It’s ‘Showtime’ for local actress

West Memphis’s Vivie Myrick appears in ‘George & Tammy’ cable TV series

By Ralph Hardin

ralphhardin@gmail.com

Times readers might recall a 2016 feature written on then 12-year-old local elementary schooler Vivie Myrick of West Memphis.

Myrick was getting ready to make her television debut, cast as an extra on the small-screen limited series “Sun Records,” a CMT production filmed in and around Memphis, including Marion.

Vivie took voice lessons from noted coach Bob Westbrook, who helped

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launch an 8 year-old Justin Timberlake on his path to singing stardom and appeared in “Shrek Jr.” in Memphis. She’s had parts in Memphis productions of “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland,” “Lifetime of Christmas,” movie roles in productions by Columbia University film students, was a finalist three years in a row in “Star of the Fair” competition at the Delta Fair and Music Festival, and was the only child invited to sing solo at the popular holiday spectacular “Starry Nights” at Shelby Farms when in junior high.

Her music and performances can be found on YouTube, iTunes and Amazon Music. In 2019, Myrick was on the Lifetime Television show “Ms. T’s Music Factory” for three episodes.

Now fans can catch her on TV once again, appearing in the Showtime seies “George & Tammy,” a drama about the volatile relationship between country music icons George Jones and Tammy Wynette, starring Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain as the legendary duo.

Myrick, now 18, is cast in the role of Donna Chapel, daughter of songwriter Don Chapel and one-time husband of Wynette. Donna was a country and gospel singer and Wynette’s stepdaughter. She performed as a backup singer for Wynette for several years before launching a singing career of her own in the 1970s.

Myrick was on hand on Nov. 23, as the premium cable network hosted a premier party in Los Angeles ahead of the show’s Dec. 4 TV debut.

“Such a magical night,” said Myrick. “I am forever grateful for this amazing opportunity. Working with these actors and this team was life changing.”

Early indications are that the show is a hit with critics and audineces. With two eposodes having aired, “George & Tammy” holds a 7.6/10 score on IMDB and an 82% “fresh” score on Rotten Tomatoes.

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