The Legacy of Cideshow Studios

If you asked me as a young adult what the ultimate side gig would be, I would say becoming a musician. Tanner Poppitt’s music documentary The Legacy of Cideshow Studios recounts the history of a music studio whose sole goal was to develop and inspire the Southern California music scene.

Cideshow Studio was the brainchild of Sherman Jones and his partner at that time, Brian “Gimmi” Smith. In 2003, they moved into an abandoned medical building in Gardena, California, and converted the space into a series of rehearsal studios.

Being in a band themselves, they understood not only the business of rock bands but also the personalities that drive them—good and bad. As their band toured, Sherman took the opportunity to drum up business for Cideshow through networking with the other bands.

“In 2003, they moved into an abandoned medical building…and converted the space into a series of rehearsal studios.”

As business began to boom, they were fully aware of what it took to not only start this risky business using equipment found in Sherman’s garage but also deal with the competitiveness and flakiness of their growing number of clients.

Like any business, Sherman and Gimmi had their ups and downs, and they knew they needed help through the addition of co-owner Gina Cercone. In business for over twenty years, Cineshow Studios has built an amazing client list of local artists, including the band Recoil, heavy metal band DTM (AKA Black Chappel), and Rome Apart.

Done on the cheap with talking head interviews from Jones, Gimmi, and Gina, along with archival video footage and photos of the studio, The Legacy of Cideshow Studios is an inspiring documentary that captures the heart and hustle behind a legendary music studio. Tanner Poppitt skillfully weaves together the story of Sherman Jones and Brian “Gimmi” Smith, whose vision helped shape the Southern California music scene. For anyone with a dream and the determination to turn it into reality, this film is a must-watch.