Jerry Lee Lewis’s Landmark Ranch Being Sold Amid Estate Dispute
This story has been updated.
American music icon Jerry Lee Lewis passed away on October 28th, 2022 at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi, known affectionately as The Lewis Ranch, mere days after being formally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Now just a few months later, the heirs of Jerry Lee Lewis are in a dispute with the heirs of Jerry Lee’s former manager about who owns The Lewis Ranch, and what should be done with it, with the former manager’s camp looking to sell the property. In recent days, both sides have released fiery statements claiming rightful ownership of the property, with fans of Jerry Lee Lewis caught in the crossfire, and wondering who is in the right. Let’s take a deeper look.
The What:
The Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch is located at 1595 Malone Road in Nesbit, Mississippi, just south of Memphis, Tennessee. The 30-acre property includes the home of Jerry Lee Lewis, a stocked lake, two ponds, a self-contained apartment, and a swimming pool styled like a grand piano. It was Jerry Lee Lewis’s primary residence, and where he passed away with his wife Judith by his side.
Built in 1967, the property includes six bedrooms, and is 4,500 square feet total. Though it’s a private residence, the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch is also considered a historically significant musical landmark, and guided hour-long tours of the property have been offered to the public, and Jerry Lee sometimes meeting tour guests. The Lewis Ranch was Jerry Lee’s Graceland.
The Who:
Jerry Lee Lewis – Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Country Music Hall of Famer who passed away on October 28th, 2022 at the age of 87.
Cecil Harrelson – Long time road manager, sound engineer, songwriter, and close friend of Jerry Lee Lewis who passed away in 2013 at the age of 78. He was also the one-time husband of Jerry Lee’s sister and common touring partner, Linda Gail Lewis. Harrelson has over 16 composer credits on Jerry Lee Lewis tracks, as well as a few with Conway Twitty.
Jerry Lee Lewis III – The son of Jerry Lee Lewis, born in 1987 during Jerry Lee’s sixth marriage to Kerri McCarver. Though his name includes “III,” he is not a grandson, but a direct son. Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. died in 1973 at the age of 19 in an automobile accident. Jerry Lee Lewis III currently lives at the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch with his family, including two sons Mason Kidd Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis IV.
Cecil Harrelson Jr. – The son and heir of Cecil Harrelson who claims that he owns the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch. He announced the intended sale of the property on a website published at the beginning of 2023.
The Dispute:
Jerry Lee Lewis was famous for many things, including his number of ex-wives, and his battles with the IRS. Lewis had seven wives total, which each vying to take a piece of his wealthy estate as they parted.
In 1979, the IRS seized multiple automobiles, five motorcycles, a tractor, jewelry, musical instruments, home entertainment goods, and firearms to resolve a $274,000 tax debt for Jerry Lee Lewis. In 1984, the IRS came after Lewis again, seizing more items from the Nesbit, Mississippi ranch, though he was found innocent of tax evasion and avoided criminal charges. In 1988 when Jerry Lee filed for bankruptcy, it was in part to alleviate a $2 million debt owed to the IRS. Lewis also moved to Ireland in 1993, allegedly to avoid further tax problems that were ultimately resolved, facilitating his return to the United States and The Lewis Ranch in 1997.
Throughout all of these issues with the IRS, the government was unable to touch the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch because instead of putting the property in his name, Lewis put the property in a life trust when it was purchased in the early 70s under the name of Cecil Harrelson—Jerry Lee’s close personal friend and road manager at the time. The quote attributed to Jerry Lee states that he didn’t want the property to fall into the hands of “…the government or no f*****g whores.”
It is said that Cecil Harrelson paid for Jerry Lee’s very first studio session in 1952, before Lewis began working with Sun Studios. And when Jerry Lee Lewis got in trouble for marrying his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown and his career went on the skids, Cecil Harrelson was one of the few people who stood by him and helped him through the turmoil.
Neither party claiming ownership of the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch disputes that Cecil Harrelson was placed in the ownership of the property to keep it out of the reach of the IRS or the ex-wives. Where the dispute arises is why. In a statement released by Cecil Harrelson Jr., he says his father never wanted or requested the property be put in his name, and initially thought it was a bad idea before signing the paperwork through Jerry Lee Lewis Enterprises.
