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Hank Garland's Life Hits the Big Screen in "Crazy"

Waylon Payne Stars as Legendary Guitarist Hank Garland

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 20, 2005 - "CRAZY," an independent feature film inspired by the life of legendary guitarist Hank Garland, began principal photography in Los Angeles on January 13 under the Favored Nations production banner; Ray Scherr and Steve Vai are executive producers. The film marks the directorial debut for Rick Bieber, following his prominent career as a producer on such acclaimed features as "Flatliners," "Made In America," and "Radio Flyer." "CRAZY" stars Waylon Payne and Ali Larter as Hank and Evelyn Garland.
Co-written by Rick Bieber, Jason Ehlers and Brent Boyd, "CRAZY" is an original screenplay from a story by Bieber -- based on the remarkable life of Hank Garland, who just passed away last December 27. The making of "CRAZY" was spearheaded by executive producer Ray Scherr, who met Hank Garland and his family almost a decade ago. Garland was involved throughout the film's development, and the entire production team regrets that he didn't live to see it realized.
Hank Garland joined the Grand Ol' Opry at 15 and rose to fame in the early 1950s as Nashville's premiere session guitarist. His immense, innovative talents grace the timeless recordings of music icons including Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, Roy Orbison, and Patsy Cline. In 1961, he startled the music world by jumping genres from country and pop to jazz with the release of Jazz Winds From A New Direction, a tour de force that to this day is considered an all-time classic jazz album. Later that same year, a crippling, near-fatal auto accident cut short his extraordinary ascent. "CRAZY's" narrative is driven by Garland's stunning artistic triumphs and dramatic personal travails, and his passionate and stormy relationship with his wife Evelyn.
Screen newcomer Waylon Payne stars as Hank Garland, following his debut film role as Jerry Lee Lewis in the forthcoming Twentieth Century Fox feature "Walk The Line," the James Mangold-directed Johnny Cash/June Carter biopic in which he stars opposite Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon. The godson of namesake Waylon Jennings, and son of GRAMMY(R)-winner Sammi Smith ("Help Me Make It Through The Night") and Willie Nelson guitarist Jody Payne, Waylon Payne is also a country rocker whose first album The Drifter was released in 2004 on Universal Records.
Ali Larter also stars as Hank's beautiful but troubled wife Evelyn. Known for her performances in "Legally Blonde," the "Final Destination" films, "Varsity Blues," "American Outlaws," "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "The House on Haunted Hill," she will next be seen in "A Lot Like Love" and "Syriana." Additionally, Larter recently completed a successful run on the New York stage in the Vagina Monologues.
"CRAZY" director Rick Bieber currently owns and operates his own independent film production company, Rick Bieber Productions. Previously, Bieber served as chief executive of HBO Pictures and Stonebridge Entertainment, which he formed with Michael Douglas. Most recently, he produced the just-completed independent feature "Aurora Borealis," starring Josh Jackson, Juliette Lewis and Donald Sutherland.
Steve Vai and Ray Scherr are executive producers under the banner of Favored Nations. The production partners felt "CRAZY" was an ideal fit for their joint venture ... the GRAMMY-winning Vai, a modern-day guitar hero and NARAS(R) board member, is one of rock music's most acclaimed players. Entrepreneur Ray Scherr was the owner of Guitar Center, the United States' largest musical instrument retailer. He also founded Guitar Center Hollywood's "Rockwalk(R)," which now honors-and displays the handprints of -- over 200 musical pioneers, including the great Hank Garland, who was inducted on August 16, 1997.

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"Gimme a steel guitar, 2 or 3 fiddles and a Texas rhythm section that can swing"..R. Pennington

Why would I want to go see a movie about Hank Garland in which someone else is playing the guitar parts, someone else is a "hand model" etc.

Why would I want to know anything about Hank Garlands' wife????

Has not been mentioned yet, but are they going to bring up all that conspiracy mess complete with bullet holes in the car??

The incredible legacy of Hank Garland would surely be better served with an in depth documentary using his own playing, pictures of the real person and focusing on his spectacular guitar skills rather than a Hollyweird style movie with actors and some kind of a slant.

According to the director, the movie is all but done, but probably won't be released till early 06, or possibly August at the earliest.

