Holden’s main street thrown open wide for country music video “You Didn’t Make Me”
Holden’s main street was the scene for the production of a country music video that is now part of an online contest vying for a $30,000 prize.
“It’s in the top two,” said Roger Harrison, who lives in Holden and volunteered to be location manager for the “You Didn’t Make Me” music video by country singer Andrea Nixon. The video was done under the direction of Harrison’s friend Justin Brunelle.
Harrison works for a company contracted with the military to recreate village scenes, complete with actors, for military exercises.
Upon hearing of the video his friend was about to make, Harrison suggested that Brunelle use Holden as a location.
“Because I know Justin, and I work really well with him,” said Harrison. “I’ve known him for years.”
The result was that after several sites were checked out, Holden and two other locations were chosen. And the upshot was a shoot in the village on June 27 that Harrison said, “went very well. It was fantastic.”
Locals were able to participate in the scenes of people marching defiantly down main street, and as part of an outdoor concert with Nixon and the Prairie Son band playing on a flatbed truck later in the evening.
The street was shut down to traffic for the day, but Harrison said the village and businesses were “very accommodating.” A notification went into every mailbox so the community knew what was coming, and many used it as an opportunity to join in the fun.
The video’s theme was explained as one of standing up for one’s rights as a human being. “We are recreating a town atmosphere with men, women and children who would be in scenes where they join our march down main street and then celebrate at our outdoor concert,” explained Nixon on the “You Didn’t Make Me” Website call for extras to participate.
Well over 200 people were involved directly in the shoot using a $20,000 budget. Of that, $10,000 was received from Telus StoryHive Creativity. Nixon’s song was re-leased online Aug. 4 and can be voted on at StoryHive.com. It is one of 10 such projects in Alberta that received the funding.
Read more in the August 18 edition of the Tofield Mercury, on newsstands now!
Patricia Harcourt
Editor