Harrelson Jr. also says that his father was pursued by individuals looking for stories for tell-all books and other things that could be disparaging to Jerry Lee Lewis, but he never talked, protecting Jerry Lee until the end.
According to the niece of Jerry Lee Lewis, Mary-Jean Lewis—who is the daughter of Cecil Harrelson and Linda Gail Lewis—the house was payment to her father in lieu of wages he would have earned over the years for services.
In an interview with the Daily Record in Scotland in 2015, Mary-Jean Lewis said, “On my dad’s death, Jerry involved lawyers and things were said to suggest my father hadn’t behaved properly … After he died, they said things about my dad for their own reasons to try to get personal gain out of it and that broke my heart because my dad deserved better … I don’t know why. I think they were trying to sort out financial stuff and my dad’s estate and I don’t think they understood the agreement my dad and Jerry had over the property.”
However, according to Jerry Lee Lewis III and the Jerry Lee Lewis estate, the Lewis Ranch was put in Cecil Harrelson’s name to make sure it would never fall out of the hands of Jerry Lee Lewis’s family. Jerry Lee Lewis left the Ranch to his son, Jerry Lee Lewis III, in his will. This decision was supported by Lewis’ widow, Judith Lewis.
In a statement published on Sunday, January 8th, the estate says,
The Lewis Ranch is and was Jerry Lee Lewis’ home. Any friend or family member of Jerry Lee’s knew it was his wish that it remain in the Lewis Family and not be sold off. We’re glad that it’s been acknowledged that any Life Estate was established to protect Jerry Lee Lewis from possible Government Asset Forfeiture, losing it in a divorce, etc., but now, since none of that is a concern it’s time to put it back how it belongs – in the Lewis family.
Jerry Lee Lewis III also said on social media,
When I first heard The Ranch was up for sale I was at work. Immediately after, anyone I ran into began asking me why I was selling my father’s home? As you can imagine living in a small town in Mississippi that news travels fast. I was devastated. My entire life my dad would tell me how one day I’d raise my children here at the Ranch like he was doing then. Like I am doing now. I spent all of my formative years here and I want them to do the same. Thank you for acknowledging that anything done was to protect my father and his interests. I can only ask that you do the same.
Further complicating matters:
According to the Cecil Harrelson Jr., 1/3rd of the Jerry Lee Lewis ranch isn’t owned by him, nor the Jerry Lee Lewis estate, but the heirs of a law firm called Barnes, Jones, & Warren. In Harrelson Jr.’s statement released about the dispute, he states:
Cecil Harrelson continued to protect Jerry Lee Lewis and the property, when a girlfriend forged a quit claim document with Cecil Harrelson’s name. Cecil Harrelson showed great compassion and restraint (which would not surprise anyone who knew him). Rather than pressing criminal charges that would have had serious implications for Jerry Lee Lewis, Cecil Harrelson surrendered one third of the estate to a law firm to reverse the action in civil proceedings rather than prosecuting those involved. This information has been known throughout the Jerry Lee Lewis inner circle for many years and did not come as a surprise to ANYONE involved.
This means there is potentially a 3rd party involved with ownership of 1/3rd of the property.
Conclusion:
Nobody disputes that Cecil Harrelson’s name was used to protect the property from being sold or liquidated out from under the Jerry Lee Lewis estate during his life, but the potential sale of the property by Cecil Harrelson Jr. could result in that very conclusion after his death.
Amid a sale, the property could be purchased by a private party and cordoned off from the public and the family forever. It could be bulldozed and developed. It could also be preserved as a museum similar to Graceland. But that would be up to the new owner, not the estate of Jerry Lee Lewis.
It’s also important to underscore that it appears that the property is not officially up for sale at the moment. Cecil Harrelson Jr. has just communicated his intent to sell the property. There are probably also open legal disputes among the respective parties, and with the 3rd party of the heirs to the lawyers also needing to be resolved. Due to this, the property may also run the risk of being liquidated via court order, and nobody walking away with control over the fate of the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch, similar to what we saw with Conway Twitty’s Twitty City, which ultimately was shut down and sold off amid an estate dispute.
