Remembering Jerry Lee Lewis and Leslie Jordan: Oliver Springs' Levi Kreis on his mentors

Actor and singer Levi Kreis says he was born playing the piano and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis records. The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer meant everything to him.

So much so that the Oliver Springs native went on to play “Great Balls of Fire” at family reunions as a party trick and eventually won a Tony Award for portraying Lewis in the Broadway show, “Million Dollar Quartet.”

Lewis died at the age of 87 at his home in DeSoto County, Mississippi, near Memphis, and with his passing Kreis, 40, lost a mentor and one of his biggest inspirations.

Kreis is already processing the sudden death of actor Leslie Jordan, an East Tennessee native, whom served as a guide through one meaningful stage in his life.

Kreis is the son of local residents Ronnie and Connie Copeland Kreis. In a December 2015 story by The Oak Ridger's News Editor Donna Smith, Levi told how he got his start in Oliver Springs at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church and the church’s Christian Academy, where he graduated in a class of five students. He also studied at Pellissippi State Community College and Nashville’s Vanderbilt and Belmont universities.

The profound impact of Jerry Lee Lewis

Music lost an icon, but Kreis lost a friend.

“I literally grew up exploring how many crazy ways I could play the piano (because of Jerry Lee Lewis),” Kreis recalled.

Noting similarities in their upbringing and musical styles, Kreis was eager to help the “Million Dollar Quartet” creative team develop the musical in 2004. The story is a dramatization of a 1956 impromptu recording session in Memphis between Lewis, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins. The show opened on Broadway in 2010.

“In twenty years of acting, I don't think I was more conscientious about developing a character,” Kreis said. “Jerry Lee was dangerous. I wanted to capture that danger.”

“It was not just about understanding who he was, but how audiences felt watching him - knowing how to make a new generation feel that for themselves.”

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In one “surreal" moment, Kreis met and shared the piano with Lewis during the Broadway run. Lewis was pleased with his performance, signed his Bible, and shared other kind words that Kreis hold private: “I still kinda tear up thinking about it,” he said.

Kreis says making the piano a rock ‘n’ roll instrument and bringing the world a lot of joy – despite his work once being labeled as “devil’s music” – is Lewis' legacy.

But Lewis’ personal impact on the artist is even more profound.

“Excellent craft combined with exciting entertainment is just as healing as a sermon and an altar call sometimes,” he said.

Remembering close friend Leslie Jordan

And like many across the country and globe, Kreis is mourning the unexpected loss of Jordan. Kreis was close friends with Jordan and credits him for playing a significant role in his sobriety journey.

“I shared my heart (with him) and let him know how he not only influenced my sobriety, but my understanding as an actor that what makes you unique makes you a commodity,” Kreis wrote in an Instagram tribute following Jordan’s passing.

“My life is different because of him. … Thank you for changing me for the better.”

Jordan died in Los Angeles at age 67.

Kreis returning to Oak Ridge

For the eighth year, Kreis will bring his "Home for the Holidays Tour" to the Oak Ridge Playhouse in December. Shows are set for 16-18. Tickets are now on sale at the Playhouse website.

Remembering Leslie Jordan:Nashville mourns 'heartbreaking' Leslie Jordan death: 'Truly a legend'

Devarrick Turner is a trending news reporter for Knox News. He can be reached by email at devarrick.turner@knoxnews.com. Follow Devarrick on Twitter @dturner1208. Enjoy exclusive content and premium perks while supporting strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe. Donna Smith of The Oak Ridger contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Levi Kreis remembers Jerry Lee Lewis and Leslie Jordan