October Grizzard tribute planned

From STAFF REPORTS news@newnan.com A special event celebrating the wit and genius of Lewis Grizzard will be held next year in his hometown of Moreland. Carol Chancey of Cloudland Canyon Entertainment announced the plans for the October tribute to Grizzard, a noted Southern humorist. Grizzard grew up in Moreland and graduated from Newnan High School before beginning a career as a sportswriter.
He later became a popular newspaper columnist with the Atlanta newspapers, which led to standup comedy performances, books and recordings of his humor. He even appeared as the Sugarbaker sisters' brother in the "Designing Women" television series. Grizzard died of a congenital heart condition in 1994 at 47. The tribute event is being developed and produced by Cloudland Canyon Entertainment in association with Dedra Grizzard, the writer's widow. "It is a celebration of the author's work," Chancey said. The event will be held on the weekend of Oct. 16-17. The tribute will include a weekend of festivities, such as an evening of reminiscing from longtime friends, a cook off, performances of the author's work and even a look-a-like contest. Actor Bill Oberst who has perfected a one-man show about Grizzard, will perform. Oberst has presented his Grizzard tribute at several Georgia locations including the Centre for Performing and Visual Arts on Lower Fayetteville Road. More details regarding the October project will be announced in January, Chancey said. "Lewis Grizzard was one of the most popular Southern humorists of the late 20th century," Chancey noted. In addition to his very popular columns, once in 450 newspapers, Grizzard wrote 18 books, which included popular titles like "Elvis Is Dead, and I Don't Feel So Good Myself" and "Don't Bend Over in the Garden Granny, You Know Them Taters Have Eyes." Thirteen of Grizzard's books were on the New York Times Bestseller list. During the spring of 2010, his bestseller, "They Tore My Heart Out and Stomped that Sucker Flat", a comical view of his experiences with the medical field throughout his multiple heart surgeries, will be released by New South Books in Montgomery, Ala. "More titles will be released in the fall," Chancey said. In early 2010, the author will be heard reading his own work on radio. Grizzard performed some of his books on tape. In his own voice, stories like "I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962" and "My Daddy Was A Pistol And I'm A Son Of A Gun" will hit the airwaves on radio stations throughout the region. Other media projects celebrating the author's extensive writing and performance are being planned. For more details on Lewis Grizzard's career and life, visit the official website -- www.lewisgrizzard.com . A museum celebrating Grizzard's life is located just north of Moreland's downtown.

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