THE HEBREW HILLBILLY
Relevant and slightly irreverent, Shelley Fisher's critically acclaimed longest running solo musical play in the USA, THE HEBREW HILLBILLY, reminds us that we are more alike than different. Singer/songwriter, recording artist and performer Fisher grew up Jewish in Memphis at the end of segregation and the start of rock n’ roll - with a father who escaped Russia at age 11 and a flamboyant outspoken mother who raised a beautiful proud Jewish family in the anti-Semitic racist Red Neck South.
Based upon her unique Dixie Fried background, Shelley created THE HEBREW HILLBILLY and collaborated with multi-platinum hit songwriters Ken Hirsch (Bette Midler, Air Supply, Barbra Streisand), Harold Payne (Rod Stewart, The Temptations, Bobby Womack) and Steve Rawlins (Lainie Kazan, John O’Hurley and The Emmys) to write 17 original songs for her hilarious and captivating production. Fisher unifies her packed audiences while making topics like racism, antisemitism discrimination and sexism somehow entertaining.
Critics are raving over it, hailing Shelley as “a dash of Mae West and a pinch of Dolly Parton”.
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin comments, “Shelley Fisher is a great, insightful talent and a wonderful interpreter of the Southern Jewish experience”.
In these tolerance testing times this Broadway ready, highly entertaining universal show is both appealing and powerful to all groups. Regardless of age or background, Shelley brings folks together with her warm Memphis charm and earthy Southern voice.
Shelley Fisher Bio
Born and raised in the heart of the Mississippi Delta in Memphis, Tennessee, home of rock ‘n roll and the blues, Shelley comes by her love of music and entertainment naturally. After completing her graduate work in fine arts and drama at UCLA, she recorded a solo album on Fantasy Records, rocked the disco charts with her hit rendition of ‘Wonder Woman’ on Roadshow Records, and wrote ‘Disgorilla’, the sequel to Rick Dees ‘Disco Duck’. Her dynamic and diversified repertoire features Blues, R&B, Pop, Rock ‘N’ Roll, and Country. Her unique blend of soulful music, earthy vocals and comedy has captivated audiences worldwide. Creator and star of the romantic comedy cooking show, ForkPlay®, Shelley has appeared on many national TV shows including ‘The Jake Ehrenreich Show’ and ‘L’Chaim’ on JBSTV, The Playboy Network, ‘Breakfast TV’ in Vancouver Canada, and with Dick Clark and Danny Bonaduce on NBC’s ‘The Other Half.’ She is currently touring the U.S. performing her critically acclaimed solo musical play ‘THE HEBREW HILLBILLY,' the longest running solo musical play in the United States.
Hot off the Press!
"Shelley Fisher Cooks up a Rockin', Southern-fried Delight with "The Hebrew Hillbilly"
Memphis-native singer/songwriter, Shelley Fisher, rips the roof off . . . with her bluesy, ballsy, autobiographical one-woman show, The Hebrew Hillbilly - while ripping at the heartstrings of her packed houses. Fisher's story of a good little southern Jewish girl with big rock and roll dreams gets fueled by 16 show-stopping numbers co-written with renowned hit makers, Kenny Hirsch (I've Never Been To Me, No One In The World) and Harold Payne (Bobby Womack). The music packs an authentic Memphis punch blending rock with blues, and a lot of soul.
Known as "The Memphis Belle of L.A.," anyone who has ever met Fisher, sweet as she is spicy, knows of her genuine, down home personality that puts you immediately at ease - and this warmth lays at the beating heart of The Hebrew Hillbilly."
~Xaque Gruber for THE HUFFINGTON POST
Read the entire review here
Fisher knows just the right balance of Southern-fried humor and ohmygoodness stories about sleazy nightclubs, anti-Semitism, divorce, Elvis Presley, broken marriages and whirlwind stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Miami Beach . . . And there is a generous amount of songs in her solo musical play, 14 or so original tunes penned by Fisher and . . . the best part of "Hebrew Hillbilly."
~Rod Stafford Hagwood Contract Reporter for South Florida SunSentinel
Singer Shelley Fisher’s Stunning Musical Tribute to Her Jewish Ancestry
"For almost two years now, L.A. based singer/songwriter Shelley Fisher, has been charming audiences from Manhattan to Memphis to Santa Monica with her one woman autobiographical musical, The Hebrew Hillbilly. And proving that it's never too late to craft a new song in an established hit show, Fisher and legendary pop songwriter Ken Hirsch (Anita Baker, Barbra Streisand) have co-written the poignant, ‘We Remember’, a stirring tribute to her Jewish ancestry -- and the musical's new emotional summit."
Read the entire review here!
Even Elvis Said She Sparkles
"A Dash of Mae West and a Pinch of Dolly Parton . . . the stage vibrates with her songs, anecdotes and charm."
~Pam Price for San Diego TheatreReviews.com
"The most fascinating thing about Shelley Fisher and her one-woman show “The Hebrew Hillbilly” is Shelley’s indomitable spirit. Sticks and stones can’t break her bones and names will only encourage this chanteuse to sing louder. Honest and authentic, Shelly leaves us rooting for her success . . . this sparkly gem . . . is RIGHT on time."
