Selah Session IV

You Are the Man

The King of the Memphis blues, a woman on a rooftop, a soldier's sealed letter, and a blind street preacher who sings the truth.

In the spring of 1944, when every able man has gone to war, Dave “King” Jessup stays home. He is the King of Beale Street, the biggest bluesman in Memphis, with a club full of people who never tell him no.

One hot night he sees Sheba Reese on a rooftop across the street. Her husband, Corporal Uriah Hayes, is overseas. By the time Uriah comes home on leave, the King has a problem only a sealed letter can solve.

Then Brother Nathan, a blind street preacher with a battered guitar, takes the stage at the King's own club and sings him a story about a rich man and a poor man's only lamb.

Characters

Dave “King” Jessup: The King of Beale Street
Sheba Reese: The woman on the rooftop
Corporal Uriah Hayes: Her husband, a soldier home on leave
Brother Nathan: A blind street preacher with a battered guitar
Joe Abbott: The King's fixer

Songs in progress

The score is being written. Songs planned so far include:

When Kings Go Off to War 2 Samuel 11:1
Hot Night on Beale
Uriah Won't Go Home
One Little Lamb 2 Samuel 12:1–4
You Are the Man 2 Samuel 12:7
Create in Me a Clean Heart Psalm 51

Listen

Recordings for You Are the Man are in progress. Sign up for the email list to hear them first.

Follow You Are the Man