Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/751464
36 nDecember 2016n www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS and the fun, involved with the movie the famous bluesman, with more than 20 albums to his name, asked if there were any other roles open. Charlie immedi- ately wrote Musselwhite into the script as Gabriel, the harmonica-playing arch- angel who opens the gates of heaven. Musselwhite and his wife Henrietta spent three days hanging out with bikers during the course of the NorCal shoot that would include riding scenes with almost 200 motorcycles and guys from a variety of motorcycle clubs. The cou- ple enjoyed every minute. Someone Charlie did know was Deacon Jones. Having met the famous organ player some 30 years ago, the two have shared a stage often so it was only natural that Deacon would be part of the cast when telling Charlie's story. Unfortunately, when it came time for Deacon's scene, he was gravely ill in a SoCal hospital. Once Jones discovered the shoot could not be rescheduled he got himself dressed and, against doc- tor's orders, signed out of the hospital and hit the road for NorCal with his lady Pam Hill by his side. "Man, who does that? Who breaks out of a hospital?" Charlie shook his head. "I mean, that's some pretty heavy shit, right there. That's a true friend for sure." Both Deacon and Pam have speaking roles in the fi lm and their entire scenes were shot as Deacon struggled with his illness. As soon as the words, "It's a wrap!" were shouted the couple packed the car and headed down to L.A. to check Deacon back into the hospital. And that's how this whole project has come together: through friendships. The fi nancial backing has come through various channels, but the primary funds are from long-time pal Dennis SanFilippo. Dubbed "Mr. Lucky" since his $39 million-dollar windfall from winning the lottery back in 1992, Dennis stepped up with cash. He also shuttled cast, fed the masses and plays a part in the fi lm. Rene Duncan from Montana Banana Jerky showed up with jerky for the entire cast and crew during a recent shoot. The local pizza shop asked if they could swap pizzas for an opportunity to be in the fi lm. The local hotel is owned by Dennis's friend and out-of-town guests are treated with respect. Charlie's goal is to keep the cost below $150,000, an unheard-of budget for even the most modest of today's production projects and they are still well below that number as they near the editing phase. The original soundtrack will be recorded in a local studio. Location fi lming has taken the crew all across the country, including Milwaukee, Charlie's birthplace of New Orleans, and next month, Arizona. They plan to wrap up shooting by January with a premiere date of July 2017. With a storyline that sounds a lot like the 1980 fi lm Crossroads mixed with The Blues Brothers, with a dash of Aesop's Fables (think The Tortoise and the Hare) and a pinch of Grimm's Fairy Tales (Cinderella) all sprinkled with a heavy dose of bikers and blues and you have yourself an entertaining little fl ick worth checking out. Rebel on the Highway has the potential to become a cult classic along the lines of Blues Brothers or Easy Riders but all with a lighthearted approach and starring all your favorite familiar biker clan faces. There is no heavy swearing, blood, gore or high-speed crashes. But there are some giggles and a bad-ass race between good and evil and we can't wait to see how it all turns out. Extras consist of riders from all the areas they fi lmed in and you'll see patches from just about every MC imaginable so be sure to make it out to see a premiere when it comes out next summer. You might even see a T HUNDER PRESS edi- tor in there; who knows? Meanwhile, follow the progress on Facebook at Rebel on the Highway the Movie. 4 Rebel Continued from page 18 New and old friends Tony, Jim, Tony, Charlie, Kim, Michael and Mike all take a break from fi lming in the foothills of NorCal The devil, played by Frank Verbeck, was having a bad horn day and got a little help from his friends Gary Walker and co-producer Cheryl McIntire Charlie Musselwhite is the harps playing Archangel Gabriel, God's right hand man who blows a mean harmonica A very sick Deacon Jones escaped the hospital to go hang out and play some blues in the foothills with Charlie Bechtel