July 31, 1969 - Elvis Presley took the stage for the first time in eight years, wearing a two piece black outfit to a huge crowd at The International Hotel in Las Vegas. It was Elvis' very first live concert performance in eight years and everyone was excited! Elvis, at 34 years old was a bit nervous and didn't know what the audience response would be. But Elvis had nothing to worry about, his voice was strong, and he was in the best physical shape of his life! Women screamed for him, and men wanted to be him. Numerous celebrities and news media were in the audience to support Elvis and some met him back stage after the show. Elvis was a wonderful success on that July night in 1969, and the fans loved him!


The following quotes are from Elvis fan, Ray Connelly and were originally published in the London Evening Standard Paper August 2, 1969:

"Twice nightly for 28 days Elvis will be appearing. 'It is, 'he says, 'the most exciting thing I've done in years'. "

"He was out of this world, better by far than I - always the greatest Presley fan in world - could possibly have hoped for, and a lesson in himself to the entertainment media of our generation. "

"For a full hour he worked and sweated, gyrated and shuddered, warbled and sang, and grunted and groaned his way through 20 songs. It was a sensational comeback!"

News hot off the press, three NEW Elvis FTD's will be release in September 2013. Roger Semon from SONY has confirmed two titles and the names are: "Moody Blue" and "GI Blues Volume II." The third title name has not been released yet.

source: http://www.essentialelvis.com - Andrew Hearn & http://www.elvismatters.com - Peter Verbruggen

Upcoming Contest for Elvis Insiders Basic & Plus Members
July 31, 2013

On Friday, August 2, by 10:00 a.m. CST, we'll be posting instructions on how to enter in the Elvis Insiders CONTEST section, which is only accessible to Insiders Basic and Plus members.

Five lucky winners will receive one "Elvis at Stax: Deluxe Edition" 3-CD box set. "Elvis At Stax" includes the remastered audio and many newly remixed outtakes from the legendary recording sessions at Stax Studio in Memphis, plus a 40-page book featuring an insightful essay by Memphis historian, Robert Gordon and many rare photos and memorabilia. The deluxe 3-CD box set is a 40th anniversary chronicle of a dozen nights that Presley spent at Stax Recording Studios in July and December 1973. In conjunction with the much-anticipated August 6th release, RCA/Legacy Recordings is hosting a very special listening party at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on Tuesday, August 11, at 4:00 p.m. During this exclusive Elvis Week event, fans will have an opportunity to stand in the very same spot where Elvis recorded the music they are hearing, in addition to witnessing stories and details behind the music and recording sessions from representatives of Sony and special guest Norbert Putnam, who recorded with Elvis at Stax in December 1973.

Not an Elvis Insider? Find out how to join! Get exclusive access to rare photos, video, and artifacts at Graceland. Also, you can be featured in our Fan Spotlight on Elvis.com and enter great contests like this one!


source: http://www.elvis.com - Elvis Presley Enterprises

"Complex Art + Design" Features Several Rare Photos of Elvis by Alfred Wertheimer
July 31, 2013

Hear the story behind many of famed photographer Alfred Wertheimer's photos of Elvis, as he recalls the events surrounding eleven of his earliest photos on Complex.com.  

In an article titled "Portfolio Review: Alfred Wertheimer Shares Photographs of Elvis From His New Book," the legendary Elvis photographer provides excerpts from his latest book "Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll", going into extensive detail about how some of the most iconic photos of Elvis came to fruition.

Wertheimer writes about the photo (pictured above) while appearing on the "Dorsey Brothers' Stage Show" in 1956:

"Elvis at the time had just turned 21. He hadn't even had a gold record yet. He was only really well-known in the South, connected to the Hanksville Jamboree. And now he was performing, and his job was to sing two songs. It took him about six minutes, and that was it."

