“D tour”: A Rock ‘N Roll Film About Life, Death, and Bodily Functions – Interview with Jim Granato
Posted by Jim Treadway on May 29, 2009 under Coming Soon, Documentary | 
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Jim Granato’s “D tour” makes clear: if you haven’t signed up to be an organ donor, do so after you’ve finished reading this article. Google your state’s name and “organ donation,” download the short form to fill out, and mail it to your state’s DMV.
Granato’s documentary is the story of friend Pat Spurgeon, the talented multi-instrument musician from Bloomington, Indiana who plays drums for Rogue Wave, a band on the rise. In the film, Pat discovers that a degenerative kidney disease is threatening to take him away from the grand stage that he has finally gained access to, and that he has dreamed of playing on ever since graduating college over two decades ago.
“D tour” invites viewers into the world of Spurgeon and his tight-knit, affable bandmates. It reminds viewers of the need for both organ donors and a more sympathetic American healthcare system, of the power of love and friendship, and of the fragility of life and the dreams we find in it before death’s sure but unpredictable arrival.
“D tour” won “Best Documentary” last month at the San Francisco Film Festival, and Vimooz had the chance to discuss the film with its maker Jim Granato.
Q: How did you first meet Pat? What has been your relationship over the years?
JG: I used to see Pat play in a couple of bands in our hometown of Bloomington, Indiana back in the early 90’s. We didn’t know each other back then, but he was something of a well known musician in our little college town scene. It was years later just after I moved to San Francisco in 1996 that I ran into Pat at a local bar. He had just landed there too and after introductions and acknowledging many mutual friends together we became fast friends.