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August 27th 1965 - Elvis & The Beatles meet

8/27/2013

 
48 years ago, tonight on August 27th 1965 Elvis Presley met The Beatles at his Los Angeles, California home which was located at 565 Perugia Way.

The fundamental ground rules were: "no press to be invited, no pictures to be taken, no recordings to be made and no leaking of our plans in advance."

The meeting had been arranged by Presley's manager 'Colonel' Tom Parker, and was highly anticipated by The Beatles and Brian Epstein. As they arrived Presley took The Beatles into the enormous living room; Epstein and Parker stood aside to watch the meeting.

The encounter wasn't a great success, with a somewhat stilted atmosphere and little conversation at first. Eventually Elvis told them, "If you damn guys are gonna sit here and stare at me all night I'm gonna go to bed."


Click here to read about Elvis & The Beatles from Elvis Information Network!

Click here to about Elvis & The Beatles from Elvis Australia!!

Help an Elvis fan & receive an Elvis RockAngel from Joe Petruccio

8/26/2013

 

The following message was originally written by Joe Petruccio and shared by him via Facebook. Fellow Elvis fan, Jon Weeks, and friend to Joe is very ill. Donations are desperately needed. Every donor who donates $10 or more will personally receive a painted "Elvis RockAngel" from Joe.


One of our fellow Elvis fans and a good friend of mine, Jon Weeks is very ill. His family is trying to raise funds to help cover the cost of multiple hospitalizations, travel expenses and medications not covered by the family’s health insurance plan. I just couldn't sit back and watch this destroy him and his family.

I am asking my Elvis family to please help me help them.

For a donation of $10 or more I will personally paint and send you an Elvis RockAngel.

Here is a link where you can read their story and donate.

gofundme

Anyone who is able to donate $5000 or more, I will paint a 36 x 24 canvas of anything you choose.

In just 2 days making this plea on Facebook, we have raised more money for Jon and his family than they did alone in 5 months.

I feel that there are so many ways that we can honor Elvis.

I think by embracing his spirit and heart can be the biggest honor we pay him.

Thank you

Peace, Love n TCB

Joe

NEW Elvis book: "Spotlight on Elvis: The Photographic Work of Ed Bonja"

8/26/2013

 
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Spotlight on Elvis: The Photographic Work of Ed Bonja

Just like the Boxcar releases, Graceland and Aloha, this publication is a deluxe release. With 160 pages and over 200 pictures, we'll get an overview of Eds best pictures he made from The King. Ed Bonja was Elvis' tour photographer.

Click here to purchase your copy!


source: http://shop.elvis.com.au

VOTE Elvis: Legends Home Bedding for Wal-Mart stores!

8/26/2013

 
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Legends Home Bedding has Elvis comforter sets. Along with selling online they are looking to sell the sets at Wal-Mart!

Vote Here: http://bit.ly/Vote4Elvis

Watch Time-Lapse of 2013 Candlelight Vigil on Elvis' YouTube Channel

8/26/2013

 
Watch Time-Lapse of 2013 Candlelight Vigil on Elvis' YouTube Channel
August 22, 2013

Thousands of Elvis fans gathered around the gates of Graceland for the 2013 Candlelight Vigil and celebrated the life and legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. Fans can now watch this time-lapse (video above) of the crowds packing Elvis Presley Boulevard on August 15, 2013.

After the opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans walked up the driveway to Meditation Garden and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Be sure to check out a complete recap of Elvis Week, including daily photos, videos, blogs and more at ElvisWeek.com.

Fans can also check out our complete coverage of the 2013 Candlelight Vigil by clicking here.


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

Country Music Hall of Fame will lose Elvis' Gold Piano

8/23/2013

 
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Image is COPYRIGHT: Caroline Pratt, Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville
Elvis Presley's 24K gold piano will soon leave Nashville's Country Music Hall of Fame sometime after September 3rd. It will be a tragic loss for the museum.

Priscilla Presley gave the piano to Elvis at Christmas 1968 in honor of their first wedding anniversary which was May 8th. The piano is painted with 24K gold. Manufactured by Piano & Organ Company in 1928, the grand piano was originally white and was referred to as the “world's largest grand”. Its first owner was the Memphis Auditorium but it later got sold to the O.K. Houck Company, which owned it until 1955. The owner directly before the Presley's isn't clear. The piano stayed at Graceland until Elvis decided, in the early 70s, to give it to his Aunt Nash to use at her Church.