Read more stories behind Alfred Wertheimer's photos of Elvis by visiting Complex.com. Be sure to check out his entire collection and purchase his new book "Elvis and the Birth of Rock and Roll" by visiting AlfredWertheimer.com.


source: http://www.elvis.com - Elvis Presley Enterprises

Dee Stanley, Seemed to be facing death just a few days ago at a Nashville, Tennessee Hospital. An official DNR document had even been signed by Dee's son Billy Stanley, and he was having a difficult time imagining life without his Mother. But it now seems Dee's condition has improved, and she will soon live at an assisted living rehabilitation center.

Billy Stanley shared this update on Wednesday via facebook:
"GREAT NEWS!!! My mom has improved... She can talk, and she was walking a little bit... She's still weak, though... The doctors and nurses can't believe the way she came through this, they have no answers for this... What a great day this is... On, Friday she is being moved to an assisted living home..."


Dee is the former wife of Elvis' Father, Vernon Presley.  Vernon and Davada (Dee) Elliot Stanley married on July 3, 1960. Elvis did not attend the small wedding ceremony due to having issues with Dee. Dee has three sons with her first husband, William Stanley: Rick, Billy, and David. Vernon and Dee divorced in the year of 1977.

The highly anticipated King's Ransom Museum is finally opening its doors to the public!! The official opening date is Saturday, August 3rd 2013 at 3:00pm,  at 128 Fremont Street inside the Binion's Gambling Hall located in downtown Las Vegas. 

The King’s Ransom Museum, is an exhibit of Elvis artifacts and personal treasures made possible by Elvis memorabilia collectors Bud Glass and Russ Howe. 

The King’s Ransom Museum provides an opportunity for fans to have a rare glimpse into the life and career of, Elvis Presley. Items include: Elvis’ 1977 Lincoln Continental, stage and film wardrobe, personal clothing items, jewelry, guns, badges and a variety of Elvis’ law enforcement objects, personal artifacts from his Graceland home including the Bible that was on his nightstand when he passed away and many more items encompassing Elvis’ life.


source: vegasnews.com, thekingsransom.com, & Bud Glass and Russ Howe


Message from the owners, Bud Glass & Russ Howe:
"You can get your parking validated for 3 hours by bringing in your parking stub and getting it validated at security."

Stay up to date by clicking "LIKE" on the official King's Ransom Museum's-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thekingsransommuseum

Enter to Win "Elvis at Stax" 3-CD Set on Facebook
July 30, 2013

In celebration of the August 6th release of "Elvis at Stax," SONY/Legacy Records is giving Elvis fans a chance to win the 40th anniversary 3-CD set on Facebook! Enter now to win your copy!

"Elvis At Stax" includes the remastered audio and many newly remixed outtakes from the legendary recording sessions at Stax Studio in Memphis, plus a 40-page book featuring an insightful essay by Memphis historian, Robert Gordon and many rare photos and memorabilia. The Stax recordings have never been compiled as one cohesive body of work — UNTIL NOW!

Elvis fans can also preorder their copy of the highly-anticipated "Elvis at Stax" Deluxe Edition CD, stand-alone CD or LP, plus save 15% on all TCB apparel and merchandise by visiting ShopElvis.com.



source: http://www.elvis.com - Elvis Presley Enterprises

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:

Nobody will be holding casting auditions in MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE during ELVIS WEEK 2013!

The location and dates have been confirmed!

Anyone interested in auditioning please check out the details below, and email any reference materials (Resumes/Headshots, Photographs, Video, etc.) to the production team via our website.
www.nobodyshortfilm.com/contact.html - Thanks!


NOBODY CASTING AUDITION:

WHERE:
The Courtyard Marriott Hotel, located right by the Memphis International Airport. *Specific Conference Room Number for event(s) to be determined*.
Address: 1780 Nonconnah Boulevard
Memphis, Tennessee 38132

WHEN:
Any of the following days between 11:00am and 3:00pm (Memphis/Central Time). PLEASE CONTACT US WITH AVAILABLE TIMES TO SCHEDULE AN AUDITION SLOT.
*Monday - August 12, 2013
*Wednesday - August 14, 2013
*Saturday - August 17, 2013


BREAKDOWN OF CHARACTERS:

*ELVIS PRESLEY*
18-Years-Old. Caucasian. Elvis, an average senior at Humes High School, daydreams of one day becoming an entertainer. These aspirations, however, are second priority to helping provide for his family, and above all, making his mother proud.

