25 minutes to go

After a whirlwind 45 days, the fundraising campaign for our documentary on 2-time Grammy winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale is almost at a close.

To date, $10,848 has been donated from men and woman around from around the world - from Newcastle to Nashville, Joshua Tree to Sussex. The project has inspired messages of support and promotion from figures as diverse as the Americana Music Association, BBC radio personalities Simon Mayo and Mark Kermode on their BBC Radio FiveLive show, NZ music legend Neil Finn, British film critic Boyd Hilton and the iconic actor/author/director/tv personality Stephen Fry.

'The support - financial and otherwise - from folks around the world has been incredibly gratifying' says director/producer Jeremy Dylan. 'It just shows how many people have connected with Jim and his music. We can't wait to get back to the States and get to work telling his story!'

The shoot begins next Monday in Nashville, Tennessee. Dylan and producer Chris Kamen will be shooting with Lauderdale and others in Nashville TN, Wilkesboro NC, Asheville NC, Statesville NC, Los Angeles CA and Pioneertown CA.

Jim Lauderdale: The King of Broken Hearts tells the story of hit country songwriter, Grammy winning bluegrass singer, awards show host, radio DJ and tai chi master Jim Lauderdale - from his days a trainee mime, sweating it out in the 80s LA club scene with Lucinda Williams, his frustrations and false starts in the industry, his classic songs that became hits for George Strait, Patty Loveless and Gary Allan and his work with artists like Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Ralph Stanley and Buddy Miller.

'We've got some really exciting interviews with some of Jim's musical collaborators and admirers lined up. When you tell people in the industry you're making a movie about Jim Lauderdale, they can't wait to talk to you,' says Dylan.

Shooting will conclude at the end of May, with a release tentatively aimed for September/October 2012.

'There's still five hours left to help us fund the film. I've had a number of people tell me they were waiting for the last minute to make a final decision. Well, this is the last minute!'

Donate to help make the film a reality by clicking HERE.

To find out more information about the project, visit jimlauderdale.com or contact Jeremy Dylan on jeremy@sevenshellsmedia.com

Another sell out - and only 3 days left!

With only three days of fundraising left to go, we've sold out of another supporter level - all Reason & Rhyme Supporter slots have been filled.

But don't fret - you can still become a Divide and Conquer Supporter!

For only $200, you get two tickets any Jim Lauderdale headlining show of your choice, you get to meet Jim at the show, where you can get him to sign your other rewards - a copy of his Grammy nominated Reason and Rhyme album, a Jim Lauderdale poster or 8X10 photo and a Jim Lauderdale bumper sticker. You also get a DVD or BluRay of the finished film, HD Digital Download of the film, Access to Exclusive Web Content and your name in the credits of the finished film!

There are other supporter levels still available:

For $40, being a Twang Supporter will get you: HD Digital download of the film, Access to private web content (exclusive acoustic performances, excised clips, etc.), DVD or HD Blu-Ray of the film, Jim Lauderdale bumper sticker, One 8X10 photo of Jim OR one Jim Lauderdale album poster (signed by Jim).

For $25, being a Hole In My Head Supporter will get you: a HD Digital download of the film, Access to private web content, exclusive acoustic performances, excised clips, etc., DVD or HD Blu-Ray of the film and a Jim Lauderdale bumper sticker!

And for a mere $5, being a Tough All Over Supporter will get you a HD Digital download of the film and access to private web content, exclusive acoustic performances, excised clips, etc.

You've only got a couple of days left to snag yourself some of these stellar reward packages, so visit the fundraising page and donate HERE.

In other Lauderdale news, it's Jim's birthday today! We'd like to wish the great man best wishes on his birthday and look forward to many more years of brilliant music from him.

It was recently revealed that Jim will be featured on the soundtrack of the new film about bluegrass legend Bill Monroe. The film will star Michel Shannon as Monroe, along side Olivia Wilde, Ed Helms, Tim Blake Nelson, John C Reilly, Sam Shepherd and Ahsley Judd.

Also featured alongside Jim on the soundtrack album are Dierks Bentley, Ralph Stanley, Keb Mo, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs.

Soon, producer Chris Kamen and I will be boarding our flights and heading to the US for the second round of filming - back on the LauderTrail!

- Jeremy Dylan, director