Feature
Inspired by the life of Hank Garland, Crazy is the story of a legendary guitar player who emerged from Nashville in the 1950’s. Blessed with incomparable, natural talent, Hank quickly established his reputation as the finest sessions player in Nashville. Artists such as Roy Orbison, Patsy Cline, The Everly Brothers and Elvis all sought Hank’s brilliant play for their recordings. Moving effortlessly from country, to rock-a-billy, to jazz, Hank was also quickly recognized by the likes of Dave Bruebeck, Gary Burton, Joe Morello and Joe Benjamin.
The Nashville scene was a unique place in the 50’s – dominated by a small group of executives and musicians who controlled the studios, labels and unions. Hank, in his arrogance and pursuit of musical excellence, often came into conflict with the business, social and racial culture he found both restrictive and frequently frustrating. But it was his relationship with his wife, Evelyn, which may have ultimately led to his demise.
Beautiful and sharp-witted, Evelyn was unlike any woman Hank had ever encountered when meeting her during a club date in Chicago. She both excited and fascinated him, and turned a whirlwind romance into an almost instant marriage. But Evelyn was not all she appeared to be, and when confronted with the reality of Hank’s obsessive dedication to his music, began to demonstrate a desperate need to make him love only her.
Some people say that a near-fatal car accident, which Hank suffered, was a result of tragic response to dreams unfulfilled. Others will say that the subsequent electro-shock therapy which ended Hank’s playing career at the age of thirty-one was also a result of Evelyn’s despair. But forty-three years after Hank disappeared from the music scene, his guitar lives on in a countless number of hit records, and one, amazing solo jazz effort.