For 22 years the piano was leased to the Country Music Hall of Fame for $1 annually. Russ Kemppel, a business man from Ohio purchased the piano from Graceland for $2 million. Mr. Kemppel passed away January 2012, and now Mr. Kemppel's family is selling the piano to the highest bidder. Terri Fenn, a close friend to the family has tried her best to keep the piano in Nashville by reaching out to local Nashville private investors, music professionals and museums. Sadly, Ms. Fenn has not had any success in finding an interested associate. If Terri Fenn is unable to find a Nashville buyer, the piano will presumably go to a New York or California Auction company to be auctioned off.

Scott Ferrell, Kemppel Industries’ CEO and executor of the Mr. Kemppel's estate has given the Country Music Hall of Fame the required 90-day notice to end the lease.


Museum director of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Kyle Young has issued a statement:
"It is a marvelous piece of popular culture and our visitors enjoyed seeing it. We are grateful to the piano’s owners for loaning it to the museum for so many years. We will be sorry to see it go."


source: wikipedia.com & the Tennessean Newspaper


NOTE from Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt:

"I have greatly admired Elvis' gold piano since first gazing upon it in 2002. Elvis' piano is beautiful, exquisite and such a delight to view! Having the piano on exhibit along with Elvis' white gold Cadillac truly made Elvis a visual part of the museum. Yes, Elvis has a plaque in the Hall of Fame, but the piano is so distinguished and spectacular! I have been a regular visitor to the Hall of Fame for years and I have spent countless Saturdays at the museum. When I bring friends and Elvis fans to the museum, I always show Elvis' piano off first! People are always amazed by the beauty of the piano. An inside source at the Hall of Fame informed me a few months back this would eventually happen, but I never contemplated it actually transpiring.  The piano should not leave the Hall of Fame, and if it does it should remain in Nashville! Nashville loves Elvis, and yes we have other Elvis related sites, but visiting the Hall of Fame and not seeing the piano will be beyond bizarre. The arbitrary greed of people destroys so much! Losing Elvis' gold piano will indeed be a very tragic loss for the Country Music Hall of Fame and for the city of Nashville. I am absolutely devastated by this news."

Pre-order "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" - 40th Anniversary enhanced DVD, exclusively from Shopelvis.com

8/23/2013

 
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Click here to pre-order "Elvis Aloha from Hawaii" from Shopelvis.com!!

Elvis Presley made television history with his "Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii" concert television special. The performance took place at the Honolulu International Center on January 14, 1973 and was beamed live via Satellite around the world to a viewing audience was estimated at over one billion. In celebration of the 40th anniversary of this event, fans gathered in Honolulu in January 2013 for 5 days of celebrations. The highlight was a screening of a re-edited version of "Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii," which includes rarely-seen footage and audio. This special 40th anniversary edition DVD offers a new look at Elvis during one of his most outstanding concert performances of his career.

ELVIS ALOHA FROM HAWAII 40th ANNIVERSARY DVD
  • Re-edit of Elvis, Aloha from Hawaii as seen in Honolulu on January 14, 2013

BONUS FEATURES
  • Event footage from the 40th Anniversary Celebration in Honolulu in January 2013
  • A Look inside the New Elvis Hawaii Exhibit at Graceland
  • Clips from Elvis' Aloha from Hawaii Press Conferences
  • Replica Booklet of Program from January 14, 2013 Screening Event

Please note: This item is available to pre-order and will ship on or around August 30, 2013.


source: http://www.shopelvis.com

Detailed REPORT of the Humes High School Historic Marker Dedication - Elvis Week - August 13th 2013

8/22/2013

 
Humes High School located in Memphis at 659 North Manassas Street is the alma mater of Elvis Presley. Elvis is a member of the 1953 class which graduated at Ellis Auditorium June 3, 1953! As of August 2013 the school has been designated as Humes Preparatory Academy for the musical fine arts. The management of Humes is through the Gestalt Community Schools, which operates charter schools in Memphis.

L.C Humes High School was constructed in 1924, and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. After years of envisioning, a Historic Marker was authorized by the state of Tennessee, sponsored by Dell Morgan, and established on the grounds of Humes during Elvis Week 2013 on the morning of August 13th. The marker officially recognizes Humes as the alma mater of Elvis Presley. Radio DJ Mr. George Klein and Actor Mr. Red West are also recognized on the marker. A public dedication ceremony was held! Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt was in attendance.

