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Home , Alice Cooper, Brett Tuggle, Jason Hook, John 5 (guitarist), Rob Zombie, That Metal Show

Hired Gun Directed By Fran Strine

Produced By Jamie Talbot

Co-Produced By Jennifer Rothlein T. Michael Kennedy

Executive Producer

Running Time 90 mins| Language: English

Shot on RED 4K

SYNOPSIS:

Millions of fans have seen them. Tens of millions fans have heard their music. But who are these world-class musicians living in the shadow of the spotlight? You’ve heard them put their stamp countless studio recordings and you’ve seen them perform on stages behind the stars that hire them. But who are they? What was their path that go them there? Why have some succeeded while others have failed? Why are some in demand while others are beat up, beat down and left for in the wreckage of a failed career?

Hired Gun is a compelling story about the music industry’s hired guns, sideman and session players, the A-list musicians, songwriters and producers that are paid by the hour or by the job. They all possess the same gift of uncommon musical ability, but most of them make a living playing, singing, and songwriting in relative obscurity. Some try to take the road less traveled, the road to independence as an acclaimed musician, singer or songwriter in their own right. Some make big, most of them do not, and when they don’t--what happens to them?

Hired Gun reveals the career paths of this unique of musicians, the implications of their professional and artistic choices, the euphoric highs and, sometimes, the crushing lows. Music documentarian Fran Strine (Dolly Parton: Live in London; The making of Staind; Battlefield of the Mind) and producer Jamie Talbot (Sunset Strip, Radio Caroline) direct a masterful blend of live interviews, archival performance footage and sound recordings to capture the players in an unfiltered, bold and refreshing way. This is an in depth journey and exploration into the hidden and underexposed world of the HIRED GUN.

DIRECTOR’S STATEMENT

Fran Strine

I’ve toured the world with dozens of bands, never knowing that some of the musicians were “Hired Guns” and not actual members of the band. After this discovery I wanted to know more. How do they see their roles? How are they treated on the road? What are their lives like?

I discovered a passionate, intimate world of horrors, and spectacular triumphs, it was more than I ever could have imagined.

You will never look at the stage the same way again.

PRODUCER’S STATEMENT

Jamie Talbot

As a kid listening to records handed down to me by my older sister I was always struck by the amount of text found on the inside sleeves of the album art and gatefolds. The blank space was filled with credits, thank you’s, acknowledgements, legal jargon, lyrics and in most cases the names of musicians I had never heard of. Things like “additional guitars by…….” added percussion by…….. “Solo by…….” Etc, etc. Well eventually after I looked at enough records and cd’s I started to recognize many of these names as they kept popping up in the credits of my favorite albums and albums I didn’t even like. Now I knew all the members of , and I knew all the members of but when I picked up a record, or an Elvis record or a record I had no idea who was in the band, or what the name of the drummer was? Artist’s like Billy Joel, , Pink!, Peter Frampton were all synonymous with their own artistry and success but nobody could tell you who was playing bass, or sax or keyboards on any of these records, or on stage live with these superstars. I became a student of the credits. A sort of walking encyclopedia of who played what, and with whom. Who played it in the studio? Who played it live? Why wasn’t it the same guy? I had no idea that I was amassing this info in my brain or how it might help me someday (as most likely it probably wouldn’t!) But I became fascinated by these HIRED GUNS, session players and sidemen who have played on the biggest records, largest stages and in many cases help shaped the most famous songs. After 25 years in the music business working with both multiplatinum and developing artists in all facets of the industry, there is finally a platform to parlay the story of many of these amazing players. Most of them live just beyond the fringe of stardom. Many of them have been able to create a successful career being a HIRED GUN. Be it in the studio, or on tour, or as permanent on call member of a successful artist. For some the road has been filled with rejection, lack of acknowledgement as well as being undervalued and disrespected. And for a chosen few the paths can lead to a rite of passage as they garner success for their own artistry. While sharing my thoughts and seemingly useless encyclopedic knowledge with my good friend and co-producer Jason Hook, we decided it was the perfect time to tell the story of the life of a HIRED GUN. He himself was a perfect template and example of the true path that one can take. I have watched, guided and advised him through an illustrious career as hired gun, session ace, in demand tour sideman and finally self-sustaining musician, songwriter, producer, band owner. There have been ups and downs the whole way but he has stayed the course and now reaps the benefits of his proficiency, acumen and work ethic. These are skills he shares with many of the people we have interviewed for our film. In choosing a director Jason brought to the table Fran Strine (Dolly Parton: Live in London, The making of Staind, Battlefield of the Mind) Fran’s enthusiasm for the project was immediate. He understood the concept and premise from the get go and exhibited an incredible appreciation for these individuals and has done some incredible music centric documentary work. Together we share in the vision of bringing this unsung story to the screen. The life and times of the players you hear and see, but have no idea who they are… until now.

