Documentary Projects

Assisted Living America

Description:
As life expectancy has increased, and as the baby boom generation is entering retirement, the proper and dignified care of the elderly is primary concern for many Americans. Twenty years ago, the choices were slim: families did the best they could to care for their loved ones at home, or they sent them to a nursing home, which is really for invalid care. Today, the elderly population is full of vibrant, generally healthy individuals who still have a lot of living to do, but need a bit more care than a working family can provide. Assisted Living has filled that void, and is largely accepted as the best way to transition into the "golden years." In this film, we profile the innovative individuals who began to develop the Assisted Living concept in the 1980's and look at where this rapidly growing industry is today. As we look at the social and economic impact of assisted living in America, we will also reveal some incredible stories of residents in assisted living today, who have accomplished great things late in life. Initial completed interviews include two recognized pioneers of this industry, Paul Klaassen, Founder, Sunrise Senior Living, and Dr. Keren Brown Wilson, Founder, Jessie F. Richardson Foundation.

Status analysis:
Principal interviews were conducted at the Assisted Living Federation of America Conference in May 2008 and at a Signature Senior Living facility in Mansfield Texas in July of 2008. These interview sessions were made possible by donation from Senior Risk, LLC and Signature Senior Living to the Still Kickin' Foundation. Funding for completion of the film is being actively sought.

South Texas Soul

Description:
South Texas Soul - Augie Meyers and the history and influence of South Texas on popular music of today. Documentary filmmaker Tracy Ready examines the influence of German, Polish and Irish immigrants in South Texas on popular music styles including Country, Tejano, Blues and Rock and Roll, from a unique perspective.

Musician Augie Meyers has taken the music of San Antonio to audiences the world over through performances and recordings dating back to the 1950's. His long list of credits include Grammy award winning albums and extensive touring with Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornados, solo albums dating back to the early 1970's, motion picture soundtracks, and performance credits on landmark albums for a host of influential American musicians including Bob Dylan, Doug Sahm and John Hammond, Jr.

Meyers' life as the son of Polish immigrants, who grew up in the multi-cultural melting pot that is San Antonio and then took that sound to the world, is the central focal point of the documentary, but the story begins much earlier. 

The South Texas Soul will follow the story and musical influence of the earliest European immigrants to Texas, and carry it through to the modern age. The film will weave interviews and insights from working musicians of today, historians and fans with archival photos and rare performance footage. It traces the earliest entry of the accordion to the south Texas to the story of Augie Meyers, the Sir Douglas Quintet, and the Texas Tornados, and beyond to a new generation of the South Texas sound, carried on by such artists as Los Lonely Boys, Charlie and Bruce Robison, Robert Earl Keen and Shawn Sahm's Tex-Mex Experience.

Tracy Ready will write, direct and produce the documentary in High Definition (1080 24p) with archival footage and photos from the past. 

Status Analysis:
Initial principal interviews were conducted in San Antonio in 2008 with Augie Meyers and Jim Beal, Jr. historian and music writer for San Antonio Express News. Additional footage of Augie in session recording his current solo album at Blue Cat Studios was also acquired as a starting point for the film.

Included also in the film will be never before seen interview and performance footage of Augie Meyers in an interview with Tracy Ready in 1989.

Dallas Electric: The Texas Blues Story

Description:
This high definition documentary details the history of the electric blues, and specifically the impact of Dallas and North Texas on the development of this truly American art form. Told through personal interview segments, archival photographs, and live performance footage, this is the story of the Texas Blues, from its roots until today, and a look beyond. The impact of Dallas and North Texas musicians on blues is every bit as significant as the story of Chicago blues, and yet this history is largely untold.

In this documentary, the case is made that Dallas and surrounding areas should be seen as the birthplace of the "electric blues", and examines the past and the present blues scene in the city from an insider's perspective. But the story is only centered in Dallas, as legends of this music have come from all over the state, and "Texas Blues" is widely recognized as a sub-genre of it's own, along with "Delta Blues" and "Chicago Blues" and for good reason. While other parts of the country have certainly contributed greatly to this American music form, no state has played a bigger role than Texas, particularly when you speak of modern blues, that music born after 1950, with electric instrumentation.

Status Analysis:
Initial interviews supplemental footage produced in May 2008 with Dallas blues musician and historian Brian Calway and with David Card, owner of Poor David's Pub, a Dallas live music venue with a 30-year history.