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Update: 5/1/07  

We are in edit and have the show nearly done.  So here's a clip from the show. BLUES BOY.    From the line-cut. 

November 1st, Memphis.

BB King LIVE DVD and CD Production.  

On September 17th we were in Paris with BB. We were shooting in his dressing room before the show – there were lots of longtime friends and fans that came backstage to wish him well prior to his performance.  It was the day after his 81st birthday, so there were Birthday Wishes as well.

As the crowd thinned out, I was going to leave the dressing room to give BB some “space” prior to his show – he likes that – a few minutes alone before he goes on stage.  He asked me to stay. 

It was just BB, my soundman Sam Watson and BB's longtime manager, Floyd Lieberman. They closed the door and BB asked me to sit down.   "I'm thinking, "Oh My Gosh, What have I done wrong"?

BB told me he wanted to capture his show, as he currently does it, and then simultaneously release a new live CD and DVD. He asked me to produce the entire project for him.

While I was stunned, he grasped my hand and added, “If we do this right, it will be better than anything I have done since Live At The Regal – which is BB’s most critically acclaimed record ever, recorded in 1964 in Chicago.  I looked over at Floyd and Sam and sort of mumbled, “Now that’s a little pressure”.

So we just got back from Tennessee, capturing his show on both multi-track audio and multi-camera HD video – over four nights. Two in Nashville and two in Memphis, at his respective BB King Clubs. 

Having a "Dollarhide Moment" in Memphis during the tech scout.

So I turned to Paul Christensen in Dallas who produces live DVD events for my client, The Malaco Music Group.   I have known Paul for about 20 years and knew he would be my "go to guy" to help me put this together.  Together, we picked Don Moore to direct the seven camera show.   I go back to the very beginning of my career with Don, when he started the production department at WAPT in Jackson.  He was a great choice.  Don has done probably a hundred live DVD events of groups like the Mississippi Mass Choir and other gospel greats.  He brought a great sensibility to the feel of the show and being able to read the timing and pace of Mr. King's show. 

We shot the project in 1080i HD with a brand new HD truck from Louisiana Public Broadcasting.  I looked at their recent work on the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival and the Newport Jazz Festival.  And said, "OK, Great."   What a great resource, so close by. 

Longtime pal Jim Smith directed an eighth camera crew to capture back-story material for the DVD Bonus Features. 

Me onstage in Memphis talking to the crowd.  Yes that is Lucille next to me. 

The neon sign was custom-made for the show, in just 3 days by a great company in Memphis - Balton Signs.   It provided a unique visual signature for all the shows.  

You know, BB could have had anyone in the world do this job for him.   So I am humbled beyond belief. 

I guess out of all the things that have surfaced over the past couple of years – in my relationship with BB – this is certainly the defining moment.  What a responsibility.  I have known for years that BB really did consider me as a friend -- and now I know I have his respect and confidence in my work, as well.

Glad to be back home.  Shipped the show to BB today. 

Jim