Rare Elvis Artifacts to be Featured in First-Ever "Auction at Graceland"
JULY 22, 2014

Details Announced for Unprecedented Auction to Take Place at Graceland During Elvis Week in AugustHighlights of the rare Elvis Presley artifacts to be included in the first-ever “Auction at Graceland” have been announced, along with registration and catalog ordering details for the auction, which will be held on Thursday, August 14, 2014 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern / 7:00 p.m. Central. 

Fans and collectors from around the world are expected to participate onsite and online for this unprecedented auction, featuring artifacts authenticated by the new Graceland Authenticated. Among the items in the auction are rare and unique artifacts from the collection of Greg Page, founding member of The Wiggles® and one of the world’s biggest and most well-known Elvis Presley collectors. Page’s items include Elvis’ 1977 Cadillac Seville, a Martin D-28 and Elvis’ copy of the original script for his first film, “Love Me Tender.” 

All of the items in the auction will be offered from third-party collectors and none of the items included in the auction will come from the treasured Graceland Archives.  The mansion and all artifacts in the Graceland Archives continue to be owned by Lisa Marie Presley and are not for sale.

The auction will be held on site at Graceland and powered by LiveAuctioneers for online bidding. Online auction registration and online bidding will start on August 1, 2014, when the full list of auction items and images will be released online. 

Visit Graceland.com/Auction for a link to the online auction site and to sign up for the official Auction newsletter.

The official print catalog is now available for ordering, featuring over 70 pages which include photos and details of all the auction items, plus two special bonus ticket replicas – one from Elvis’ 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert and one from Elvis’ 1961 concert at Bloch Arena at Pearl Harbor. This exclusive catalog offers an up-close look at these special pieces of Elvis history and is a wonderful collector’s item. Purchase The Auction at Graceland catalog by visiting the Graceland online store. 

All of the Items included in the auction have been thoroughly authenticated by Graceland Authenticated, a new Graceland affiliated authentication and appraisal service for collectors and fans. Graceland Authenticated sets a new standard for pop culture authentication and appraisal to ensure pop culture artifact accuracy and provide evaluations of privately owned collections.

Among the 72 items to be included in the August 14 auction, notable items include:

Elvis Presley Signature on Library Card
A signed library card was found by the librarian at the school Elvis attended in Tupelo and this is one of the earliest known signatures from the would-be King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.  Once the librarian realized Elvis’ fame, she searched through all of the books borrowed from the library by Elvis to find his signature.  This example is accompanied  by a letter from the Graceland Archives the archives has no full Elvis Presley signature pre-dating the one appearing on the offered library card.

1977 Cadillac Seville  
It is estimated that Elvis bought more than 200 Cadillacs in his life for family, friends, strangers and of course, his own private collection.  Elvis' 1977 maroon and silver Cadillac Seville - V8 automatic is the last known Cadillac driven by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. This was also the last Cadillac that Elvis purchased for his own personal use. 

"Love Me Tender" Script
This is Elvis' own copy of the original script for the very first Elvis Presley movie, “Love Me Tender.”  The script's original title, “The Reno Brothers,” is stamped on the front and spine of the script. That title was passed over because the young singing sensation had a new hit song out "Love Me Tender." That new title is handwritten in blue ink both directly above the stamped original title and in the upper right hand corner. Stamped in the upper left is the message "Please forward to: ELVIS PRESLEY." 

1969 Las Vegas Show Agreement
A blue folder entitled “Agreement Between Elvis Presley and Las Vegas International” contains a 13-page typed agreement.  This contract is for the first of Elvis’ 15 Las Vegas engagements.  Not only was this Elvis’ first concert appearance since 1961, but it set a Las Vegas record for both attendance and gross ticket sales.  After opening night, Elvis performed two shows a day for the remainder of the engagement.  The contract stipulates payment of $100,000 per week.

1975 Martin D-28 Guitar  
This Martin D-28 Guitar was gifted by Elvis to his friend and bodyguard Sam Thompson in January of 1977 and comes with a letter of authenticity from Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley. 

Gemstone, Diamond and Gold Lion Mask Pendant and Chain
This 18kt gold custom-made pendant is set with 24 diamonds, two emeralds and one ruby. The piece was worn by Elvis on many occasions, including when he met President Nixon in the Oval Office at The White House.


For more about The Auction at Graceland or to sign up for updates, visit our Graceland Authenticated Auction page.


source: Graceland

Enter to Win the Graceland.com Rock 'n' Rollout Sweepstakes
JULY 21, 2014

We're celebrating the launch of Graceland.com and the Official Graceland Online Store, and what better way to get people excited than an experience of a lifetime with a free trip to Elvis Presley's Graceland in Memphis!

Simply fill out the form at Graceland.com/RocknRollOut, and you'll be entered into the Graceland.com Rock 'n' Rollout Sweepstakes! The deadline to enter is August 17, so don't delay and be sure to tell your friends! Share the sweepstakes with friends via social media and you can earn additional entries. For more details, view our complete prize package below and see contest rules.

