Benjamin Tod is Trashy and Sassy in New Video “I Ain’t The Man”

I dare you to find a more trashy country music video than this new one from Benjamin Tod. Literally. Giving us a perspective on Music City rarely seen, here’s “I Ain’t The Man” from the trash heap across from downtown Nashville…

I’m totally digging the vintage country sound of this folky song. It’s so refreshing coming off a decade (or more) of country music widely accepted as “bro country” or “boyfriend country” and I have no hesitation in calling Tod’s song Country & Western. It’s similar to music coming from other bands and artists in the industry… almost in opposition to the soft offerings of pop country radio friendly songs. In that regard, Tod had this sassy statement on his website:

“Most of my career has been laser-focused on poetic, piercing songwriting in mainly a folk tradition.” Tod says. “I wanted to prove to myself and the industry that I could write an elite country record with ease. Either way, if I didn’t accomplish that goal, I sure as hell came closer than anyone on pop country radio.”

While a bustling Broadway was a great backdrop for the new Post Malone & Luke Combs video, the trash heap was equally as good for this music video shoot (hat tip to the director Jesse Weeden). Even if it’s the eyesore of downtown Nashville, it looks perfectly cinematic in the video. Another kudos for the western feel with the sepia-type color grading they added in the edit. About the trash heap, the kazillionaire guy who owns the multi-acre property isn’t selling… yet, which is breaking the hearts of developers who must be absolutely salivating over that piece of land.

Technically, it’s a recycling center but the story remains the same, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Until the property gets sold and the trash removed, it can still be a treasure in the present with ideas that are a little out of the box. Like, oh I don’t know, shooting a music video where most people wouldn’t. I love the idea. I love the video from Benjamin Tod. I think it’s a win for him and for country music.

-Out of the Wilderness

The Publix Flame Commercial – Breakdancing, the Bible, and More

Swimming. Gymnastics. Breakdancing. All part of this summer’s— wait, what?? Breakdancing is an Olympic sport!? I mean, it’s cool and all but I never thought spinning around on your head could get you anything more than street cred or a chance to star in a Step Up movie.

“Here he is going for gold with a tight air flare!!!”

That was NOT on my bingo card for the Paris Olympics but here we are. If breakdancing doesn’t bring us all together, Publix has another idea. The flame. At the Olympics, the flame is meant to represent the humanity in us all. The common ground we share as citizens of this earth. Or, ya know, a juicy charcoal grilled burger. Mmm, delicious. I’m vegan but whatever. I remember what a good, quarter-pounder tastes like. Publix opens their ad with the flame of an outdoor grill then goes on to show other forms of cooking, sharing, giving and receiving. And in the giving and receiving, we all share in the receiving and giving. Geez, Joey Tribbiani would’ve loved this commercial. Take a look at all the food in the ad then scroll down for more…

It’s kind of funny how Publix, in one minute, can create something more inclusive and heartwarming than whatever France showed us in the opening ceremonies! I watched the first 20 minutes and talk about boring. The only redeemable moment was seeing Zinedine Zidane carry the torch. Remember his iconic headbutt from 2006?

While Publix nailed their flame-themed commercial, the Paris Olympic committee took flame to a place no one expected in the opening ceremonies. Flaming gay! It wasn’t that long about we weren’t allowed to say “gay” anymore, until the rules changed (again). If you had to pick one moment in world history where hmmm, maybe showing a group of gay/trans/bi/tri/non-binary/drag people might not be the best optics, I’d go with the first person on the moon– can you imagine them planting the LGBTQ flag on the moon instead of Old Glory??– and oh, I don’t know one of the most sacred moments in the Christian faith, the Last Supper! France opted for the latter in what some people are calling a purposeful mockery of Jesus. I mean, that’s ONE way to go. Just watch out for lightning strikes from the Almighty, is all I’m saying. In their defense, what better way to celebrate sports, right?

Here’s the scene from the opening ceremonies, if you haven’t seen it yet.

Officer Tatum is exactly right. If you watch more of his video you’ll hear him ask why they never mock Islam. Exactly. Jesus is an easy target but that isn’t a surprise. John 15:18-19… If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own.

