Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Randy Boyd announced Wednesday that the department approved a grant of up to $4.3 million for the CMT series “Million Dollar Quartet,” (working title) the untold true story of record producer Sam Phillips and his ground breaking studio, Sun Records.
Production is set to begin in Memphis this spring. The reimbursable grant will support a projected 160 film crew positions.
The series will focus on the lives of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins who collaborated in a 1956 recording session at Sun Records later called the Million Dollar Quartet. Those sessions are widely regarded as a seminal moment in the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Memphis is the birth place of rock ‘n’ roll music, and we are ecstatic to be able to support a television series that tells the story of the city’s role in one of the most influential cultural phenomenon of the last century,” Comm. Boyd said. “This is truly a Tennessee story.”
Show producer Thinkfactory Media will hold a nationwide casting call for actors to portray a young Presley, Cash, Lewis, Perkins as well as BB King, Ike Turner and Trixie Dean, Presley’s girlfriend. The casting call will be held Saturday, Feb. 13 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (line to open at 7 a.m.) at Presley’s alma mater, the historic Humes Preparatory Academy in Memphis.
Senator Mark Norris, who helped to recruit the project to the state, said the production is an important win for the Memphis film community.
"Million Dollar Quartet and Memphis are made for each other. This is where music and history were made. This series brings history to life and breathes new life into the Memphis film and television market. I appreciate the hard work of TNECD, the Tennessee Entertainment Commission, the Memphis Film Commission, Thinkfactory Media and CMT in making it possible,” Senator Norris said.
CMT President Brian Philips also said telling this story in Memphis was important to making such an important historical period come alive for the screen.
“Million Dollar Quartet will capture the star-crossed Memphis moments which led to the most explosive pop culture movement of the 20th Century, the birth of rock 'n' roll,” Mr. Philips said. “The characters are all larger-than-life, so casting is a daunting challenge, but we’re counting on the magic of Memphis to come alive again.”
Other state leaders noted the series supports efforts in Tennessee to further brand the state using its ample musical heritage.
Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Kevin Triplett said the series is well timed with the launch of the state’s Tennessee Music Pathway, a collection of important music sites between Memphis and Bristol.
“In Tennessee, you are never far away from music, and this series is going to continue to reinforce our state’s music brand,” Comm. Triplett said. “Americans and guests from around the world come to Tennessee to experience the musical heritage they love so much. Celebrating this event in film is further evidence, the soundtrack of America is made in Tennessee.”
Tennessee Entertainment Commission Executive Director Bob Raines added Million Dollar Quartet will revive an era of classic rock ‘n’ roll that will be enjoyed by old and new fans alike.
“The Tennessee Entertainment Commission is excited to welcome the production of Million Dollar Quartet to the state,” Mr. Raines said. “In addition to producing new jobs for our local crew base and providing revenue for the state’s production vendors, the series will introduce iconic Memphis legends and music to a new generation of fans.”