Love, Sex & Music – Adam & Eve Pictures – Director – Will Ryder – Cast – September Reign, Nina Elle, Vanna Bardot, Whitney Wright, Misty Stone, Madison Sommers, Jay Romero, Joshua Lewis, Dorian Del Isla, Rusty Nails, James Bartholet and Frank Bukkwyd.

**** 4.5 stars

In his continuing series of Love, Sex and ______, director Will Ryder has gone from comedy to drama with this very solid award nom worthy effort about the shady dealings in the music business in Nashville, especially if you were black. Yes, Charley Pride broke that barrier and was a big star but many in Nashville turned away from him as well. This is a well written, superbly acted story that is extremely real and believable. I know, because I was part of the country music scene back in the 60’s and 70’s and again in the 90’s as a dee jay, talent agent and concert promoter and saw a lot of it. Of course, along with all the drama and the engrossing story line that Ryder has created, there is plenty of eye popping sex going on that will keep your libido going strong.

September Reign, in an award nom performance, plays Dixie Gatlin an aspiring country music singer/songwriter looking to make it big in Music City. She runs into some backlash, but comes in contact with Nash Music run by Nina Elle, who is not exactly the nicest or above board person she appears to be. But she smells success with Dixie and takes her and her song by using a lot of deception, lies and more just to get the song for her prize singer Missy Free, played with just the right amount of bitchiness by Vanna Bardot. Dixie is warned about all the back stabbing by Whitney Wright, but now that she’s in so deep, she doesn’t know how to get out of it and move with her dreams. She confides in her sister Tina, back home recovering from cancer. Tina gives her all the advice she can and to not give up. Tina is played by Misty Stone in a very strong, dramatic non sex role. In the meantime, Dixie is really torn about her budding career and everything that is going on behind her back. Missy has a confrontation with Nina about the song and then has a heated go around with Dixie also further making things tougher for aspiring newcomer.

Of course, in between all these dramatic moments there is always time for some steamy sex play. This includes a very hot solo by September herself as well as a couple of boy/girl interludes that break from the story to get your juices flowing. Then Dixie meets old time country star Buck Bennett, played by adult film veteran Frank Bukkwyd in another award nom performance. Having been a country star he knows how the game is played and doesn’t like what is happening to Dixie. So he takes her under his wing to try and steer her in the right direction and get what rightfully belongs to her, meaning her music. Nina and her group don’t seem worried at all as they consider Buck an old washed up star of the past. But Dixie and Buck form an immediate bond and Dixie calls her sister Tina to tell her the latest and her sister says she will help anyway she can. With Buck guiding her she feels that soon everything will work out.

There is a big party thrown by Nash Music and the owner of the company, Pierre Le Fluer (Dorian Del Isla) shows up to help celebrate the big hit song that was actually stolen from Dixie. Of course, Missy has to show her appreciation for it and goes off with the owner for some steamy sex. But the celebration continues and will be short lived as the company is hauled into court and all hell breaks loose. The case is presided over by Judge James Bartholet and seems to be going against Dixie and her claims until the unexpected happens. Dixie’s sister Tina is a surprise show up in the court with recorded proof of the wrongdoing that Nash Music did to her sister. Now the judge has no other course than to rule in Dixie’s favor and all is well that ends well. Now with Buck by her side as a mentor she can move on with her career.

A very well written story from Will Ryder that is very realistic. The performances by the key players are excellent and award nom worthy adding to the believability of this production. The music in the film is well performed by a country band called the Honest Family Outlaws and they are a group you will hear more from in the future. Ryder’s direction and the cinematography are exceptionally well done and also award nom worthy. I have known Will a long time and while he has had many big hit films, awards and accolades, this may be among the best he has ever done. All I can add here is…….do not miss it!

Art Koch, National Features & DVD Editor, NightMoves Magazine and AAN