The Jerry Lee Lewis Estate isn’t just valued by the respective parties who have claim over it. It is a musically significant historical landmark and tourist destination whose appeal for preservation spans from rock and roll to country, to across the United States and world. Whomever ends up owning it or coming out on top, keeping the spirit of Jerry Lee Lewis alive through the Lewis Ranch is what his fans would most want.
Stay tuned for further developments on the potential sale of the Jerry Lee Lewis Ranch.
Strait86
January 9, 2023 @ 10:20 am
Best case scenario: Lawyers consume most of the assets. (sarcasm)
Trigger
January 9, 2023 @ 10:36 am
That is probably the most likely scenario in many of these cases, and the one we need to most guard against, especially if the heirs of a law firm own 1/3rd of the property, because they’re just going to want their money.
I’m a bit surprised at the lack of interest or concern in this story. No, this is not Graceland, but it’s close, and people come from all around the country and world to see it, and the fact that it could fall in the wrong hands, go completely private or be demolished for a development should be concerning for music fans across the board.
Strait86
January 9, 2023 @ 11:08 am
The Library of Alexandria didnt burn down in one day. Nevertheless most of that history is gone. Hopefully we learn from the past.
Kevin Smith
January 9, 2023 @ 12:09 pm
My wife and I toured The Lewis Ranch in early 2020 with Jerry Lee III. It’s well worth seeing if you are a Jerry Lee fan. The coolest part is the music room, essentially Jerry’s man cave. Gold records all over the walls, Jerry’s personal bar, and the centerpiece of it all is the Steinway grand piano. Definite wow factor.I have a picture of my wife sitting on his piano bench. Pretty cool moment for us. Lee told us he loved it when his dad would be in there for hours just randomly playing whatever he felt in the moment.
But when you look at the place, it’s pretty modest. I’m guessing many SCM readers have bigger more impressive houses than this one. There is acreage though. But, quite a contrast to Graceland. Elvis definitely lived larger, by far. Nonetheless, it’s a notable place and an official stop on the Country Music Highway. In fact, Marty Stuart made sure it got that designation and there’s a sign alongside the road commemorating the place.
Sounds like Lewis and his business manager may have had a handshake agreement on the house. But now their both dead. And the kids are fighting over it. Shame on Jerry Lee if he didn’t have all of the agreement in writing. But, I kinda get it. If indeed it’s legally in Harrelsons name, then what would stop the children from selling it to get that money. I don’t know if Cecil was wealthy, I suspect he did alright though. Totally get the Lewis family’s side as well. Jerry promised his son he would raise his kids there. Maybe the Lewis family ends up buying it out from the Harrelsons.
Jerry Lee has another sister, Mamie, who maintains Jerry’s boyhood home in Ferriday Louisiana, right next to her beer and liquor drive thru. If you go there, she will give you a tour.! There’s a wacky documentary on YouTube of Mamie showcasing that property and while their filming, her drive thru next door gets robbed. Mamie goes in to the drive thru with her pistol and shoots in the air screaming at the would be robbers who are actively brawling with her employees!! It’s quite the circus. So many layers to the Lewis Family..
NPC
January 9, 2023 @ 3:43 pm
That ranch tour sounds amazing! In a YouTube video of one of the last ranch tours, there was a private area behind a door where no recording was permitted; do you know what was in that private area?
Kevin Smith
January 9, 2023 @ 5:24 pm
NPC, that would Jerry Lee’s bedroom! It’s the one place off limits on the tours.
Scott
January 9, 2023 @ 3:52 pm
There is no sister called Maime, the sister you refer to was Frankie Jean who died in 2016.
Kevin Smith
January 9, 2023 @ 5:31 pm
Scott, I heard her referred to by that nickname. Will need to find that reference, but i didnt make it up. And yes she died in 2016. Not sure who’s doing the tours of the boyhood home now. Have you watched the documentary? It’s a scream.
Scott
January 9, 2023 @ 7:53 pm
Yes i’ve seen it – I also travelled 3800 miles to visit with Frankie Jean, she was sweetheart full of stories.
Kevin Smith
January 9, 2023 @ 6:39 pm
Ok, update Scott. Mamie was Frankie and Linda Gail and Jerry’s mother! My bad.
bigtex
January 9, 2023 @ 1:46 pm
Wait just a minute! Jerry Lee Lewis is STILL causing trouble even after he’s dead? My, oh my . . . who would’ve thought?
