How’s this for a happy accident? Recently KMOX Radio aired an interview I did with Mike Claiborne about  the progress of JOHNNIE BE GOOD. Professional photographer Brian Baybo heard the interview and contacted me on Facebook. He said in the 1990’s George Thorogood hired him to shoot photos for the album cover of “Let’s Work Together”, a live album featuring Johnnie Johnson. He volunteered his photos of Johnnie and suggested I reach out to Thorogood about doing an interview for JOHNNIE BE GOOD. Two days after sending my email, Thorogood’s manager contacted me and said George would be happy to talk about Johnnie Johnson for the film. The interview takes place in March when Thorogood performs at The Pageant in St. Louis.

Several musicians who appear in JOHNNIE BE GOOD have viewed a recent edit and provided some valuable feedback. That includes longtime Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell. Leavell performed with Johnnie in the Taylor Hackford film “Hail! Hail! Rock ‘N’ Roll” and this is what he had to say about JOHNNIE BE GOOD:

“…congrats on the piece…just awesome and a fab job. I think you have been very fair in the ‘controversy’ of Johnnie/Chuck Berry…and I think that is really important. While there is obviously some thought that Johnnie should have received some royalties for his contributions, it is important to have that balance of pointing out the incredible influence and genius of Chuck. I just wanted to give you my initial thoughts and accolades for doing such a fantastic job.”

Thanks for your support of the film, Chuck!

If you’d like to financially support JOHNNIE BE GOOD, buy a song! Online sales of “Johnny B. Goode” with featured performances by Michael McDonald, David Sanborn and the late Johnnie Johnson continue on iTunes, CD Baby, and many other music download sites.