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| Press Release and News |
"ROCKABILLY BABY" SCREENING (PEEK PREVIEW)
Wow! A packed house Thursday night at the Studio Movie Grill, over 250 people! We even outdrew
""Indiana Jones..." Got comments like: "The best indy movie ever shot in Texas.", "Rockabilly
Baby" could be next year's "Juno". "Outstanding Cast". "I was mesmerized." "Best movie I've
seen this year, period."
Thanks to all that came out.
Ken Farmer
Writer/Director
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From Leslie Jordan, writer of the stage play, "Rockabilly Baby".
Ken... I cannot tell you how impressed I was. What I noticed that I had never noticed before was
what an amazing "character study" the piece is. Those actors gave such fully realized
performances that you saw the "wants and the dreams" of each actor in a very vivid, clear cut way.
It really is a beautiful marriage of writing, directing and acting. Had any one of us not done our job
to it's fullest (since there really is not a lot of action) the whole thing would have fallen on it's face.
That is always the biggest concern, I think, when taking a theatre piece to film... the lack of action.
The "rule," if there is such a rule, is that on stage you TELL the story but on film you must SHOW
the story. Well, you did both and it worked. Most importantly, IT WORKED. Thank you and thank
your cast. I tell you what, those boys sure ain't hard on the eyes either. I am an aging homo who
has been blessed with a deep appreciation for BEAUTY and watching that film was like going to a
FINE ARTS MUSEUM!!!
Love. Light.
Leslie Jordan
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Dear Ken,
As I sat there watching it unfold I felt privileged and grateful to be there. Most of the time on the
edge of my seat.
What a splendid job by all concerned!
I was riveted. And no car chases, extravagant scenery, nudity, blood and violence, just
consummate, compelling performances by extraordinarily talented actors.
If you had the world to choose from you could not have come up with a better cast. Great job of
casting and kudos to you for staying out of their way and letting them rock and roll. The best
directing. My hat is off to you and your "kids," Denton, Todd, Brandi, Kelly, Maeghan and all the
rest. Denton, Todd and Brandi carried the piece like the giant stars they are bound to become.
Didn't get to meet Todd but hope that I will sometime. Congratulations to Buck for having the good
sense to support y'all. I was also impressed with the quality of the digital photography. Pretty neat.
God bless you and the best of "British Luck" to all of you. Thanks for a great experience.
Sincerely,
Alex Cord
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From Linda Dowell, Screen Actor's Guild
Hello, Ken & Buck.
I just wanted to extend a big JOB WELL DONE for the wonderful film you have created. I was very
impressed with the performances and appreciate the opportunity to experience the sneak peek.
You've made the stars of Dallas shine!
Linda Dowell / Screen Actors Guild
Regional Branch Division Executive Director
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From Linda McAlister, Linda McAlister Talent
Texas talent totally SHINED and glittered in this excellent character driven film: talent, director,
crew, music, equipment, locations, wardrobe. A total top shelf production that truly makes us all
very proud. AND with no nudity, no action, just crisp, sassy dialogue. Some clichés, yes, but it was
the era that clichés were created. Fun times.
I do hope you can arrange a screening for the film critics. This is worth it! No major stars are in it.
They aren’t needed and I don’t think anyone will care since all performers in this little gem of a
movie are star quality.
This Texas is very proud of what our industry can do! With the right resources, it’s magic. Truly.
Ken, you did an incredible job! Please do keep us posted for future screenings and developments.
Staying tuned!
Linda
Linda McAlister Talent
*********************************************************
Ken,
I know you are swimming in some glory at the moment, but I just wanted to say thanks for the
invite. I enjoyed Rockabilly. It was a great accomplishment. I still can’t believe you shot it in 15
days. That is amazing. Great adaptation and directing.
Thanks for the evening.
Ben Dane
"ROCKABILLY BABY"
ROCKABILLY, LLC, in association with Timber Creek Productions, LLC of Gainesville,
Texas completed lensing the SAG feature, "ROCKABILLY BABY" this December 21,
2007, on location in and around the north Texas town of Gainesville.
"ROCKABILLY BABY", written by veteran actor/writer, Ken Farmer, adapted from the
original stage play, "Rockabilly Baby", by Leslie Jordan. "ROCKABILLY BABY" is a
musical drama set in the mid-1950s and revolves around a fictional piano playing
rockabilly singer, BABY BOY WATKINS. Starring in "ROCKABILLY BABY" are Denton
Blane Everett as 'Baby Boy', Todd Farr as 'Dirty', Brandi Price as 'Jollene' and Maeghan
Albach as 'Mama'. Ken Farmer wrote and directed this emotional look at the birth of Rock
and Roll. This is Ken Farmer's feature directorial debut.
It rolled out of Memphis and took the world by surprise. It was a time when Jerry Lee
Lewis, with his boogie-style piano playing and flashy performances, was a living legend
until he married his thirteen-year-old cousin and caused a national scandal.
It was a time when a young Elvis Presley was involved in the legendary Sun Label
recording sessions and with his tough good looks and sexual gyrations, was creating a
phenomenon known as the rock concert.
It was a time when Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and the
Everly Brothers were combining Negro rhythm and blues and boogie-woogie with a country-western sound
and 'tearin’ it up' all over the Southeast.
They all played at one time or another, at the Nashville JubileeTM, Nashville, Tennessee.
Baby Boy Watkins, a piano playing combination of Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard and Elvis,
finally gets his big break and is invited to play the Nashville JubileeTM.
His manager, Dirty Dawkins, has set up his visit to the Nashville JubileeTM followed
immediately by a sold out performance at the World’s Fair in New Orleans. However,
Baby Boy’s sister, Jollene, shows up backstage at the Nashville JubileeTM imploring Baby Boy
to return home with her.
“ROCKABILLY BABY” is a roller coaster ride of emotions, chock full of all original
rockabilly music... It was the birth of what we call today ‘Rock and Roll’, set to the tune
of a powerful heart wrenching story.
“It was the ROCKABILLY ERA... When it was over,.. nothing was ever quite the same."
"As long as you have your music... You've got a shot."
PRODUCTION COMPANY:
ROCKABILLY, LLC
in association with TIMBERCREEK PRODUCTIONS, LLC
107 W. Broadway St.
Gainesville, Texas 76240
rockabillymovie@yahoo.com
940-668-5956
Executive Producers: Buck Stienke and
Ken Farmer
Producer: Jim Roberson
Director: Ken Farmer
Director of Photography: Jim Roberson
UPM: Debbie Sicking
Stunt Coordinator: Randy Fife
Casting: Toni Cobb-Brock Casting
Edited by: Bill Lowe
Composer: David Siebels
| NEWS REPORT: June 16, 2008 |