*GLADYS PRESLEY*
40-Years-Old. Caucasian. Gladys is a compassionate mother and hardworking caretaker. She and her son, at this point unknown to the world, share a very close bond.

*MISS MILDRED SCRIVENER*
56-YEARS-OLD. Caucasian. Miss Scrivener, Elvis' homeroom teacher, is a stern but respected authority figure at Humes High School. She is well-known for her strict policy on tardy students.



source: Filmmaker William Bryan
www.nobodyshortfilm.com/contact.html

Achievements of Elvis Presley are still unmatched

Many musicologists tend to agree that the uptempo style of rock and roll is a fusion of white hillbilly or rockabilly country music from the southern, hilly regions of the United States, and rhythm and blues, created by black artistes like Louis Jordan, Roscoe Gordon and Joe Turner.

Rock and roll entered American music some time during the mid-1950s and quickly became the predominant beat at the time. Of the many black and white artistes to have joined the rock-and-roll explosion, perhaps two of the better known were the Negro, Chuck Berry, and the Caucasian, Elvis Presley. Interestingly, Chuck Berry, who was considered the first black rock-and-roll guitar hero, fooled many at the outset into believing that he was white, while the white Presley, similarly fooled many into believing he was black, when he was heard on his first set of recordings in July 1954.

Presley's 'black' style and sound, seemed to have been greatly influenced by his regular attendance at shows put on by black artistes, during his teenage years.

Embracing black music from that age, Presley regularly attended gospel concerts at Memphis' Ellis Auditorium and frequented a black nightclub to catch a jazz-blues group named Pineas Orchestra. After exhibiting such early musical leanings, it became difficult to understand certain alleged derogatory statements made by him about the black race. It earned him their wrath, and the loss of miles of musical mileage.

Nonetheless, Presley's achievements, viewed from a mere musical standpoint, are unmatched in the history of the entertainment business.

The situation becomes even more befuddling when one considers that Presley's early life and upbringing were grounded in poverty, having been born into a poor sharecropping family in the rural south of the United States of America, which saw his depression-scarred father working odd jobs in a struggle to feed his family.

Hoping for a better life, Presley's father (Vernon) moved his family 90 miles north to Memphis, when the younger was just entering his teenage years. There, Elvis became hooked on the music being played on the Memphis radio stations by pioneering black artistes.

Presley's earliest musical exposures came from the Church, where he absorbed white gospel; from school, where he entered a talent show at age 10; and from his R&B-influenced black neighbours in Mississippi, where he was born on January 8, 1935.

The white hillbilly country music from the surrounding regions, which was mentioned earlier, was also an important ingredient, in this big 'melting pot' that moulded Presley's character. Although he was not the first to record uptempo rock-and-roll songs, he was certainly the first to assertively fuse country and blues music into a style called rockabilly. Joining rockabilly with R&B, gospel, and pop, a unique brand of rock and roll was formed. That form took the world by storm in the mid-to-late 1950s.

Presley's musical background thus contained an unprecedented confluence of black and white popular music and culture.

His influence was felt as far as homeland Jamaica, where his recordings not only rocked dancehalls and sent dance fans into wild hysteria, but also helped to shape Jamaican music in its embryonic stages.

His incredibly powerful vocal range, coupled with his explosive and sexual stage acts, were unprecedented in rock music, and indeed set the standards for the music's image.

Presley's inclination to record music was first triggered by a desire to record two songs as a belated birthday present for his mother. To this end, he wandered into Sam Phillips' Sun Recording Studios, on a certain day in 1953. Phillips wasn't impressed then, or when the young 18-year-old tried again in January 1954.

