Video Shoot Update!

Video for McKendree Remake of Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” to Push the Envelope for Nashville

Production begins Tuesday in Downtown Nashville

McKendree, a Nashville-based songwriter and genre-bending international recording artist, has recorded a very modern remake of “Jolene,” the song made famous by country music icon, Dolly Parton, in 1973. McKendree’s video shoot for the song takes place tomorrow at a Church Street location. “Jolene,” featuring Parton’s voice from the chorus of the original recording, is the first single being released on McKendree’s upcoming CD, titled McKendree Mania Volume 1, available June 2010. The album was produced by Peter Brazier of Vertical Rooms studio in Cambridge, England.

It’s unlikely that the country music capital of the world, often dubbed “the buckle of the Bible belt,” has ever seen the likes of such a video concept shot here. McKendree, who states his career in country music was impeded by being openly gay, is going all out to create an over-the-top and edgy interpretation of the song, featuring a transgender “Dolly” lookalike, performed by pageant queen, Danielle Hunter, 40 shirtless dancing men, muscle bound body guards, and a lighting extravaganza. Produced by Tansqui Films’s Ashleigh Prince and directed by Lou Chanatry of Quantum Pictures, the production will tap into Music City’s deep creative talent pool of video- and film-makers, designers, stylists, and make-up artists.

“Jolene” is a tale of a housewife confronting a beautiful seductress who she believes is trying to steal away her husband and begging her to "please don't take my man.” McKendree comments, “My erotic interpretation puts to rest the story of Jolene, where Dolly is victorious in her fight to keep the temptress from getting her man.”

Growing up poor in a trailer in Arkansas, the gay son of a Pentecostal preacher, McKendree is anything but an ordinary artist. McKendree Mania Volume 1 is a mix of contradictions and musical styles coming together to form a mad musical mix of huge ballads, and banging dance-floor classics, with country music, soul and gospel undertones -- stemming from his upbringing -- all influencing his work. A Christmas song titled “I Want to F**k Britney Spears” is indicative of McKendree’s self-proclaimed “manic” approach to music and life.

McKendree’s music career began when he became the featured singer for his school. At 14, he was featured in an advertisement for Chevrolet motors. By the age of 16 he was touring all over the southern states with a country band, playing to huge audiences every night of the week, only stopping to continue his education.

The decision to break from performing to write music was a conscious one, in an effort to avoid the probing questions about his sexuality. As a gay performer, he had already experienced a great deal of homophobia.

Moving to Nashville, the songwriting capitol of the world, he quickly recognized prejudices within the country music industry. McKendree states, “Being a gay songwriter definitely makes it more difficult in country music. I was turned down too many times to co-write with people because of the conflict of their faith and my sexuality. As for being an openly or suspected-to-be gay performer, it will not be accepted or allowed. It’s a sad thing, but very real.”

He decided to stop trying to break through the wall of prejudice in the country music industry and, instead, be true and open to himself and his creative process, breaking free from the constraints of having to write “within a box,” which is often required for many genres. He temporarily relocated to the UK and was introduced to producer Peter Brazier, who was discovered by Simon Cowell at a young age and has produced or mixed some of the biggest names in contemporary music. The chemistry was immediate and a collaborative team was born.

Now with a catalogue of over 1,000 songs, McKendree is published by Ten Ten Music Nashville. The company’s president, Jewel Coburn, was a child star featured in the hit TV series “Bonanza,” scored a No. 1 hit at the age of 4, and discovered country music superstar Keith Urban.

When not recording, performing, or just vacationing in London, Paris, or other cities across the globe, McKendree calls Nashville home, where he lives with his partner of 15 years. He has close ties with and has helped raise over $1 million for many local charities and community organizations, including the Nashville Chapter of United Cerebal Palsy through The Drew Bennett Basket Brawl Tournament.

Music and the “Jolene” video will be available June 1 at www.mckendreemania.com.