Springfield High School graduate Nina Rawls is showing her hometown spirit and pride as she has joined the team of top investors for actor, director, Corbin Bernsen's Soap Box Derby film “25 Hill.” Rawls grew up in Lakemore and is the widow of one of the greatest superstars of soul, Lou Rawls.
The film has been sponsored, for the most part, by area investors, including Rawls. She stated that she first heard about the film from her nephew when he asked how he could become an extra in the movie.
“The more I heard about the project, the more I wanted to become involved,” Rawls said. “The trailer for the film gave me chills and I realized Corbin was putting together something extraordinary. Since I was raised here, I know how important the Soap Box Derby is to the area and kids around the world. We need to do all we can to preserve it -- and I want to do everything I can to help.”
Approximately 6,000 kids from age 8 to 17 compete in about 150 league sponsored races each year. Even though the derby has had record numbers of participants it has lost money three out of the past five years.
There has been a void of a title sponsor for the last three years. At the end of 2009, The FirstMerit Bank filed a suit against the derby that called in its loan of about $580,000.
When Bernsen had heard about the financial difficulties he wrote the script for the movie “25 Hill.” He has worked to raise money to make the film. The funds have been raised primarily in the Akron area. In an agreement with the derby, 10 percent of the funds that Bersen's company, Team Cherokee raises, will go to the derby. This 10 percent of the film's budget is a licensing fee. The derby will also receive a portion of future revenues. The film has sparked community leaders to come to an agreement to preserve and make the derby even better. The City of Akron will guarantee the derby's outstanding debt; the chamber will provide business expertise and the bank is dropping the lawsuit and preparing a new loan agreement. FirstMerit will also contribute $50,000 to the derby.
Rawls stated that Lou Rawls would have supported the “25 Hill” film project.
“He understood how much the Greater Akron area means to me, and he'd do anything to help children,” she said. “This investment of money and time in the film is in close keeping with the spirit and heart of Lou, as anybody who knew him will agree.”
Lou Rawls died of cancer in January 2006. He was a legendary soul, jazz and blues singer.
Frank Sinatra once said that Rawls had "the classiest singing and silkiest chops in the singing game.” He released more than 70 albums, sold more than 40 million records, appeared as an actor in motion pictures and on television, and devoted his time to several charitable causes.
Nina Rawls plans to use her talents and connections in the entertainment industry to promote “25 Hill” across the globe.
“I look forward to helping Corbin market the film and getting the word out about what a special movie this is and what a treasure we have in the All American Soap Box Derby,” she said.
The 25 Hill crew comes back to the Akron area on July 24 to prepare to film more scenes for the movie including filming at the International Soap Box Derby Championship at Derby Downs. The film will be released in 2011. If you are interested in being an extra, email treycaldwell25Hill@gmail.com.
Other 25 Hill news
If you remember the 1982 hit song, “Pac Man Fever” you will remember the songwriting team of Gary Garcia and Jerry Buckner. They also wrote the theme for “WKRP in Cincinnati.” They have written a song for the derby to help save the longtime family event.
The song, “Keepin' the Dream Alive” is on the Prism Records label and is available for download for 99 cents on all major music sites including CD Baby, Apple iTunes, Lime Wire and Napster. A portion of the proceeds will go to the derby. A music video can be seen on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jKnCAjp9Xg.
25 hill
Save the Dream, Save the Tradition,
Save The Derby!
Visit www.25hill.com
