www.gomemphis.com/news/2009/dec/04/rockers-lens-snaps-i -
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Published on: 12/4/2009
Last Visited: 12/4/2009
Memphis musician Don Nix has an enviable resume.
He began his career as a charter member of the Stax family and saxophonist for the Mar-Keys, went on to write and produce hits for Freddie King and Jeff Beck, including the immortal blues classic "Goin' Down," worked with Leon Russell and George Harrison, and traveled the world -- from Hollywood to Swingin' London -- playing and recording with a who's who of rock, soul and blues.
During those years, Nix was also a dedicated shutterbug, and now the result of his hobby is being displayed in a new photo exhibit called "Dirty Negatives" opening tonight at the Jack Robinson Gallery.
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Copyright, 1975 Don Nix
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Furry Lewis, backstage at Overton Park Shell in 1969, was among images from the music world traveled by Don Nix, whose photos will be on display at Jack Robinson Gallery.
Furry Lewis, backstage at Overton Park Shell in 1969, was among images from the music world traveled by Don Nix, whose photos will be on display at Jack Robinson Gallery.
Don Nix
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Don Nix
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"Well, I'm not really a photographer per se," says Nix.
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"I was 14 and I had a paper route and I used the money to buy a Brownie box camera," says Nix.
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"I took the picture of The Bar-Kays the day they left on their tour with Otis Redding just before the plane crash," says Nix.
"They're standing out in front of Stax and they've got their clothes bags and they're getting ready to go to the airport.
That was the last I ever saw of them."
As he developed his hobby, Nix was aided by some famous photographer friends.
"When I first started, Bill Eggleston befriended me and felt sorry for me and he gave me a key to his dark room," recalls Nix.
Later, another Memphis photographer, Jim Chappell, "showed me how to set up my own dark room" says Nix.
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"I met George back in 1970," says Nix.
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The interest in his photos comes just as Nix is back in the spotlight for his music.
This past year the hit HBO series "Eastbound & Down" used Nix's "Goin' Down" as its theme song, and his music has turned up in a series of major motion pictures, including the Diane Keaton comedy "Mad Money."
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Tonight's opening reception at the Jack Robinson Gallery will find Nix and a group of surprise guests performing a set of songs celebrating the music and images that comprised his life.
"I don't really know if anyone will be interested" says Nix of his photos, "but I think it's a great thing for me to be able to bring out this part of my life, and show people the things I was lucky enough to have seen through my lens."
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"Dirty Negatives," an exhibit of photography by Don Nix