A Second Chance To Rock N Roll

A FEATURE DOCUMENTARY

After a life of rock n’ roll, and addiction, leads to quadriplegia and dependence on a ventilator, Gary Morissette embraces a second chance to return to the stage, harnessing AI and cutting-edge technology to re-invent his voice and musical career.

Synopsis

In the aftermath of a life-altering accident, fueled by addiction and the rock n’ roll lifestyle, Gary Morissette, once destined for stardom on Canadian Idol, finds himself navigating a new reality as a quadriplegic, without the use of his arms or voice. Stripped of his ability to play the guitar and sing, Gary's passion for music remains unyielding. Embracing the transformative power of modern technology, he begins on a groundbreaking journey of adaptation.

Utilizing modern tools like AI voice replication and digital music production software, Gary collaborates with other seasoned musicians and producers, with disabilities, to transcend physical limitations. His relentless pursuit of innovation leads to his desire to reunite with his former bandmates and ultimately return to the studio and the stage.

Gary's story is a testament to the possibilities that arise from the intersection of resilience and cutting-edge technology, redefining what it means to be a musician in the face of extraordinary challenges.

About Gary

Gary is a Fruitvale, BC native who started playing the guitar when he was just 8 years old. From then on, the guitar became a part of his identity, and so did his reputation as a gifted and energetic performer.

In high school, he started a band called The Unknown Culprits, which saw some early success and would eventually lead him to becoming a contestant on Canadian Idol. Gary continued his music career after his appearance on the hit show for many years, but it would eventually come to a halt after an accident in 2022 that resulted in quadriplegia, and the use of a ventilator.

Gary’s perseverance has played an integral part of his recovery, and after just two years post-injury he’s discovering the possibilities of modern music production and the likelihood of returning to the stage and studio once again.

Meet The Subjects

Eric Howk - CONFIRMED

GUITARIST - PORTUGAL THE MAN

Eric Howk is the guitarist for the Grammy-winning band Portugal. The Man. He joined the group in 2015, contributing to their hit album Woodstock, which includes the chart-topping single Feel It Still.

In 2007, Eric sustained a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed, but his passion for music never wavered. Since joining Portugal. The Man, he has become a key creative force, earning a Grammy and inspiring others with his resilience and dedication to his craft.

Kyle Lehning - CONFIRMED

PRODUCER - RANDY TRAVIS

Kyle Lehning, a Nashville-based 3 time Grammy-winner and Country Music Hall of Fame producer, is best known for producing most of Randy Travis’s albums. After Randy's 2013 stroke, Kyle used AI to replicate his voice for a new song.

In addition to his work with Randy, Kyle has produced for Waylon Jennings, George Strait, Kenny Rogers, and Zac Brown. He also served as a record executive at Asylum Records Nashville.

Jason Becker - CONFIRMED

GUITARIST - DAVID LEE ROTH

Jason Becker, an American guitarist, joined David Lee Roth’s band in 1989 and contributed to A Little Ain’t Enough. After being diagnosed with ALS that year, he lost the ability to move or speak but continues to compose music using a computer, communicating with his eyes.

Becker released albums like Perspective (1996), Collection (2008), and Triumphant Hearts (2018), showcasing his resilience and passion for music.

Freaque - CONFIRMED

SONGWRITER & PERFORMER

Freaque (Gabriel Rodreick) is a multi-disciplinary artist based in South Minneapolis. He lives with a C5 Spinal Cord Injury, which informs a lot of his creative work. His music ranges from stripped-down dirt folk to bigger swamp grooves.

He’s also the creative mind behind A Cripple’s Dance, a live music and dance production created and performed by people with Spinal Cord Injuries and people with able bodies.

The Filmmakers

Chelsea McEvoy

Director, Producer & Editor

Chelsea Jade McEvoy, an Anishinaabe writer and filmmaker from the Okanagan Valley, began her career in 2011 after graduating from Confederation College’s Film Production Program. She has directed several award-winning films, including Wheel Love, Pallidus, and Re-Inventing The Wheel, focusing on community engagement and the human condition. After becoming involved in the disability community, Chelsea uses storytelling to challenge stereotypes. She also writes the Wheel Love blog and serves as President of the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmakers (OSIF). Chelsea aims to focus on directing narrative features and documentary work.

Kelly Veltri

Director of Photography& Producer

Kelly is a cinematographer, producer, and entrepreneur based in Kelowna, BC, with over 20 years of experience in film, music videos, and documentaries, earning multiple accolades for his work. He has worked in the camera department on various feature films, TV series, and documentaries. Kelly is also a former instructor at the Centre for Arts and Technology, where he taught independent filmmaking to hundreds of students. As the Executive Director of the Okanagan Society of Independent Filmmaking (OSIF), Kelly has been actively involved since 2006 and organizes the Okanagan Screen Awards and HorrorFest film festivals, supporting local filmmakers.

Mike Pedersen

Producer, Sound Recordist & Post Audio Mixer

Mike is an audio engineer, sound recordist, producer, and entrepreneur from Kelowna, BC, with over 20 years of experience. His career began in music production where he worked with and produced music for hundreds of independent artists. Driven by a passion for storytelling, Mike transitioned into producing and writing narrative-driven podcasts, and working as a sound recordist and post-production audio mixer for television and film. With credits on multiple award-winning documentaries and television series, plus thousands of podcasts, Mike’s expertise spans all aspects of audio production, with a strong focus on bringing compelling narratives to life.

DIRECTOR’s STATEMENT

Working on this pitch has already brought me so much joy. To blend music and film together is a creative dream and to make a film that will motivate others to make art, no matter the circumstance, is a true honor.

“A Second Chance to Rock n’ Roll” is a film about adapting and peer support, something I am very familiar about in my own life. My husband James Hektner is a T6/T7 paraplegic and we are fortunate enough to be a part of a very unique and world-renowned peer support community for people with disabilities. We have seen first hand the true power and benefits of peer support and how it can fast track someone’s recovery and contribute to their mental health in an incredibly positive way.

My husband and I met Gary after his spinal cord injury and it has been amazing getting to know him, connect him to community and witness his first outings after injury. His spirit is true rock and roll, his desire to create is unwavering and he actively choses every day to bring art and music into this world.

I truly believe this film has the potential to be ground breaking in the sense that this pitch has already enticed incredible musicians living with a disability from around the world. What a profound opportunity to bring these musicians together under one roof.

Lastly, I write on behalf of my two colleagues, Mike Pedersen and Kelly Veltri. I have witnessed these two men support their friend, Gary, through significant grief and I am so proud watching them adapt themselves to this unique situation. They have learned how to operate a ventilator in case of emergency, they started a GoFundMe to help with financial stability and the brotherhood they once had in Fruitvale has been nurtured and strengthened.

Not only do I think this film will be healing for Gary, his family and so many other artists, I think it will be healing for my friends Kelly and Mike as well, and to me, that makes it all worth it.

- Chelsea McEvoy