First single
But when Presley returned in July of that year and auditioned with a song called That's All Right Mama, Phillips was convinced that he was the white boy singing black music he was looking for in order to make a fortune.

The recording became Presley's first single and a local hit that had radio listeners assuming that the singer was black. His follow-up recordings for the label also sold fairly well, the last of which, Mystery Train, climbed to No. 1 on the national country charts. By late 1955, Phillips sold Presley's contract to the influential Radio Corporation of America (RCA), a most decisive step in the development of rock music.

History was now in the making. In a 20-week blitz between February 10 and July 2, 1956, Presley witnessed his first four recordings for RCA (Heartbreak Hotel, I Want You, I Need You, Hound Dog, Don't Be Cruel) go to No. 1 on the United States chart.

He was, again, at the top of the charts in the following month (August) with Love Me Tender, the title of his first movie. He then occupied the No. 2 position with Love Me, recorded on September 1 of that year, before returning to his No. 1 spot with a quadruplet of hits (Too Much, All Shook Up, Teddy Bear and Jailhouse Rock) in a near-eight-month period from September 2, 1956, to April 30, 1957.

In a career spanning 20 years, in which Presley also starred in several movies, he had 18 No. 1 hits, nine of which were consecutive.

He spent more weeks at the top of the charts (80), and charted more songs on Billboard's Hot 100 than any other artiste (149).

Although rock and roll proved the highlight of Presley's career, he was equally adept at pop and ballads. He had several, like Are You Lonesome Tonight, Can't Help Falling In Love, The Wonder Of You, and perhaps demonstrated this best in one of music's most sentimental songs, when he croons:

'It's now or never, come hold me tight,

kiss me my darling, be mine tonight,

Tomorrow may be too late,

It's now or never, my love won't wait.'


source: http://jamaica-gleaner.com

Elvis Week Tops "Garden & Gun's" Southern Agenda in August/September Issue
July 29, 2013

Popular southern magazine Garden & Gun lists this year's Elvis Week celebration as a must-do in their upcoming August /September issue. From Elvis Week Main Stage events to the much-anticipated "Aloha From Hawaii" Enhanced Screening, writer Steve Russell gives a glimpse inside Elvis Week 2013.

"You don’t have to cultivate pork-chop sideburns to feel a connection to Elvis. Sixty years since the skinny teenager with a funny name walked into Sun Studio and turned a raucous new music into a global phenomenon, the King of Rock 'n' Roll remains as much a part of Southern DNA as grits and greens," writes Russell.

The article looks at events happening here at Graceland, including the yearly Candlelight Vigil and events taking place around Memphis including the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and the “Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Enhanced Screening.

"Naturally, the epicenter of official events is Graceland, where a main stage shows Elvis movies, and the famous gates open at dusk on August 15, to accommodate a legion of candlelight vigil participants."

See more places recommended in Garden & Gun's "Southern Agenda" for August/September by visiting GardenAndGun.com. Come already prepared for this year's celebration and download the Elvis Week app today at iTunes or Google Play. For a complete schedule of events, featured guests or to purchase tickets, you can also visit ElvisWeek.com.


source: http://www.elvis.com - Elvis Presley Enterprises

Experience Elvis Week With Online Hosts Brad Birkendahl and Jon Waterhouse
July 29, 2013

We are excited to announce this year's online hosts for Elvis Week 2013! Brad Birkendahl will be our ElvisWeek.com host, along with radio guru and journalist Jon Waterhouse, returning to write daily blogs for Elvis.com.

Experience Elvis week online with special photos, videos, and interviews from behind the scenes here at Graceland, inside the Elvis Week Main Stage and at exclusive Elvis Week events around Memphis. Check in daily as Brad recaps each day's events with videos and photos featured on ElvisWeek.com. Jon will also combine his journalistic instinct with his vast Elvis fan knowledge to recount each day's events in a daily blog, plus multiple audio/photo slideshows.

Learn more about our Elvis Week online hosts below.

