We won an Indie!

La Jolla, CA -- February 11, 2012 – Amy Quick Parrish, of Flying Cactus Productions, LLC, has won a prestigious Award of Merit for the Indie Fest. The Award was given for Parrish’s exciting documentary, Hokey Smokes! Frank Allison and the Odd Sox, which tells the story of a legendary Ann Arbor-based band that never got the chance to be heard nationally. The film features exceptional live footage of old shows with Frank’s funny onstage antics and lots of audience participation and dance moves to the band’s quirky songs like Let’s Go Fishin’ and Cash For My Car.
“I wanted to create a snapshot of those fun shows and how popular the band was among college students and locals at that time. This was my first film and I’m thrilled to win an Indie!” said director Amy Quick Parrish.
The Indie Fest recognizes film professionals who demonstrate exceptional achievement in craft and creativity, and those who produce standout entertainment or contribute to profound social change. Entries are judged by highly qualified professionals in the film industry. Information about the Indie Fest and a list of recent winners can be found at www.theindiefest.com.
In winning an Indie, Flying Cactus Productions, LLC joins the ranks of other high-profile winners of this internationally respected award. Thomas Baker, Ph.D., who chairs the Indie Fest, had this to say about the latest winners, “The Indie is not an easy award to win. Entries are received from around the world. The Indie helps set the standard for craft and creativity. The judges are pleased with the exceptionally high qualities of entries. The goal of the Indie is to help winners achieve the recognition they deserve.”
For more information contact Amy Quick Parrish flyingcactus AT rocketmail.com or visit Flying Cactus Productions, LLC at http://www.flyingcactusproductions.blogspot.com

Hokey Smokes! Frank Allison and the Odd Sox

Hokey Smokes! Frank Allison and the Odd Sox is a short documentary about a band from Ann Arbor, Michigan that was crazy-popular among college students and locals who lined up outside venues like the Blind Pig to get a good spot on the dance floor. Fans loved Frank's quirky songs and funny antics onstage. The band usually played three sets and the fans created their own dance moves and audience participation activities for songs like Crediting Men's Hayride, Let's Go Fishin' and Cash for My Car. Most of his songs were about lovelorn working class guys who can't get a break- the best friend steals his girlfriend, crediting men are after him, and he's got to eat sandwiches because he needs cash for his car.

Despite two popular albums, loyal fans and great reviews, the band never broke big nationally. In the mid to late 90s Frank lost his voice to spasmodic dysphonia.

This movie explores what it takes to make it in the music business and points out that even though they weren't a commercial success, Frank Allison and the Odd Sox made a big impact on a lot of people.

As fan Chip Hadler put it, "Success of a band really ought to be whether the music they made was something they're proud of and whether they created a scene at any level whether it be local, regional or national. Frank Allison and the Odd Sox certainly created a scene in Ann Arbor. As far as why they didn't break big-- they're big to me!"

Hokey Smokes! Frank Allison and the Odd Sox screened at the 2008 Detroit Winter Blast Film Festival.

Frank's website is www.frankallisonmusic.com.

Cast: Frank Allison, John Seldin, John Boyle, Dan Beckett, Dave Katz, Karie Dorsten, Judy Seldin, Jeff Taras, Greg Kutcher, Diane Wilson-Kutcher, Chip Hadler.
Camera: Amy Quick Parrish, Jim Hayes with fan archive footage courtesy of Frank Allison, Michael Boyle, & Tom Abraham
Editors: Amy Quick Parrish, Jeff Moreaux, Melinda Brown
Director/Producer: Amy Quick Parrish
Photos: Cris Burkhalter
Music by Frank Allison and the Odd Sox used by permission.
Monkey Business, Hokey Smoke, Pig Out and other fine recordings are available at www.Frankallisonmusic.com, PJs Used Records and CDs in Ann Arbor, MI, iTunes and Amazon.