This week’s Music Video Monday falls on the 4th of July, and we’re here to instill you with pride.
Last week, The Memphis Grizzlies released a video they commissioned from director Craig Brewer called “Mike Conley – Our Conductor“. The video was a tribute to the baller, who was up for contract renegotiation, and a plea to stay. It must have worked, because Conley signed a $153 million dollar, 5-year contract to stay in Memphis.
To make “Mike Conley – Our Conductor”, Brewer enlisted a who’s who of Memphis film talent, including producers Morgan Jon Fox and Erin Freeman, cinematographer Ryan Earl Parker, assistant director Sarah Fleming, Brandon Bell, and Firefly Grip and Electric. Prolific composer Jonathan Kirkscey was tapped to write an inspiring score, which would be performed by musicians from the Stax Music Academy and members of local orchestras, and the Grizzline drummers. Dancers from Collage Dance Collective, joined jookers from the Grit N’ Grind Squad. The conductor is Dr. James Gholson.
Editor Edward Valibus says the first step in assembling the video was to lay down the music bed and edit together footage from a shoot at the FedEx Forum. Before any of the interviews with Conley’s friends and teammates were added, a cut was circulated to the Grizzles PR team, who went bonkers for it. “The first rough cut got such a tremendous response, we wanted people to see it it so the individual artists could get some recognition,” Valibus says.
So here it is, the “Artist Only Remix”, showcasing some of the best musical and filmmaking talent our city has to offer. Happy Independence Day!
Happy 4th of July from Music Video Monday
If you would like to see your music video featured on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com