 Brad Birkedahl
2013 Host for ElvisWeek.com
Rock 'n' roll guitarist and vocalist Brad Birkedahl moved to Memphis in the mid- 90's and performs nightly for thousands of blues and rock enthusiasts. When he isn't playing on historic Beale Street, he is traveling around the world sharing the stage with musical legends such as Carl Perkins, Wanda Jackson, James Burton, the TCB Band and DJ Fontana. He's performed for presidents and prime ministers and also played the role of Scotty Moore in the highly acclaimed film "Walk the Line."

Jon Waterhouse
2013 Official Blogger for Elvis.com
Entertainment journalist and lifelong Elvis fan Jon Waterhouse returns as the official blogger for Elvis Week 2013. With a journalism career spanning more than 20 years, Jon counts his Elvis-related projects as some of his all-time favorites. He’s interviewed some of the king’s closest comrades. Jon’s work regularly appears in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution newspaper and recently blogged for Bonnaroo 2013. Keep an ear open for Jon’s guest DJ specials on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio channel.

Come already prepared for this year's celebration and download the Elvis Week app today at iTunes or Google Play. For a complete schedule of events, featured guests or to purchase tickets, you can also visit ElvisWeek.com. Also, make sure to include #ElvisWeek and share your Elvis Week celebrations with Elvis fans around the world!


source: http://www.elvis.com - Elvis Presley Enterprises

Graceland Archivist Angie Marchese Helps Visitors Walk a Mile in Elvis’ Shoes 

It might be possible that Angie Marchese has not just the coolest job in Memphis, but maybe in the entire world. As the Director of Archives for Elvis Presley Enterprises, she is responsible for giving the “white glove” treatment to all of the items on display at Graceland, as well as the hundreds, if not thousands, of artifacts that aren’t currently on exhibit. Find out what exactly an archivist does, some great behind-the-scenes Elvis stories, and learn about the coolest Elvis memorabilia from the one woman who has seen it all.

What exactly does it mean to be an archivist?
Here at Elvis Presley Enterprises, it means that we are the storytellers, the historians and the keepers of the collection. Through our exhibits, we shape our guests’ experience. We all care for both the items on display and in storage. Only about a tenth of our collection is on display at any given time. That means we have a lot that has never been seen, and those items are stored in various archives locations. We are responsible for all exhibit development from conception through installation. We are the keepers of the legacy, so yes, I have the best job. 

How long have you been working at Graceland?
I started as a tour guide as a summer job when I was in high school, and 24 years later, I'm still here.

Did you have any special training?
I learned “Elvis 101” from being a tour guide. It is important when dealing with a collection that you understand the subject, and the more you know. the better you can tell the story. I have taken some collection classes, and I am always keeping up with trends in the field. 

Can you walk us through the process authenticating an item?
We are very careful when we authenticate anything. We usually only authenticate items from the Elvis Presley Enterprises collection. I know there is a lot of stuff out there, and there are ways of telling whether an artifact is genuine. We try to get as much history on a piece as we can. We examine our documents to provide paper proof and our photographs to provide visual proof. Elvis was a creature of habit, and once you know his tendencies, it makes it easier to find the truth. 

What is your favorite Elvis outfit or costume?
There are two. We have a Brown Leather jacket with multi-colored fringe made by North Beath Leather, and the second reminds me of my childhood. When I first saw That's the Way It Is, I vividly recall the first outfit he wore in the popular documentary. It was a fringe jumpsuit from 1970, and I can remember how unbelievably cute he looked in it. When I first saw it in archives, to be that close to it, was indescribable. 

Can you tell us a behind-the-scenes Elvis story most people don’t know?
The Elvis that I like best is the personal side: the father, the son, the friend. He had such a sense of humor, and he was so giving. I still am amazed, as I go through the documents, at all of the money he gave to charity, to friends and the gifts and trips he purchased for others. He was truly an amazing person and loved playing practical jokes. 

