the formation of Funk Sway at home here in Austin. I felt moved at what can only be described as one of the most memorable and important moments in my life.

Thank you all for supporting such a unforgettable evening. From here, we have other festivals to attend …such as Cleveland (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), Nantucket, Boston, Sarasota, Bergen Norway, Edinburgh Scotland and more…

The great reviews from the likes of IndieWire, Austin Chronicle and Salon.Com will help us spread the word around the country. But for me, the most significant moment came when a high school music teacher said to me “every semester, my music students will watch this”. That sums it up.

Thank you guys again for your support!

So most people think about what they’re going to do when they turn 21 for a really long time. If you’re living here in Austin, the usual answer is going downtown to the eclectic 6th street or making the rounds to Trudys for the mexican martinis. For me it has been no different. Though, with only 5 days left until the 11th (my birthday) I couldn’t be more excited that I’m doing neither of those things. Friday night at midnight I’ll probably be working instead of counting down the seconds to my legal age. Saturday as well, will definitely be spent working the entire day and I couldn’t be any happier.

It’s not that I dislike a mexican martini or cold beer, its just that I plan on saving my energy up for working the whole weekend for the film. Spending my 21st birthday photographing a living guitar legend (Doyle Bramhall II) and hanging with Erykah Badu and her manager Smitty will definitely be up there on my “coolest things I did while in college” list.

It is difficult to explain how cool I feel for being involved with such a moving project as this. Knowing that this film will hit it deep with everyone from devout music fans to the casual listener is incredible. I know that the fun we had making the film will be easily seen in the film and the concert we are throwing after.

If you’re in the Austin area I recommend you roll on down to Waterloo records and pick up a ticket to the concert. They’re 15 bucks which is an awesome price for who you’re going to see. Erykah Badu is a must. I don’t think I need to explain why you need to see her perform. Ephraim Owens and Blaze are some of my favorite local Jazz musicians. Its actually Ephraim’s picture that we have plastered all over the website. Funk Sway, a super group made up of Erykah, Questlove, Doyle Bramhall II, Wendy & Lisa (of Prince’s Revolution), Mike Elizondo, James Poyser, and Susannah Melvoin is insane. They came together after meeting through the production and have recorded some incredible jam tracks for us that can be heard in the movie. There will be other bands playing too that I didn’t mention that are just as memorable, but I’ll leave that up to you to find out.

My point in all of this? My 21st birthday, although spent working, will be incredible…

-Jay B “the intern”