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Interview with Tonya Holly about her new motion picture When I Find The Ocean
What’s the connection between Nashville & Hollywood?? Read about that connection as we sit down with producer Tonya Holly!
Scott: This is Scott Sexton with CountryMusicReport.Com and today we are talking to Tonya Holly. How are you doing today?
Tonya: Actually, this project is about to be released at Carmike Theaters. It is a great project with Lee Majors, Graham Greene, Richard Tyson (Kindergarden Cop), Amy Redford (Robert Redford's daughter), my daughter Lily Holly, and George Lindsey, who plays the preacher. Bernie Casey is in the film as well. It comes out on May 11th in Carmichael Theaters on the Independent realm. It already came out on DVD, and now it is going into the theaters.
Scott: That's pretty rare isn't it for a movie to come out on DVD and then go into the theaters?
Tonya: I have never heard of it. (Laughing) I am very excited about it. We are also going into pre-production on "The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde" with Hillary Duff and Kevin Zegers in the next month. It is really coming together.
Scott: Why don't you tell people a little but about the movie "When I Find The Ocean."
Tonya: "When I Find The Ocean" is set in 1965 in Alabama. It is about a little girl and her dog and her rabbit who set out on an adventure to find the ocean. There are a lot of twists and turns. She is actually getting away from a situation. Her father died at sea, so she is wanting to get to the ocean where she can be safe. The March From Selma happens, during the Civil Rights movement. She is befriended by a tug boat captain who is played by Bernie Case and. Amy Redford is her mom.
Scott: This movie is a G rated movie correct?
Tonya: It is rated PG. It has the Kids First endorsment. Someone reviewed it and said it was like one the good old Disney movies that you looked forward to seeing on Sunday night. I wanted it to have that kind of feel to it. It covers issues and friendships and unexpected times. I think it is a good movie.
Scott: What do you think the viewers will walk away feeling after they have watched the movie?
Tonya: The ending is really great. I think it will make people think and notice the signs if their child is going through something. I think it will help people overcome stuff. It will also take you to a place when things were tough like during the Civil Rights movement.
Scott: "The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde," you mentioned, how is that going to different from he original? Is this a kids version or an adult version?
Tonya: Oh no, this is not a kids version. "When I Find The Ocean" and "The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde" are on two totally different ends of the sprectrum. It is very character driven. The first one was in 1959. In 1967, Warren Beatty did one, and then there was another one on Fox that was a two-part movie in 1992 or 1993. The one that most people remember is the one from 1967. It was very character driven, mostly by Clyde. You understand him a lot more. It does get into the love story, but it really goes into the hard economic times and the Great Depression and the stuff happening. This starts with their meeting and his time in proson and from beginning to end of their five years of knowing each other. Some people ask, "Why are you redoing it?" and I tell them, "I'm not redoing it, I am telling more of the story." There are so many different ways to tell a story and I think it would be a shame to not tell more about their lives. My parents found some old newspapers in northern Mississippi, they had some property there at the time and they lived in an old abandoned house and they were inside of this old trunk. My parents brought them home and I became intrigued. I had heard about them through reading and doing what research I could at the time. We didn't have the internet then. I did a research paper my senior year in highschool. I started writing a script and then put it aside. Then in 1990, when I heard Fox was doing a movie, I put it aside again. Then when I saw the movie, I realized there was still much to do. When I opened my company, I knew it was going to be a project we would do. This is our third film and our second feature.
Scott: How many films have you worked on total?
Tonya: Oh gosh, probably twenty or twenty plus. I started out as an intern, then worked as a PA and Casting Assistant on the first episode of "Saturday Night With Connie Chung." It was a documentary that was shot down in Montgomery, Alabama with James Earl Jones about Vernan Johns. That was it. I always thought I wanted to be an actress, but then I got behind the scenes on that and from then on, whatever I could do behind the camera, I did. I did a lot of the casting for things like "Invasion Of The Body Snatchers" and "Blue Skies." I was a PA on "Toy Soldiers" and "Out On A Limb" with Matthew Broderick.
Scott: You have worked with a lot of people from Hollywood.