Elvis was commonly thought of as abnormal by his classmates due to his pompadour styled hair, his choice of flamboyant clothing, and he sometimes brought his guitar to music class. Elvis was obviously not the most popular guy at Humes but he did graduate with friends! Two friends were 1953 Class President Mr. George Klein, and Football star Mr. Red West. George Klein, the Class President has had an accomplished career as a distinguished Memphis Radio DJ. George currently hosts the "Elvis Hour" on Memphis' WKQK FM Radio station, and he can be heard live every Friday afternoon from Graceland via Sirius XM's Elvis Radio. George is a published Author of "Elvis The Family Album" and "Elvis: My Best Man" which chronicles his years with Elvis! Red West who played Football at Humes, has appeared in numerous films and is a songwriter. Red had tiny acting parts in several of Elvis' films, he starred in the 1989 film "Roadhouse" with the late Actor Patrick Swayze. Red is the songwriter of two of Elvis' songs': "Separate Ways" and "If Everyday Was Like Christmas."

Tuesday, August 13th at 10:00a.m. was a very monumental morning at Humes! Former Humes High School graduates, Shelby County officials, Memphis residents, fans of Elvis Presley, and the news media were all in attendance at the Humes historic marker dedication ceremony. Robert Dye, the Graceland photographer was also in attendance at the ceremony to capture the historical event. The Humes Historic marker documents the historical significance of Humes as the alma mater of Elvis Presley. Radio DJ Mr. George Klein and Actor Mr. Red West are also recognized on the historic Humes marker. The dedication ceremony was hosted by native Memphian Historian, Mr. Jimmy Ogle - the Chairman of the Shelby County Historical Commission. Author and Memphis Historian, Mr. Mike Freeman participated in the ceremony by speaking to the audience chronicling the hard work perfected for the marker. Freeman also made reference about possible other historic markers which would need philanthropic donations to become a reality! Mr. Freeman also helped in the outdoor positioning process of the marker with Mr. Jimmy Ogle.

The public gathered inside the original and thankfully unchanged Humes Auditorium! The large crowd of plausibly 300+ people were enthusiastic, loud and proud to attend the ceremony with their camera's ready to capture every occurrence! During certain parts of the ceremony, people would hurry to the stage for photos and some sat on the floor directly in front of the stage!! Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt was seated in the center fourth row and captured photos which you can view below this post.

Mr. George Klein and Mr. Red West both attend the ceremony with their families, and each man was given the opportunity to speak to the audience. Mr. Klein and Mr. West both expressed their "thanks" and told the audience how they were very honored and proud of the marker. Both, Klein and West  told a story or two regarding their time with Elvis at Humes.

Ronnie McDowell, Country Music Entertainer and Elvis fan favorite with his 1978 hit "The King is Gone" attended the ceremony. Ronnie spoke about Elvis for a minute, and he performed "Old Shep" which Elvis originally sang as a boy. After Ronnie performed, the audience was in for a real surprising treat, as songwriter Mark James, with Klein and West joined McDowell on stage to sing "Old Shep" together. The performance by Ronnie McDowell, Mark James, George Klein and Red West was absolutely entertaining, delightful, and truly rare!

When the ceremony ended inside the original Humes Auditorium it was time for everyone to head outside to observe the installation of the Historic Humes High School marker. The marker was moved outside and installed upon its post by dedication ceremony host, Mr. Jimmy Ogle and Historian, Mr. Mike Freeman. Mr. George Klein and Mr. Red West who were bombarded for autographs and photographs from fans of Elvis', joined us outside after the marker was established! Both, Mr. Klein and Mr. West posed beside the marker for a while, kindly chatting and graciously taking photos with anyone who asked. Klein and West were very pleasant, and you could sense their inside excitement as well! Everyone was optimistic to meet Mr. Klein and Mr. West, and many Elvis' fans were blessed with the opportunity after standing in line and considerately taking turns with one another. Everyone was definitely pleased and had a fantastic fun filled Elvis morning!

Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt found the opportunity to say "hello" to Mr. George Klein and took a photo with him, but the photo did not capture well. Thankfully Caroline has other photos with Mr. Klein taken over the years. Thank you to, Mr. George Klein for always being kind and talkative with Elvis' fans! Caroline did have the honor of meeting Red West and the photo she took with Mr. West captured quite splendidly! Red had his wife, Pat with him and she made sure everyone had the opportunity to take a photo with Red. Catching a glimpse and meeting Red West at a Elvis related event is a rare occurrence, as Mr. West has not publicly attended Elvis events for several years. Thank you to, Mr. Red West for shaking hands and posing for photos, it was awesome to have met you!

