“David McClister has a wonderful eye. His photos are never a shock, meaning his pictures of me look exactly how I picture myself. He’s a joy to work with, and he never makes me feel like I’m being forced into anything. Still not sure if that’s because he’s sneaky and really good, or just really good.” – Jason Isbell
Morrison Hotel Gallery is honored to host the first exhibit of fine art music photographer David McClister’s sublimely intimate work, tellingly titled Photography Strictly Prohibited: David McClister’s Americana. David’s collection portrays some of Americana’s most beloved classic and contemporary artists in soulfully private moments. Threaded throughout the exquisite exhibit is also the story of how an amateur photographer quickly rose to prominence in his field. The show will open August 7th at Morrison Hotel Gallery SoHo, located at 116 Prince Street, and it will be preceded by a special, private reception on August 6th with an intimate, acoustic performance by Tift Merritt. The private opening reception is being sponsored by Lagunitas Brewing Company.
Patty Griffin and Robert Plant
Americana Honors & Awards Rehearsal, Ryman Auditorium, Nashville TN
© David McClister/courtesy of Morrison Hotel Gallery
Full credit must appear with image
Photography Strictly Prohibited: David McClister’s Americana has the distinction of being one of Americana’s curated events in New York taking place alongside AmericanaFest NYC – a partnership with Lincoln Center’s Out Of Doors Series, August 7-9 – and preceding Americana’s 16th Annual Festival and Conference in Nashville, September 15-20.
Not many photographer’s first paying gig is shooting the cover of a tide-shifting album. For David, photographing Ryan Adams for his debut solo LP, Heartbreaker, ushered in a new period of fevered creativity. The contemplative cool of David’s cover image – Ryan laying down, eyes shut, nonchalantly taking a drag from a cigarette – signaled a new invigorated era for roots music. Previous to that landmark shoot, David was an established director of music videos.
That fateful shoot would transform David into one of the most in demand photographers of roots music. The trust David establishes with his subjects has enabled him to capture images that are both natural and stately. Photography Strictly Prohibited: David McClister’s Americana features a broad cross section of David’s gorgeous album cover work, including his legendary session with Ryan Adams from 15 years ago, along with elegantly emotive images of Kacey Musgraves, Alabama Shakes, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Jason Isbell, Kings of Leon, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Robert Plant with Alison Krauss and The Avett Brothers.
“David McClister has worked with some of the most treasured musicians in the Americana landscape. His photographs and films don’t just reflect his subjects, they define them in so many ways,” gallery co-founder Peter Blachley explains. “Morrison Hotel Gallery is proud to exclusively represent David’s work.”
The Nashville-based veteran filmmaker and music video director grew up in the South, and first picked up a still camera at the urging of his wife. Through photographing local bands and musicians that he admired, he fell in love with the freedom and spontaneity of the medium. “Photography is very different from filming. In photography, you have a freedom and spontaneity you don’t get with directing. You can spend time with your subjects, have a conversation and get to know them,” David reveals.
Fourteen years after the Ryan Adams shoot David splits his time almost evenly between photo assignments and directing films, commercials and music videos. His photography has appeared on many major label artist releases, and in such distinguished publications as Rolling Stone, GQ, Esquire, The Wall Street Journal, TIME, Garden & Gun and Billboard.
Reflecting back on his journey, and his debut exhibit at MHG David says: “Honestly, it’s one of the greatest thrills – if not the greatest – in my career as a photographer. Morrison Hotel Gallery works with so many of my heroes – photographers that inspired me even before I know how to take pictures, and continue to inspire me every day.”
About Morrison Hotel® Gallery:
Morrison Hotel® Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Peter Blachley, music retail industry professional Richard Horowitz, and legendary music photographer Henry Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching a West Coast gallery at the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood and their newest gallery location at the W Hotel in Los Angeles, in 2015.
MHG is the world’s leading brand in fine art music photography representing 90 of the world’s finest music photographers and their archives. Their vast catalog of photography encompasses jazz, blues, and rock imagery spanning several generations through to today’s contemporary music artists and now includes iconic photographs in the world of sports as well. MHG has a robust online presence, featuring over 100,000 images searchable by photographer, music artist, band or concert.
With five locations including: Prince Street in SoHo; the Dream Hotel in the Meatpacking District; the Mens Market at the Americana Manhasset on Long Island; the Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood, and the W Hotel in Los Angeles, the company is at the forefront of culture. morrisonhotelgallery.com
