Famed music producer Spencer Proffer’s Polish parents immigrated to the United States when he was just 5 years old. Their destination: Albuquerque, where Proffer’s family settled before moving to Los Angeles.
“Coming back to New Mexico means a lot to me. I grew up here, and I’ve always felt a deep connection to the people and the spirit of this state. I’m looking forward to sharing some of what I’ve learned along the way, connecting with students and hopefully inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and storytellers.”
Proffer is returning to the Land of Enchantment in October to bring his acclaimed documentary, “The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie” for a Las Cruces International Film Festival special screening. While in Las Cruces, Proffer will share his knowledge and passion for entrepreneurship and entertainment with New Mexico State University students.
The LCIFF is now the largest student-run film festival in the country. Approximately 80 to 100 NMSU students in the Creative Media Institute and the Creative Media Technology program at Doña Ana Community College work on the festival each year under the guidance of CMI professor and festival executive director Ross Marks.
“I met Spencer over 30 years ago when he was the music supervisor on my film ‘The Twilight of the Golds.’ He impressed me with his passion, knowledge and love for cinema,” Marks said. “I am excited to bring him and his beautiful documentary to Las Cruces.”
Proffer will attend the LCIFF special screening at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Rio Grande Theatre, followed by a question-and-answer session. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $60 for VIP tickets, which include reserved seats and a special reception after the event with the filmmakers.
In the last few years, Proffer began sharing insights gleaned from his extraordinary career with students in the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business at Belmont University in Nashville. He will connect with NMSU students during a presentation from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in the Barbara Hubbard Room of the Pan American Center. The talk is open to the Las Cruces community as well as NMSU students.
Proffer will share his acclaimed expertise in music and film production as well as his keen business and marketing acumen in NMSU professor Jean Hertzman’s Entertainment Business and Venue Management class in NMSU’s School of Hotel, Restaurant and Tourism Management.
“The class was inspired by Barbara ‘Mother’ Hubbard, and it is exciting for another music industry visionary to be speaking in it,” Hertzman said. “The HRTM program encourages students to be entrepreneurs, and Spencer can show them what is possible. This aspect of entrepreneurship will appeal to a lot of students in the College of Business, especially majors in marketing and management.”
Bethany Claypool, general manager and chief of staff of Proffer Entertainment’s companies including company Meteor 17, emphasized how Proffer connects with students and shares his enthusiasm for entrepreneurship.
“Spencer has approached his entire career with an entrepreneurial mindset, and that’s also how he has built and led his companies,” Claypool said. “He encourages people to think independently, take ownership of their ideas and find their own path to success. That perspective is especially relevant for students today as they enter an economy where entrepreneurship, creativity and adaptability are increasingly important.”
Proffer’s life in America may have started in New Mexico, but his career took shape in California, where he built a five-decade successful career spanning music, film and entrepreneurship. At age 23, he graduated law school at Loyola and subsequently made significant contributions to the music industry over the next five decades as the producer, arranger, songwriter and chief executive officer of various companies, producing hundreds of albums and recordings with top recording artists such as The Little River Band, Cheap Trick, Heart, Stevie Wonder, Eddie Money, Quiet Riot, The Beach Boys, Ian Hunter and B.B. King.
Proffer later expanded his work into film, producing numerous music documentaries, including "Chasing Trane,” the John Coltrane documentary narrated by Denzel Washington as well as the Emmy-nominated "Goin' Home," about the life and career of The Band's Robbie Robertson, which featured Eric Clapton and Martin Scorsese, among others. In 2023, Proffer produced the highly lauded, reviewed and profitable "Reinventing Elvis: The '68 Comeback" and, a year earlier, "The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean's 'American Pie.” Both films streamed to great success and acclaim on Paramount+ and to the public.
“The film industry in New Mexico, particularly southern New Mexico is exploding,” Marks said. “I am always trying to grow the industry and find opportunities for NMSU students and alums. Bringing Spencer to southern New Mexico is part of that effort.”
Proffer is looking forward to sharing his documentary about Don McLean’s iconic song and his vision with audiences in the region and the world. He also is eager to share his insights about entrepreneurship to the next generation of creative minds.
“What I want to impart to students is simple: never take no for an answer. Be resilient in your vision and willing to march to the beat of your own drum. Never lose that independent, entrepreneurial spirit. It will serve you well throughout your life.”
Get your tickets for the LCIFF special screening of “The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie” on the LCIFF website. Proffer will be on hand after the film to answer questions. The special VIP reception will follow.
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CUTLINE: The Las Cruces International Film Festival is bringing Spencer Proffer (left) and his acclaimed documentary, “The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie” to Las Cruces for a special screening at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Rio Grande Theatre, followed by a question-and-answer session and a VIP reception. Tickets are available now on the LCIFF website. Proffer will give a presentation to NMSU students from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, in the Barbara Hubbard Room of the Pan American Center. (Images courtesy Proffer Global Entertainment)
CUTLINE: Spencer Proffer is returning to the Land of Enchantment in October to bring his acclaimed documentary, “The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie,” to southern New Mexico for a Las Cruces International Film Festival special screening. While in Las Cruces, Spencer will share his knowledge and passion for entrepreneurship and entertainment with New Mexico State University students. (Photo courtesy Proffer Global Entertainment)
CUTLINE: Spencer Proffer will attend the Las Cruces International Film Festival’s special screening of “The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s American Pie” at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Rio Grande Theatre followed by a question-and-answer session. Tickets are $30 for general admission and $60 for VIP tickets, which include reserved seats and a special reception after the event with the filmmakers. (Image courtesy Proffer Global Entertainment)