Crescendo: The Story of a Musical Genius Who Forever Changed a Southern Town

Description

A story of mercy, miracles, and melody-and above all else: love. During the Great Depression, Fred Allen is born poor and hungry in the shadow of rural Georgia's infamous cotton mills. By the time Fred is three years old, he can play hymns on the piano without missing a note. In kindergarten, he amazes adults with Chopin. Terrified that Fred's genius is proof of a curse, his parents lock away the piano. Cut off from his only source of joy, little Fred sinks into the chasms of neglect, depression, and hunger. Then Eleanor, a woman just released from prison for attempted murder, rents a room in his family's deteriorating home. Under her fierce eye, Fred is protected, fed, and loved. "You gotta find a way to get out," Eleanor says. "You were born for so much more than this." Fred undertakes an arduous but miraculous journey through the Juilliard School in New York City, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University, and eventually the professional music scene. With the help of a few miracles, he climbs the ladder of success, marries, becomes a father and a scholar, and establishes an enviable reputation as a Grammy-nominated music producer. Then in heartbreaking speed, Fred's past catches up with him, and his family becomes divided. He must choose either to pursue his dreams of fame and success or love. But miracles aren't just for those with big-city dreams. In Thomasville, Georgia, amid the wreckage of his history, Fred and his resilient wife, Winnie, reassemble the pieces of their lives and encounter what just might be the greatest miracle yet-not just for them but for the entire town. This inspiring story is sure to encourage anyone who has ever hoped their creative abilities might touch the lives of others.

Allen Cheney is a partner and cofounder at Mountview Creative, where he oversees day-to-day operations and project development. His team at Mountview produces a wide range of content, from music videos and commercials to documentaries and feature films. In 2015, Allen co-produced the feature film Some Freaks, winner of numerous domestic and international film festivals, and became executive producer of the international feature film Heartbeats in 2016. Allen's work has been highlighted by Forbes, which also announced his development of the Fred Allen Project. Julie Cantrell is an award-winning New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, teacher, and speaker. Her work has received special recognition across both faith-based and general audiences as she aims to build a bridge of communication and understanding between the two.

'Crescendo is a riveting story of passion, finding purpose in music. Fred Allen was a prodigy and remains a musical genius. Despite incomprehensible childhood horrors, Fred relentlessly honed his gift perhaps to escape his pain. Destined not just for stardom, but superstardom, Fred discovered that arrival on Broadway's grandest stage didn't soothe his soul. The siren of the Great White Way spotlight paled against curtain calls in a tiny South Georgia town. All because of love. Love for music. Love for family. For Fred and his talented, devoted wife Winnie, their legacy isn't some nebulous achievement in the music industry. They didn't create a new sound or corner the market on awards. Instead, they inspired generations of young people. They opened doors, crafted previously unimaginable dreams, challenged, motivated and often helped heal and give purpose to kids wrestling with their own problems. They did it all by using their gift. The gift of music. The story of how it multiplied in Crescendo hits the ultimate human high note.' - Rece Davis (ESPN)