Music Biopic "To Make the Moment Last" Slated for 2023 Production

“To Make the Moment Last” - The Story of the Incredible Jades is a book written by William E. Thrasher Jr., which is slated to be brought to the big screen in 2023. The book is available on Amazon at the following link: "To Make the Moment Last" The Story of the Incredible Jades on Amazon. The book tells the story of “The Incredible Jades,” as author William E. Thrasher recalls many moments of his time with the band as if it was yesterday. He was the saxophone player with “The Incredible Jades." “To Make the Moment Last,” as summarized on Amazon, discusses how “the sixties gave rise to a whole new generation of music." Back in its heyday, led by Berry Gordy's Motown Records and Al Bell's Stax Records, soul music was taking the nation by storm. The Incredible Jades formed in Arkansas in 1967. Music was the fuel for their inspiration. A group of talented and energetic young black men who were full of dreams, played their hearts out to every local and regional venue within their reach, gradually making their mark among night clubs and social groups as “The Incredible Jades. What followed was a year of amazing and memorable moments for the members of the band as they made a name for themselves playing soul music in the heart of Arkansas. Now, author William Thrasher Jr., the Jades' saxophonist, writes of the band's time together in 1967-68."

Through his memoir, William E. Thrasher of The Incredible Jades recalls the rise and experiences of the band over the course of one year in the late sixties-the group's amazing moment in the sun.

The book, written by William Thrasher, tells the tale of “The Incredible Jades” with exuberance and with impeccable memory. William E. Thrasher has given his blessing to tell the story of “The Incredible Jades' ' in a movie, with production slated for 2023.

William E. Thrasher states, “The opportunity to become one of the musicians with The Incredible Jades was beyond a dream come true for me. I come from a family of musicians: my mother, grandmother and grandfather were pianists, in fact my grandfather played piano in what was known back in his day as a saloon. So I guess you could say music was in my blood. So when the guys started playing in the band room, it felt natural for me to join in. I did not know what was ensuing at the time, and that what we were doing was the precursor to the birth of the Jades, but everything for the formation of our inspiring band just fell into place - and there we were The Incredible Jades playing with all of our heart and soul, giving every performance our best. Thinking back on that time is still so vivid and so exhilarating. So one day, I felt compelled to write it down and the words began to flow, which led to my book, “To Make the Moment Last," The Story of The Incredible Jades.

John Reeves was the original keyboard player for The Incredible Jades; Donald “Yacky” Jenkins played the bass; George “Scooter” Mitchell was the drummer; Joe Thomas was the lead guitar player; David “Brubeck” Bynum was 1st on trumpet and Grandville Hadley was 2nd on trumpet. Patrick Eubanks and Ruben Johnson were the male vocalists for the Jades, and Cheryl Moore was the female vocalist. William Thrasher states, "A musician named Dennis Grant spent a very short time with us yet he was a talented force playing the trombone, and I played the saxophone. When John Reeves left the group, Lenard Givens took over as keyboard player and main vocalist. David Walters and Jeff Givens eventually replaced me as the sax players, and Charles Webster replaced George “Scooter” Mitchell as drummer. Eventually Ronald Collins replaced Grandville Hadley as 2nd trumpet. We all had an instrumental part of The Incredible Jades, and I enjoyed every moment of it.”

The screenwriter of the forthcoming movie based on the book, “To Make The Moment Last,” is Erica Thrasher-Tatham, the niece of William E. Thrasher. Thrasher-Tatham has a background in film, journalism and public relations. Thrasher states, “What inspires me the most as I work to complete the screenplay is that it encompasses all of my favorite things: an amazing story, music and family. My family has always been musically inclined.” Continuing, “My uncle was an amazing saxophonist and my father is an inspiration to me as well. He has been in the music industry my whole life, so I have always had a special place in my heart for stories of this nature. Music just makes you feel good. When I read my uncle’s book, “To Make The Moment Last,” I felt as if I was there. I could see the movie, and each scene coming to life in my head, and I could even see the cast performing on a Broadway stage. So being able to capture the feeling I have about The Incredible Jades, I truly want to share this feeling with the world. Concluding, “Writing is my creative outlet and I thought there would be no better way to use it than to tell my family’s story.”

