The trio of Keith Cooper, Frank McLallen, and Graham Winchester have been playing together since high school. They rock as The Sheiks, they’ve backed up Jack Oblivian, and, with the addition of Jesse James Davis, they play both kinds of music — country and western — as the Tennessee Screamers.
“Maria” was written by McLallen and recorded at Sun Studios by Crockett Hall, with Eric Lewis guesting on pedal steel.
Davis (who is often mistaken for Memphis Flyer editor Jesse Davis, and vice versa) directed this music video in 2021. “Almost a year ago, we invaded the drive-in to make a music video,” says Davis. “I finally finished it after a busy year back gettin’ educated at U of M. A lot of thanks to throw out on this one: Leanna Carey for shooting some vid on the river one fine spring day; cameos from Michael Jasud, Linton and Grace; thanks to Laurel and Charles for letting us shoot at the Lamplighter”
Cooper says, “The city of Memphis once again proved to be a fine palette for the various locations needed to be shot. From the muddy banks of the Mississippi to the commode that Jasud’s ass rested upon at the Malco Drive-In.”
The lo-fi video drama sees McLellan being chased by Cooper and Winchester, presumably for eating beans and stealing the affections of the titular Maria. “I am glad I can use my position as editor of the Memphis Flyer to promote my own work,” says Davis*.
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.
*Jesse James Davis, musician, comedian, and filmmaker, not Jesse Davis, musician and editor of the Memphis Flyer. I know. It’s complicated.