BUZZ ALERT! Performers Sought for ‘Holiday Traditions Show’

SMYRNA — Artists of all kinds are invited to take the stage for the 2022 edition of the “Motlow Smyrna Holiday Traditions Show.”

The event, which will occur from noon-1 p.m. Dec. 1 (Thursday), will celebrate all holiday traditions with performances by dancers, singers, songwriters, poets, storytellers, visual artists, and others. The show is sponsored by the Smyrna Entertainment, Arts and Media Club with support from the Student Government Association and the Dean of Students.

Individuals who are interested in performing are encouraged to contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu or SEAM Club President Kate Kim at kkim0803@mscc.edu. The deadline to express interest is Nov. 28 (Monday). 

“Our annual ‘Holiday Traditions Show’ is a wonderful way to share the spirit of Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza and other celebrations,” said Whiting. “We’ll be featuring dance at the event for the first time.”

The show will occur in the Big Room on the first floor of the HSC Building, with food and beverage provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Attendees are encouraged to bring a donated item for Motlow’s food bank. More details will be provided soon. 

Brent Backhus to Give Hollywood Filmmaking and Recording Talk at Motlow Smyrna on Nov. 17

SMYRNA, Tenn. -- Hollywood Filmmaker, Producer and Sound Engineer Brent Backhus has worked with entertainers ranging from Reese Witherspoon and Farrah Fawcett to William Shatner, Mick Jagger, and Sheryl Crow, receiving more than 100 movie credits on the IMDb movie database.

Students, faculty and others will learn the ins and outs of moviemaking and audio production (with a few surprising stories, too) during a special talk from 2-3 p.m. Thursday (Nov. 17) in HSC 323 on the Smyrna campus. The artist’s presentation, “Filmmaking and Recording in Hollywood,” is part of the fall 2022 “Famous Communicator Speakers Series.”

Brent Backhus, filmmaker, producer and sound engineer

“I started my career in Los Angeles as a guitarist, gigging with whomever would let me,” said Backhus, who commutes between Nashville and California. “Once the recording bug hit me, I became fascinated with sound engineering and production.”

But a DVD production stint involving actors Reese Witherspoon and Paul Rudd (“Overnight Delivery”) led to his transition from audio to movie production. Other film projects have included The Bangles (“Live at The House of Blues” on DVD); “Chasing Farrah: Starring Farrah Fawcett” for TV Land; “William Shatner In Concert” with Ben Folds and Joe Jackson for TV Land; the documentary film “On The Brink” (co-directed); the “Solomon Burke Tribute” with Mick Jagger and Raphael Saadiq, performed Live at the 53rd Annual Grammy Awards (archival footage); and “Sheryl Crow: Live at the Capitol Theatre” (Winner Best Music/Performance Blu-ray).

“But if playing with the greats and near greats was fun, recording was even more fun,” said Backhus, referring to the musical part of his career journey. 

He has served as a sound engineer and producer for artists such as Ray Manzarek (The Doors), The Whispers, Deacon Jones, William Clarke, Charlie Musselwhite, John Lee Hooker, and The Blind Boys of Alabama: “Spirit of the Century” (Grammy Award for Best Traditional Soul Gospel Album).

Brent Backhus’s “Filmmaking and Recording in Hollywood” talk is free to all students, faculty members, administrators and staff. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in HSC 323 from 2-3 p.m. on Nov. 17 (Thursday). For more information, contact Professor Charles Whiting at cwhiting@mscc.edu.