Co-Producer Jennifer Rothlein

Award winning, Nashville based Jennifer Rothlein began her film and video career 19 years ago after graduating from NYU film school. After receiving her degree, she traded coasts from the bright lights of New York to the sun soaked expanses of . She quickly found work as an Associate Producer on the CBS hit television series, “The Nanny,” starring Fran Drescher. After a successful run of six seasons, the show called it quits which allowed Jennifer to focus full time on one of her greatest passions, music video production. With that, Speedway Films was born.

Jennifer founded Speedway Films in 1999 with her brother, director and editor Adam Rothlein. The company found success quickly, and soon Speedway developed a top-notch client list working with record labels such as Warner Brothers Records, Columbia Records, Capital Records, Island Def Jam, Dreamworks, and many others.

In 2011, Jen began Nashville-based Tiny Terror Productions after winning a CMT award for Blake Shelton’s Music Video “Kiss My Country Ass”. She has worked with artists in all genres of music producing dvd’s and live multi-camera tv specials for artists such as My Chemical Romance, , Sheryl Crow and many others. Her credits also include work with some of the biggest artists in music including Pink, Gwen Stefani, John Mayer, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dog, Korn, Slayer, Jimmy Eat World, Jane’s Addiction, and many, many more.

Her most recent works include 2014 CMT nominated videos:

VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Eric Church "Give Me Back My Hometown" MALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Blake Shelton "Doing What She Likes" FEMALE VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Cassadee Pope "Wasting All These Tears" GROUP VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Eli Young Band "Drunk Last Night" Lady Antebellum "Compass" Rascal Flatts "Rewind" DUO VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Florida Georgia Line - "Stay" Florida Georgia Line - "Round Here" Thompson Square - "Everything I Shouldn't Be Thinking About" BREAKTHROUGH VIDEO OF THE YEAR: Brett Eldredge "Beat of the Music" Cassadee Pope "Wasting All These Tears Cole Swindell "Chillin It" David Nail "Whatever She's Got"

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER Jason Hook Jason Hook is an international award winning multi-platinum songwriter, producer, and musician. He is currently the lead guitarist in the chart topping hard rock outfit . He has also tour and or recorded with: , Hilary Duff, , Mandy Moore, Bullet Boys. Jason has written 4 #1 songs and has toured the world. Additionally he or his music has appeared on or in numerous films, television shows and games including: TRL, MTV BEACH HOUSE, Good Morning America, VH 1 Classic, , The View, Rosie, Ellen, Regis and Kathy, AMA’s, MADDEN FOOTBALL, GOLDEN GOD Awards.

About the subjects

Liberty Divitto: Drummer for Billy Joel for 30 years

Justin Derrico: Guitarist for Pink, Robin Thicke, Tina Turner, TV Show The Voice

Derek St. Holmes: Vocalist and Guitarist for Ted Nugent

Michael “Fish” Herring: Guitarist for Prince, Christina Auguilara, Backstreet Boys

Rudy Sarzo: Bassist for , , , DIO

Paul Bushnell: Bassist for Katy Perry, , Phil Collins, Tim McGraw

Jason Hook: Guitarist for Alice Cooper, Hillary Duff, Mandy Moore, Five Finger Death Punch

Mark Shulman: Drummer for Pink, Cher, Billy Idol, Phil X: Guitarist for Bon Jovi, , , Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry

Eric Singer: Drummer for KISS, Alice Cooper, , Badlands, , Gary Moore

John 5: Guitarist for, , , , Meatloaf, , KD Lang

Brett Tuggle: Keyboards for, Fleetwood Mac, Coverdale/Page, David Lee Roth, Stevie Nicks

Phil X: Guitarist for, Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson, Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee, Chris Daughtry, Avril Lavigne

Chris Johnson: Drummer for, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder, Seal, Patti LaBelle

Richard Patrick: Guitarist for , Vocalist for Filter, Army of Anyone

Brian Tichy: Drummer for Whitesnake, Billy Idol, Ozzy Osbourne, Foreigner,

CONTACT INFO:

Jamie Talbot- Producer [email protected] 310.526.5419

Fran Strine- Director [email protected] 404.664.8764 www.hiredgunfilm.com