Shout! Studios Developing Biopic on 1950's Doo-Wap Singer and Prisoner Johnny Bragg
Shout! Studios has announced that they have acquired the film rights to the story of 1950s doo-wap singer and prisoner Johnny Bragg. He rose to fame within the Tennessee State Penitentiary while serving six consecutive 99-year sentences at 17 for crimes he didn’t even commit.
The film will follow “Bragg in prison and how his unique singing style catches the attention of the prison staff, specifically the warden, who came up with the idea to have Bragg and his singing group tour the prison circuit under armed guard. This eventually led to the group recording demos with Sam Philips’ Sun Records, the iconic Memphis label that launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.”
Bragg’s group was called The Prisonaires and the “attained success with the 1952 song ‘Just Walkin in the Rain,’ which inspired the governor of Tennessee to allow them to travel the state as models for prison reform. Their budding popularity earned them day passes to perform at other prisons, radio shows, and even the governor’s mansion for VIPs.” He eventually received a full pardon.
The film is being produced by Sean Fernald, Cass Paley, Bob Emmer, Garson Foos, Sean Fernald, Cass Paley, McGhee, Quincy Newell, Lynn Barstow and Jordan Fields. Shout! CEO Emmer said in a statement:
“This amazing story is a testament to the inspiring resilience of art and talent even under the most punishing conditions. We are thrilled to work with such distinguished partners to bring the story of Bragg and his Prisonaires to the screen. This is a necessary story, even an essential one. We want to invite audiences to heed its implications and allow this small but important piece of history to inform, inspire and change hearts and minds.”
McGhee added:
“After managing the careers of Diana Ross, James Brown, Issac Haes, CeCe Winans, Phyllis Hyman and Darius Rucker, I saw how the industry could treat people of color, but with their talent and music they could unite people. This is a project that has lingered with me since the day Sean and Cass walked in my office. It’s a powerful story that must be told.”
Newell explained that he “hopes the film will educate audiences about a piece of history that might have been forgotten.” This sounds like it’ll make for a great film worth checking out!
Source: Deadline