Grand Prize Package

• Round-trip airfare for two
• Three nights in a themed-suite at Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel
• Private, after-hours tour of Elvis Presley's Graceland by a Graceland archivist, plus tickets to all the attractions
• 2 Tickets to Sun Studio
• 2 Tickets to Memphis Rock 'n' Soul Museum
• 2 Tickets to Stax Museum of American Soul Music
• 2 Tickets to the Memphis Zoo
• $150 shopping spree on Official Graceland Online Store
• $50 to spend at the Memphis Hard Rock Café
• 12-month Graceland Insiders membership

10 Second Place Packages

• "Elvis Recorded Live On Stage in Memphis" Legacy-Edition 2-CD Release
• Elvis Presley's Graceland Tour DVD
• 12-month Graceland Insiders membership

Also, be sure to check out the latest in Elvis' releases, apparel, home decor and much more by visiting the Graceland online store. 


source: Graceland

'Elvis At Stax' Forty-One Years Ago 

Forty-One 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/

Graceland Too to reopen for August 12th tours; MacLeod memorial planned 
The Associated Press
July 20, 2014

HOLLY SPRINGS, MISS. — The Holly Springs mansion that became a popular Elvis Presley museum will reopen to the public during Elvis Presley week with a memorial for owner Paul MacLeod.

MacLeod was found dead Thursday on his front porch. He was 71.

His funeral cannot be scheduled yet. Coroner James Anderson says a backlog at the state medical examiner's office could hold up MacLeod's autopsy for months.

An attorney and the city of Holly Springs say MacLeod's family, friends and lifetime members will lead tours of Graceland Too on Aug. 12 to raise money for MacLeod's funeral and estate expenses.

A news release says the day will end with a midnight candlelight vigil.

Graceland Too is not affiliated with Graceland or the Presley estate. It's between Graceland and Elvis' birthplace in Tupelo.


source: http://www.sunherald.com

The Story Behind the Song: 'In the Ghetto'
Dave Paulson, 
July 18, 2014

When Mac Davis was 5 or 6 years old, the esteemed Nashville songwriter couldn't understand why one of his best friends had to live in a bad part of town.

He remembered that friend as he wrote "In the Ghetto," which Elvis Presley turned into a chart-topping hit in 1969. Davis recalled writing "In the Ghetto" with Bart Herbison, executive director of Nashville Songwriters Association International.

Bart Herbison: How was "In the Ghetto" created?

Mac Davis: "Well, it's kind of a convoluted story, but it's a true story. I had been trying to write a song called "The Vicious Circle" for what seemed like ages. I wasn't old enough (for it) to be "ages," but I was in my late 20s. The word "ghetto" was just becoming popular to describe the parts of urban areas where poor people were living and couldn't get out. They were stuck there, and everybody took off to the suburbs."

"I grew up with a little kid whose daddy worked with my daddy, and he was a black kid. We were good buddies, 5 or 6 years old. I remember him being one of my best buddies. But he lived in a part of town, and I couldn't figure out why they had to live where they lived, and we got to live where we lived. We didn't have a lot of money, but we didn't have broken bottles every six inches. It was a dirt street ghetto where he lived."

"At any rate, I'd always wanted to write a song about it, where a kid is born, he doesn't have a male parent, and falls into the wrong people and dies just as another kid comes along and replaces him. It's just a vicious circle. Long story short — I couldn't find anything to rhyme with "circle.""

"I was sitting in the office one day. Nancy Sinatra had signed me to her publishing company, and a buddy of mine, Freddy Weller, came over ... He said, 'Hey, I got this lick that Joe South showed me.' He played this lick on the guitar, and boy, I just heard (sings) "In the ghetto.""

"I didn't say anything, went home that night and sat down with that lick. I started singing "In the ghetto," and by about 2 o'clock in the morning, I had written the song. ... of course, I called Freddy up as I was wont to do in those days and sung him the song at 2 o'clock in the morning. There was a long silence, and he said some foul cuss word and hung up on me."

The biggest compliment he could have given you. (laughs)

"The biggest compliment, yeah. (laughs) He wasn't upset with me, he was just mad that he didn't get to write part of that song."


Do you remember the first time you heard Elvis' record of "In the Ghetto?"

Mac Davis: "Yes, I do. I heard it on the radio, driving down the street. I remember going, "I wish he hadn't said 'Ghet-to.' I wish he had just said 'In the Ghetto.'" That's a typical, songwriter, you know. But that lasted about maybe five seconds, and then I realized that I had a huge hit."



source: http://www.tennessean.com

Elvis' visit remembered at Troy Museum officially becomes part of the city
Published: Friday, July 18, 2014
By Gwyneth Hyndman

One of Troy, Montana's landmarks is only now becoming part of the City of Troy, after a long, colorful history as an information point for tourists, a gathering place for the community’s history - and more than 50 years ago, a scenic hub that was a quick stop-off for Elvis Presley.

Beth Schweitzer, one of the volunteers of the Troy Museum, which is housed in one of the buildings at the old train platform, remembers being one of a small group of girls and boys in the spring of 1958. The group anxiously arrived at the Troy train station on Yaak Avenue, after a tip-off from a classmate’s father who worked at the railway station: Elvis was coming into town.

In contrast to most Elvis sightings, there wasn’t a huge crowd to greet him, Schweitzer remembered. It was quiet and still when the train finally stopped. They waited for about 15 minutes. And then the door of the caboose opened. Elvis appeared and waved.

“Where am I?” he asked.

Schweitzer remembers answering with everyone around her: “You’re in Troy.”

Schweitzer’s friend and Libby resident Carol Cady said the 18 mile journey to Troy to see Elvis was well worth any arguments she had later on with her parents.

“He would have just come off the Ed Sullivan show, where it showed how he moved below the waist,” Cady said, adding that Elvis’ hip movements were nothing compared to entertainment now.  “But back then, Elvis was pretty off the charts.”

