Josh Threlkeld – Memphis Flyer

The Ford BlueOval City manufacturing complex in Haywood County is the storied car company’s biggest capital investment in recent memory. Its first mission is to turn out the F-150 Lightning as quickly as corporately possible. The electric vehilcle is the hottest ticket on the American road right now, and songwriter JD Graffam is experiencing acute truck envy. “I’m asked quite often if ‘Electric Truck’ is supposed to be fun or serious, so I want to answer that question directly,” he says. “It’s very serious — I’ve always been a pickup man, and as much as I love fast cars, I can’t wait to buy me an electric truck.”

In the tradition of automotive odes like “My Little GTO,” “Electric Truck” is about hitting the road in a hopped-up ride. “One of the most rewarding aspects of songwriting is collaboration,” says Graffam. “Bringing this song to life collaboratively has given me the chance not just to share in the end result, but to learn and grow as an artist. Working with Josh Threlkeld was inspiring. He’s not just a talented musician but a good friend I’ve made through music. And he helped make this song better. When it came time to create a music video for “Electric Truck,” I again leaned on this community and ultimately reconnected with my old friends, Sarah Fleming and Christopher Reyes. They are talented; their vision for the arts in Memphis is what’s inspiring about them. It is always wonderful to work with smart people to bring a vision to life.”

This video has everything from backyard barbecues to a street gang of cute kids in their own electric vehicles. Let’s go!

If you’d like to see your music video on Music Video Monday, email cmccoy@memphisflyer.com.

For more than 40 years, Dixon Gallery and Gardens has been a mecca for art, showcasing horticulture and visual arts with lush botanical gardens and a gallery that displays a range of classic and contemporary arts.

Now, the museum fuses the arts of herbology and mixology at its second annual Art on the Rocks tasting event, featuring cocktails inspired by herbs from their gardens. Basil, sage, thyme, and lavender are just a few of the herbs that will be used as ingredients in uniquely crafted cocktails mixed by A Catered Affair.

Dixon Gallery and Gardens

“My favorite one is a play on a spicy lemon cocktail. It has Fever Tree ginger beer, jalapeño juice, mint, and vodka,” says Kristen Rambo, digital communications associate at Dixon Gallery and Gardens. “Another drink, which is kind of on-trend right now, uses Truly hard seltzer with lime juice, ginger, rum, and rosemary.”

Other signature drinks served will include frozé (a frozen rosé slushie) and Have a Good Thyme, an Old Dominick vodka drink with fresh thyme, ginger beer, Aperol, and lime juice.

Art on the Rocks, which evolved from the former beer tasting event Art on Tap, will also offer craft beers and mocktails; and several local restaurants, including Amerigo, Cheffie’s Café, and Grecian Gourmet, will be present offering food samples. The PRVLG and Josh Threlkeld will provide musical entertainment.

Art on the Rocks is the first of a series of events hosted by the Dixon this season.

“Art on the Rocks is kind of a kick-off event for us in the fall,” Rambo says. “And as we move into October, we’ll get more into the food tastings like with our Art on Fire event.”

Art on the Rocks, Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Friday, September 6th, 6-9 p.m., $40 for members, $50 for non-members and day-of tickets.