Tonya: I have, but they are just people. I am still friends with Sean Astin and Louis Gossett Jr.. I have become close friends with a lot of people I have worked with.
Scott: That is amazing, especially considering everything that Sean Astin has been in. He has been across the board with things like "Lord Of The Rings."
Scott: Now, back to the movies, "When I Find The Ocean" and "The Story Of Bonnie And Clyde," what are the soundtracks like? Do you have a lot of Country Music acts involved in the projects?
Tonya: We do. I own the old Muscle Shoals Sound Studio building, which is now Cypress Moon Studios. Folks like Bob Dylan and Bob Seger have recorded in it. My husband and I recorded the "One Voice" album in our little home studio right after 9/11. We knew when we did the movies, we were going to do the soundtracks there. "When I Find The Ocean" ended up becoming this amazing soundtrack. We have Marty Raybon on there, Red Smith, it is just a wonderful group of musicians and songwriters on there.
Scott: Your husband plays lead guitar for Little Richard correct?
Tonya: Yes he does. He has played with Little Richard for fourteen years now.
Scott: You have a whole musical connection with Country Music through everything you have worked on, and your connection to Little Richard, who has had a lot to do with Country Music over the years. That's pretty awesome how everything intertwines.
Tonya: It is. The next soundtrack is going to be great. We are already talking to people about the soundtrack for Bonnie and Clyde. It is going to be a great soundtrack too and should be released sometime in the summer or early fall. You wouldn't believe some of the people who submited songs for Bonnie and Clyde. It is unbelievable.
Scott: Are you able to give any hints as to who some of those people are? (Laughing)
Tonya: I wouldn't until I chose the song. I would hate for them to think a song was selected and then not work. I can tell you that for Bonnie and Clyde, we do have Hillary Duff, Kevin Zegers, Cloris Leachman, Sean Ashmore and the cast is really coming together. There will be some surprise Country Music people in there as well. I would love to tell you who they are as soon as the contracts are out, then I will make the announcement.
Tonya: She is just one amazing person. She is all over the place. She has a new book out and she is just a really cool lady.
Scott: Is there anything you would like to add for those people who may be heading out to the theaters to catch one of these movies?
Tonya: I hope they enjoy "When I Find The Ocean." It is a work of heart. It has a great story line and some great actors. I hope they will buy the soundtrack. Jimmy Hall is on the soundtrack as well. There are some great artists on there as well as some great songs. A lot of songwriters are on there as well that you will know. Follow along on the website and support Independent's. The website is CypressMoonProduction.Com and come visit the studio and take the tour. It is at 1000 Alabama Boulevard and is Cypress Moon Studios. Entertainment Book Review By Steve Brooks ErnieThe autobiographyRated * * * * *Author: Ernest Borgnine Imprint: Citadel Hardcover List Price $24.95
Ernie is your opportunity to spend several delightful hours with actor Ernest Borgnine and believe me, this book is like visiting Ernie in person. It’s a delightful, easy read, that will make you laugh, even shed a tear or two, and be a lot smarter about some of the movies Ernest Borgnine appeared in.
Interestingly enough, my daughter sent me Ernie, for Christmas. I opened the book immediately, and Borgnine’s easy, personal style made it hard for me to put it down.
For over a half century, Ernest Borgnine has been one of the most recognized actors in Hollywood. His experiences performing with greats like Spencer Tracy, Bette Davis, Joan Crawford, Gary Cooper, Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster are priceless and never written before. If you like films, this book will entertain you.
Spencer Tracy and Ernest Borgnine on the job.
In Ernie, Borgnine includes a photo of the dual-premier of The Vikings which opened simultaneously at The Astor and Victoria Theaters on Broadway. In The Vikings, Ernest Borgnine played the Viking Ragnar, alongside Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh.
How well I remember that premier. I was the barker and one of the ushers at the Victoria Theater in 1958 when the film opened. It was a blast at the premier, and during its run, I stood under the Victoria marquee, just across the street from the Camel sign which featured the historic smoke rings, and let the crowds on Broadway know when the next showing of the Vikings would start. This book will be a great addition to your personal library.