Photos of the Humes High School historic marker can be viewed at the end of this article. The photos were captured by Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt. Enjoy the photos!



**Article and photos are COPYRIGHT (c) Caroline Pratt, all rights reserved. For online or professional use: permission is granted with proper credit given to "Caroline Pratt - Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville"

Click thumbnails for larger views!

"Nobody" a film about the teenaged Elvis Presley

8/22/2013

 
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If you are desiring a film chronicling the life of a teenaged Elvis Presley.... you can get excited because your search is complete!

"Nobody" is the title of an upcoming short-film by Elvis fan & filmmaker, William Bryan. "Nobody" is currently in the final development stages with casting auditions previously conducted in Memphis during Elvis Week 2013.


Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt interviewed William Bryan during Elvis Week. We will soon publish a video and accompanying article from our fantastic interview!

Keep up with the latest "Nobody" news!

Official "Nobody" website: http://www.nobodyshortfilm.com

Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/nobodyshortfilm

Twitter account:

http://twitter.com/nobodyshortfilm

Memphis 2nd Most Generous City in the US

8/22/2013

 
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Memphis 2nd Most Generous City in the US
August 21, 2013

Memphis had been named the second most generous city (based on percentage of income given to charity), second only to Salt Lake.

Way to go Memphis!

Go here to read the full report.

Brand NEW Facebook page: TCE- Taking Care of Elvis

8/22/2013

 
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The social media website Facebook.com has numerous pages and groups dedicated to celebrating and honoring the wonderful life, and extraordinary legacy of Elvis Presley.

I would like to invite you to join a brand NEW Facebook page dedicated to Elvis. "TCE- Taking Care of Elvis" is administered by my Elvis buddy, Jenny Nugent. Jenny has visited Graceland, and has attended Elvis Week before.

"TCE- Taking Care of Elvis" shares photos of Elvis, Elvis trivia, Elvis quotes, and much more!

"If you love Elvis, this is the page for you. xo"


Click here to "LIKE" TCE- Taking Care of Elvis!

Kauai's Coco Palms hopes to make a comeback

8/22/2013

 
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Kauai's Coco Palms hopes to make a comeback

By Cam Tran
4:18 PM HST Aug 09, 2013

HONOLULU —Finally, a sign of hope for the future of the Coco Palms resort on Kauai.  Twenty years after it was destroyed by Hurricane Iniki, local investors have stepped up to buy and renovate the Wailua resort.

"We hope that Coco Palms becomes the true place of aloha that it was prior to Hurricane Iniki," said Tyler Greene, developer for Coco Palms Hui LLC.

Coco Palms site manager: "This is the greatest thing I've heard in forever"

Greene says he wants to restore the property to what it looked like before the hurricane hit.


"There's quite a bit to do.  It's a full renovation job," said Greene.  "We'll be peeling the buildings back to the studs, but all the structures that exist today will stay as they are."

The investors' plan to renovate is an aggressive one.

Immediately after getting their demolition permit this week, crews are already clearing the overgrown brush and trees which have taken over the resort and reconstruction will begin in 2014.

The new buyers are going to reduce the number of rooms from 400 to 350 but will make the rooms larger.

Plans also include renovating the restaurants and restoring the popular lagoon.

"It is our hope to have things like weddings and luaus and cultural events there," said Greene.  "We just want it to be a welcoming grounds for residents of Kauai as well as visitors from all around the world."


source: http://www.kitv.com - KITV News

Betty Harper's "50+ Years with Elvis" Exhibit Opens at Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum

8/22/2013

 
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Betty Harper's “50 + Years with Elvis” Exhibit Opens at Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum
August 22, 2013

Nashville's Musicians Hall of Fame & Museum is proud to announce the opening of an exhibit by Elvis fan-favorite artist Betty Harper. “50 + Years with Elvis” gathers some of Betty’s 10,000 portraits of the King of Rock 'n' Roll.


Learn more about this new exhibit by visiting MusiciansHallOfFame.com.

Harper's careful attention to detail and her uncanny ability to probe the character of her subject is more apparent than in her world-renowned Elvis portraits. With thousands of prints, these works document every period of Elvis' life and captures many of his subtle moods and unconscious gestures.

Betty’s subjects include statesman and heroes, recording artists and movie stars. Her work graces the homes of several governors and scores of entertainment world celebrities.

The “50 + Years with Elvis” Exhibit will be on display from August 29 until the end of 2013. Fans can find several of Betty Harper's Elvis prints and artwork by visiting ShopElvis.com.

Learn more about Harper's designs by visiting BettyHarper.com.


