Country legend Lefty Frizzell will soon get the documentary and feature film treatment, Deadline reports. The singer-songwriter, known for classics such as "Always Late (With Your Kisses)," "I Love You a Thousand Ways," "If You've Got the Money (I've Got the Time)," "Saginaw, Michigan," "Long Black Veil" and more, is the subject of a forthcoming documentary and biopic, the result of a deal with Frizzell's family and Extrovert Entertainment.
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Lefty Frizzell Documentary and Feature Film
M. Douglas Silverstein, who will direct and produce the documentary, told Deadline that Frizzell is due for a documentary and film focusing on his life, from his powerful stage presence to his life out of the spotlight.
"Lefty is often referred to as the original Elvis, from the way he moved on stage, his legendary stage clothes, and how his good looks and voice made women swoon but beyond his talent is a fascinating story worthy of both a documentary and biopic," Silverstein, founder of Extrovert Entertainment, told Deadline. "I'm thrilled to be working directly with the Frizzells to show the world the full legacy of Lefty Frizzell from the man, the many myths, and the wonderful music he created!"
Silverstein says he's already scheduling video interviews with "remarkable people" in the music industry who knew Frizzell personally.
The documentary will be released ahead of the feature film. There's no word yet on who's on the list to play Frizzell in the biopic.
Frizzell's family, including younger brothers Allen and David (known for the hits "You're the Reason God Made Oklahoma" and "I'm Gonna Hire a Wino to Decorate Our Home") and son Marlon, are heavily involved in the project.
"We are so excited and honored to be working as a family to make these films happen," Marlon Frizzell told Deadline. "Lefty was one of the most influential singers you've never really heard of unless you were a hardcore country music fan. However, his music reached so many and influenced so many outside of the country genre, including Elvis and Roy Orbison."
Read More: Revisit the Legacy of Influential Country Vocalist Lefty Frizzell
Lefty Frizzell
Frizzell was born in Corsicana, Texas in 1928 as William Orville "Lefty" Frizzell. Though he's one of the most influential country artists of all time, cited as an inspiration by Merle Haggard, Keith Whitley, Randy Travis and more, Frizzell's name hasn't endured the way his peer Hank Williams' legacy has.
Silverstein says he hopes to give Lefty "his rightful place in history."
"People talked about Lefty and Hank, Hank and Lefty," Silverstein noted. "Time has not been generous to Lefty's name in the way it should be," Silverstein says.
Frizzell became a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 1951 and was posthumously inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, Rockabilly Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame.
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