Ernest and Tova Borgnine
Ernest Borgnine wrote a book that will keep you interested from start to finish. Ernie tells it like it is and was…but never gets testy. Review by Steve Brooks, retired senior information and broadcast officer for the Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of the Interior, and former usher at Broadway’s Victoria Theater in 1958. Comments may be e-mailed to Steve@CountryMusicReport.com
Lisa Wysocky - "Horse Country: A Celebration of Country Music and the Love For Horses" Rated * * * *
There is a new book out that Country Music fans and horse lovers alike are flocking to get called "Horse Country." It brings together two of America's favorite things, horses and Country Music. The cool thing about this book is that Lisa Wysocky went to numerous different Country Music acts in order to get their opinion, insight, thoughts, and feelings on horses. Many of these acts have numerous horses and each of them are featured throughout this book. Some of these stars have even went so far as to start up organizations and sanctuaries for horses who were facing certain death. If you like to look at pictures, there are plenty of them that feature a star and their horse, and even some that are riding with the whole family.
The first section of this book focuses on the different famous horses in Country Music history. Roy Rogers had Trigger, Gene Autry had Champion, and Dale Evans had Buttercup. All three of these superstars shared more with the world than just their horses, they shared the deep relationship and trust that they each had with their beloved sidekicks. The first chapter is about Eddie Montgomery and his horse Beautiful. Eddie made his name as one half of Country Music's rowdy duo, Montgomery Gentry. Although on the road, he is a "hellraiser," while he is at home he has a soft spot for his close friend. There are some great pictures of Eddie and Beauty, including one with him and his granddaughter, Skylar going joyriding. Willie Nelson has went to a whole new level of caring for horses. He has adopted numerous equines in order to preserve their lives. Some horses are "put down" when they are no longer useful to the owner. Willie considers these animals to be a part of American heritage and hates to see them be used for inhumane purposes.
Other artists that are featured in this book are "Too Slim" from Riders In The Sky, Tanya Tucker, Joni Harms, Charlie Daniels, Roy Clark and many more. One that shines the brightest is the lead singer of Sawyer Brown, Mark Miller. Mark talks about how he grew up with horses, but when his family moved to Florida, the horses were left behind and he never got over it. Finally, once he was grown, he went out and bought some. Without ever looking back, Mark considers these horses a part of his family and it has opened up a whole new world for his daughter. She is now into showing horses and is trying to pursue it as a career. Lacy J. Dalton was working at different casinos in Nevada when she decided to stay with a friend in Virginia City. While they were visiting, she heard a strange noise outside. It happened to be a wild horse roaming around outside. This moment grabbed her heart and she made up her mind that she was going to move to the area. Since moving there, Lacy has set up a foundation that helps keep these horse free. Once you have read "Horse Country," you will understand just how important horses are in the world. This is a great book and would make a great gift.
Entertainment Book ReviewA Twist of Lemmon A Tribute to My FatherBy Chris LemmonPublished by Applause Theatre & Cinema Books. Paperback with photographs. ISBN: 978-1-55783-739-4 $16.95 Rating * * * * ½ stars
It’s not your formal biography by any means, A Twist of Lemmon is a relaxed and pleasant tribute by the actor son of one of America’s best-loved actors. This is its first time in paperback. It’s a personal portrait of an actor that American’s loved.
In the book’s 194 pages the younger Lemmon provides a pleasant, yet poignant look into the life of one of America’s most talented movie stars, and two-time Academy Award winner.
In the book you’ll live the frustration as Jack Lemmon tried repeatedly to “make the cut” at the Pebble Beach Golf Tournament; never quite accomplishing it. You’ll read about a man who loved fishing, and who, on one of his trips to Alaska had an unscheduled meeting with a bear. There are so many facets to this book that I hesitate to try and choose the most entertaining one.
There are also comments from Blake Edwards, Andy Garcia, Julie Andrews, Tony Curtis, Neil Simon, Shirley MacLaine, and Cliff Robertson, among others. “A Twist of Lemmon” will make you laugh out loud…and even shed a tear over the passing of one of the last of America’s great actors. Steve Brooks
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