What are some of your favorite Memphis restaurants?
Café Ole, Sweet Grass, Hadley's Pub in Bartlett and Ty's Smokehouse. 

If someone is visiting Memphis for the first time, what attractions do you tell them to visit (other than Graceland, of course)?
You have to go to Sun Studio and stand on the “X” where it all began. I love the Stax Museum of American Soul Music and Beale Street. During basketball season a Memphis Grizzlies game is a must, and during the summer I always tell people to check out the Redbirds. Memphis has so many great things to offer. And you can't forget the ducks at the Peabody Hotel.


source: http://www.memphistravel.com

George Hill photographed Elvis on stage numerous times in the 1970's. He captured over 156 photos of Elvis on stage performing two shows in Nashville, Tennessee on July 1, 1973 at The Municipal Auditorium. It has now been 40 years since Elvis rocked Nashville, and George is now releasing a book which commemorates the two shows. The book features 53 color photos and 103 black & white photos, from the original negatives and slides captured by photographer, George Hill.

The only drawback of the book is the outrageous price, which will cost you $185 US dollars.

"The Auditorium in Nashville was small.  It held only 9,000 people, and it was LOUD.  During the first show, he had some folks in Nashville that he wanted to thank.  The only name I remember for sure was Chet Atkins.  He read the list of names from a sheet of paper that he had.  Then he sang FADED LOVE, from the Elvis Country Album, and dedicated it to them."   - George Hill

Click on the source link below for more information regarding the book and to order your copy via Paypal.


source: George Hill and http://www.imagesinconcert.com/nashville73

From Elvis Matters:
http://www.elvismatters.com

A decision by a superior court judge has finally ended the dispute over the former home of Elvis Presley located in Palm Springs, California at 845 W Chino Canyon, making it eventually accessible to fans once more. Reno Fontana and his wife bought the Elvis home back in 2003 with help from investors. Now, two investors later and several bankruptcy’s under his belt, Fontana was evicted from the house in January 2013.

The former owner plans to renovate the house to look like it did when Elvis lived there. The property isn’t in the best shape aesthetically on the inside so a little love and care needs to be done. Something Raicevic’s attorney says he plans to do. He hopes to have it open to the public as early as October.    

Click HERE to read the original news article!

Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville would like to report additional information regarding Elvis' former Palm Springs, California home located at 845 W Chino Canyon Road.

The home now has two co-owners, which are both Palm Springs business men. One of the co-owners is Rade Raicevic. Raicevic said "the next few weeks will be spent redecorating the home and tours will later be offered for $20 per person, seven days a week."

The big announcement regarding the news co-owners came after a Riverside County Superior Court judge ruled on July 22nd 2013 that Raicevic and Nevada-based Financial Bonanza LLC owned the home after previous occupant, Reno Fontana, failed to pay back a $500,000 loan from 2006.

Dee Stanley, former wife of Elvis' Father, Vernon Presley is currently at a Nashville, Tennessee Hospital. Dee might not make it much longer; according to her son, Billy Stanley who recently signed a DNR order. Dee's wishes are not to be kept alive via machines or tubes. A DNR is an official legal document which means "do not resuscitate."


Billy shared this update on Friday via facebook:
"Mom's condition is getting worst by the hour... She didn't recognize me today, when I was called in to see her... I also had to make the hardest decision I ever made, but I remember mom's wishes... If, anything happens, she is not to be kept alive by machines... I had to come home, to eat, then I'm going back to the hospital to say good bye to my mom... The doctor will call when she passes away..."

The latest update from Billy was shared on Sunday:
"I just left the hospital. Here's the latest update, on Mom. They can't get a vein so, they are going to have to do a "pick line". Her kidneys aren't working properly and her blood stopped clotting."


Vernon Presley married Davada (Dee) Elliot Stanley on July 3, 1960. Dee has three sons: Rick, Billy, and David. Vernon and Dee divorced in the year of 1977. 

