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September 24, 2008 

Wow. What a year! 2008 has been a trip – Riding With The King.

We have just finished B.B.’s life story for the B.B. King Museum. Ten short films that will be shown at the museum as part of the visitor’s experience. The films contain newly discovered footage never seen by anyone. All total, about an hour of content.

The Museum opening was September 13th in Indianola, Mississippi, B.B.’s hometown.   Press converged on Indianola from LA, NY Times, Rolling Stone, CNN, USA today, you name it.   All to great reviews. 

Mr. King listens to Connie Gibbons explain some of the artifacts at the opening.

Connie Gibbons, Executive Director, headed the content team which oversaw our editing of the films.   Her background comes from the Buddy Holly Center and River Music Experience.   She helped me in so many ways to make the transition from documentary films to "museum films", a genre of filmmaking in itself. 

David Selman, Mr. King and Jim Smith clowning around. 

For me, it was an experience that I looked forward to for 35 years, since I met B.B. when I was 21 years old. And an experience that took me on a personal and professional journey over the last three and a half years like I could have never imagined.

Both my sons got to work on the project. Jim, Jr. traveled with me to B.B.’s home, to his club in New York and all through the Mississippi Delta with Mr. King. My crew calls me “Dollar”. Sometimes they call him “50 Cent” ! He takes it with a smile.

The Museum has chosen not to do credits, but I have to thank John Stockwell and Jim Smith for their additional cinematography. John in particular, did a number of last minute interview jobs that were critical and he enabled me to stay in the editing room.

They both joined the edit team, along with Bill Simonett, Sam Watson, and David Selman. They were assisted at times by Greg Johnston and Philip Scarborough.  Old friends Jeanne Luckett and Vidal Blankenstein helped out with one of the films that required a unique approach.  

We installed a 2nd and 3rd Avid Adrenaline and put them all on Avid’s shared network media file server called Unity – so we could all work on the project at the same time.

Julie Mabus, my friend since the 10th grade, stepped up to the plate and helped out with moral support, keeping my bills paid and the office organized over the last year.

Never before, and likely never again, will as much content be gathered in one place about the life of one of Mississippi’s greatest sons. What an honor to have been able to participate in this project.

What B.B. King faces every night.   In this case, a 10,000 seat arena in Brussels.  

There are so many stories about this project. Perhaps I’ll find time to write some down here in the future.   Highlights include touring with B in Europe, shooting him recording his latest CD, ONE KIND FAVOR in LA, and taking him on a trip back to the exact spot where he was born, in a field outside Itta Bena, MS. 

Mr. King watches one of the Museum films during his private tour of the Museum. 

Last but not least, I want to thank consummate Delta ad man Allan Hammons from my hometown of Greenwood, who is responsible for getting me involved in this project from the ground up.

Had Allan not brought me into the mix early on, these films about B.B. would have likely been made by someone from Washington or New York. Someone with no connection to Mr. King or the Delta. Despite my long term relationship with Mr. King, I would likely have been on the sidelines, had it not been for Allan.

So here I am. Ready for something new. Wondering . . .

What’s Next?

Jim Dollarhide