TONY BROWN - ELVIS, STRAIT, TO JESUS Book Review

Who is Tony Brown? Those outside the record industry might not immediately know the name, but they undoubtedly know his work. As a pianist, he toured with Elvis' TCB band, Rosanne Cash, The Oakridge Boys, and Emmylou Harris. As a producer, he recorded albums with George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Brooks & Dunn, Lyle Lovett, Vince Gill, and Reba McEntire, to name a few. Working as everything from a session musician to the president of MCA Nashville, Tony Brown has been involved in every facet of the recording industry and has left an indelible mark on popular music.

ELVIS, STRAIT, TO JESUS, uses photography going back over 70 years and personal insights to gain an intimate look at this iconic artists career. The book is a unique blend of oral and photographic history that could be easily torn through in an hour, but readers should take this one in slowly. While the photography in the book is certainly noteworthy, Brown's insights that accompany the stills give them a weight and context that may have otherwise been missed.

The only downside to the book is it feels like the surface has barely been scratched. Certain eras and collaborations feel like they could have entire books written about them and unfortunately, they are truncated to a few lines or maybe a paragraph. This isn't as much of a complaint as it might sound, as my interest has been piqued and I'd like to dig in deeper. The book is a 40,000-foot view of a 70 + year time span and I want to drill down and dwell on some of the stories for a bit longer.

With a monumental career that has seen over 100 #1 singles, over 100 million units sold, and touched countless lives, ELVIS, STRAIT, TO JESUS acts as a much-deserved celebration. The book is breezy and wildly entertaining but ultimately left me wanting a bit more. I'd highly recommend this coffee table tome to any fan of popular or country music. The book can be purchased from Amazon HERE. If you are considering purchasing the title, I'd like to suggest the hardcover edition, it's simply stunning and will look great on your table for years to come.

MULHOLLAND DRIVE Ending Explained

MULHOLLAND DRIVE is a complex and surreal film directed by David Lynch, known for its non-linear narrative and dreamlike sequences. The ending is open to interpretation and has been the subject of much debate among viewers. Here's a breakdown of the ending: Diane's Dream vs. Reality: Throughout the film, there are two main narrative threads: one follows Betty/Diane's dreamlike experiences in Hollywood, and the other delves into Diane's harsh reality. The ending reveals that the majority of the film has been a dream constructed by Diane Selwyn, a failed actress, as a means to escape the guilt and pain of her actions. Betty/Diane's Descent into Madness: Betty, played by Naomi Watts, represents Diane's idealized self—a hopeful and innocent aspiring actress. However, as the film progresses, it becomes clear that Betty's story is unraveling, and her identity begins to merge with Diane's. This culminates in the revelation that Betty is merely a construct of Di...

Final Destination Bloodlines Set to Bring Fresh Horrors to the Franchise

The long-running and fan-favorite horror series Final Destination is set to make its return with Final Destination Bloodlines, bringing a new chapter of supernatural terror to the big screen. Scheduled for a theatrical and IMAX release on May 16, 2025, in the U.S. (and internationally beginning May 14), the film promises to continue the franchise’s tradition of chilling premonitions and inescapable fate. The upcoming installment features a fresh ensemble cast, including Kaitlyn Santa Juana (The Friendship Game, The Flash), Teo Briones (Chucky, Will vs. The Future), Richard Harmon (The 100, The Age of Adaline), Owen Patrick Joyner (Julie and the Phantoms, 100 Things to Do Before High School), and Anna Lore (They/Them, Gotham Knights). Also joining the cast are Brec Bassinger (Stargirl, Bella and the Bulldogs) and horror icon Tony Todd, who reprises his role from the original Final Destination films. Todd, best known for his chilling portrayal of the titular character in the Candyman fra...

POPULATION PURGE Trailer and Release Info

In a dystopian world where a radical government has unleashed a deadly poison to control population, only those with blood type AB positive remain unscathed. But instead of outright death, the rest of the population is left to suffer in a state of chronic illness, causing widespread chaos and panic. As the majority slowly succumbs to the effects of the poison, their only hope lies in receiving transfusions of AB positive blood from the few immune survivors, like Charlie and his granddaughter Maya. Living in the decrepit remains of an abandoned amusement park, Charlie is a renegade supplier of blood to the underground market. But their sanctuary is threatened by the iron-fisted rule of District 22's ruthless warden, Onslow, who will stop at nothing to save his own dying son. As Charlie and Maya fight to defend their haven and their own sanity, the eccentric duo must navigate through a world of danger and betrayal. POPULATION PURGE was written by Brian Johnson and Toby Osborne and di...

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