Our Team
Marcus Shute, Jr.
Presenter / Writer / Director / Executive Producer
Marcus is an attorney in private practice, who in 2021 ran to be a city judge in Nashville at the same time as being the present-day focus of our film. His family’s roots in North Nashville run deep, and he has found himself more than at home both in front of and behind the camera.
John D. Carr
Producer / Director / Writer
John is head of IGAM Film Partners Ltd. A former lawyer who, upon moving to Nashville from Chicago, met Marcus at the school run. Marcus told John that Jimi Hendrix once lived in North Nashville, and upon discovering the vibrancy of the less-advertised half of the city, decided to embark upon the documentary project that became Nashville’s Soul.
Harry Penrhyn Jones
Director / Writer / Producer
Harry is a writer-director based in Bath, UK, who one day received an email from a certain Mr John Carr, saying, “Hey, I loved your showreel - wanna make a movie about Jimi Hendrix?”. He dropped everything to make it happen, and it has been the experience of his life. The project has evolved to encompass far more than Hendrix, and Harry’s role too has expanded to become a key part of every aspect of the process.
Taylor Burgess
Editor / Director
Taylor, head of Good Catch Creative, is an independent filmmaker in Nashville who has expertise in documentary and commercial videography. Also the sole director of upcoming sports documentary Sweethands (which explores the life of Tennessee Boxer Caleb Plant), he has turned his hand to co-directing and editing Nashville’s Soul. The edit has been a tremendous task, and Taylor has risen to it with extraordinary skill and lyricism.
Michael Gray
Writer / Executive Producer / Historian
Michael is VP of Museum Services at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the most important historical institution in Nashville’s vibrant music scene. CMHOF’s 2004 exhibition Night Train to Nashville was his brainchild, and a landmark celebration of the city’s Rhythm & Blues history. Making Nashville’s Soul would not have been possible without this body of research and Michael’s connections with local legends like Frank Howard and Jimmy Church. He has provided expert guidance and continuing support.