That brief visit by The King was alluded to after a special meeting on Wednesday night’s Troy City Council meeting. The council voted to annex the 19.68 acres that includes the museum property and the building, finally incorporating the site into the city limits. This was after nearly 30 years of the structure and property legally belonging to Lincoln County, which the county received after a railroad easement defaulted.

Once part of the main railway building on Yaak Ave – believed to be used for baggage or equipment storage by Great Northern Railroad – the structure was moved to its current location on Highway 2 in the mid-70s, an event Schweitzer remembers as being tricky, as the building had to be moved by truck and trailer down the road, as she and her family looked on. Clippings found in the museum say the 26-foot-by-36-foot structure had been abandoned with the change of the railroad terminal from Troy. The structure was sold by Martin McCann for $225 and was uprooted and moved to its present location at the entrance of the Timber Beast disc golf course.

For Schweitzer – who has fond memories of being a Elvis-crazed teenager on the platform of the depot – caring for a portion of that historical hub has been an investment in time and energy, a legacy she inherited from her mother, and one of the museum’s founding members, Peggy Maness.

 Schweitzer said Elvis ended up stepping off the train and spending about half an hour with the group of kids, asking them about Troy and what it was like to live in a small town.

“We never, ever expected him to step off the train,” Schweitzer said. “We told him all about school and our town. I think we were hoping he would want to come back....then he got back on the train and disappeared.”

She had one small, but valuable item to remember Elvis by: a piece of paper, pulled out last minute before he got back on the train, and quickly handed up to him for his signature.

That piece of paper is buried somewhere in her belongings, though when she finds it, Schweitzer said she wasn’t so keen on letting Elvis leave the building – even to go to the Troy Museum. 

“When I find it, I think it is something I would keep.”



source: http://www.thewesternnews.com

‘Clothier to the King’ Lansky’s Back on Beale
By Bill Dries
July 21, 2014

You don’t have to get very far inside the door of the new Hard Rock Café at Second and Beale streets to find a reminder of the old Lansky’s clothing store. That is, if you don’t notice the large historical marker outside the building at 126 Beale St.

The centerpiece of the ground floor of the new Hard Rock is a portrait of Elvis Presley in the center of the stage wall.

To each side of the portrait are outfits Presley wore that the famed Lansky brothers made for him.

Lansky’s – Clothier to the King opens this month at 126 Beale St. in the building that also houses the new Hard Rock Cafe. The cafe features outfits Lansky made for Elvis Presley.  

Exit stage left through what will be the Memphis Music Hall of Fame and you come to the new Lansky’s shop that returned to the building this month as Hard Rock’s neighbor.

“We’re glad to be back on Beale,” said Hal Lansky, the president of the company and the son of founder Bernard Lansky.

Lansky’s – Clothier to the King opens this month, three years after the unveiling of the historical marker that notes the role the Lansky brothers, Bernard and Guy, played in the history of Beale Street and the lives and careers of the city’s and region’s entertainers after World War II.

With a $125 loan from their father, the brothers moved into what had been a ladies secondhand store after the previous tenant was murdered. They switched to selling Army and Navy surplus items, and then began incorporating clothing styled to meet the onstage needs and lifestyles of first rhythm and blues entertainers and later those adopting the R&B style – including a teenager named Elvis Presley.

The colors were bold because the business of entertaining was bold. Presley wasn’t yet an entertainer but, like many of the performers who bought from Lansky, he had to buy on credit with the tentative promise that he would continue to buy there when his fortunes improved.

A cultural shift began in which the bold clothing made for the stage became the clothes those in the audience wanted to wear.

That upped the ante for those on stage, which is reflected in some of the onstage costumes in the Hard Rock Café. The Elvis pieces on the stage wall aren’t the only Lansky creations under glass in the Hard Rock.

Jeff Nolan, the music and memorabilia historian for Hard Rock Café, notes that many of the other costumes in Hard Rock’s collection of 80,000 artifacts are not as well made as the Lansky’s outfits.

“As often as not, they were just cheaply thrown together to look great onstage for one tour and they weren’t necessarily designed the way a Lansky Brothers would do actual clothing – with that sort of impressive tailoring and built to last,” he said. “There’s a lot of upkeep involved, especially for things that have natural fabrics.”

Hal Lansky began working in the 68-year-old family business as a child.

The Beale Street store is another in a set of concepts that includes several at the nearby Peabody hotel.

“We still love The Peabody,” Lansky was quick to say. “We’re going to be at The Peabody.”

The Clothier to the King brand at the Beale location is “vintage inspired” men’s clothing.

It invokes the memory of Elvis Presley but also other entertainers who shopped at Lansky’s in the 1940s through the 1960s. There’s a Bobby Blue Bland white long-sleeved sport shirt and an Al Jackson purple sport shirt, also long-sleeved, named for the drummer for Booker T. and the MGs. That’s in addition to a blue and white Speedway jacket and a denim blue “Jailhouse Rock” sweater.

There will be a bit of overlap of the merchandise between the Beale Street location and the shops in The Peabody.

The Beale store includes displays about the old Lansky’s store in the building and, while putting together the exhibit, Lansky even came across a few old 45s from the short-lived Peak record label that was a side venture for the family business.

“We’re going to tell the story of Lansky’s on the wall. It will be a little Lansky museum … show some of the entertainers who shopped with us,” he added. “We’re leaving it very vintage. We’re showcasing with vintage theatrical lights.”