I had no idea about his story until today. It's amazing. After a car accident, in which he claimed that someone shot at him, his wife committed him to an asylum, where they gave him shock treatments, till became like a 2 year old. Incredible. It should make a really compelling movie.

All I can say is that everyone on the set was very sincere about this endeavor. It was approved by his family, and even though there's no name actors in it, it was still very serious and professional, and I think it will be a good dramatization.

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Has not been mentioned yet, but are they going to bring up all that conspiracy mess complete with bullet holes in the car??

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They had Shawn Colvin and Mandy Barnett act and sing in the movie too. While Mandy did a faithful recreation as Patsy Cline, Shawn's interpretation of Kitty Wells is laughably modern to say the least.

I not sure where this movie will end up, but you all have to see it. I felt priveledged to work on the movie if for no other reason the historical aspect of what the movie is about. Everyone was nice as could be on the crew and cast and I have the highest hopes for it.

Slim

[This message was edited by memphislim on 23 February 2005 at 03:08 PM.]

Thanks for the input. Hank was a friend of mine back in the old days before the car wreck, and I discovered a couple of years ago that he lived near me in Florida, so we had a chance to renew the old acquantance. Also, I worked with Copas on Pee Wee King's band for a couple of years.

Do you know anything about the release date for the movie or how one might go about seeing it? Will it be in theaters, available for purchase on video tapes or DVD's -- etc.

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I was the oldest guy on the set, at 54. If I remember correctly, there were always a bunch of pretty 'old' guys and gal entertainers, milling about at the real Opry. Not so in this film, from what I saw. Probably no one will notice.

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Hank Garland's Byrdland guitar.

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Hank's first guitar.

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Left to right: Hank Garland, Lil ole me, Amy Garland, Billy Garland

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[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 17 March 2005 at 05:38 PM.]

Anyway, I had a conversation with Larry Koonse, who plays a lot of the guitar parts for Hank and also Wes Montgomery in the movie. Some of the parts were written, for historical accuracy, but some other were improvised, for instance in scenes where Hank is rehearsing or practicing.

In addition, Hank Garland along with a handful of other Nashville based musicians deserve to be honored for decades if not centuries for what they did to take Nashville from a less than third rate recording location to the Recording Capital of the World.

Although the movie about Hank Garland's life may have technical inaccuracies the more important aspect to consider is the movies ability to make thousands and possibly millions of music fans aware of the tremendous contribution Hank Garland made to American music. Music as much as politics, industry or finance influences the direction of any single generation; therefore, why shouldn't the people responsible for giving a nation is musical identity be recognized for their contribution to the society they helped sculpture?

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Dan Sawyer
Rickenbacher B6, Fender Dual Professional, Fender Deluxe 8 (trap), Fender "White" 6-string w legs, Carvin steel w HiseTri-plex.

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Very truly yours,
David T. Tunnell
Alesis QS8; Peavey KB/A 300; Peavey KB5; BMI U-12; Session 500

Sorry I don't know how to post a link. Hope this works.

Bot it looks like the movie is showing here in Sedona.

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Garland worked with many of the greatest musicians and performers of all times: Elvis, Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, Jerry Lee Lewis and jazz great Dave Brubeck, among others. In most cases, he was hand-picked by the artists for his guitar-playing and musical genius. Garland's collaborations earned many of these artists gold and platinum records and landed him his spot in the Grand Ole Opry Hall of Fame.

In 1961, he startled the music world by jumping genres from country and pop to jazz with the release of Jazz Winds From A New Direction, a tour de force that to this day is considered an all-time classic jazz album. Later that same year, a crippling, near-fatal auto accident cut short his extraordinary ascent.

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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

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Very truly yours,
David T. Tunnell
Alesis QS8; Peavey KB/A 300; Peavey KB5; BMI U-12; Session 500

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Visit my Web Site at RoysFootprints.com
Browse my Photo Album and be sure to sign my Guest Book.

[This message was edited by Roy Ayres on 14 September 2006 at 12:52 PM.]

When will it be available to buy??? and where???

Can't wait to see it!!!!!!

[This message was edited by Red Kilby on 27 September 2006 at 10:13 AM.]