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.
Forged in Failure and the Frontier: Jon Erwin & Kelsey Grammer on “Young Washington” – The Hero’s Journey That Built America Just in Time for the 250t
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, a powerful new film arrives in theaters with the rare gift of reminding us where the American idea was truly forged. In an exclusive conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, director Jon Erwin and star Kelsey Grammer open up about Young Washington — a decade-in-the-making passion project that follows
“The Hat Changed Everything”: William Franklyn-Miller on Unlocking the Leader Within as Young George Washington in Jon Erwin’s Epic Origin Story
Interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine In an exclusive conversation with AMFM Magazine Managing Editor Paul Salfen, rising star William Franklyn-Miller opens up about the once-in-a-lifetime honor — and the immense personal weight — of portraying a 21-year-old George Washington in director Jon Erwin’s powerful new historical epic Young Washington
Sir Ben Kingsley on the ‘Pure Mandate’ of Storytelling: ‘If Your Motives Are Pure, the Angels Will Come’ in YOUNG WASHINGTON
Interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine In an exclusive conversation with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, Academy Award winner Sir Ben Kingsley reveals the sacred responsibility of stepping into history — and why every performance must honor the unseen audience “hanging on your every word.” As Young Washington prepares to debut
“It’s Something We Can All Agree On”: Diederik Hoogstraten on ‘Young Washington’ and the July 4th Movie That Could Bring America Together
With the nation preparing to mark the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Angel Studios and Wonder Project are bringing audiences a sweeping, big-screen origin story unlike any other. In this exclusive AMFM Magazine conversation, screenwriter Diederik Hoogstraten reveals how he and collaborators Jon Erwin and Tom Provost humanized the iconic George Washington during
“‘Every Show Is My First, Every Show Is My Last’: Kevn Kinney on Drivin N Cryin’s ‘Crushing Flowers,’ Healing Through Song, and Life’s Unexpected Paths”
Interview By Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson | AMFM Magazine Nearly 40 years into their remarkable run, Drivin N Cryin continues to prove that great American rock bands don’t just endure — they evolve. On April 10, 2026, the Atlanta legends released Crushing Flowers, their first studio album since 2019’s Live the Love Beautiful.
Be Yourself (It’s the Best “Bad Advice” You’ll Ever Get): Meredith Walker on Unlearning the Rules and Helping Girls Build a Life That’s Truly Theirs
Meredith Walker is best known as the co-founder and Executive Director of Amy Poehler’s Smart Girls, a positive, inclusive online community for young people. Prior to her work with Smart Girls, she built a distinguished career in television as a producer for Nick News and as the head of the talent department for Saturday Night
Root for the Crooks: Mickey Keating’s Twisty Noir Thriller ‘CROOKS’ Steals the Show at Tribeca with Angela Trimbur & Melora Walters
Exclusive Interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine At this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, director Mickey Keating swapped his horror playbook for something even more dangerous: a sleek, double-crossing crime thriller that keeps you guessing - and surprisingly rooting for the bad guys. In CROOKS, Faye (Angela Trimbur) and her partner
David Morse on the One Scene That Made Everyone on Set Whisper, “This Is a Movie” — Inside J.T. Walker’s Powerful Texas Drama BROKEN LAND
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MORGAN JAY’S SWEET CHAOS: From Apple Store “Discounts” to Hollywood Hills Highs in Cotton Candy Bubble Gum
Feature drawn from Paul Salfen’s conversation with the rising multi-hyphenate for AMFM Magazine — “The Voice of the Artist” In the gloriously unhinged coming-of-age comedy Cotton Candy Bubble Gum (now available to rent or own on Apple TV, Prime Video, and other digital platforms), 21-year-old Carter is living the ultimate momma’s-boy dream — until his
From Queen Sugar’s Pages to Louisiana Fields: Natalie Baszile & Hyacinth Parker Bring ‘HARVEST’ to Tribeca
Exclusive interview by Paul Salfen, Text by Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine In an industry that often rewards conventional paths, the mother-daughter creative duo of Natalie Baszile and Hyacinth Parker is proving that complementary instincts, shared passion, and sheer determination can produce something extraordinary. Their documentary HARVEST makes its world premiere in competition at the