In the 1,700-square-foot store, there is even a location by one of the windows that might be a small stage for some live entertainment. Or, Lansky added, it might have a mannequin holding a guitar and dressed for the stage.



source: http://www.memphisdailynews.com

Elvis in the Beginning: ‘That’s All Right’ Lights the Rock ‘n’ Roll Spark

Sixty years ago a young, unknown musician and and singer from Tupelo, Miss., named Elvis Presley struck the spark that ignited the rock ’n’ roll revolution and fundamentally altered the direction of popular music and the shape of American culture.

July 19, 1954, saw the official release of Elvis’s first commercial record, the single “That’s All Right,” backed with the B-side, “Blue Moon of Kentucky.” The tracks, sung by the flamboyantly dressed yet shy 19-year-old, were recorded exactly two weeks earlier at Memphis’s famed Sun Studios by owner and producer Sam Phillips—and a full year after Elvis cut his first acetate, as a gift for his mother, at the same location.

The recordings stemmed from a session when Presley—joined by Scotty Moore on guitar and Bill Black on upright bass—in a break from singing ballads, began playing around with a up-beat arrangement of Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup’s decade-old blues tune, “That’s All Right” (sometimes referred to as “That’s All Right, Mama.”) Phillips recorded and pressed Elvis’s single, distributing it to local radio stations, where it drew enough reaction to have one station invite Presley in for a live, on-air interview.

Presley’s first record sold around 20,000 copies and brought him regional attention and success—and opened the path for others, including Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison to follow him through Sun Studios’ doors to fame and fortune.

Presley’s utterly new, thrilling and unique sound not only shook up the music world; it blurred social lines and, with its white-boy-sings-the-blues approach, challenged racial barriers of the era. Within two years, Presley had signed to RCA Victor and evolved from a raw local teenage talent to a fully fledged national and international phenomenon. The rest, as the saying goes, is history.

Here, on the 60th anniversary of the release of his first single, LIFE.com presents a selection of pictures of the young Presley taken between 1953 and 1955—including one that ran with his first profile in his hometown newspaper, the Memphis Press-Scimitar—that show the boy before he became King.


 source: http://life.time.com

New Movie Trailer Now Available for "Elvis: That’s the Way It Is"
JULY 18, 2014

As we get ready to celebrate Elvis Week and the world-premiere of the recently remastered "Elvis: That's The Way It Is," Elvis fans can now check out the new movie trailer by visiting USATODAY.com. 

"'Elvis: That's the Way It Is' is a fascinating look at Elvis' preparation for and execution of those Las Vegas shows. The rehearsal footage alone is stunning, as are the scenes that show Elvis interacting with his enthusiastic audiences (mostly made up of adult women)," shares Elvis fan and USA TODAY writer Whitney Matheson. 

The historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis will host the world premiere of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s newly-remastered "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" on August 16. Fans who attend this special screening will be treated to the newly remastered film along with extras such as rehearsal and actual performance footage - not included when last shown as a feature film. 

Additionally, the film will be shown in almost 300 theaters around the U.S. for a limited engagement. The documentary depicts Elvis as a master showman, following him as he prepares for his big opening-night performance in Las Vegas. Information including a list of dates and locations can be found at Graceland.com/Events.

Want to see the world-premiere of the exclusive screening during Elvis Week? Tickets are available for purchase viaTicketmaster.com, by calling Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, at any Ticketmaster outlet or at the Orpheum box office in Memphis. 


source: http://www.graceland.com

Download the New Elvis Week App!
JULY 18, 2014

Back by popular demand - we bring you the new Elvis Week app! Download the official Elvis Week app for a FREE mobile guide to this year's celebration in Memphis on August 9 - 17. This fully-loaded app will help you rock 'n' roll through the week and make sure you have the latest details in hand. 

To download the free app, visit iTunes or Google Play for Android. If you still have last year's Elvis Week app on your phone, all you will need to do is update it for this year's mobile guide to Elvis Week 2014.

Learn more about the complete lineup of events, featured guests and more by visiting ElvisWeek.com.


ELVIS WEEK APP FEATURES

• NEW - Use the new Photo Booth feature to create your own customized Elvis Week photos to share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
• NEW -  Check out great deals and special offers here at Graceland,Shop.Graceland.com and from our Elvis Week partners
• 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 throughout 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. Don't miss great deals from all of our partners now featured in the new app and by visiting ElvisWeek.com.


source: http://www.graceland.com

"My Happiness" was written by Betty Peterson Blasco and Borney Bergantine. 

Elvis Presley's Graceland, CEO Jack Soden, has contacted the owner of Elvis Presley's Airplanes, the Lisa Marie and the Hound Dog II Jet-Star, for removal of the planes from the Graceland Plaza property. 

The very unfortunate news first became public by a press release from the Associated Press and the press release was then distributed by various media outlets world-wide. 

CLICK HERE to read the press release from the Associated Press. 

Jack Soden, has requested for the Airplanes to be removed by April 26, 2015. The request for removal was reported by the Associated Press and officially in a April 7, 2014 letter from Jack Soden. The letter was sent to the owner of Elvis' Airplanes, Mr. K.G. Coker. The letter from Soden is included at the end of this post. 

The Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II Jet-Star, are owned by Mr. K.G. Coker, of Memphis in a OKC Partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises. 

The Airplanes, have been on exhibition at Elvis Presley Graceland since the mid 1980's. The agreement between Elvis Presley Enterprises and OKC Partnership was: for OKC Partnership to receive a cut of the ticket sales in return for keeping the planes at Graceland. Elvis fans could step foot inside the Airplanes via a self-guided tour; as a part of the Graceland Platinum Tour. 

