Filmmaker Denny Tedesco has spent the last several years touring the world with his labor of love, a documentary entitled The Wrecking Crew, and this week it arrives in Tacoma for one day only. The Grand Cinema will host afternoon and evening screenings of the film on Wednesday, May 23, with Tedesco in attendance for both.

Since our town has secured its own little niche in rock history, I think local audiences can appreciate this true story of musicians long overdue for recognition. Back in the 1960s, The Wrecking Crew was an eclectic group of instrumentalists responsible for recording many of the day's hits for artists like The Byrds, Cher and Elvis. Yet credit and fame always went to the pop star, and never to those talented craftsmen and women behind the scenes, the ones really pulling (or plucking) the strings.

Tedesco's dad Tommy played for The WC, and has worked tirelessly on this cinematic tribute since 1996, the year doctors diagnosed the guitarist with cancer. At that point, Tedesco knew he had to do something.

"If I don't do it (make this movie), it's not going to happen," he says. "I'm going to be really killing myself later after (my dad) is gone that I didn't do it."

Good luck finding an excuse not to like this doc. Crew includes interviews with band buddies and celebrities conducted by Tedesco over the years, as well as selections from plenty of toe-tapping tunes - 133 music cues, actually. With approximately seventy-five percent of the music royalties already paid to various record companies, Tedesco still has about $150,000 left to raise. Any amount helps, so stop by The Grand this Wednesday and raise a (metaphorical) lighter to the fun-loving sounds of the Crew.

Watch The Wrecking Crew trailer and donate online at http://www.wreckingcrewfilm.com.