A locally produced film about a blue-chip high school athlete who stages a contest to find a step-father, #50 Fathers features some significant musical collaborations. The comedic drama includes music from Grammy Award-winning guitarist Michael J. Calhoun, a founding member of the Dazz Band. The film also features the music of Cleveland R&B singer Antoine Dunn, and the film’s trailer includes a collaboration between the local soul rock band Winslow and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bernie Worrell (of Parliament/Funkadelic and Talking Heads fame).

Musician/producer Eriq Troi (George Clinton, George Duke), international actress turned musician DJ Coco Brown and singer-songwriter Peter Kelly wrote original songs for the soundtrack as well. The movie screens at 7 tonight at Lakeshore Cinemas 7 and at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Tower City Cinemas. If the trailer looks particularly sharp, that’s because #50Fathers is reportedly the first urban comedy filmed in 4K or Ultra HD.

50Fathers_BearcatPride.mp4 from MadWerkz Studios on Vimeo.


This article appears in May 20-26, 2015.

Jeff has been covering the Cleveland music scene for more than 25 years now. On a regular basis, he tries to talk to whatever big acts are coming through town. And if you're in a local band that he needs to hear, email him at jniesel@clevescene.com.