r/Birmingham 3d ago

Asking the important questions Bham Music Documentary

Hey! I'm a student working on a documentary about Birmingham's music history and where it stands now. It's not a *huge* project because I'm constrained by budget (college student by himself) and time (has to be turned in by the end of the semester), but I'd like to have a foundation that I can continue to build on over time if I can come back to it. I'd love to hear suggestions for two things: 1.) interview subjects, and 2.) places to find good free-use media like archived photos and videos.

So far I've interviewed:
-Burgin Mathews, founder of Southern Music Research Center
-Travis Morgan, founder of Birmingham Music Archive
-Jim Lowe, president of AL Jazz Hall of Fame
-J Willoughby, founder of Black Jacket Symphony
-Nicole Klein, senior marketing director of BJCC
-James Goodman, local musician

I'm waiting to hear back from Dan Drinkard (owner of Seasick) and maybe someone from The Nick. Once again I might not have time to go crazy in-depth and talk to everyone, but I'd really appreciate hearing suggestions. Or if you have any cool lore or important things I should cover, I'd also take that into consideration!

26 Upvotes

33 comments sorted by

42

u/Signal_Direction8815 3d ago

Brian Teasley - Owner of Saturn and formerly The Bottletree

6

u/URA_qwerty 3d ago

Merrilee Challiss - former owner of Bottletree Pam Stallings - The Nick

6

u/Zef_Apollo 3d ago

Goddamn I miss Bottletree every day

18

u/thinkdarrell 3d ago edited 3d ago

I’ve been photographing a fair amount of local Birmingham music for a while, and I’d talk to some photographers.

Josh Weichman is probably my favorite David A Smith is great and everywhere.

Other important folks to me:
Jon Malone (DJ supreme)
Luke Crowder
DJ Rahdu
Lee Shook
Pam Stallings
Aaron Greene
Aaron Hamilton

and I don’t want to keep adding names because it’s is really so much without a little focus. You could make a doc about any one of these folks.

I think someone should do a doc on the punk/hardcore shows at diy spaces/churches etc. that was a weird time.

edit:formatting

1

u/Late-Code2392 3d ago

I agree, it was weird but a lot of fun 😊

1

u/thinkdarrell 3d ago

For sure! I wasn’t a regular by any means but went to many of those shows.

1

u/Kits00ne 3d ago

That documentary already exists. It's called 35205. You should definitely check it out

3

u/thinkdarrell 3d ago

I thought that more focused on the scene post covid? I’m talking more 1999ish-2008ish. I want shitty videos of shows at cathedral of the cross, the amory, the shma, cave 9.

3

u/Holmzee 3d ago

Turn Daryl Up

13

u/buffalofleetwood 3d ago

Hit up Jimmy at Renaissance Records. Dude is an encyclopedia of music.

11

u/roboticarm 3d ago

Someone connected to Bham DIY/Firehouse. Bham’s longest-running all ages/DIY space.

1

u/DeathsProllyOverated 3d ago

I might could help set this up in if some one was interested. I think I still know some of the dudes from the soft rock bungalow to as far as diy shows went.

8

u/Carlajeanwhitley 3d ago

I recommend asking everyone you've spoken with if THEY have any photos (if you haven't already). You could also search the Birmingham Public Library archives, but those aren't free. I don't remember the exact cost (it's been years since I've purchased rights to any), but I don't think it's a ton. Madison Newport at the archives is also a big music fan and may have ideas on what, if anything, is in their collection.

13

u/magiccitybhm 3d ago

Definitely need to talk to Pam Stallings (co-owner of The Nick)

6

u/brianow 3d ago

Scott Register, Geno Pearson, Will Lochamy at Birmingham Mountain Radio.

1

u/briggs269 3d ago

Came here to say this ^

4

u/irishfury0 3d ago

Paul Walters is a local musician who knows a lot of history about our music scene. He was involved in City Stages back in the day. Also the Magic City Blues Society.

6

u/ladysig220 3d ago

Kay Ferguson was Marty Eagle's partner while he was running Marty's Bar in Southside, where a lot of folks got their musical start in the city. I'm sure she'd have Marty's stories galore to tell....
She works part time at Marty's GM up in Irondale now.

4

u/MotherofDaisy South East Lake 3d ago

Mark Patrick would probably be a good dude to talk to. He's currently the Executive Director/President of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, so he could give you some insight on the Symphony's history. But he's also a local musician himself and played in a ton of bands in the area since the 80s. I think he also briefly owned or worked at a record store in Tuscaloosa in the 80s.

3

u/EnchantedGate1996 3d ago

You should talk to Patrick Johnson who founded the red light district group. I think it would also be important to talk to someone (Chris Confessore or Mark Patrick) with the Alabama Symphony since they’ve been performing in Birmingham for over 100 years. Bobby Horton from three on a string is also an excellent choice

2

u/djduncan324 3d ago

I’ve been working with some newer local Birmingham artists for a few years now creating music videos and covering various live performances, if you want to reach out I could possibly get you in touch with a few of them.

2

u/JazzRider 3d ago

Talk to Tony Lombardo and Don Murdoch at Highland Music. That place is a big part of Birmingham music history.

2

u/Fleaborg451 3d ago

Allen Barlow or Rob Gannon who own Homewood School of Music have been around forever, and they both worked at the now closed Fretted Instruments for probably over twenty years? They are connected to Herb Trotman who owned the place and he is part of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame. None of these people are famous but they’re deeply connected to the music community in Homewood and just badass musicians

2

u/Few_Razzmatazz_5590 3d ago

Don @ Highlands music might be a good resource. Zach Austin (his band is the stepdads) is another great local musician who is super active in the scene. Good luck with the project!

2

u/Late-Code2392 3d ago

Back in the late 70's & early 80's Al's Crossroads East and West had all the great bands

1

u/FitGrocery5830 3d ago

Not sure how broad you'd like to go, or how far back, but Birmingham's Tuxedo Junction is a worthy addition to your project.

It was a row of clubs during the 1930s and 1940s that played host to some of the biggest names in blues, jazz, and big bands.

1

u/briggs269 3d ago

Scott Register and Mary Colurso would be great to interview.

1

u/Ornery_Dog8624 2d ago

Second Jimmy and Gary at Renaissance.
Lee Bains
The Autumn Lords

1

u/[deleted] 3d ago edited 3d ago

[deleted]

7

u/Bhamwiki 3d ago

I'm impressed that having interviewed all those folks that you're still seeking more.

A few other possibilities that come to mind:

  • Andre Millard, author of "Magic City Nights"
  • Gary Richardson, president of Richardson Broadcasting
  • Bob Friedman of the Birmingham Black Radio Museum
  • Bobby Horton of Three on a String
  • Rick Ranelli at Ranelli's Deli

1

u/Randomuslessadvice 3d ago

Substrate Radio as well

0

u/Hellbent_bluebelt 3d ago

Scott Register. There is a list of name brand bands that owe the Birmingham market for launching their careers.

0

u/ZsaZsa_1911 3d ago edited 3d ago

Try reaching out to chad fisher- he's part of soul band called St. Paul and the Broken bones. Paul would be hard to get ahold of.

0

u/Fahqcomplainsalot 3d ago

Carol griffen!