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BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES
Set For Its World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival
March 12th Paramount Theatre ~ Austin, Texas
&
“AFTER…BEFORE”
A Jam Session & Official After Party
Austin Music Hall
Featuring Performances By: Correo Aereo, Ephraim Owens, Blaze, Doyle Bramhall II, Erykah Badu, Funk Sway (Featuring: Erykah Badu, Doyle Bramhall II, Wendy & Lisa, Mike Elizondo, James Poyser, ?uestlove and Susannah Melvoin), DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Special Surprise Guests!!!!!

With outstanding performances and revealing interviews, BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES (Premiering Sunday, March 12th, 4:30pm at the Paramount Theatre), directed by Andrew Shapter, produced by Joel Rasmussen, and Narrated by Forest Whitaker, takes a critical and comedic look at the homogenization of popular music with commentary, and in many cases live performances, by such artists as Erykah Badu; Doyle Bramhall II; Blaze; Calexico; Correo Aereo; Eric Clapton; Elvis Costello; Kacy Crowley; Guy Forsyth; David Hidalgo; Los Lobos; D Madness; Branford Marsalis; Dave Matthews; My Morning Jacket; North Mississippi Allstars; Ephraim Owens; Les Paul; Michael Penn; Steve Poltz; Bonnie Raitt; Hubert Sumlin; Marty Stuart; ?uestlove, Widespread Panic, and many more. Using historic footage the film looks at the evolution of American music and the artists who created it and pulls back the curtain to expose the sad truth behind today's "artificial" music stars. "The reality is that superficiality is in," says Marsalis. "And depth and quality is kind of out."

After the death of his musician brother, director Andrew Shapter was inspired to make this film. He and Producer Rasmussen and the film crew traveled thousands of miles, visiting dozens of cities, speaking with hundreds of fans, journalists, record executives and musicians while searching for "real" American music. What they found were mega-talents without a major label, including one artist, Doyle Bramhall II, whom Eric Clapton believes is ‘the real thing.’ "I've never heard anyone like him," says Clapton. "He plays like nobody else." – Bramhall is set to tour with Clapton this year!!

In addition to the artists, Shapter and Rasmussen put the questions to writers and critics from The Future of Music Coalition, Indie 911, CNN, USA Today, Rolling Stone, The New York Times, NPR and others. The filmmakers posed questions such as "why do they always play the same few songs over and over again on the radio? Why do major labels no longer allow musicians to develop their career over time? Why do local radio stations not feel so local anymore? In addition, why is it that all the acts promoted as the 'new thing' seem to resemble fashion models?"

Following the SXSW Premiere screening of BEFORE THE MUSIC DIES, will be “AFTER…BEFORE,” an All-Star Celebration Jam Session & Official After Party kicking off at 8:00pm at the Austin Music Hall. More than 3000 guests will party to the live music of such featured artists as Correo Aereo, Ephraim Owens, Blaze, Doyle Bramhall II, Erykah Badu, Funk Sway (Featuring: Erykah Badu, Doyle Bramhall II, Wendy & Lisa, Mike Elizondo, James Poyser, ?uestlove and Susannah Melvoin), DJ Jazzy Jeff, and Special Surprise Guests!! that will be sure to have Austin rocking into the wee hours.

Jeff “Smitty” Smith of Control FreaQ Records, who is producing the “After…Before” Jam, as well as project manager on the highly anticipated Soundtrack release says, “Andrew & Joel’s film has been an incredible opportunity for many of these artists who have never met before. Now, they are planning to record each other’s music, perform and tour together…. It has been just a remarkable converging of talent and the Before The Music Dies Celebration Concert is going to be an electric night of music and creative collaboration not readily seen in music today.”

Sponsors for “After…Before” include Paste Magazine, ASCAP, Control FreaQ Records, AMD 64 Live, Faron West Productions, Smitty Ink, The Mobile Film School and the SXSW Film Conference & Festival.

We invite your review and interview coverage of the film and celebration concert. Andrew Shapter and Joel Rasmussen, as well as many of the performers, are available for all media interviews in advance as well as throughout the SXSW Festival. Electronic and Photo Media will be permitted to shoot portions of the concert.

Please contact Michelle Moretta at Springer Associates PR for all interview and coverage requests.
Cell # 917-749-5578 ~~ michelle@springerassociatespr.com

Springer Associates PR – 212-354-4660
[Edited 3/13/06 18:22pm]

yeah....there's a couple of threads in Associated artists