Let’s face it, folks: Jerry Lee Lewis was crazy, as in “insane.” In fact, even the most amateurish of armchair psychologists can discern elements of psychopathy in his behavior. He left a frothing wake of destruction, and, occasionally, death during his lifetime, and callously left it to his heirs and others to “sort it all out.”
I have sympathy for the mess his family has to deal with, but none of this should surprise anyone, least of all them.
Sam Cook
January 10, 2023 @ 4:06 am
I think you’re just giving Jerry Lee Lewis too much credit. He may have been a nasty, wily old fox but he was essentially stupid. He was incapable of thinking too far ahead and wrong decisions peppered his life.
Bert
January 10, 2023 @ 8:56 am
Apparently, big Tex, you’re an idiot who has never had a conversation with JLL. He was quite astute.
bigtex
January 10, 2023 @ 3:09 pm
Apparently, Bert, you are wrong on both counts. I met JLL twice. Once at the Neshoba County Fair, and once at Bad Bob’s in Memphis. Bad Bob’s is where he was arrested for assaulting a waitress .. . not that there’s anything wrong with that, APPARENTLY, in your world. Have you any other fiction you would like to showcase for us?
Bert
January 10, 2023 @ 4:58 pm
bigtex,
In his early life JLL made many mistakes. Drugs and alcohol make people do things that they wouldn’t have normally done. However, there is no excuse for continued bad behavior. Based on the two times you saw JLL, I can see how you were able to form your in depth opinions. He changed his life, asked for forgiveness, and was never judgmental. Something I can’t say about you. Even during the roughest times, JLL made sure his band never missed a paycheck. If you really knew him, then you would know the 100’s of people he helped.
I stand by my comments about, but this will be my last correspondence with you.
James Honeycutt
January 9, 2023 @ 8:22 pm
Long live jerry lee lewis
JoAnn Boorman
January 9, 2023 @ 8:37 pm
Elizabeth Kubler-Ross identified five stages of grieving death. Denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. After my husband passed away, his children by his first marriage turned on me. I have identified another stage of thr grieving process. I named it GREED.
Cody J Rucker
January 10, 2023 @ 2:54 pm
That’s Frankie not Mamie you are speaking about
Jackson Brown
January 12, 2023 @ 2:31 pm
Lawyers will end up fatter then doctors wallets by the time this is resolved
shelly cannon
January 12, 2023 @ 2:44 pm
its sad how people want fight over stuff, least they could do keep doing what has been done for years letting people come see what Mr Lewis had and worked for. its sad how greed gets in the way
Peter Checksfield
January 13, 2023 @ 8:46 pm
Two points:
(a) Jerry Lee Lewis wanted “his family” to have the ranch, but who is that exactly? His wife Judith of course, but what about his son Lee? His daughter Phoebe? His other daughter Lori? His son Ronnie Guy? Besides the fact that some of these people hugely dislike each other, there wouldn’t be much to go around when divided!
(b) Where does his sister Linda Gail Lewis’ loyalties lie? With her late brother Jerry Lee Lewis, or with the son and daughter she had with Cecil Harrelson, Cecil Harrelson jnr and Mary Jean, who are claiming rightful inheritance?
All a sad, confused mess, but wasn’t Jerry Lee Lewis’ private life like that when he was alive? Just remember the MUSIC!
Peter Checksfield
January 14, 2023 @ 11:24 am
Perhaps I should add, I’ve NO strong feelings either way. That’s for them to sort out, not me.
I have personally met most of the family above (including JLL), and respect them all. Having said that, my very favourite “Lewis” isn’t mentioned!
Flash
January 29, 2023 @ 3:15 pm
It’s always the lawyers who get rich on everyone’s misery!
Aaron
February 25, 2023 @ 9:04 am
Can I assume at the minute the ranch is closed for visitors as I am hoping to visit from the uk in sept 23 , sent a message to Jerry Lee website 3 weeks ago but still no reply
Trigger
February 25, 2023 @ 9:15 am
My understanding is that the property is currently closed for tours.
Rockin Lee Andy
October 5, 2023 @ 6:30 am
SO SAD that his property will not be kept
in his memory .
I had the chance to visit the Killer*s Place
a few times, to attend birthday*s parties
and this is HURTING