Matthew Nelson, who arrives at the Grand Sierra next Sunday with twin brother Gunnar, describes their show, "Ricky Nelson Remembered," as "visual and auditory comfort food."
The show features clips and photos of the Nelsons' grandparents, Ozzie and Harriet, father Ricky and uncle David, and their own career as the band Nelson. The entire clan, including the twins' uncle Mark Harmon, has had a lasting entertainment impact. It appears that impact is about to get even larger.
"We've been doing the show for three years now," says Matthew Nelson, 42, "and its popularity has led to an offer to do a Broadway stage musical about our father and to do a movie of his life.
"The musical will open in London. I can't tell who's involved, but it's a big deal. I'm not sure at this point if we'll be in it. It's great because 'Buddy the Musical' (about Buddy Holly) had a long run in London, and our father saw it and loved it. The success of 'Jersey Boys' indicates the strength of the market."
"The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" didn't show on English television, so the Brits knew Ricky only as the singer and movie star.
The movie is in the early planning stage, and Nelson realizes it may take years to come to fruition.
"We have to tell Dad's life, and it was a three- decade career. Do we tell it all or just focus on one part of it? The truth of his life is stranger than any fiction."
Around the Silver Circle
The success of "Top Chef" and "Top Chef Masters" can only help promote interest in a long-running competition, the Blazing Pans Cook-Off at the annual Lake Tahoe Autumn Food and Wine Festival.
This year's battle for the title of Mountain Chef is between reigning champion Mike Trombetta, owner of Farm to Belly Personal Chef Services; and David Lutz, owner of Tahoe City's Evergreen Restaurant.
The festival itself runs from Friday through Sunday at the Village at Northstar in Truckee and features a long roster of both free and paid events, including cooking demonstrations, wine and food pairings, dinners and even some plein air painting. IF YOU GO
• "Ricky Nelson Remembered" with Matthew and Gunnar Nelson is at 8 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Grand Sierra. Tickets are $27.50 at grandsierraresort.com.
• The Blazing Pans Cook-Off takes place at 4:15 p.m. Saturday at the Village at Northstar in Truckee. Tickets are $15 and include a Charbay cocktail. All tickets and a complete schedule of the Lake Tahoe Autumn Wine and Food Festival are available at tahoefoodandwine.com or (888) 229-2193.
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