After a decade of fighting for their father’s legacy, justice has ultimately prevailed.  Conway’s children, Joni, Kathy, Jimmy and Michael, have joined forces to create Conway Twitty United (CTU).  With the intellectual properties securely in the hands of his heirs, fans can look forward to many new developments in the years to come. 

 

CTU is proud to announce the creation of “It’s Only Make Believe”, The Musical.  This is an ideal vehicle for fans to take an intimate journey through the life and career of the Best Friend A Song Ever Had.  It will be told through the loving eyes of his daughters.  Daughter Joni reveals, “The characters who will portray myself and my sister Kathy will tell intimate stories, some of which have never been heard before.  I want the audience to get to know him on a deeper level and to understand the depth of love we had for him and the love he gave us in return”. 

 

The musical is written and directed by L.A. based (but Nashville bound) writer Randy Johnson.  Randy’s previous works include the hit musical “Always, Patsy Cline”, which ran for 11 years.  He is also responsible for the wildly successful, “Elvis:  The Concert”.  The last Elvis concert was held in Memphis on August 16, 2007, where it closed after ten years stateside and abroad.  Most recently, he directed a huge concert for the Pope during his visit to the U.S. Randy is a highly talented and sought after individual that the Twitty family is proud to have on board.  As Joni tells it, “I saw “Always, Patsy Cline” back in the mid-nineties and was so impressed.  I knew right then and there that’s what we needed to do with Dad’s story”. She went on to find out that Randy was equally interested and plans progressed from there.  The more she works with Randy, the more impressed she becomes. She says, “Randy sees beyond Dad’s music.  He sees into his heart and soul!”

 

The story behind the beginning of his relationship with the Twitty family actually began backstage at the most recent Elvis concert mentioned above.  It was 2 hours before show-time.  Randy checked his email and found a message from his Nashville agent, Tony Conway, asking him if he would be interested in meeting the family of Conway Twitty.  They wanted to discuss working on a show with them about their father.  As Randy tells it, “While I was listening to the radio, Conway’s song, ‘Goodbye Time’ came on.  I laughed and said, ‘Okay Elvis, is it goodbye time for you and hello time for Conway?’  So in a way, I was passed off by Elvis to be with Conway and his wonderful family.  I listen to those signs that life gives you.” Soon afterwards, he was in Nashville with the Twitty family, making plans to bring Conway Twitty back front and center, where he rightfully belongs.  Randy knew his job was to conduct Conway’s truth to the minds and hearts of the fans. He truly wants fans to know that, “The truth and love of a man and his family endures the test of time”. 

 

Randy’s good friend and Nashville-based agent is, oddly enough, named Tony Conway.  He sent the initial email to Randy regarding the Twitty family project.  Tony, CEO and president of Buddy Lee Attractions Talent Agency in Nashville, was contacted by Scott Welch, someone he had worked with several times before.  According to Tony, Scott wanted to know if Buddy Lee Attractions could come up with a concept to do a touring show to honor Conway Twitty.  He also mentioned that this would be the first time since his death in 1993 that this was possible.  Between Buddy Lee Attractions and Conway Twitty United, a musical began to form. They just needed someone to write and direct it.  Tony Conway had previously worked with Randy Johnson on the musical “Always, Patsy Cline”, and he immediately came to mind. 

 

Tony’s responsibilities with It’s Only Make Believe, The Musical, (IOMB) are to oversee and book the tour as well as finding opportunities for the musical.  Buddy Lee Attractions is a full-service talent agency with offices in Nashville, Beverly Hills and Kansas City.  While Tony never represented Conway during his career, he says, “I had the pleasure of getting to know him and spend time with him.  I always joked that we were the only two Conway’s in town!” He says that the world is going to be in for a tremendous evening of entertainment and memories when the musical comes to a city near you.  They are working very hard on routing the tour and more will come to light when they have the press conference that will, for the first time, list the cities on the first leg of the tour starting in late summer 2008.

 

Now let’s meet another member of the IOMB line up, attorney Philip K. Lyon.  He came to work with CTU through the workings of Scott Welch.  Philip had provided legal representation to some of the artists Scott managed.  Philip says, “Scott asked me if I would like to work with Conway Twitty United based on my long love of country music.  I consider myself a student of country music”.  So Scott asked and Philip said yes.  While representing CTU, Philip is also an instructor at George Jones University (GJU), most recently teaching a class on the history of county music. According to their website, GJU is, “a no-nonsense, straight-forward clinic dedicated to teaching students the basics of how the music industry works”.  These clinics are actually held in the home of George and Nancy Jones.