Rubberneckin Podcast Talks New Announcements About Elvis Week
July 25, 2013

Download Episode #132 of the Rubberneckin' Podcast where Elvis Presley Enterprises' Alicia Dean and Amanda Pannell talk about all of the exciting events coming up during Elvis Week 2013! Fans can now download the new Elvis Week App and customize their schedule, plus check out the interactive map, photo share feature, and our virtual candle! We give fans a heads up on some hot-ticket events that are close to selling out, plus more information on our brand new guest Mylon Le Fevre, who will be appearing during the Official Elvis Insiders Event on August 17. We recap this week's #ElvisChat discussing "Aloha From Hawaii" and talk about the upcoming enhanced screening at the Memphis Orpheum. Want to tour Memphis during Elvis Week? The HoundDog tour has been extended! Find out what days you can take the ultimate Memphis tour. We wrap up this week's podcast with a special visit from one of the 2013 Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men and challenge fans to a little #ElvisTrivia on Twitter.

Visit the Rubberneckin' Podcast page to listen to the new podcast and subscribe to future podcasts. If downloading new podcasts from iTunes, please allow 48 hours from the day of release for the podcast to show up.


source: http://www.elvis.com - EPE

2013 Jaycees Award Winner Beau Davidson Talks Elvis' Influence July 25, 2013

In 1971, Elvis received what became his proudest achievement when he was named among the Jaycees Ten Outstanding Young Men. Elvis fan and Memphis native Beau Davidson recently stopped by Graceland to place his own Ten Outstanding Young Americans award directly beside his idol's. Check out Beau featured as this week's photo spotlight!

Scientists, inventors, performers, film makers, politicians bound for the Presidency, and men of greatness in all fields, have been selected for this award over the years. Davidson was honored for his accomplishments in the entertainment and political arenas, including his appointment to The Young Americans Coalition.

For Elvis, who grew up poor and faced extreme criticism, this was one of his proudest moments. He had finally achieved acceptance, recognition, and respect for his work. Elvis was known to carry his Jaycees award around with him everywhere and this is the only award for which he accepted in person.

Learn more about Beau's career and his achievements by visiting BeauDavidson.com. Want to see the award Elvis admired the most in person? Plan your rock 'n' roll pilgrimage to Graceland with our specials and packages featured on Elvis.com.


source: http://www.elvis.com - EPE

Memphis Named in BuzzFeed's "10 Most Hospitable Cities"
July 26, 2013

With millions of visitors a year, Memphis continues to attract Elvis fans and music enthusiasts from around the world. The home of the king, blues and barbecue has made the list for "America's 10 Most Hospitable Cities" on the popular BuzzFeed.com.

BuzzFeed writes: "Home to Elvis and a whole lot of history, Memphis is a great place to listen to some good music and eat some great barbecue. Best things to do in Memphis: Take a motorcycle tour around town, eat some delicious barbecue at The Bar-B-Q Shop, and of course visit Graceland."

See the complete list of "America's 10 Most Hospitable Cities" by visiting BuzzFeed.com. Ready to come see Graceland? Check out great savings and packages featured on Elvis.com.



source: http://www.elvis.com - EPE

Back by popular demand - we bring you the Elvis Week App! Download the official Elvis Week app for a FREE mobile guide to this year's celebration in Memphis on August 10 - 17. This fully-loaded app will help you rock 'n' roll through the week and make sure you have the latest details in hand. Visit the iTunes store to download the new iPhone app for free or visit Google Play to download the new Android app for free!

The official Elvis Week app features:

• Customizable event schedule that allows you search by venue, date or upcoming events, plus gives you the opportunity to create a favorites list by hitting the star button in the top right corner
• Complete list of Elvis Week guests with photos and bios
• Map of the Graceland grounds and Memphis-area with important Elvis Week locations marked
• Elvis news feed with live updates through out the week
• Video section with daily recaps of this year's events
• Share feature that allows you to post messages and pictures directly to your Facebook and Twitter accounts using #ElvisWeek
• Partners section with details on host hotels, local attractions, car rental discounts and more
• Virtual Candle
• FAQ section with answers to some frequently asked Elvis Week questions

Come already prepared for this year's celebration and download the Elvis Week app today at iTunes or Google Play. For a complete schedule of events, featured guests or to purchase tickets, you can also visit ElvisWeek.com.

