The Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission was pleased and proud to sponsor the Beale Street Brass Note awarded to Herb O'Mell this afternoon.
The Beale Street Brass Note Walk of Fame, now administered by the Memphis Music Foundation, was founded in 1986 by John Elkington's Performa Entertainment Real Estate to tie the current entertainment district to the musical heritage of the district.
O'Mell's note is the 118th to be awarded and he joins honorees that include composers, producers, singers, instrumentalists and music supporters in genres ranging from blues and gospel to jazz and rock. His contributions have gone even further as has served on the Film Commission for 25 years, six of them as chairman.
"We never would have been able to recruit Great Balls of Fire (the Jerry Lee Lewis biopic) if I hadn't teamed up with then-brand-new Board member Herb O'Mell," said Film Commissioner Sitler. "Our skills complemented each other so well - we didn't lose it to Louisiana, our big competitor even back then."
Speaking at the Beale Street ceremony this afternoon were Film Commissioner Sitler, Film Commission Board Chairman Jimmy Tashie, legendary radio personality George Klein and Music Foundation President Dean Deyo.
Pictured are (from left): New Daisy owner Mike Glenn, Jimmy Tashie, Film Commission member Dr. Richard R. Ranta, Linn Sitler, John Elkington (partially hidden), Herb O'Mell, Film Commission member Dr. Susan Murrmann, and Dean Deyo.