 

Now enter into the picture Joe A. Carson, CPA (Certified Public Accountant) for CTU.  According to Joe, he met the Twitty family when they retained his services during the settling of the estate.  He made sure the numbers were all pointing in the right direction.  As a result of all going well, he became their business and tax advisor.  He says, “Conway Twitty United was created to combine each of the family’s interests into a single vehicle for managing the intellectual properties.  I assisted in developing the business control process”.  The intellectual properties basically refer to the name and likeness of Conway Twitty.  The family had to fight for this in court so that it would remain in the family, just as Conway had always intended for it to be.  Joe’s firm keeps track of business activity and handles the tax issues which come with that territory.  His role is not necessarily that of a number cruncher, as he sees himself more of a, “facilitator and advisor”. 

 

It’s time to meet Scott Welch.  He is a central figure for developing projects for CTU.  He and Philip Lyon formed a partnership with CTU to come up with new projects revolving around Conway Twitty.   The main reason this partnership exists is to give Conway’s devoted fans new avenues to help them explore the life of The Legend.  Scott came to know the Twitty family through his former assistant, Kat Chandler.  She is married to the webmaster of both www.conwaytwitty.com and www.conwaytwittymusical.com.  He recommended Scott to the Twitty family.  Scott’s official title is management of Conway Twitty United.  He says, “My job is to create and evaluate new opportunities for Conway’s music to be promoted and his life’s story to be told”.  As far as the musical goes, he put a team together to make sure that, “Conway’s story is told in a manner that brings truth and integrity to his legend”. 

 

From across the pond in England, let’s say hello to Mark Botting.  He’s not shy about letting people know his role in the musical seems to be a little vague. The truth is his is a very busy bee. He handles some aspects of day-to-day management, mostly pre-production for the family, as well as for Scott Welch. Mark tells it like this, “I do a great deal of budgeting and money management throughout the auditions and rehearsals progress”.  He does the coordinating for all the production-related requirements.  He made his way to the CTU family through Scott Welch because he’s known Scott for a number of years.  Around the year 1998, Mark worked as a tour/production manager for Alanis Morissette.  He says, “Two years ago, I ceased to be Scott’s employee.  I started my own company offering these same services on a freelance basis”.  This has allowed Mark and Scott to continue working together. 

 

As of now, Mark is working on arrangements for the summer rehearsals.  He’s about to get into the staffing needs for the musical.  He works closely with Scott and Randy Johnson on all aspects of the musical. 

 

Scott’s current assistant is Courtney Skiver.  She works very hard for his company as well as the Twitty’s.   She interned for Scott from May to August 2007.  After graduating from college, she came on board full-time for him.  At Scott Welch Management, her duties include the usual office suspects.  In addition to that, she schedules for Scott, while managing his calendar, as well as other artists’ calendars.  She updates various artists’ websites, along with their Myspace pages. And finally, she handles incoming orders from the shop at www.conwaytwitty.com, where things such as the Christmas album and the concert DVD are sold.  T-shirts and bags can also be found there.  Courtney met Joni and Kathy in June of 2007.  A few months later, she met Jimmy and Michael.  While she works mainly with Joni on a daily basis, she says, “Joni and Kathy are both amazing women and are doing such a wonderful job of keeping Conway’s legacy alive”. 

 

She is very much looking forward to the musical, especially the whole audition process.  She has childhood memories of her dad around the house singing Conway tunes such as, “Goodbye Time”, “That’s My Job”, and “Tight Fittin’ Jeans”. Says Courtney, “The accomplishments that Conway achieved in such a relatively short period of time are remarkable by any standards. His life story is definitely one that should be told.  Director Randy Johnson has done an amazing job writing and creating the show, which includes his family and numerous memories of Conway’s 55 number one hits. I just have a feeling that this is going to be something huge, something that grows with time, and I’m thrilled to be a part of it”. 

 

 

 

It is CTU’s pleasure to introduce George Haynes, Joni Twitty’s assistant and all-around right-hand man.  George wears many hats at CTU.  He takes care of all office work, such as filing, telephone and email correspondence, shipping, and receiving.  He is also responsible for running errands, taking meeting notes, and maintaining CTU media archives.  He was present at the musical auditions in Nashville, lending his hand wherever it was needed.  He is very excited about seeing the musical come to life.  He says, “Every time that I think about the potential that is there, I get even more excited…I have really enjoyed seeing the progression of the script from first draft to, eventually, the final version.  I think that fans new and old will fall in love with it because it runs the gamut of human emotion and, in addition to giving a glimpse into parts of Conway’s life that most people have never seen, it’s just an outright good story”.  George has been with CTU since the fall of 2007.  He is very happy working for the Twitty family, calling them, “Humble, caring, and full of integrity”.  He also wants people to know that, “The same intention lies behind every decision made and every action taken:  the memory of their father, continuing his musical legacy, and the benefit of his fans”. George is a valued member of Conway Twitty United. 

