BRENDA OBRIEN

“TWO KINGS”“Two Kings” is the story of dreams… Music is instilled in the soul of Brenda Berger O’Brien. Raised in West Memphis, Arkansas, Brenda grew up living over her family’s famous night club, The Plantation Inn. It is often said Her father, Morris Berger, along with Sam Phillips and Elvis Presley were the founders of the Rock & Roll/R&B Memphis movement. Berger pushed the racially charged times hiring African American musicians to play at his popular nightspot for a mainly white crowd…always maintaining a respectful sense of equality. A young Elvis often was spotted in the crowd…where it is said he learned his lessons of R&B and soul. So it comes as no surprise, many years later Berger’s daughter would pay homage to civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Elvis, The King of Rock & Roll, in her moving musical homage. Her love of music and need of expression fed Brenda’s dream of becoming a songwriter. She attended a songwriting retreat at the REO Rafting resort in beautiful Vancouver, B.C. where she met country music superstar Pam Tillis. The critically and commercially acclaimed singer/songwriter and former CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, found herself drawn to Brenda’s unfinished song centered around the legacies of King and Presley. "First of all I was intrigued with the idea because it was not the ordinary ‘love’ or ‘love gone wrong’ kind of song you tend to hear so much,” says Tillis. “It was kind of audacious connecting the dots between two big historical figures. It made me think and I liked that." For two years the pair corresponded on the song which became “Two Kings.” “I was reluctant to get involved in a student’s song outside of class and I really didn't get involved with the workshop to look for co-writers,” explains Pam. “Brenda was so excited by some of the suggestions I made that she just kinda made up her mind that I had to be involved. And I imagine anyone who knows Brenda knows she is charming and not the kind of person to give up on a mission. And this song did become a mission, for both of us. Once I committed I knew I wanted to help her finish the song to the best of our abilities but what I didn't know was how the song would take on a life and momentum of its own. That momentum took me throughout the writing performing and making of the video in the middle of a million other things I had going on. It was a momentum that carried me through even when I wasn't sure where the project was going.” Brenda O’Brien personally took up the search to find a Memphis based artist to record the song. After a year of searching she came across Memphis born Kris Thomas. Thomas first gained notoriety in 2010 with his release of an emotional and vocally challenging cover of Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t.” O’Brien came across this song through Google and after sharing it with Tillis, reached out to the young aspiring singer to record “Two Kings.” “I let Brenda run with this process and of course once again she intrigued me by introducing me to someone not very well known,” says Tillis. “As everyone knows more than one star has been discovered on the internet so when Brenda told me to check out this young man from Memphis I did so keeping an open mind. As soon as I heard Kris's voice though I knew he was going to work. I loved everything about him, his fresh look, his God given voice…… " Thomas soon fell in love not only with the song but also its message, and was more thrilled when co-writer Tillis agreed to join him in the studio to produce and sing on the song. “The message of this song is so powerful and relevant especially in our world today,” says Thomas. “Plus being able to sing and work in the studio with Pam was such a thrill and an education for me.” The two met in Nashville to record the song with studio ace Matt Spicher….and Brenda there to experience every moment of the song’s creation. Heralded documentary maker Molly Secours was named to produce the music video…shot in various historic Memphis locations including famed Beale Street, the banks of the Mississippi River and the legendary Stax Music Academy. To further the Memphis connection, the Stax Music Academy StreetCorner Harmonies choir (which Kris Thomas was a member as a child) joined the pair in recording the song and for the video. “All the connections to Memphis made this song really special to me, being a Memphis native,” Thomas tells. And continuing that Memphis connection, Boo Mitchell, a respected fixture in the Memphis music scene and son of the famous Willie Mitchell who got his start at The Plantation Inn, lent his support to the project. Even more of a testament to the mission and commitment of writing, recording and filming a video for this “Two Kings” is the common journey followed by the two writers and filmmaker. “It's just what me and my friends call a God Thang,” shares Tillis. “To think that three women who had walked and are walking the very tough journey of cancer is interesting. We are all conscious of using our energies in the best most inspired way in the world that we can. I think we all are more about living in the moment. It was great to work with two other creative, optimistic survivors. I think that spirit shines through the song and the video…I really do.” And it appears that same spirit ties together the entire “Two Kings” project…beginning with the teachings and devotions of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr…to the sheer musical freedom and abandon of Elvis Presley which inspired the heartfelt lyrics of the song…the emotionally stirring vocals of Pam and Kris…to the beautiful and historically linked music video. The spirit and dream continues…