Beginning August 9th, 2014: the Airplanes will not continue to be a part of the Graceland Platinum Tour, as it will cost an extra fee to take a self-guided tour of the Airplanes. Instead, the Graceland Platinum Tour will now offer Elvis fans a new experience to learn about the Graceland Archives, from a presentation at newly constructed studio building located on the Graceland Mansion grounds.

Elvis-Express Radio, personally made contact via a telephone call with, Mr. K.G. Coker. Elvis-Express Radio, has made their report public. Huge thanks to Elvis-Express Radio for contacting Mr. Coker and providing his comments for public viewing.  

CLICK HERE to read comments provided by Elvis-Express Radio, regarding the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II Jet-Star from, Mr. K.G. Coker.

According to a Yahoo news article: Coker said, "the contents of the letter were released after he was contacted by a reporter and he has not negotiated with Elvis Presley Enterprises since the AP story was published." Coker has acknowledged that he and his partners would lose money from ticket sales if the planes were removed.

According to Elvis' former wife, Priscilla Presley, negotiations are possibly in the works for the Lisa Marie and Hound Dog II Jet-Star to remain at Graceland. Priscilla, made public statements via her official Facebook page. Priscilla, is aware of the outrage among Elvis fans and requested for everyone to "please calm down" as negotiations are being made. In a second Facebook post, Priscilla informed fans to expect new and exciting things at Graceland. Screen captures of Priscilla's Facebook posts are included at the end of this post. 

According to the Associated Press and Shelby Country Court records: "Elvis Presley Enterprises and OKC Partnership are embroiled in a lawsuit filed May 27th in Shelby County Chancery Court over a dispute about how tickets to the airplane exhibit are sold." 

CLICK HERE to view the court docket report record between Elvis Presley Enterprises and OKC Partnership! 

Cause of Coco Palms fire 'undetermined'
By Star-Advertiser staff
July 17, 2014

The cause of the fire at the shuttered Coco Palms Resort on Kauai is classified as undetermined at this time.

The case remains under investigation, according to Kauai County spokeswoman Sarah Blane. 

The blaze broke out at about noon on the Fourth of July and wasn't completely extinguished until two days later. Excavators demolished the hotel's main lobby that was destroyed in the fire. 

Damage is estimated at $600,000. 

The Coco Palms shut its doors due to extensive damage following Hurricane Iniki that plowed across Kauai in September 1992. 

Developers wants to rebuild the hotel and announced plans to reopen in 2017 under Hyatt Hotels' management. Coco Palms Hui LLC is seeking $125 million in financing to acquire the land and renovate the iconic hotel. 

Elvis Presley filmed the wedding scene of the "Blue Hawaii" movie at the Coco Palms in 1961 and sang "The Hawaiian Wedding Song" there. The hotel was originally built in 1953 on grounds that were once the home of Deborah Kapule Kekaiha'akulou, Kauai's last reigning queen.



source: http://www.staradvertiser.com

Elvis Presley Lake Remains Closed
Reported by: Javanté Ingram
July 16, 2014

TUPELO, Miss. (WTVA)--  On a Typical summer day, Elvis Presley Lake would be crowded.

“We would usually have plenty of boats out here, jet skiing, tubbing, or fishing. So, we are missing those folks,” said Tyler Stubbs the Northeast District Fisheries Biologist for the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.

But, the April tornado left its mark on the local attraction.

“We suffered pretty significant damage- extensive damage to about every aspect of the entire facility, including the camp grounds. So, we’ve got a lot of clean up to do," said Stubbs.

Wildlife officials say Elvis Presley Lake will come back, but when is still unclear.

"We really need to make it clean and safe before we open it. As far as opening it up in stages, you know right now we plan to open it all at once. Or that's what we would like to do," said Stubbs.

When the lake does reopen, it will have all new facilities, new picnic tables and with most of the trees gone, "there will be a lot less shade," said Stubbs.

For those eager to return, wildlife officials have this to say.

“Be patient. You know we are wanting to get it open just as bad as you are but we really need to make sure everything is safe, clean and ready to go," said Stubbs 


source: http://www.wtva.com

Elvis Presley Lake & Campground
272 County Rd. 995, Tupelo, MS 38804

330 acre lake offering some of the finest water-related recreation opportunities around; handicapped access fishing pier, shady shorelines for good bank fishing, boat ramp, 16 camping pads with water/electricity, tent camping, pavilion, and picnic areas with grills; skiing daily, noon to sunset.

Surprise performances planned for James Burton festival
July 17, 2014

Friday, Aug. 22 
Cheers to 75 Years! (James Birthday Celebration) 
Red River District — Under the Texas Street Bridge 
5 p.m. to midnight 

Rock-n-Roll-Guitars and Cars 
Red River District — Under the Texas Street Bridge 
11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Featuring live music, classic cars, and guitar talent show 

VIP Reception 
Municipal Auditorium 
6 p.m. 

James Burton & Friends Concert 
Municipal Auditorium 
7:30 p.m. 

James Burton Foundation and The Simple Church present: Guitars for Good 
Municipal Auditorium 
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
Guest performer: Lincoln Brewster (Guitarist, singer, songwriter,m, worship pastor) 

Special guitar presentation -Wounded veterans and families 
James Burton 
Trace Adkins 
Lincoln Brewster 
Billy Burnette 
Rick Derringer 
Doyle Dykes 
Richie Furay 
Noel Haggard 
Rob Haynes 
Gunner Nelson 
Lee Rocker 
Paul Shaffer 
Ann Wilson 
Jimmie Vaughn 
Rick Vito 
The Vosbury’s 
Priscilla Presley * special guest 
Mike Wolfe *special guest


Expect surprises at this summer’s James Burton International Guitar Festival.

