Interview with Terry Allen, July 10, 2017

Partial Transcript: I like to start by just...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about coming to Athens as a freshman at the University of Georgia. Allen recalls taking photos of famous artists who visited Atlanta. Allen explains how he started a business taking party pictures for sororities and fraternities. Allen explains how he eventually delved into the subculture of music in Athens.

Keywords: Athens, Georgia; George Harrison; The Beatles; University of Georgia; photos

Partial Transcript: All of a sudden The Sex Pistols...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about the first punk band he saw, The Sex Pistols, and the subsequent emergence of punk bands across Athens. Allen describes the rise in popularity of the B-52's and the effect that it had on the Athens music community.

Keywords: B-52's; The Sex Pistols; punk rock

Partial Transcript: We had a, back to ...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about a punk rock homecoming party that he held at the University of Georgia. Allen explains that filming bands such as Pylon and R.E.M led to the rise in popularity of the bands and of Athens music, Allen shares his experience seeing R.E.M for the first time.

Keywords: B-52's; Michael Stipe; Pylon; R.E.M

Partial Transcript: You know, Last Resort had had...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about watching R.E.M for the first time at the Last Resort Grill. Allen recalls meeting Michael Stipe before he had joined R.E.M and compares him to after seeing him in R.E.M.

Keywords: punk

Partial Transcript: So bands started thinking of us...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about how his popularity as a photographer led to him to take photos for many bands across Athens. Allen describes the communal nature of the Athens music community, as band members commonly did favors for other bands. Allen recalls his meeting with Cindy Wilson and Keith Bennett of the B-52's.

Keywords: Cindy Wilson; Fed Bennett; Keith Bennett; R.E.M.

Partial Transcript: So when I met Cindy that...

Segment Synopsis: Allen continues describing his first time meeting Keith Bennett and Cindy Wilson. Allen talks about going to New York to watch and photograph Athens bands. Allen shares stories about his experience trying to get work in New York as a camera man.

Keywords: B-52's; Cindy Wilson; Keith Bennett; Peppermint Lounge; Pylon

Partial Transcript: Well somewhere in there...

Segment Synopsis: Allen describes his transition to professional photography after he left Athens. Allen describes coming back to Athens to photograph bands, and his work in helping his brother's band, Dream So Real, get gigs.

Keywords: 40-Watt Club; Dream-so-Real; Oh-Ok; Trent Allen

Partial Transcript: I go over to him...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about working to get recordings for his brother's band, Dream So Real. Allen recalls that R.E.M. was integral in the rising popularity of college radio. Allen talks about other recordings done by Dream So Real.

Keywords: B-52's; Campus Radio; Dream So Real; R.E.M.

Partial Transcript: We first went up to New York...

Segment Synopsis: Allen talks about touring in New York with Dream So Real, and his experience with the B-52's. Allen describes the giving nature between Athens bands. Allen describes some of the other places that Dream So Real toured and the first signing of the band.

Keywords: B-52's; CBS; Dream So Real

Partial Transcript: We got sucked into...

Segment Synopsis: Allen describes how the culture of Dream So Real changed as the band attempted to distance itself from its roots in Athens. Allen recalls the failure of Dream So Real to sign with producer Clyde Davis and other attempts by the band to get a producer.

Keywords: Bill Thresher; Clyde Davis; Dream So Real; John Mellencamp

Partial Transcript: We did another record...

Segment Synopsis: Allen describes how Dream So Real was dropped by their production company after the release of a highly commercialized record that damaged the band's reputation. Allen talks about the work that R.E.M. did in creating opportunities for bands in Athens. Allen talks about the influence that R.E.M had on the country's perception of the southern United States.

Keywords: Jefferson Holt; Joe Hardy; R.E.M.; The Police (band)

Partial Transcript: When R.E.M. came along...

Segment Synopsis: Allen continues describing the ways in which R.E.M. and the B-52's challenged the stereotypes of the South. Allen talks about the impact The Allman Brothers had on the rock community as it was one of the few rock bands with an African American member.

Keywords: B-52's; R.E.M.; The Allman Brothers Band