I was initially brought onto The Ringmaster General by Paul Boyd and Dave Stewart to edit the documentary, but it quickly became apparent that this wasn't going to be a traditional editing project. As the story evolved, my role expanded into a directorial one alongside Dave himself, helping shape the film's creative narrative from a constantly growing collection of archival footage, newly shot material, reenactments, and more than a few martini-fueled rabbit holes.

The challenge wasn't simply assembling footage—it was discovering the story hidden within the chaos. Rather than forcing the material into a conventional documentary structure, Dave and I leaned into the spontaneity, allowing the film to evolve organically as we followed the threads that felt most compelling.

Dave's creative process rarely follows a straight line, and the documentary became a reflection of that mindset. One moment we'd be discussing the recording sessions in Nashville, and the next we'd find ourselves chasing an entirely different story that somehow revealed something essential about the project. Those detours often became some of the most memorable moments in the film.

What began as an editing assignment ultimately became the foundation of a long creative friendship and partnership that continues to this day. Looking back, The Ringmaster General wasn't just a documentary about making records—it was an opportunity to help build a narrative around one of the most unpredictable creative minds I've ever worked with.