From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Nashville. Atlanta. New Orleans. Memphis.

These Southern cities are all renowned musical havens, nurturing melodies and giving birth to countless classics with different cultural nutrients and historical foundations.

It is conceivable that the music industry chain still continues here to this day.

In Memphis, the recording studio where Johnny Cash started his career is still preserved.

The recording studio is neither luxurious nor professional; a set of professional recording equipment plus a relatively soundproof room is enough to start a music career.

From the side, it can be seen that the music industry, which flourished in the fifties and sixties, had simple personal music studios everywhere. In cities like Memphis, you could find two or three singers by randomly throwing a brick on the street.

Precisely because of this, the recording studio where Johnny Cash's career began, with its outdated equipment and simple layout, has now become a "historical relic." It can no longer be used, unlike Sound City in Los Angeles, which is still producing classics half a century later.

On this trip to Memphis, Anson is not planning to visit museums. They have work to do, so they go straight to the professional recording studio—

Working non-stop.

Reese looked surprised: So fast?

Last night was the awards ceremony, and today is a busy journey. Without even time to rest and adjust, they went straight into the recording studio. Is the schedule so tight?

"Are you sure?" Reese hesitated, but finally voiced her concerns.

Anson was puzzled.

Reese explained, and Anson understood, chuckling, "In the past, singers chasing their musical dreams often gathered in New York, because that's where the most record companies are, and there are top media outlets like 'The New York Times' and 'The New Yorker,' which breed countless opportunities."

Reese understood, "It's the same in cities like Memphis and Nashville, so these cities can become gathering places for musicians."

Anson nodded, "But occasionally, very occasionally, there are some opportunities in other cities. After all, everyone is crowded in New York, and the competition is really too fierce, making it hard to breathe."

"Suddenly, Chicago sends a message saying there's an audition opportunity there. What do you think these down-on-their-luck musicians would choose?"

Reese didn't hesitate, "Get in the car, let's go."

Anson, "Right, they drive ten or twelve hours to Chicago, arriving at the audition venue, maybe a recording studio, maybe a bar, maybe a simple office. Without time to catch their breath, they have to start singing."

"Imagine, in that situation, because of fatigue and mental exhaustion, their performance is poor. The opportunity they traveled thousands of miles for is sentenced to death in just three minutes. What would that be like?"

Reese couldn't help but open her mouth slightly—

In fact, actors are the same.

Back then, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were still living in Boston and studying. They couldn't move to Los Angeles or New York to focus on pursuing their acting careers.

Then, Ben Affleck received an audition call from Los Angeles, and Matt Damon acted as the driver, driving his friend across the entire North American continent to Los Angeles, partly to accompany Ben Affleck's audition, and partly to drive and give Ben Affleck time to rest, ensuring that his friend would be energetic during the audition.

After the audition, they drove back to Boston all night long.

Again and again.

Reese was born into a middle-class family in New Orleans, a Southern city, but she was spotted by a talent scout and became a model at the age of seven. With her parents' support, she never experienced such a rush.

Hearing about it, of course, she had; but not having experienced it herself was another matter.

Suddenly, Reese realized that she thought she had fully entered the world of June Carter over the past three months, studying vocal music and researching the role, but in front of Anson, she found that she was full of loopholes.

How exactly did Anson do it?

If Reese remembered correctly, Anson also came from a middle-class family, so how did Anson truly get close to Johnny Cash's life and dig out the real world hidden beneath the glamorous and brilliant exterior?

The answer was obvious—

Professionalism.

Such details just prove that Anson is an actor, a professional actor.

No wonder Kate Winslet praised him after working with Anson.

Reese regained her thoughts and looked at Anson. Although there were still many doubts in her mind, she didn't continue to throw them out this time, but looked at Anson with anticipation.

Anson entered the recording booth, pulled up a high stool, and sat down in front of the microphone.

Then, he started tuning the strings.

Reese: ? ? ? That's it?

The other members of the August 31st Band haven't arrived yet. Are they starting recording directly? Or are the band members recording separately in Los Angeles?

Reese looked at the recording engineer, but found that he was also flustered, but had no time to respond to Reese, and skillfully and quickly entered the working state.

"Anson, ahem, Anson?" the recording engineer called out repeatedly.

Anson, "Don't worry, I'm just looking for a feeling first."

In less than twenty-four hours, there was a performance, a party, and a rush. Anson's voice is actually not in very good condition now. Whether it's acting or singing, I'm afraid he can't adjust to his best.

What's more, the mental fatigue cannot be ignored. He is not Superman, he also needs some adjustment time to relax his nerves.

Just like Spider-Man facing growing pains.

So, while the band members haven't arrived, Anson is making full use of his personal time and space to adjust his state.

Sitting on the high stool, Anson was completely focused on the guitar in his hand, carefully tuning the strings, listening attentively, and gradually immersed in his own world.

Reese… seemed a little bored.

Originally, Reese was full of expectations, thinking that a miracle might be staged in front of her, and Anson would conjure up new tricks from the magician's hat like last night's Grammy.

However, no.

Reese stood quietly in place, watching Anson immersively immersed in the world of guitar, constantly plucking the strings, but without a formed melody, the whole process seemed… boring and tedious.

Basically, it's just Anson entertaining himself.

Standing and standing, Reese got tired.

Rather than saying she was tired, it would be more accurate to say she was bored.

She stood there like a fool waiting for a miracle, unaware that in other people's eyes she was just a fool, foolishly looking up at the starry sky waiting for an aurora that the weather forecast hadn't predicted, until her limbs were stiff and numb.

So, should she find a place to sit down?

Thinking carefully, Reese still didn't turn around.

For some reason, because of Anson, Reese always felt that she should work harder. She seemed to have never truly grasped the musical essence of June Carter.

Perhaps, the focus and tranquility on Anson's body at this moment is what she lacks?