House Lights Media Partners Continues Acquisitions Streak With Musical Road Film Pickin' & Grinnin'

Feb. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- House Lights Media Partners (House Lights Media) founders Steve Roberts and Sandy Moore are excited to announce their fourth acquisition in less than a year, for Theatrical and Non-Theatrical North American Distribution - award winning independent comedic musical road picture, PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’.   Written by the musicians and stars of the film, Johnny Dowers and Garret Mathany, and directed by Jon Gries, an accomplished veteran character actor (best known as Uncle Rico in "Napoleon Dynamite"), PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ is expected to have its North American theatrical debut in the second quarter of 2012 premiering during the CMA Music Festival Fan Fair in Nashville, Tennessee.

PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ is a who’s who list of character and entertainment icons, featuring singer/songwriter superstar, Kenny Loggins, troubadour superstar, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top, and Garrett Morris of the original Saturday Night Live troupe, and current best new comedy of the fall season, Two Broke Girls.  PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ stars Johnny Dowers, Garret Mathany, David Lane, W. Earl Brown, Geoffrey Lewis, Sandy Martin, Tracey Walter, the late, great Francis Bay and introduces Fuschia Sumner, daughter of rock superstar, Sting.  PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ was produced by Dan Riley and Peter J. Clark of Port Magee Pictures and executive produced by Ben Skerker.  The negotiations for the project PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ were handled by Glen Reynolds, President, Circus Road Films.

PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ is an acclaimed funny, musical road picture with infectious original songs that will have you singing along throughout.  Riddler Review proclaimed, "One of the best road trip movies I've ever seen, beating out some of the biggest mainstream hits."  The Reel World declared, “PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’” is a funny, tuneful piece of indie film.”  And Canadian Music Week affirmed, “PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ as “…a film blessed with the same sort of bumbling charm that made Napoleon Dynamite such a hit.”  The film was honored with the Grand Jury Comedy Prize at the Albuquerque Film Festival and the Grand Jury Prize at the Flagstaff Film Festival, as well as Best Original Score for its breathtaking original music by the Los Angeles International Film Festival.  Proving to be a festival fan favorite, "PICKIN' & GRINNIN'" has also nabbed two Audience Awards.

Steve Roberts, President, House Lights Media, enthusiastically declared, “We are excited to be working with Dan, Jon, Peter and their team on this hysterical musical comedy that they so passionately crafted.”  “We love the music and the quirky loveable characters that resonates from this film and are thrilled to have the opportunity to present this wonderful film to the North American market,” remarked Sandy Moore, Senior Vice President, House Lights Media.  "In making the film, our only goal was to craft a really good movie that audiences will enjoy, without any thought to some kind of Hollywood marketing formula.  The audience response thus far is proof that story is still king.  We are thrilled to be working with House Lights Media and so pleased that they love "PICKIN' & GRINNIN'" for everything that it is and are equally thrilled that they love the film for everything it is not," said Dan Riley, Producer, PICKIN' & GRINNIN'.

PICKIN’ & GRINNIN’ is a warm and wonderful independent film that appeals to your basic senses.  There aren't too many successful musicians seeking stardom by singing songs about corn dogs in the middle of a roller derby, but that’s what music-loving brothers, Johnny Jake and Milo Johnson have to do to make a living.  The Johnson family legacy is failure, and though they’ve tried their best to break away from their family fate, the singing duo are staring imminent failure in the face.  On the verge of calling it quits, they hear about the Sing-A-Ling contest in Nashville.  Short on talent and even shorter on money, the Johnson’s hit the road on a last ditch mission of musical redemption, along with their mute mandolin carrying cousin Two Pint.  With help from a few insightful eccentric strangers along the way, the brothers travel cross-country in their rundown Winnebago named Gomer in hopes of becoming stars.  If at first you don’t succeed, try and fail again.  For more information, please visit: www.pickinandgrinninmovie.com or email: info@houselightsmedia.com.

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House Lights Media Partners, an emerging leader in distribution for independent and innovative filmmaker’s, acquires a wide range of original independent films as well as representing existing brands and films for their library. Founded by home video industry veterans, House Lights Media Partners, acquires, develops and distributes the best in truly independent film either theatrically or to the home entertainment market. House Lights Media currently has “The Drummond Will,” “The Tunnel,” “Losing Control,” “Pickin’ & Grinnin’” and “Hidden Rage” as part of its distribution roster. For more information, please visit www.houselightsmedia.com.