About this project
$53,528
316
"Some of my best discoveries have been made in what may be the greatest record collector store in the world: Village Music in Mill Valley" -Elvis Costello
ABOUT THE MOVIE:
Village Music: Last of The Great Record Stores is a compelling music documentary that celebrates the life of an American musical institution and the tremendous impact it had on the famous (and not-so-famous) patrons who were part of itʼs unique history. The film includes candid interviews, rare archival performances, exclusive in-store appearances and all-star tribute concerts. With over thirty artists featured, the film interweaves Village Musicʼs vibrant past and rich musical community with the final six months of its existence – marking the true end of an era. In doing so, it also tells the larger story of the many changes the music business has undergone and the direction itʼs heading - a world where listeners download invisible music and the album is considered a dying art. Even though Village Music is now closed and the last of Goddardʼs rare vinyl and memorabilia is to be sold off, the film has preserved this extraordinary, one-of-a-kind chapter in music history for generations to come.
ABOUT THE STORE:
Village Music has been a cultural institution in Mill Valley, California for over five decades, but on September 30th, 2007 it closed its well-worn Dutch door for good. Often referred to as “the greatest record store in the world”, Village has been a repository for local musicians and record collectors as well as some of the biggest names in pop, rock, jazz, rhythm & blues. Director, George Lucas researched the soundtrack for "American Graffiti" at the store and B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Sammy Hagar, Ry Cooder, Cab Calloway, Jerry Garcia, Huey Lewis and Elvis Costello are among the many stars that have hung out and shopped there over the years. One could always discover something new in this enclave of vintage vinyl and vast memorabilia – enough to rival any respectable American cultural museum.
What made Village Music so unique was its proprietor, John Goddard, a one-of-a-kind music historian and collector who bought the shop in 1968, after working there as a teenager. For countless musicians, John has been a tremendous resource, mentor and friend as well as a nexus for the entire musical community – reviving the careers of forgotten artists and staging some of the most unforgettable concert parties at the legendary Sweetwater saloon. But like so many other independents, Village and John fell victim to the economic shifts of the town and the music industry, unable to compete in the iPod era, the rise of the CD and changes in taste among young music buyers.
FEATURED ARTISTS
- BB King
- Elvis Costello
- Ry Cooder
- Bonnie Raitt
- Sammy Hagar
- Bob Weir
- Huey Lewis
- DJ Shadow & Cut Chemist
- Jerry Garcia
- David Grisman
- John Sebastian
- Maria Muldaur
- Sugar Pie DeSanto
- Bettye Levette
- Jimmy McCracklin
- The Collins Kids
- Roy Rogers
- Peter Coyote
- Joel Selvin
- Ben Fong Torres
- Carla Thomas
- Frankie Ford
- Narada Michael Walden
- Dan Vickrey (Counting Crows)
- Jonathan Korty (Vinyl)
- Scott Mathews
- Nick Lowe
- Peter Rowan
- Dan Hicks
- Little Jimmy Scott
- Rob Wasserman
- Peter Rowan
- John Lee Hooker
- Ruth Brown & Otis Clay
MEET THE FILMMAKERS
DIRECTOR - GILLIAN GRISMAN
Gillian Grisman is an accomplished filmmaker living in the bay area. Grisman's credits include GRATEFUL DAWG, her award-winning theatrical debut about the musical friendship between the late Jerry Garcia and her father, mandolinist David Grisman (distributed by Sony Pictures Classics).
She also directed the critically acclaimed Sundance Channel music series KEEPING TIME, numerous concert dvds and two other feature-length music documentaries: PRESS ON - featuring pedal-steel phenomenon, Robert Randolph and MY SECRET RECORD or HOW I LEARNED TO STOP WORRYING & LOVE THE BIZ about the marketing of Rob Thomas’s Billboard history making solo debut. She is currently in post-production on her latest feature, VILLAGE MUSIC: LAST OF THE GREAT RECORD STORES, a documentary about the legendary record store, Village Music.
PRODUCER - MONROE GRISMAN
Monroe Grisman is an accomplished veteran of the music industry living in the San Francisco Bay Area. For over 18 years, he has worked in the music and entertainment industry in Artist Relations with over 100 major label recording artists for several major merchandising companies, including Sony Signatures (now known as Live Nation Merchandising), Giant Records, Winterland, and Bravado. One of his first jobs though was working as an employee at Village Music.
Monroe currently works independently as a producer and consultant for a variety of companies in merchandising and new technology firms. Additionally he is a live performing guitarist for several popular San Francisco Bay Area bands. He lives with his wife and two children in Marin County.
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Funding period
- (30 days)