(Newswire.net — April 21, 2015) Thomson, Illinois — Audio theater producer Bill Heid has a goal: give children heroes from history they can emulate – heroes who can replace modern-day “role models” that so often make the tabloids for attention-grabbing, embarrassing antics.
“A lot of our kids have heroes that are limited to a secular idea,” Heid said, mentioning sports and music stars. Heid made his comments during an appearance on Ken And Deb in the Morning on WDLM, a Moody Radio station out of Moline, Ill. (the Quad Cities). “I wanted to create a media for my grandkids and other people’s grandkids who weren’t afraid to talk about their faith or who had faith in their history and who had faith that animated their lives.”
He added: “I look around, I look at the headlines, and I see where our country is and where it is going. And I think, ‘Man, this country has forgotten our roots.’”
Heid founded Heirloom Audio Productions in 2013 to produce family-friendly audio theater projects that put God back into history by featuring history’s Christian heroes – but whose faith often is scrubbed from the public school textbooks. They feature frontline actors and actresses, along with original music.
His first CD project, Under Drake’s Flag (2013), told the story of Sir Francis Drake, who lived in the 16th century and who was the first Englishman to circle the globe. He also played a key role in the defeat of the Spanish Armada. It was nominated for two Audie Awards, including Best Audio Drama of the Year. The “Audies” are the Academy Awards of audio, and winners will be announced in May.
Heid’s second project, In Freedom’s Cause (2014), recounted the adventures of William Wallace, the 14th century Scottish landowner who led a cause to free his people from English rule.
The two-CD sets are based on G.A. Henty historical novels and tell the story through the eyes of a boy, Ned, who accompanies Drake and Wallace.
The latest CD from Heirloom Audio, With Lee In Virginia (2015), is set during the Civil War and is scheduled for release this summer.
“We adapt them for a kid’s story,” Heid said. “We have put their faith back where it was, inside the story.”
In Freedom’s Cause stars Golden Globe winner Joanne Froggatt (Anna Bates of Downton Abbey), Billy Boyd (Pippin of The Lord Of The Rings), Skandar Keynes (Edmund of The Chronicles of Narnia series), James Cosmo (Campbell, Father Christmas of Braveheart and The Chronicles of Narnia, respectively) and Brian Blessed (Boss Nass and Clayton in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace and Tarzan, respectively).
With Lee In Virginia stars Sean Astin (Rudy, The Lord Of The Rings, Mom’s Night Out), Kirk Cameron (Fireproof, Monumental), Chris Anthony (Adventures In Odyssey) and Blessed. It is scheduled to be released this summer.
Blessed also stars in Under Drake’s Flag.
The projects have been especially popular among homeschooling families, who view them as a way of making history fun. The productions are now gaining wider audiences as a result of their pure entertainment value and all-star casts.
To schedule an interview with Heid, contact press@heirloomaudio.com, 815-259-0122 (daytime) or 615-337-9904 (after hours).