We catch up to Chris Shiflett of the Foo Fighters backstage at Ray Benson’s Birthday Party, an annual SXSW event that draws some of the finest musicians for some of the best jams of the festival. He talked about his 20 years with the Foo Fighters and jokingly gave some bad advice for children who’d like to follow in his footsteps.
This 68th Birthday (Happy Birthday Ray!) was presented by BMI and benefitted the Health Alliance For Austin Musicians (HAAM), a unique non-profit that holds a special place in the heart of Austin music lovers. The event was held on the GSD&M corporation’s back plaza, and featured Ray Benson’s Asleep At The Wheel, Dale Watson, Randy Houser, Ben Dickey, Katie Pruitt, Robert Ellis, Who Do, Jamie Lin Wilson, Waylon Payne, Collective Soul’s Ed Roland, Wade Bowen and a special surprise by Robert Earl Keen.
From Shame to Pride: How LifeCamp USA Is Healing the Fatherless Children of America’s Fallen Heroes
By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine In the flickering light of a campfire, a middle-school boy who had just buried his Army Ranger father and then lost his mother to alcoholism stood up and unleashed a torrent of anger. One by one, he insulted every mentor seated around the circle. It was raw.
“Gene Simmons: ‘Deep Water Will Knock Your Socks Off — And Make Grown Men Cry’
In a wide-ranging conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, legendary director Renny Harlin and rock icon turned producer Gene Simmons unpacked the primal appeal of their new shark-infested survival thriller Deep Water. Set for a big-screen release on May 1, the film promises to deliver the summer’s most gripping blend of high-stakes action, raw emotion,
John Michael Finley Returns as Bart Millard: The Heart, Heavy Truths, and Gratitude Behind ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’
In an exclusive interview with Paul Salfen, John Michael Finley opens up about stepping back into the role of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard for the much-anticipated sequel to the 2018 faith-based hit. What began as a rookie actor’s first film set experience has blossomed into a deeply personal journey—one that explores not just redemption, but
Andrew Erwin on ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’: Completing the Circle with Gratitude, Grace, and a Red Rocks Encore
In the years since I Can Only Imagine became a surprise box-office phenomenon—grossing over $83 million on a $7 million budget—director Andrew Erwin wondered if the story of MercyMe frontman Bart Millard was truly finished. The 2018 film captured the redemptive power of the band’s signature hit and the healing between a son and his
Bobby Steele: The Undead’s Horror-Punk Godfather Still Walks the Earth
Bobby Steele: The Undead’s Horror-Punk Godfather Still Walks the Earth In a Zoom call from his New Jersey basement “mad lab,” the Misfits and Undead legend talks new all-star album, surviving spinal bifida, a decade-old Chiller Theatre proposal story, and why he’s flying into Texas next. Paul Salfen caught Bobby Steele mid-setup, guitars leaning against
“Surf’s Up! Michael Longoria Catches a Wave with His Sunny, Soulful Beach Boys Tribute – Good Vibrations Guaranteed!”
In a music landscape that often chases the next trend, Michael Longoria is doing something refreshingly timeless: diving deep into the catalog that shaped him and emerging with pure joy. The original Jersey Boys and Midtown Men vocalist and recording artist has released Catch a Wave, a vibrant tribute album celebrating the sun-soaked harmonies, infectious
Honeymoon Suite Nightmares: Adam Scott and Damian McCarthy Reveal the Chilling Fun Behind ‘HOKUM’
When reclusive novelist Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott) retreats to a remote Irish inn to scatter his parents’ ashes, the staff’s tales of an ancient witch haunting the honeymoon suite take hold of his mind. Soon, disturbing visions and a shocking disappearance draw him into a nightmarish confrontation with the darkest corners of his past. Written
Chris Poland on Nuclear Messiah’s Epic All-Star “Black Flame”: From William Shatner’s Patio to Metal Glory
In a career full of landmark moments, former Megadeth guitarist Chris Poland has just delivered one of his most ambitious projects yet — and he’s still riding the high. While chatting with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Poland recounted the surreal experience of recording Nuclear Messiah’s commanding spoken-word intro with William Shatner at the legend’s house.
The Sheep Detectives: When Woolly Sleuths Uncover Life’s Biggest Mysteries
By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine In a landscape crowded with flashy blockbusters and forgettable family fare, The Sheep Detectives stands out as a delightful anomaly—a PG-rated comedy-mystery that wraps profound questions about mortality, grief, community, and purpose in the unlikeliest of packages: a flock of clever sheep solving the murder of their
THE YETI: Brittany Allen on Stepping into a Snowy Nightmare and Finding Joy in the Horror
Interview by Paul Salfen, Story by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine The snow fell in thick, relentless sheets across the remote Alaskan wilderness. Somewhere in that frozen expanse, an oil tycoon and a famed adventurer had vanished without a trace. A hand-picked rescue team set out to bring them home, unaware they were trespassing on
