Movie about Hank Garland's life to be shown Friday

A movie based on the life of legendary musician Hank Garland will be shown at a KIngs Mountain Film Festival on Friday. Local residents will get their first opportunity to peer into the life of legendary musician and Cherokee County native Hank Garland on Friday as a movie chronicling his life hits the big screen at the Real to Reel Film Festival in Kings Mountain.

'Crazy,' an independent feature film produced by Favored Nations Productions, stars Waylon Payne, the actor who also played the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in 'Walk the Line,' which is based on the life of Johnny Cash. It is expected to hit theaters nationwide by the end of 2008.

Garland was one of the more influential musicians of the 1950s, contributing to the careers of Elvis Presley, Patsy Cline, Hank Wlliams Sr. and a host of others.

The movie dives right into Garland's rise to fame at the age of 15 after leaving his rural Cherokee County home in Clifton with only a pillow case full of clothes to being known worldwide for his prowess on the guitar.

"It is amazing how they can put someone's life onto the big screen," said Garland's brother Billy. "I couldn't say enough about the job they did; my family is truly pleased."

The film has earned several awards at festivals around the world, including the Best Feature Film award at the Charleston International Film Festival.

With the movie being shown in larger cities much of this year, chances for a local audience having the opportunity to see 'Crazy' seemed slim.

However, Kings Mountain movie enthusiast Tommy Forney and the Cleveland County Arts Council made sure area residents got their chance to view the film.

"There are several people in the area that knew him as a child," Forney said. "Although the movie was being shown in Charleston and other larger cities, we tried our best to get 'Crazy' here for people in this area to see. So us getting the movie was great and we're definitely pleased."

According to Forney, 'Crazy' is a big deal for the Real to Reel film festival.

In addition to the movie being shown, a concert featuring artists who previously worked with Garland will be held the final night of the event.

"Garland did so many good things during his life," Forney said. "This is a way for us to honor him, his music and what he stood for."

'Crazy' will be shown Friday at 7 p.m. at the Joy Theater, which is located at 202 S. Railroad Avenue in Kings Mountain.

The Real to Reel Film Festival will run from July 23 to 26, with several movies being shown throughout the event. For more information, call the Cleveland County Arts Council at 484-2787 or visit the festival's website at www.ccartscouncil.org/realtoreel.