Back to something more unifying… the Publix commercial! People love to gather around with food, huh? Publix uses that idea to keep their brand on the front burner of our minds. It’s another great ad, of course, and I was glad to see they toned down all the smiling (see previous smily Publix ad). I’m sure this is just one of quite a few Olympic-related commercials we’ll see in the next few weeks and it’ll be one of the favorites.

How do you feel about the Publix commercial? More importantly, are you practicing your breakdancing for the 2028 Olympics? You can DO it!

-Out of the Wilderness

Post Malone and Luke Combs are Nashville Party Poopers

Post Malone is dueting with the top tier of country singers and his latest video release is with none other than Luke Combs. The pair hitched a ride to downtown Nashville on a big rig, although they weren’t looking to be so portable when they went into those portable potties. Take a look at the surprise video for “Guy For That” then scroll down for more…

The port-a-potties were supplied by Chief Party Poopers, a clever play on words from the Nashville company. They even have an Instagram (@chiefpartypoopers) but their photos stink! See what I did there? No, but really, follow them because you never know when you might get lucky enough to be an extra in a music video.

I love that this was shot on Broadway in downtown Nashville. What a fun thing for locals and tourists (mostly tourists) to see. Of course, it was chaos on the street so I have nothing but sympathy for anyone who works downtown (like I used to) trying to go home for lunch, or get home after work. Here are a few raw clips from the shoot, which took place about a week ago.

Post Malone is having a heck of a time with his foray into country music. All green lights from fans so far… unless you were on Broadway for the shoot that day, of course. Then it was a lot of blinking yellow or red lights but what a cool reason to have a traffic jam!

-Out of the Wilderness

The Amazon Back to School Ad – The Actress, the Supplies

I’m sure most kids aren’t ready to admit their summer break is nearing an end but kids, it is. It’s almost like Walmart with Christmas. When Walmart starts selling Christmas decorations, you know the holiday is on the way. In this case, it’s Amazon signaling the start of “back to school” shopping. But of course, go to any Walmart and you’ll see a lot of the same items, so they’re in on it, too. Here’s Amazon’s latest commercial featuring actress Michelle Buteau.

Michelle, My Belle. You may recognize the star of the Amazon ad. She’s been in quite a few shows and movies, her most recent called “Survival of the Thickest” can be seen on Netflix. Check out her resume on her IMDb page and wish her a happy belated birthday (July 24th) over on Instagram… @MichelleButeau.

The ad briefly mentions a handful of essentials for the upcoming school year. I looked at some of the supplies and I was surprised that there are actually some things listed for just a quarter! *Update: All I could find for a quarter was glue. Just glue. But quite a few things under $1 so that’s good, too! Here’s a direct link to the Amazon “Back to School Shop.” Side note, as an affiliate I receive a portion of the amount paid for anything you purchase through that link at no extra cost to you. So… thank you in advance for that! Here are a few items from the commercial.

Owala water bottle ($26)

Samsung tablet ($298)

Lacrosse sticks – pair of two ($39.99)

So there you have it. Shopping done the easy way: Find. Order. Receive. Where do you like to do your school supply shopping? Chime in below!

-Out of the Wilderness

I had no idea Samsung did this…

Samsung… you know, the company that recently gave us folding phones, the tablets, refrigerators and other tech…. did you know they’re in the medical field, too? They have an entire pharmaceutical branch of their brand and one of their products is called Pyzchiva (pizz-chee-vah), which was just approved by the FDA this year (2024). From what I read, it’ll be available in 2025.

I’m all about the underdog, especially when it’s proposed against Apple iPhones but y’all, Samsung is probably the biggest juggernaut in the game. Sure, everyone and their mother has an iPhone, an Apple watch, or a MacBook Pro, but without exaggeration I bet literally everyone in the world has some sort of Samsung product whether it’s a phone or an appliance or pills in the bathroom cabinet.

So I guess this means one thing for sure: We can expect another drug commercial on TV for medicine with a name we can’t pronounce!

-Out of the Wilderness