Mellencamp / Stephen King Musical Gets Spring Release
The decade-in-the-making project finals sees the light of day
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County debuts in theatres, beginning on 4 April in Atlanta. A guest star-packed studio concept album will follow in May in both a single disc and 3-CD deluxe edition.
Elvis Costello, Rosanne Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Sheryl Crow, Taj Mahal and Neko Case are set to sing on the project, with Matthew McConaughey, Meg Ryan, former boxer Joe Frazier and Costello doing readings. Both projects are produced with the input of producer T-Bone Burnett — who described the sound as "dark, foggy ... and scary.”
Novelist King authored the narrative, while Mellencamp added music and lyrics. "It sounds like the Sgt. Pepper of Americana to me,” said Mellencamp, adding that the goal was to make the recording sound something like "an old radio play” complete with dialogue and sound effects.