~Rachel Bailit for InHollywood Magazine
Hill-arious
"Watching her perform is like reading a Harold Robbins novel that you just can’t put down."
~Pamela Price for Orange County Jewish Life
Hot off the Press!
"Shelley Fisher Cooks up a Rockin', Southern-fried Delight with "The Hebrew Hillbilly"
Memphis-native singer/songwriter, Shelley Fisher, rips the roof off . . . with her bluesy, ballsy, autobiographical one-woman show, The Hebrew Hillbilly - while ripping at the heartstrings of her packed houses. Fisher's story of a good little southern Jewish girl with big rock and roll dreams gets fueled by 16 show-stopping numbers co-written with renowned hit makers, Kenny Hirsch (I've Never Been To Me, No One In The World) and Harold Payne (Bobby Womack). The music packs an authentic Memphis punch blending rock with blues, and a lot of soul.
Known as "The Memphis Belle of L.A.," anyone who has ever met Fisher, sweet as she is spicy, knows of her genuine, down home personality that puts you immediately at ease - and this warmth lays at the beating heart of The Hebrew Hillbilly."
~Xaque Gruber for THE HUFFINGTON POST
Read the entire review here
Fisher knows just the right balance of Southern-fried humor and ohmygoodness stories about sleazy nightclubs, anti-Semitism, divorce, Elvis Presley, broken marriages and whirlwind stops in Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York and Miami Beach . . . And there is a generous amount of songs in her solo musical play, 14 or so original tunes penned by Fisher and . . . the best part of "Hebrew Hillbilly."
~Rod Stafford Hagwood Contract Reporter for South Florida SunSentinel
Singer Shelley Fisher’s Stunning Musical Tribute to Her Jewish Ancestry
"For almost two years now, L.A. based singer/songwriter Shelley Fisher, has been charming audiences from Manhattan to Memphis to Santa Monica with her one woman autobiographical musical, The Hebrew Hillbilly. And proving that it's never too late to craft a new song in an established hit show, Fisher and legendary pop songwriter Ken Hirsch (Anita Baker, Barbra Streisand) have co-written the poignant, ‘We Remember’, a stirring tribute to her Jewish ancestry -- and the musical's new emotional summit."
Read the entire review here!
Even Elvis Said She Sparkles
"A Dash of Mae West and a Pinch of Dolly Parton . . . the stage vibrates with her songs, anecdotes and charm."
~Pam Price for San Diego TheatreReviews.com
"Shelley Fisher is a great, insightful talent, and a wonderful interpreter of the southern Jewish experience."
~Rabbi Joseph Telushkin
"Shelley Fisher will have you laughing your kishkes off one moment . . . and in tears the very next, as we are invited into her roller-coaster world of triumph and disappointment, vulnerability and determination . . . The dream may be hers . . . the emotions belong to all of us . . . As a spiritual leader . . . I feel confident in recommending “The Hebrew Hillbilly” . . . you will be highly entertained!"
~Cantor Linda Rich
"When I watch Shelly Fisher on stage, I feel as if I am immediately transported to the world of laughter and tears. I've so enjoyed this journey, which she presents with taste and the greatest level of artistry. Not only does her singing touch your heart, but her songs and her acting are of the top caliber artists. What an evening!"
~Cantor Judy Fox
"A tour de force! I was very impressed with your powerful voice, your expressive songs and your charismatic presence on stage."
~Cantor Doug Cotler
Audience Reviews
September 11, 2022
"Outstanding . . . Shelley Fisher's performance is high energy...entertaining...heartwarming and loaded with great music. If you are looking for an evening of fun entertainment I highly recommend Hebrew Hillbilly. "
The Hebrew Hillbilly is a fun, moving and entertaining show. Shelley is incredibly funny, heartfelt, and talented! Her story is fascinating and her original songs are great, I highly recommend this creative and inspiring one-woman show.
Shelley is a multi-talented entertainer and seeing her perform live in person was a thrill! Shelley puts together a performance that is incredibly witty, delightful, and captivating. This show is not to be missed!!!
June 9, 2019
You made my night! I’m so happy I was able to come out and see and “experience” your wonderful, moving, creative, funny emotional show and the very talented YOU. Boy of Boy! It was great.
- Hilary Helstein, Director Los Angeles Jewish Film Festival
"What an enjoyable and original performance unlike anything you have ever seen, then you are in for a treat. I am looking forward to seeing the show again in July as it is the kind of foot-stomping music and lyrics that are worthy of round 2. 6 stars from me."
"Just wow! This was a spontaneous date night with my wife. Shelley figured out how to get and keep my attention. This performance easily reaches across the age spectrum. Her unparalleled story telling accompanied by her energetic theatrics and beautiful singing brought me through the years of the narrative. I felt as if I was there with her! She hit all the emotions. I have been raving about this show amongst my peers at work. What a fantastic performance. Shelley’s show is not one to miss!"
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