The three-day festival —Aug. 22-24— includes a special guest at the Aug. 23 concert who attendees won’t find out until the evening performance. The same concert also could feature a separate potential performer organizers are tight-lipped about, other than to say, “You’re going to want the grandbaby to come on time.”

The mystery performers will join a lineup of more than 20 musicians including country singer Trace Adkins, contemporary Christian singer Lincoln Brewster and Noel Haggard, son of country legend Merle Haggard. The festival also will include a handful of special guests, including Priscilla Presley, former wife of music legend Elvis Presley,whom Burton played with, and Mike Wolfe, star of the History Channel’s “American Pickers.”

The festival will be anchored this year by Burton’s 75th birthday. Festivities will include a Friday night celebration in the Red River District.

Burton, born Aug. 21, 1939, in Webster Parish, is legendary in the music world for his lead guitar work with Elvis Presley, Ricky Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, John Denver, Emmylou Harris and Elvis Costello.

“Municipal allows us to have a rich and storied history in the world of music and James Burton is such a tremendous part of that,” Shreveport Councilman Jeff Everson said.

Everson said simply having a festival that celebrates his contributions to music heritage is incredible, but on top of that, the festival’s expansion has enabled it to become a tourist attraction for the city.

“It’s so great they’ve expanded this beyond just the Saturday night event to include some of the other assets like the Red River District,” said Kelly Wells with the Shreveport Convention and Tourist Bureau.

The James Burton International Guitar Festival was created in the spring of 2005 to help raise funds for the James Burton Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to providing music training and instruments to children and young adults in shcools and hospitals and nurturing the creative abilities of children.



source: http://www.shreveporttimes.com

Follow That Dream (1962) 

When the Kwimper family car runs out of gas on a new Florida highway and an officous state supervisor tries to run them off, Pop Kwimper digs in his heels and decides to do a little homesteading. He and his son Toby and their "adopted" children - Holly, Ariadne and the twins - start their own little community along a strip of the roadside. The fishing is good and the living is easy until the mob sets up a gambling operation and the state supervisor sics a sexy social worker on the Kwimpers in an effort to take away Ariadne and the twins.

Starring: Elvis Presley, Arthur O'Connell, Anne Helm 
Director: Gordon Douglas 

sources: http://www.blu-ray.com/movies 
http://www.elvis.com.au

Graceland Too owner Paul McLeod has died
By Therese Apel
July 17, 2014

The owner of Graceland Too, a 24-hour Elvis Presley tourist attraction in Holly Springs, who shot and killed a man Tuesday night died just days after the incident, officials said.

Coroner James Anderson said he has not released a cause of death yet, because Paul McLeod, 70, is scheduled for autopsy today.

Holly Springs residents and Graceland Too visitors alike filled social media Thursday morning with posts about McLeod. Some said the death was a heart attack, but Anderson would not confirm that, pending the autopsy.

McLeod attorney Phillip Knect said the death is almost certainly natural causes. He said in a release Thursday that McLeod had been battling bad health for some time.

"We can't be sure of anything right now, but nothing points to suicide or foul play. We await an official autopsy, but his ill health, combined with the stress from Monday's tragedy, lead me to believe it was a very unfortunate natural occurrence," Knect said.

Related: Man shot, killed at Graceland Too by owner

McLeod heard banging at his front door around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Knecht said. When McLeod opened his door, a man broke the glass, forced his way inside and demanded money.

Dwight David Taylor, 28, was shot with a single .45-caliber bullet in the chest, according to the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal.

McLeod said in a statement after the shooting that someone has broke the glass of his front door and forced his way in, demanding money, and refusing to leave.

Reportedly, McLeod had filed complaints about Taylor before. Holly Springs police have not returned phone calls for comment.

McLeod, a Detroit-born former prison and auto worker, opened Graceland Too in 1990. Since that time, several national publications have named him the "World's Number One Elvis Fan."

"He was the most wonderful humanitarian I ever heard of, ranked only behind Jesus Christ," MacLeod once said of Presley to FoxNews. "The most generous person I ever saw and the most wonderful entertainer you ever wanted to watch in your life."

McLeod could recount any Elvis trivia, as well, even down to the entertainer's natural hair color. He had a gold Elvis replica suit he wore, and in his stories, his wife allgedly once told him he had to choose between her or Elvis, so he gave her a million dollars in cash and sent her on his way.

The popular tourist attraction, which cost $5 to visit, was filled with Elvis memorabilia. The outside of the home was often painted gaudy colors, and changed colors fairly regularly. At one time it was pink, at one time green, and it was also several different shades of blue. Christmas trees also adorned the building year-round, and the lions out front area always painted to match the house.

"He told me I looked just like his ex-wife, put Elvis's leather jacket on me and hugged me," said Ole Miss graduate Cynthia Smith. "Going to see Graceland Too was a rite of passage at Ole Miss."

It was, in fact, a tradition for Ole Miss students to make the 30-minute drive to Holly Springs to visit Graceland Too at all hours of the night. The museum/shrine was open 24 hours a day. The younger McLeod could remember exact details of every visitor for years after their initial visit.

Knect said McLeod was able to stay up all hours by caffeinating through an extensive supply of Coca-Cola.

