Never Would Have Made It

Never Would Have Made It by Melvin Childs. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780984711505.

This true story, written by Melvin Childs, Executive Producer of Tyler Perry s first national tour, I Know I ve Been Changed, is a cautionary behind-the-scenes, story of how Tyler Perry went from being an anonymous, struggling playwright to a household name. Childs shares his personal experience as mentor, promoter, and friend to Tyler Perry after Tylers first two touring attempts that ended in failure. Childs discovered Perry in a state of doubt, failure and his struggle for acceptance, but believed in Perry and foresaw the success. Together they reinvented what was known in pre-integration years as the "chitlin circuit" performing in small country churches for 50 people to creating the framework for a multi-billion dollar enterprise. This is a riveting account of the secret deals, back-stabbing and double dealing; the book is a portrait of human nature, big business, betrayal and most of all finding forgiveness.