Although CMT cancelled its Sun Records TV show after just one season, the song may continue. The Memphis Flyer reports producers are pitching season two to Amazon and The CW. A music business drama, Sun Records stars Chad Michael Murray, Billy Gardell, Drake Milligan, Kevin Fonteyne, Christian Lees, Jonah Lees, Trevor Donovan, Keir O’Donnell, Jennifer Holland, Margaret Anne Florence, and Kerry D. Holliday.
In Sun Records, Sam Phillips (Murray), shepherds young musicians Johnny Cash (Fonteyne), Elvis Presley (Milligan), Carl Perkins (Dustin Ingram) and Jerry Lee Lewis (Christian Lees). These up-and-coming white musicians combine hillbilly country music, with the ’50s R&B sound of African-American artists like Muddy Waters, B.B. King (Castro Coleman), Fats Domino, and Ike Turner (Holliday).
According to the report, Memphis Film and Television Commission boss Linn Sitler said Kevin Kane, president of the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau, paid the rent on the show’s soundstage here for another month, to give the producers time to pitch the show to other outlets. Here’s more:
CMT already paid for scripts and outlines for season two of the show, Sitler said. So, they are “ready to go” for a second season. She said she has her “fingers crossed” for the meetings with the other networks, though she said “it may be a long shot.”
About $9 million is already set aside in the state budget for season two and season three of “Sun Records.” However, if the show is not renewed, that money all goes back to Nashville in a pot set aside for other film and television projects across the state.
Sun Records hails from Thinkfactory Media. Leslie Greif executive produced the first season with showrunner Gil Grant. Barry Berg served as co-executive producer and Herb Nanas and Colin Escott served as producers. The series is based on the book, Million Dollar Quartet, written by Floyd Mutrux and Escott. CMT confirmed the series cancellation, back in May.
What do you think? Did you watch the first season of the Sun Records TV show? Would you follow it to The CW or Amazon for a second season?
Hell yes. That was my new favorite television show. That was the era that forever changed music. If not for the brilliant ear of Sam Phillips there may not have been a Johnny Cash, a Carl Perkins or most importantly to me anyway, an Elvis Presley. I would love to at least see one more season to give the series an ending. The more seasons however, the better.
I liked the show & liked the rise of the greats of my day. I was looking forward to upcoming shows.
I really enjoyed the show and was looking very much forward to season two. Hope Amazon or someone picks it up
Still hoping, no offense to CMT but I think it would do better on a different network. I also want to say that I feel a season should be more than 8 episodes
Stop taking the good shows away after 1 season and leaving the same crap on with new shows but repeat scenarios . Sun Records was a good show
Love this show, is it over? I will definitely watch future seasons
LOVED it! Hope Amazon picks it up. Thry’ll do it right!
Can’t believe they cancelled it. Loved the show. I want to see more. I hate that we did not get to see more of Johnny Cash and his story on the show. I would love to see how he gets involved. I would love for CMT to produce the rest of the seasons but if they won’t I would like to see the CW or Amazon produce further seasons. I would continue to follow the show if one were to do this.
Absolutely loved Sun Records and thought it would have been a huge hit! I’m 52 but loved everything about the 50’s and the beginnings of Rock and Roll. I hope another network picks it up!
I loved this show do much I saw the musical Million Dollar Quartet which was amazing. Having seen Sun Records gave me a greater perspective on the live musical. It’s been selling out, extended and closing all over the country so hopefully the success will propel the television series to be renewed- there will be a new appreciative audience.
I love Sun Records. I was really looking forward tho Season 2/3. I would love to know more about how the singers got their start. There are so many rumors that aren’t true. I’m really hoping this show tells the truth. I would like it if they would focus more on the singer and music instead of who’s sleeping with who. But other than that, I wanna see more. Thank you for your time.
Please bring back Sun Records! We loved the show, and hope it is renewed by someone. Preferably CW.
I love this show and sure hope another station picks it up! I loved the storyline and the musicians and the story behind them. Elvis is adorable!
YES! Please bring this show back!
I love the show!!! I would watch every season!!!!