"McLeod was known for saying, 'I've only been loved by a few, Elvis was loved by millions,'" Knect wrote in Thursday's release. "However, an explosion of social media posts and cans of Coke left in tribute on his front porch are already telling a different story."

Former Ole Miss students say going to Graceland Too was something they never forgot.

"I remember I didn't even like Elvis that much, and I really didn't know where Holly Springs was at first, but you had to go to Graceland Too," said Kelly Jackson, of Southaven. "I became a lifetime member, and somewhere I've got pictures of me with those lions in front of the house."

Once a person had visited Graceland Too three times, they became a lifetime member, and never had to pay to get in again. Neighbors grew used to seeing the home change colors, and to the traffic on the street, especially on the weekends.

At this point, it is unclear who will be the recipient of McLeod's estate, Knect said, as attorneys are trying to locate his heirs now. McLeod's son, Elvis Aaron McLeod, allegedly moved to New York years ago.

The Holly Springs Police Department said no information could be provided at this time.

The Marshall County Sheriff's Office referred questions to Holly Springs police.



source: http://www.clarionledger.com

A comprehensive account of the two Memphis charity shows that Elvis performed at the Ellis Auditorium on a cold day in February 1961. Featuring accounts from Elvis’ musicians, friends and fans, magazine- and newspaper articles from the time, and many rare and newly-discovered photographs. Also included is a section on Elvis’ visit to Nashville on March 8, 1961 to receive an honorary colonelship from the Governor of Tennessee, Buford Ellington. The final part of the volume includes details relating to the recording sessions held on March 12 and 13, 1961 that provided most of the tracks for the classic LP, “Something For Everybody”. 

As an added bonus, the book comes with a CD containing the mono version of “Something For Everybody” plus recordings of Elvis’ press conference, held at the Hotel Claridge in Memphis on February 25, 1961, and of the presentation of honors at the Tennessee State Capitol just 11 days later.  Item #: EPCD257

Tracklisting:

SOMETHING FOR EVERYBODY (mono version)

1) There's Always Me
2) Give Me The Right
3) It's A Sin
4) Sentimental Me
5) Starting Today
6) Gently
7) I'm Comin' Home
8) In Your Arms
9) Put The Blame On Me
10) Judy
11) I Want You With Me
12) I Slipped, I Stumbled, I Fell

BONUS
13) Press Conference (March 25, 1961)
14) Elvis Is Made An Honorary Colonel (March 8 1961)

This is the official release of the soundboard recording that Joan Deary planned as a double album release back in the late seventies. It’s the earliest known professional recording from Elvis’ 1969 engagement in Las Vegas. 

This release comes in a 7” digi-pack with a 12-pages booklet, featuring great photos from the collections of Steve Barile & Jim Patino, and a foreword by Ken Sharp. Item #: EPCD256

Tracklisting:

01 Blue Suede Shoes (2:20)
02 I Got A Woman (3:20)
03 All Shook Up (3:07)
04 Love Me Tender (2:38)
05 Jailhouse Rock / Don't Be Cruel (2:44)
06 Heartbreak Hotel (2:22)
07 Hound Dog (3:57)
08 Memories (3:12)
09 Mystery Train / Tiger Man (5:26)
10 Monologue (3:59)
11 Baby, What You Want Me To Do (3:04)
12 Are You Lonesome Tonight? (3:15)
13 Yesterday / Hey Jude (5:11)
14 Introductions (4:39)
15 In The Ghetto (4:14)
16 Suspicious Minds (8:21)
17 What’d I Say (4:30)
18 Can’t Help Falling In Love (2:30)

Henson Metal Works is a newly approved licensee for Elvis Presley Enterprises. Our company is located in Tupelo, MS. I, like so many people here, watched Elvis throughout his career. (My mother was even in school with Elvis at Milam School here in Tupelo).  We am excited to have the opportunity to manufacture and sell several very unique and attractive Elvis-related products.

Greatly enhance your home or office with this replica of a treasured landmark from Elvis' hometown!  Henson Metal Works offers this item of Tupelo Hardware, and several others, to enhance your home or office and show support for all things Elvis.  Hand crafted in the USA, this quality bookend is built by-order especially for you from locally sourced materials. We are proud to offer this selection from our Elvis collection!. 

To assure your complete satisfaction, Henson Metal Works combines old school craftsmanship with new age technology, marrying laser precision with the skills of a metal artist. The sign's metal tubing is 16-gauge cold-rolled steel for strength and stability. 

For more information on this unique way to show support for your alma mater, and for other Wolfpack items,  contact us at www.hensonmetalworks.com.  

David Hensen
Henson Metal Works

Celebrity Collector: John ForceBy Reyne Haines
07/13/2014

Overcoming childhood polio to become the quarterback of the high school football team sounds like something from a movie. Unfortunately, losing every game you ever played in does not.

This is exactly what happened to iconic racecar driver John Force. It was instances like this that taught Force early on to never give up. Luckily he continued to pursue his dreams. Force began his career in racing with the reputation of a "disaster on wheels" and turned into the winningest driver in drag racing history.

He is the winner of 16 series championships, 10 consecutive NHRA Funny Car Championships, and an has been inducted into the International Motor Sports Hall of Fame, not to mention a list of other career highlights.

When not barreling down a quarter-mile track, Force is an avid collector of Elvis Presley memorabilia and I couldn't help but wonder how he and "The King" met....


Is there a connection between racing cars and Elvis?

As a kid seeing him on the Ed Sullivan Show and I just got into it. He was just special. He gave you energy every day and I still get that energy when I listen to him on the way to the racetrack or before a run.

