I first met Payne Lindsey in 2015, essentially both of us were fans of each others work from afar and equally had the desire to collaborate with one another. We worked on a short promo video for a hip hop/rap clothing company in Atlanta, GA but that was just a one off. Payne was filming documentaries at that time and also doing high end rap industry music videos for many different professional rap/hip hop artists.
In our affinity for each others expertise in our field and industry, we also developed a friendship. There are few times that work colleagues connect as true friends, but that was the case with Payne and myself. We struck up a friendship and trust.
Up and Vanished began with Payne & his business partner Donald reaching out to me and his brother Mason, to be involved with something he himself didn't even know would be as in depth as it has been. It started with us being available and open to a story with its twists and turns, and it begged Payne to bring justice to a woman and her family, Tara Grinstead. Justice to a situation and environment that seemed hopeless. Up and Vanished has now created a format that has never been implemented before. A comfortable and safe place for people to come forward with knowledge of true crimes; and above all it has shown that the podcast industry is more than just easy listening, but an industry that can solve cases that have gone cold or been misrepresented/misinterpreted.
As time goes on Payne has allowed me the privilege of becoming more involved with the Tenderfoot Tv team in the overall investigation and journalism of the cases on Season 2. Since then I have had the honor of lending my voice to their ongoing creations of seasons. Even up until this most recent season of season 4; Payne has allowed me the privilege to be a small part.
If you are not familiar with Up and Vanished, Payne Lindsey or our Tenderfoot Tv Team please have a read below:
Atlanta filmmaker Payne Lindsey of Tenderfoot TV & Team originally envisioned Up and Vanished as a true-crime documentary. Lindsey selected a missing-person case from his home state, Georgia, and embarked on a journey as an amateur investigator. After starting his research and initial interviews, he decided to present the project in audio form as a podcast. Season 1 of Up and Vanished explored the 2005 disappearance of beauty queen and high school teacher Tara Grinstead from her home in Ocilla, Georgia. The cold case was the largest case file in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s history, with no arrests in 11 years. The podcast quickly drew attention, both in South Georgia and nationwide. Reviewing old leads and uncovering new ones, Up and Vanished quickly expanded from a planned six-episode season to a final count of 24 episodes with numerous bonus episodes. As the people of Ocilla began talking about the case again, new leads and stories emerged. In February 2017, the GBI arrested two suspects for Grinstead’s murder. Up and Vanished will continue to provide updates on this no-longer-cold case as the criminal trial proceeds in 2018. A second season of Up and Vanished, covering a completely different true crime story, will debut in early 2018.
You can find Up & Vanished Podcast anywhere podcasts can be found. https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/up-and-vanished/id1140596919?mt=2
