Not many Auteurs could prepare for such an out of control "ego trip" during the abounding chaos of Christmas and New Years Eve. But for JMM, Elvis Birthweek IS Christmas! He only had to move about 8% percent of his attic downtown to the beautiful old two story gallery. The show occurred on Elvis' 69th birthday (ten years ago DAMSELVIS, DAUGHTER OF HELVIS had premiered on January 8th). Different JMM films showed in chronological order each night.

Always the Elvis Numerologist, JMM has centered many film shoots & premieres around Elvis Birthweek & Deathweek. JMM, also from East Tupelo, has created a new religion based on the boyhood of Elvis and his stilborn twin Jesse. This uniquely American creed is called THE GOSPELVIS and was a centerpiece of the LOSERDOM event.

David Bowie also shares a birthday with Elvis. JMM factored this into the overall theme of the show, tying Ziggy's 1972 Memphis appearance into the regional meta-event...

The original framework of LOSERDOM and JMM's origins in Memphis begin twenty years ago in 1984, when local art critic Donald LaBadie wrote about three young guys who were laughing at 'modern art' on display in a local museum - one of those punks was JMM. LaBadie titled the article "Something Alien In The Park" and it was published in the local Fanfare supplement where JMM realized they were talking about him! "Before I even made Art I was criticized! Careful! I might get a complex!" JMM grimaces.

Twenty years later the hillbilly art student accused of artistic ignorance creates an impressive body of work that no one at the time (1986) could teach him in the local art college. Work that champions the best and most original of American concepts: comic books, rock and roll, & drive-in cinema. "When Lo-Brow art assumes Zen-like proportions, it is Great Art nonetheless."

Unfortunately, the 'old guard/new guard' dramatic angle was not used by the local press to promote LOSERDOM.

JMM made several attempts to contact LaBadie to invite him as the Guest of Honor. JMM wanted to extend a hearty handshake to the art critic with a fitting caption that could have only read "Hi-Brow meets Lo-Brow". Unfortunately LaBadie was a no-show.

Highlights of the three night event included EMMY COLLINS on a pedestal in the main gallery as an interactive display. The previous night JMM's new superhero chick SUPER TEENAGE (Victoria Brough) went up on the block. On the opening night, folks found JMM himself on the pedestal ready for questions - or to be laughed at, depending on the patron.

Three nights of live Memphis music featured a single Jack Oblivian performing lounge versions of his TEARJERKERS & COOL JERKS songs. Nicholas D. Ray & Harlan T. BoBo performed ambient dissonance from their ECCE HOMO and instrumental forays. Ecstatic POLI SCI CLONE plastered every nook and cranny of the concrete structure with his loud renditions of drinking songs.

Special guests included Jane Bussman, the writer from the London News and the FACE Magazine; Musician Hartwell Littlejohn; Jim Roper, editor of MEMPHIS Magazine; Moviemaker Craig Brewer; Producer Cynthia Runions; Dr. Mark Luttrell; the legs of Barbara Luttrell; Loserdom organizers James Patterson, Nancy Morrow, and Preston Johnson; writer David Hall, sculptor Dan Spector; and Inter7.com's Catherine Kouzmanoff. JMM's wife Kim, daughter Hanna, and father John McCarthy also attended.

JMM says, "Knowledgeable people lament the loss of a culture that is regional. Yet the dual juggernaut of Hollywood and New York have wiped out regionalism. Assimilation of ORIGINAL regional concepts is fantastic (like Elvis Presley's combining of Country and Blues). On the other hand, assimilation of assimilations is like mad cow disease. It's Pop Culture eating itself. That's what mass media has been doing since the death of Elvis Presley. His body is that metaphor to me. I'm just trying to make pop culture regional again in the very place it was created- and that's Memphis Tennessee."

JMM shot a documentary during the show as onlookers basked in the glow of 1000 watt lights. Kaleo Quenzer, Alan X, and Emmy Collins assisted as Dan Ball took fotos. The resulting movie will be ready on Elvis DEATHWEEK 2004 and feature the Exhibit as its centerpiece. JMM is collaborating with Savana Raught as co-producer and curator on this special production which will feature a special SHOCK ENDING. Look for Savana's upcoming show in Memphis, TN at Gallery 56 in June 2004. Also check the later Summer schedule for a screening of LOSERDOM at Indie Memphis Film Festival. (Buy LOSERDOM at www.guerrillamonster.com!)