"Pure Country" goes to the Great White Way
Thursday, April 10, 2008 – "Pure Country," the 1992 movie that starred George Strait, go the Great White Way because the movie will be the basis of a musical hitting Broadway in the 2008-9 season.
Producers Randall L. Wreghitt, Chris Presley and Ellen Rusconi announced previews start in spring 2009 with exact dates and a theater to be announced. No roles have been announced either.
The score will draw on the sounds of new and classic country, as well as Broadway and adult contemporary.
Steve Dorff, who has written 9 number 1 songs and 15 Top 10 hits (including such classics as Kenny Rogers' "Through the Years," Celine Dion's "Miracle" and the Country staple and hit movie theme "Every Which Way But Loose" by Eddie Rabbit) will compose the music.
John Bettis, whose songs have sold over 250 million records worldwide (writing everything from George Strait's "Heartland" to Madonna's "Crazy for You") is writing the Lyrics.
Writer and director Peter Masterson, best known as the co-writer and co-director of the hit Broadway musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas (and co-author of the film), will direct and co-author the book.
In the music, Rusty is a country music superstar at the height of his career with all the high stakes pressures that come with it. When the pressure starts taking their toll, and he walks out of an overblown concert tour, his search begins to find himself and the love he left behind.
"PURE COUNTRY" is based on the 1992 Warner Brothers' film of the same name, written by Rex McGee and directed by Christopher Cain. It starred George Strait (in his film debut), Lesley Ann Warren, Kyle Chandler and Rory Calhoun (in his final film appearance). The soundtrack went to number one on the U.S. country album chart and spawned two number one country singles, "Heartland" and "I Cross My Heart." Both songs were written and co-produced by Dorff,
More news for George Strait
CD reviews for George Strait
Twang
Twenty-six albums and 28 years into his recording career, George Strait still has a few tricks up his sleeves. While making musical intents clear from the title track, written in part by Jim Lauderdale, there are a few changes here.
First off and perhaps most shockingly, the quiet Texan wrote 3 of the 13 songs, including the hit single (Living for the Night with long-time cohort Dean Dillon and Strait's son Bubba. The younger Strait penned the very fine Arkansas Dave about a convict by »»» |
Classic Christmas
George Strait, just like his last name suggests, gives it to us straight in the CD notes. "For this album, I selected Christmas songs - the ones I grew up hearing and singing - and added a little country flavor to make them sound more like me." And dang if he ain't right on the money! This is a 10-song Christmas CD - his third - with familiar songs that all sound like Strait tunes. So when he gets to track four, Jingle Bells, the music swings nicely in that winning Strait way. »»» |
Troubadour
George Strait seems to get better with age. "It Just Comes Natural" from 2006 was one of his best. The 12 songs on his 37th CD almost all turn the trick as well. Strait once again benefits from very strong material from the likes of Buddy Cannon (and Randy Hardison with the ballad "It Was Me"), Leslie Satcher (the title track and "House of Cash," a strong duet with Patty Loveless, who given a chance to shine, sounds as fine as ever in this tribute to June and Johnny »»» |
Editorial: A fine night for Taylor Swift –
Taylor Swift's showing at the Country Music Association awards Wednesday night was no surprise. In some respects, it was invigorating to see someone who was not male and not around umpteen years like some of her male counterparts take home the biggest prize of the night, entertainer of the year. »»»
Concert Review: Radney Foster sparks a revival –
Radney Foster told fans that he came home from the University of the South one weekend early in his college career and told his parents in the wee hours of the morning that he wanted to quit college and head to Nashville to pursue a music career. His parents agreed...fortunately.
Three decades later, that resulted in Foster playing songs on this... »»»
Concert Review: Neko Case overcomes obstacles –
The opening of Neko Case's show was unusual to say the least. "I'm angry right now," said the red head. "We just had a big fight with the promoter. We're going to sing weird, but we're actually very happy to be here."
Making quite clear that she was not a happy camper, Case still channeled her musical energies... »»»
|
|
Country News Digest
 CST
 CST
Elsewhere in the news
Currently at the CST blogs
To say that Lyle Lovett has a great new album in "Natural Forces" is a newsflash akin to announcing that oxygen is now available for mass consumption at no charge. Lovett's musical quality is as automatic as a politician's promise and infinitely more trustworthy, which might lead one to believe that, at a certain level, the Texas singer/songwriter has become slightly jaded by the consistent accolades thrown his way. One would be very mistaken.... »»»
When "Mountain Soul" became a critical success, it wasn't long before fans began requesting a follow-up from Patty Loveless. "They were questioning last year when I was ever going to do another record such as the first 'Mountain Soul,'" Loveless says. "So, Saguaro Records came to me about doing another record with them, and we suggested doing one to coincide with the popularity of what the first one did."... »»»
Rosie Flores played in Screaming Sirens, back when cow-punk wasn't (yet) cool. She also helped turn Los Angeles, that underground roots rock town south of Bakersfield, into a flourishing alternative country music scene in the '80s. Her self-titled debut album was produced by Peter Anderson, who played guitar and produced some guy named Dwight Yoakam, and she even handled lead guitar work for Butch Hancock's band in 1994. She ain't done yet, though, as her new CD demonstrates.... »»»
Play On
Through three releases, the one constant about Carrie Underwood is her big voice. It's an instrument in and of itself no matter whether going for somewhat of a country sound, a pure pop bent or a tougher, rocking edge. She can add the right touch to sad songs such as Temporary Home in part about a young boy who has to shuffle from home to home or the tough sounding Quitter. »»» |
Old Things New
Joe Nichols' life has taken some dramatic turns since the release of his last record, "Real Things." Ironically, the 2007 album's title was a perfect fit for this offering as those turns have led Nichols to record some of the most personal songs of his career. »»» |
Girl of the Century
Rosie Flores is the last person that needs more spunk, but somehow producer Jon Langford found a way to add a few more ounces of bounce to this rockabilly firebrand's stride. Flores might be small in stature, but she sure works up a big, bold sound throughout this excellent release. »»» |
Family Circle
From Sweet Appalachia to his girl leaning on a car fender in all of her Barbaric Splendor, Del McCoury reminds us his music and rural life is far from unsophisticated. The songs range from the straight bluegrass of Hello Lonely to the near swing tune I Remember You sung in high lonesome. There are waltzes, breakdowns, gold rush story songs and odes to moonshine in The Revenuer's Blues. »»»
|
Dolly
Over the course of 99 tracks on 4 discs, RCA/Legacy Recordings has given music fans a concise and nearly complete snapshot of Dolly Parton's considerable impact on country music with the release of the new box set - a task not accomplished by any other collection. The set covers all the career-defining hits you would expect.
»»» |
|
