My weekend was a pretty productive on in terms of photography. I was able to witness the Brass Blues Note award ceremony and single release of Keith Sykes .
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| Keith Sykes |
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| Skyelor Anderson |
As well as being able to photograph a special event held by local radio station 94.1 +The Wolf, as they hosted Songwriterfest2160 featuring +Shane Minor, +Phil O`Donnell
+Shelley Skidmore , and
+Greg Bates as they sat in an open forum and told the stories behind your favorite hits.
All made possible through the help of Mark Parsell the owner of South Main Sounds. A tiny venue he runs where he showcases local talent in the Mid South area,
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| Mark Parsell and Michelle Bush Shrader |
I first met Mark during my first Trolley Night (which is normally the last Friday of the month) In the South Main Arts district in Memphis. Marks was always walking around networking and checking on thing. See when you are on South Main and you are hearing live music and the acts playing. that`s Marks handy work. Out there keeping the ball rolling. I`d only see him in passing never really speaking, just snapping and posting away.
Shortly after that Mark started his lovechild of local music South Main Sounds
From here not only was there live music to listen to on the streets of South Main, but you could walk into 550 have a seat and listen to local musicians preform in three to four sets of original songs written by the artist themselves. Again with Mark buzzing in and out saying "Are we good Brad" "Are we good?? Okay". Me just taking pictures, learning new talent, and posting online.
Then November 22,2014. I was planning to visit Lafayette`s Music Room in
+Overton Square
because Brad said a band called American Fiction(
+AF BAND ) was having a vinyl release party for their album "Dumb Luck". Brad couldn't make it due to a prior engagement and I was going anyway so hey way not. While I`m setting up I notice Mark walk in and pass me, he doesn't speak doesn't say a work. It doesnt bother me because up until that point we`ve only been introduced once and never had a conversation of any kind. About forty minutes later as I`m walking around looking for angles and taking photos, Mark walks up to me and says "Hey I really appreciate you coming out and doing this I know the pictures are going to be great, there in really good hands" and I really think nothing more of it. The next day I`m pranking Brad on line by asking him did he go (which I know he didn`t because I`m the only photographer there). He replies "Frank Chin" didn't and I didn`t go so I take you didnt go either " Then I popped the pic on him.
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| American Fiction |
He`s really thankful and says I know Mark`s thankful and that he`s going to look out for me and I`m like "Awe man its no big deal" and he replies "No man you don`t know how big of a deal it is"
Jump ahead December 28,2014. I walk in and check my +Facebook and there a message from Mark
"Hey do you have any plans for New Years? The Madison Hotel is having a New Years Eve Party and are looking for a photographer. do you think you would be interested?"Next thing I know I`m working The Madison hotel
Mark has brought in a lot of incredible talent over the past year including Nashville artists
+Karen Waldrup who`s video Classy Trashed the Party stayed in the top 3 on
+CMT video countdown for weeks.
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| Karen Waldrup |
+Jordan Allena and
+Ashley McBryde who both have EP`s releasing this year
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| Jordan Allena |
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| Ashley Mcbryde |
As well as artist who have recently received national attention like
+Angie Keilhauer and Chris Johnson who are and have been on
+The Voice and
+American Idol respectfully
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| Angie Keilhauer |
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| Chris CJ Johnson |
And I would never had the chance to capture such amazing talent in such a pivotal time if it weren't for the man with his finger on the pulse if local music. So many thanks to you Mark Parsell. It`s kind of funny because every now and again at the end of a show as I`m leaving he will say "Thanks for all you do" as if its no big deal and now I`m the one thinking "You don't know how big of a deal it is".
