Million Dollar Quartet Christmas

The Room Where it Happens: About Sun Studio

Sun Records, founded in February of 1952 by disc jockey and record producer Sam Phillips, was a small, independent recording studio representing a new beginning for Phillips, who had fallen out with his previous partners at Chess Records in Chicago. Phillips had a great love of the rhythm and blues sound and worked primarily with Black artists like Ike Turner, Howlin’ Wolf, Billy “The Kid” Emerson, and Roscoe Gordon. However, Phillips was determined to bring that distinct sound (mixed with gospel, country, boogie, and swing) to white audiences, and sought out musicians who could connect strongly to those audiences. Enter the Million Dollar Quartet: Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash.

For further reading on Sun Studio:

SunRecords.com

Video Tour of Sun Studio (YouTube- 3 minutes)

The Night of the 'Million Dollar Quartet' (YouTube- 3 minutes)

ELVIS PRESLEY

Born: January 8, 1935 in Tupelo, Mississippi
Died: August 16, 1977 in Memphis, Tennessee
Nickname: The King of Rock ‘N Roll
Years Active: 1953-1977
Big Break: “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956) topped the Billboard Top 100 for 7 weeks
Major Hits: “Can’t Help Falling In Love” (1961), “Burning Love” (1972), “Hound Dog” (1956), “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)

In addition to his music career, Presley also had a notable acting career, with appearances in Love Me Tender (1956), Jailhouse Rock (1957), Blue Hawaii (1961), Viva Las Vegas (1964), Double Trouble (1967), and many others.

For further reading on Elvis Presley:

Britannica

Live Performance of 'Blue Christmas' ( YouTube- 3 minutes)

CARL PERKINS

Born: April 9, 1932 in Tiptonville, Tennessee
Died: January 19, 1998 in Jackson, Tennessee
Nickname: King of Rockabilly
Years Active: 1946-1997
Big Break: “Blue Suede Shoes” (1956) reached #1 on Billboard Country chart and #2 on Billboard Best Sellers popular music chart
Major Hits: “Honey Don’t” (1956), “Matchbox” (1957), “Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby” (1957)

Perkins songs were recorded by many influential artists, including Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Eric Clapton, and many others, establishing his place in the history rock and roll music. Paul McCartney once stated that “[i]f there were no Carl Perkins, there would be no Beatles.”

For further reading on Carl Perkins:

Live Performance of "Honey Don't " ( YouTube- 3 minutes)

Memphis Music Hall of Fame

JERRY LEE LEWIS

Born: September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana
Died: October 28, 2022 in Nesbit, Mississippi
Nickname: The Killer
Years Active: 1949-2022
Big Break: “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” (1957) reached the top 10 on multiple charts, domestically and internationally
Major Hits: “Great Balls of Fire” (1957), “Breathless” (1958), “High School Confidential” (1958), “Another Place, Another Time” (1968), “Chantilly Lace” (1972)

Lewis’s life was not without controversy, in particular his personal life and numerous marriages, which caused his career to shift through many highs and lows until his death in 2022. The scandal of his third marriage (to Myra Gale Brown) was depicted in 1989’s Great Balls of Fire! starring Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder. Jerry Lee Lewis himself performed vocals and piano for the film.

For further reading on Jerry Lee Lewis:

Britannica

Live Performance of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On"

(YouTube- 3 minutes)

JOHNNY CASH

Born: February 26, 1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas
Died: September 12, 2003 in Nashville, Tennessee
Nickname: Man in Black
Years Active: 1954-2003
Big Break: “I Walk the Line” (1956) remained on record charts for over 43 weeks and sold over 2 million copies
Major Hits: “Folsom Prison Blues” (1955), “Get Rhythm” (1956), “Ring of Fire” (1963), and “Man in Black” (1971)

In addition to his music career, Cash hosted The Johnny Cash Show (1969-1971) and acted in numerous TV shows and films. His high-profile marriage to fellow singer/songwriter June Carter in 1968 led to multiple chart-topping duets.

For further reading on Johnny Cash:

Biography.com

Live Performance of "Ring of Fire" (YouTube- 3 minutes)

Cast & Creative

CAST

Sean Buckley* - Elvis Presley

Jeff Cummings * - Sam Phillips

Scott Moreau* - Johnny Cash

Shelby Ringdahl* - Dyanne

Jeremy Sevelovitz* - Carl Perkins

Dave Sonneborn* - W.S. “Fluke” Holland / Drums

Brady Wease* - Jerry Lee Lewis

Chuck Zayas* - Jay Perkins

UNDERSTUDIES

Joe Boover* - Elvis Presley

Jonathan M. Taylor - W.S. “Fluke” Holland

Hunter Semrau - Jerry Lee Lewis

Michael Siktberg* - Johnny Cash/Carl Perkins

Lari White - Dyanne

* Members of Actors' Equity Association

CREATIVE

Keith Andrews - Director

Beef Gratz - Sound Designer

Tyler Herald - Assistant Scenic Designer

Seth Klienberg - Assistant Lighting Designer

Adam Koch - Scenic Designer

Brad Musgrove - Costume Designer

Sean Savoie - Lighting Designer

Dave Sonneborn - Music Director

Cade Sturgeon - Assistant Director

Photos & Media