 

After attending auditions in L.A. and Las Vegas, the final day of Nashville auditions took place on April 10, 2008 in downtown Nashville at Studio Instrument Rentals (SIR).  SIR is a rehearsal venue for various Nashville artists.  On this call-back day, writer/director Randy Johnson was on hand along with Joni, Kathy and Mickey Twitty to view the best talent from the two previous days.  With a piano and its player in the background, the girls were on one side and the guys were on the other.  A rousing, group-rendition of Conway and Loretta’s hit duet, “Louisiana Woman, Mississippi Man” filled the acoustically-padded walls of the studio several times.  Then it was time for the one-on-one duet.  A girl was paired with a guy as they bounced their skills off one another. This process went on for some time. Throughout the rest of the day, various songs and duets were repeated in the same manner in an effort to weed out the talent.  While Randy’s job is an important one, he relies heavily on the opinions of Conway’s family as he views potential cast members of the musical.  This makes sense, as no one knows Conway better than his family.  

 

During one of the auditions, a young man walked on to the stage, sat on a stool, and began singing, “That’s My Job”.  As Joni tells it, “Each family member, including Randy, gasped.  It was obvious we had found our Conway.  And you would swear that the young lady who was chosen to  portray Loretta would surely be kin to her somehow.  She not only sounds just like her, she looks just like her, as well”.   The cast will begin rehearsing soon, with the musical opening this fall. 

 

 

 

Joni Twitty wants to pass along something she really wants to share with all of you.  She says, “For years after our dad’s death, we were surrounded by people who were there to take everything our dad left to us.  Evil was truly all around.  Now the good Lord has hand picked specific angels to send our way to help make right all the wrongs that have been done to our dad’s final wishes. Each person who has come into our lives has pure hearts and we are blessed by their presence.  We are thankful for their dedication to help us along our journey.  It is as if we are being protected by a veil of goodness.  Each person brings his or her special gift to each project and makes it possible for us to continue to build upon the wonderful musical legacy that our dad built.  We feel so honored that he has entrusted this responsibility to us.  It is our mission in life to continue his legacy for all of those who loved him and his music.  It is the ideal time for the new fans to learn all about what they have been missing”. 

 

Kathy Twitty speaks nothing but beautiful words of her father.  She says,” The sky is the limit for Conway Twitty United.  We aim to keep his integrity intact as we continue the legacy he began 50 years ago”.  Kathy’s birthday is November 8^th.   Conway’s song, “It’s Only Make Believe” went number one on that very day 50 years come November 2008.  She also has more to say of her father.  As she puts it, “ It all began when he was four years old as he stood on a stool with his little guitar from Sears and Roebuck and sang and played his heart out for his parents”. 

 

As far as Kathy’s thoughts regarding the musical, she tells us, “The musical will honor his spirit and his success both as an entertainer and a human being.  I know that all the wonderful people and talent are being drawn together by the powerful force of intention.  Make no mistake about it…he is within that force”.  Kathy wants to close by letting everyone know there are great times ahead!

 

Michael Twitty is Conway’s firstborn child.  When you talk to him about his dad and what the future holds, it’s hard not to take on his optimism as your own.  He says that CTU, as well as Conway’s fans, are in for a wild ride!  When asked what things could be expected, he said, “There’s a Christmas duet album with all of the hottest stars in town, not to mention the musical.  There’s also a Twitty family cookbook in the works that the fans will just fall in love with”. 

 

He tells us the part of the musical that he is looking forward to the most is when the audiences realize how much Conway truly loved his family, his fans, and his Lord.  He also jokes that, in his opinion, anything that can bring his music and life story to his millions of fans, and future millions of fans, has to be a great idea!

 

We can’t forget Jimmy Jenkins, Conway’s youngest child.  Jimmy spent many years on the road with his father, always with adoring eyes.  He handled all the merchandising but more importantly, he was able to watch his dad’s shows night after night.  Joni says, “Jimmy is actively involved with every aspect of the business and we depend on his expertise and experience regarding merchandising”.  The musical will be serious trip down memory lane for him.  Because of all the touring he did with his dad, Jimmy made many friends down through the years and looks forward to seeing them again once the tour is up and running.