What was the "thing" that compelled you to start acquiring Elvis items?

My love of music. My collection of 45s and the 78s are really special to me. I have jukeboxes in our museum that can play them. I liked his gospel music a lot. My favorite song of all times is Blue Hawaii.

There is such a wide range of Elvis collectibles, do you collect them all, or do you stick it just buying one type of thing?

I have a whole wall of Elvis memorabilia. My pride and joy is a picture of me with Elvis and Richard Nixon. Just the three of us and of course it is a fake photo since I never personally met either of those two men but it looks so real. You can't tell it has been photoshopped.

My collection of all things Elvis is composed of many things. I have bracelets, coins, books, etc. Nothing of huge monetary value but I love it all. I also have some memorabilia from when Elvis was in the Army, and a Memphis newspaper stand with one of the actual newspapers from the day Elvis passed away. Those items mean a lot to me.

I had the opportunity to work with Action Collectible Group (now Lionel) to create an Elvis Presley Funny Car. You can see the car we built in the Elvis Presley museum in Graceland. 

What do you consider the most important piece in your collection and why?

When I was at Graceland and I was doing the first specialty Funny Car with Elvis Presley Enterprises my favorite gift was something Priscilla Presley gave me. It was an Elvis Presley taking Care of Business ring. I have it in a glass case in the museum.

One other item that I got at a charity auction was a ticket from the last concert he was supposed to do but he passed away before the concert. I think it was in upstate New York. The ticket was never used and still has the stub on it.

Have you always been a collector?

I never collected anything growing up except music. I didn't have the money to collect. Some of my 8-track tapes and movies I received from friends and fans. Funny, I hung on to all that stuff and I don't really know why. When I started making a few bucks I bought a few Elvis Presley guitars. Now I have about ten or twelve, and while some might be reproductions, they all mean so much to me.

Fans over the years have sent me photos of Elvis knowing I was a huge fan. I actually have boxes of stuff I haven't looked at in a long time. Now you've got me thinking about going through them. 


source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com

The Auction at Graceland Official Catalog Now Available
JULY 17, 2014

Graceland has recently announced the first-ever “Auction at Graceland,” which will take place on August 14, featuring Elvis artifacts authenticated by Graceland Authenticated. The official catalog of the auction is now available for purchase and features over 70 pages of stunning images and descriptions of the items that will be included in this first-ever event. 

In addition, the catalog includes beautiful images of Elvis Presley himself, plus two special bonus ticket replicas– one from Elvis’ 1973 Aloha from Hawaii concert and one from Elvis’ 1961 concert at Bloch Arena at Pearl Harbor -- direct from the Graceland Archives. This official, inaugural catalog offers an up-close look at these special pieces of Elvis history and is a wonderful collector’s item. Domestic shipping of the catalog is free. 

Click here to order the The Auction At Graceland catalog.

For more about The Auction at Graceland or to sign up for updates, visit our Graceland Authenticated Auction page.

GRACELAND INSIDERS BONUS: If you are a member of the Graceland Insiders, log onto the members-only message board for details on a limited-time only discounted rate and special bonus insert.


source: http://www.graceland.com

New Contest Now Available to Graceland Insiders
JULY 17, 2014

We have posted instructions on how to enter this contest in the Graceland Insiders CONTEST section, which is only accessible to Graceland Insiders.

Ten lucky Insiders will be the first to walk away with Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" exclusive movie poster! To celebrate Elvis Week, the historic Orpheum Theatre in downtown Memphis will host the world premiere on August 16. Fans who attend the "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" screening will be treated to the newly remastered film along with extras such as rehearsal and actual performance footage that were not included when last shown as a feature film. Audiences will also get to experience a special performance by Elvis’ Imperials members Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood, along with Darrell Toney and Lynn Royce Taylor.* This will be a special farewell performance by Moscheo who recently retired from the group. Fans can also view "Elvis: That’s The Way It Is" related artifacts direct from the Graceland archives that will be on display in the lobby. Additionally the newly-remastered "Elvis: That’s The Way It" Is will be shown in almost 300 theaters around the U.S. for a limited engagement. Information including a list of dates and locations can be found at Graceland.com/Events. 

Not a Graceland Insider? Find out how to join! Get exclusive access to rare photos, video, and artifacts at Graceland. Want to plan the ultimate rock 'n' roll pilgrimage? Check out great savings and hotel package deals on Graceland.com.


source: http://www.graceland.com

The website Empire News released an article July 15th saying Pop Star Entertainer, Justin Bieber, had purchased Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion. 
There is absolutely zero truth to this rumor. Empire News.net is a website dedicated to creating fake articles. They are a satirical and entertainment website. 

If you are inclined to read the rubbish, CLICK HERE. 


Graceland is NOT for sale and it will NEVER vacate from the ownership of the Presley family. 

Lisa Marie Presley, Elvis' Daughter, is the solitary titleholder of her Father's Graceland Mansion and its grounds. Lisa also has conclusive ownership of every individual personal item which belonged to her Father. Along with owning Graceland Mansion, Lisa Marie Presley maintains 15% in Elvis Presley Enterprises. After Lisa, Riley and Ben Keough, Lisa's children; will inherit the ownership of Graceland Mansion and all personal items which belonged to their Grandfather. 

Always remember if something sounds too foolish to be true, then it's likely NOT true. Elvis Presley's Graceland Mansion will perpetually remain in the Presley family. If there is ever a major reformation, we are 100% confident the Presley family and Elvis Presley Enterprises would present an official public statement.