A Work In Progress
"Ideas" come to all of us at different times for reasons that are very difficult to explain. This message is being written in order to document my latest inspiration.
Today is 25 July 2009 and I have already started contacting certain friends on my Facebook site to begin "planting" idea seeds into their consciousness. As you will discover if you read what is being written here, this idea is extremely complex and would require cooperation from many, many people.
Before I start explaining the basic concept, please believe me when I say that I do not desire personal recognition or monetary compensation for myself. My only motivation is an attempt to obey the leading of God in this endeavor... as in all things I do in my life. There is no other purpose for my existence.
People with specific expertise would need to agree that this idea warrants their personal attention and involvement. There would need to be comprehensive communications between dozens of potential participants. Delegated representatives would agree to providing explanations based on presentations that have not yet been created. Permissions would need to be granted and many contracts would need to be negotiated and signed.
The end result of extensive planning and months of hard work would eventually culminate in a public entertainment event.
Location: The world famous Ryman Auditorium in Nashville - next door to Tootsies Orchid Lounge.
The name of the show: "MUSIC CITY REVIVAL"
Sub-title: "The Rock & Roller, The Cowboy and The Preacher"
International live broadcasting: FOX cable network
Primary performers: Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart, Lisa Marie Presley and Miss Tennessee.
Secondary performers: Three male and three female backup singers, bass player, lead guitarist, drummer, and others as desired - depending on the songs chosen for the show. (They will be positioned between the screens and pianos).
Stage: Three large-screens showing edited film/video clips at back. Three grand pianos centered. Three large black-leather chairs front.
Show Part One: The spotlight is on the chairs. Miss Tennessee escorts Jerry Lee to the center chair. He sits and the voice of an offstage announcer says his name: "Jerry Lee Lewis." Miss Tennessee leaves the stage and then this same procedure is followed for Mickey Gilley to the chair on Jerry's left and Jimmy Swaggard to the chair on Jerry's right. There will be no talking by the cousins as the audience watches in breathless anticipation.
Show Part Two: The offstage announcer says, "Welcome to the Mother Church of Country Music. Tonight, Music City Revival is coming to you live from Nashville's world famous Ryman Auditorium. We are honoring three legendary cousins... The Rock and Roller... The Cowboy... and... The Preacher. We want everyone in the audience to stand... please... and show these gentlemen all the love you can... with your applause.
Show Part Three: While the cousins remain in their chairs under the spotlight, the large screens will start presentations. Minutes later, spotlights will be turned on the center piano and Jerry will go do a song. When he is finished, a second spotlight will shine on the piano to Jerry's left and Mickey will go do a song. When he is finished, a third spotlight will shine on the piano to Jerry's right and Jimmy will go do a song.
Show Part Four: The cousins will begin ad-lib comments and do about a ten-minute conversation - about family and career memories. Children (maybe including some of their relatives?) will unexpectedly rush up on the stage to stand or sit around the pianos. They will sing: "Jesus Loves the Little Children."
Show Part Five: The cousins will do more songs and then return to their chairs. Piano lights will be turned off.
Show Part Six: The offstage announcer will introduce "famous friends" from the audience who will walk up to a microphone (under a spotlight) in the center aisle and make comments about their happy experiences or memories of the cousins. Camera shots showing facial reactions of fans and the cousins will keep this a fast paced segment. Somewhere between tears and laughter, the announcer will transition to "Lisa Marie Presley."
Show Part Seven: Lisa Marie Presley will walk out on stage and stand in front of the cousins. She will be holding a hand mic when saying, "It is such an honor to be here tonight. I know my dad would love to be here."
Show Part Eight: The screens will show edited versions of Elvis doing a few songs as Lisa turns to watch for a short time. She then turns around while the visuals continue, saying, "We Tennesseans believe a Music City Revival would be a good thing for the world. I'd like to quote a small part of a "Message" that is easily found on the Internet: "There is a coming day... when the morning Light will be brighter than one sun within another sun...where the darkness of bygone days will be no more." Lisa then turns and walks off the stage - followed by the cousins. The spotlights on the chairs are turned off as the "Message" being heard and seen slowly fades off the stage screens. Upon conclusion, the house lights are turned on when the announcer says, "God bless each of you... and remember to drive safely on your way home."
DVD/CD production/marketing of show: ?
Fans wanting the "cousins" to do a show
together can click this link to make it happen!
NOTE: This message will be edited as ideas are refined. Meanwhile, we might want to emphasize "charitable" rather than "monetary"
reasons for this project? I believe on-camera and behind-camera participants should be adequately rewarded for their contributions. Pre-production planning and
all costs must be anticipated and then covered by "investors" - which will probably be those folks who are given "rights" as outlined
above. Personally, I will remain reclusive and hope that people who are more qualified than me will agree to my suggestions.
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