Eric Thrasher, the brother of author William E. Thrasher, is an accomplished music executive, with a history of working with some of the biggest talents in music. Recalling some of his favorite moments surrounding his brother’s time playing with the Jades, Thrasher states, “Growing up listening to The Incredible Jades and watching my brother and all of the musicians who made up the Jades perform was inspiring. I loved watching them practice at the Southend Boy’s Club in Arkansas, and seeing them on stage playing so many of the hits of the era. When I saw my brother William play the saxophone, I likened him to Junior Walker and the All-Stars who were on the Motown Records label. The Incredible Jades had this flashy Uniform that they wore. It was a black shirt with shiny green sequins. It made me want to be a part of the band. Adding, “The rise of The Incredible Jades was definitely timely because of the emergence of the civil rights movement at the time, as well as what was happening with Motown Records in Detroit and other prominent music cities like Memphis, TN. Arkansas was a smaller market, so amazing stories such as covering this incredible band were often overlooked.”

Eric Thrasher graduated from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Thrasher began working in the music industry while in high school working at Soul Brothers Record Shop. He then went on to work as an Independent Promotion/Marketing person for Total Experience Records (The Gap Band), Warner Bros., Elektra and Motown Records. Motown Records eventually offered Thrasher a position as Southwest Regional Promotions Manager. He later became the Co-National Director of Promotion for Motown Records, and then National Director of Promotions at Motown Records. It was here he worked with The Temptations, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and Stevie Wonder. Eric Thrasher’s extraordinary career does not end there, as he also helped to develop Johnny Gill, Boyz II Men, Shanice Wilson, along with several Gold and Platinum soundtracks from Spike Lee, specifically for “Do the Right Thing,” and The Hudlin Brothers song “House Party.” When he relocated to Burbank, CA, he became the Vice President of Warner/Reprise Records for the Urban Music Division. There Thrasher worked with Earth Wind & Fire, ROGER & Zapp, Take 6, El DeBarge, Big Daddy Kane, Color Me Bad and Jade. After leaving Warner/Reprise Records, Eric Thrasher had the opportunity to work with Virgin Records in Beverly Hills, CA where he worked with Gold and Platinum artists Tina Turner, Janet Jackson and After 7. Later, after being given the opportunity to work with the Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis label, namely Perspective Records distributed by A&M records, he worked with Platinum and Gold artists Mint Condition, SOLO, Sounds of Blackness and Ann Nesby. As time moved forward, Eric worked as a consultant with DreamWorks Records (Dave Hollister and Prince of Egypt Soundtrack), Trauma Records (Shaquille O’Neal), among others.
Eric Thrasher is attached as a music consultant to the forthcoming biopic “The Incredible Jades.” The forthcoming film is based on William’s amazing recollection of this wonderful year of his life, shining brightly as the saxophone player for “The Incredible Jades.” TV/Film producer, journalist and publicist, Lisa Pellegrene is consulting on the forthcoming film project. Lisa Pellegrene is known for her work on inspiring film productions, in public relations, and as an international animal welfare advocate. Pellegrene stands firmly on a belief which she refers to as “responsibility in media,” where she dedicates her time on projects that help to inspire and make this world a better, more joyful and love based place. Stating, “We can all benefit from learning about the beautiful stories which are so often untold, such as the story of The Incredible Jades. This is a story that brings forth a feeling of joy and inspiration, and quite frankly we need to place more of an emphasis on that. Stories such as this one benefit everyone. The story of The Incredible Jades does not disappoint, especially when hearing it from author and saxophonist William E. Thrasher, where he recalls every vivid memory in a way that makes one feel as if you were a part of all of the amazing moments that the “The Incredible Jades” experienced, to include some surreal occurrences as well.”

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