A Dixie Lady Deer Hunter

Saturday, June 14, 2008

Welcome Home Ellis!

My friend Ellis has led a fascinating and colorful career. As vice president of artist relations for MCA Music, he participated in the development of Tim Rich and Andrew Lloyd Webber's Jesus Christ Superstar and the careers of The Who, Elton John (supervising his American debut and first U.S. Tour), Bing Crosby, Rick Nelson, Bill Cosby, Neil Diamond, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Conway Twitty, Crystal Gale, Florence Henderson, classical guitarist Andres Segovia; and, independently, the careers of disco diva Gloria Gaynor, soul diva Millie Jackson and Broadway composers Jerry Herman and Stephen Sondheim. Ellis coordinated tours headlining Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Peter, Paul & Mary, Al Hirt, Peter Nero, Connie Stevens, Julie London and Bobby Troupe. His first interview was with Bob Hope. He's a veteran of The New York Times and New York Daily News. Ellis provided the entire spoken word elements of the hit revue Always, Patsy Cline, which is an international hit; and has adapted his book into an original "Broadway" musical with the Patsy Cline hits and an original score with music by George Leonard. He has written the lyrics. Ellis also conducted numerous creative writing seminars. He has endowed the University of Mississippi with the Mamie and Ellis Nassour Arts & Entertainment Collection, presently housed in the John D. Williams Library, in memory of his parents. What a wonderful tribute to his parents! Ellis was instrumental in getting Patsy Cline named to the Cowgirl Hall of Fame. For more info on Ellis go to his website at: Honky Tonk, Angel.

Picture of us taken last night by his brother, Johnny Nassour, after his program, discussing Patsy Cline's life and career. Also, a performance by Maria Adona who sung three of Patsy Cline's songs and sounded just like her. Today Ellis will have a book signing at Lorelei Books store downtown Vicksburg of his updated third edition of his book, "Honky Tonk Angel: The Intimate Story of Patsy Cline." Later he will head to Jackson, MS, to tape a segment to be on the News and doing another signing with entertainment at the spanking new Barnes & Noble. Tomorrow we will all gather together with Ellis and friends in Mound, Louisiana for a fun get-together before he goes on to another book signings in Monroe and Shreveport, LA and then on to Atlanta. This is a sweetthing!

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