Want to keep up with Elvis year-round? Stay Connected to everything Elvis with the Elvis Mobile Apps for iPad, iPhone and Android tablets and phones. Elvis news, images, video, the GracelandCam and more are at your fingertips no matter if you are traveling, at work or at your computer at home. Learn More.
BACK


source: http://www.elvis.com - EPE

It seems that the Elvis world has gone a little crazy as fans suggest that EPE have licensed the use of Elvis' image and music for use in a Trojan condoms lubricant TV advertisement. Unlike the 'Viva Viagra' advert, which Lisa Marie so hated, this has little to do with Elvis except for a female singer, Avila, crooning a very slowed down and sexy cover of Elvis' 'All Shook Up' - hardly recognisable if you are from the younger generation.

**Lisa Marie previously told Rolling Stone magazine:
"I don't know if people have this misconception that Elvis condoms are going to be mass-distributed throughout the world, but that's not going to happen". ***

And let's be honest, that's not what is happening here. All the advert is using is the sexy song performance - which after all was what got Elvis into so much trouble and with GREAT media publicity back when he started out.

After all when Elvis first sang, "My hands are shaky and my knees are weak" he wasn't singing about weight-lifting! EPE sold all the rights to Elvis' music to RCA back in 1973 and performers who want to cover the song would only pay the composer royalties to record it. The great Otis Blackwell (now sadly RIP) wrote the song with a split in publishing rights forced upon him by Elvis' hard-line music publishers.

If you want to see and hear the Ad - it's rather clever actually - Click HERE.


source: http://elvisinfonet.com/

'Elvis At Stax' Forty Years Ago

Forty years ago this week Elvis was in the STAX studios in Memphis for the initial July recording session.

When Elvis entered the STAX Memphis studios in July 1973 the last time he had been in a recording studio to lay down new material was March 1972 for the ‘Burning Love' session over a year previously. It is unbelievable but Elvis had only recorded seven new studio masters in the two years between June 1971 and July 1973.

To begin with it was a lackluster session since, as Marty Lacker notes, "Elvis didn't care what studio it was as long as it wasn't American Studios that Parker and Felton Jarvis had poisoned his mind against. Elvis tole me that the session didn't mean anything to him and that the only reason he was doing it was because Parker and RCA were nagging him to record."

However on the second night of recording things picked up with ‘Find Out What’s Happening’ and ‘I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby’ being laid down.

On July 23rd, the third night, Elvis recorded the Mark James composition ‘Raised On Rock’ released as the single, followed by 8 takes of the sublime Tony Joe White composition ‘For Ol’ Times Sake’. Listening to the song without the added echo of the final master, one can hear the true openness of the Stax studio ambience which helps give the song even more of that feeling of loneliness that the lyric so requires.


article source: http://elvisinfonet.com/

The Sweet Inspirations were founded by Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney Houston. Original members are: Cissy Houston, Myrna Smith, Estelle Brown, Sylvia Shemwell, and Judy Clay. The Sweet Inspirations first record was released in the year of 1967 on Atlantic Records. They spent many years creating albums, and backing up popular musical entertainers such as Van Morrison, Jimi Hendrix and Aretha Franklin. The Sweet Inspirations toured with Elvis Presley from July of 1969 and they continued all the way through Elvis' last concert on June 26th 1977.

Update from Portia Griffin:
Along with Estelle Brown and Portia, the families of the late Sweet Inspirations: Myrna Smith and Sylvia Shemwell will be recognized at the official R&B Hall of Fame induction ceremony held Spring 2014. The Smith and Shemwell families will accept the awards posthumously in their honor. We are very glad to hear this fabulous news and are sure Myrna & Sylvia will be with them in spirit on this very special day!