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

Rubberneckin' Podcast Features Donnie Sumner and Bill Baize During Elvis Week 2013

8/22/2013

 
Rubberneckin' Podcast Features Donnie Sumner and Bill Baize During Elvis Week 2013
August 22, 2013

Download Episode #137 of the Rubberneckin' Podcast where Elvis Presley Enterprises' Amanda Pannell looks back on Elvis Week 2013 and online host Brad Birkedahl sits down with former members of J.D. Sumner and The Stamps Quartet, Bill Baize and Donnie Sumner. Be sure to tune in for this witty interview with the men who performed alongside Elvis in the legendary "Aloha From Hawaii" Concert. Donnie Sumner talks about Elvis favorite song "Sweet By And By" and how he would request for the quartet to sing it every night. Sumner also talks about Elvis on a personal level and some of Elvis' favorite past-times. Bill Baize tells the story of meeting Elvis for the first time and how Elvis broke the ice with a practical joke and a wig. Elvis fans can see a complete recap of Elvis Week 2013, including daily videos, live events, photos, blogs and more, by visiting ElvisWeek.com.

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 - Elvis Presley Enterprises

Happy Birthday James Burton!

8/21/2013

 
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Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville would like to wish Elvis' TCB Band Guitar player, James Burton a very HAPPY August 21st BiRTHDAY!!

Happy Birthday James!!

2013 Elvis Christmas CD

8/21/2013

 
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With Elvis Week 2013 just behind us, Sony Music has just announced the release of their 2013 Christmas CD, "Merry Christmas, Love Elvis".

This budget release single disc will be available next week, on August 27th.


These are the songs on the "new" album:
1. If Every Day Was Like Christmas
2. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
3. Winter Wonderland
4. Silver Bells
5. Blue Christmas
6. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
7. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
8. O Come, All Ye Faithful
9. I'll Be Home On Christmas Day
10. Holly Leaves And Christmas Trees
11. Merry Christmas Baby
12. If I Get Home On Christmas Day


source: http://www.elvismatters.com - Elvis Matters

Elvis Weekend at Elvis & Priscilla's Palm Springs Honeymoon Hideaway

8/21/2013

 
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Elvis Weekend at Elvis & Priscilla's Palm Springs Honeymoon Hideaway

The house which brought Elvis and his bride Priscilla to Palm Springs will be open for public tours THIS WEEKEND August 24th 2013 as part of a celebration for the 36th anniversary of Elvis' passing.

Presley and his wife, Priscilla, made the desert their home from 1966-67 when they leased the Robert Alexander estate at 1350 Landera Circle.

Tours of Elvis’ house will be given at 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The day would not be complete without music, and Elvis Tribute Artist, Travis Powell will perform at the house from 4-6 p.m. Guests' can also meet Darling Presley who is a Priscilla Presley Tribute Artist, she will host the event and give the house tours.

Unlike many museum or star tours, visitors are invited to make themselves at home for a personal experience. Guests can get feel for the “King of Rock-n-Roll’s” lifestyle immortalized at this retreat while seated on the original large sofa banquette, one of the most recognized pieces in the famed living room.

Go here to Honeymoon Hideway for more info and tickets.

Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville - Elvis Week 2013 fan club tribute

8/21/2013

 
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Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville honored Elvis and commemorated the 36th Anniversary of his passing during Elvis Week 2013, with a tribute at Graceland which was place at the Meditation Garden.

The theme for our tribute was "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" and it featured photos from Elvis' extraordinary January 14th 1973 concert! 2013 marked the 40th Anniversary of "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii" and Graceland used the Aloha theme too for official Elvis Week events.

Flowers from Lisa & Priscilla - Elvis Week 2013

8/21/2013

 
Elvis' Daughter, Lisa Marie Presley and her Mother Priscilla Beaulieu Presley graciously sent beautiful floral arrangements to Graceland in honor of Elvis Week 2013. The Graceland Staff also had a very nice arrangement. The flowers were to commemorate the 36th Anniversary of Elvis' passing. The flowers were placed near Elvis' grave located in the Meditation Garden.

1st arrangement: Lisa Marie Presley
2nd arrangement: Priscilla Presley
3rd arrangement: Graceland Staff


Photos are copyright (c) Caroline Pratt - Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville. Photos may be used with written permission and proper photo credit given.
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Floral arrangement from Lisa Marie Presley
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Floral arrangement from Priscilla Presley
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Floral arrangement from the Graceland Staff

Elvis Week 2013 Photos Now Available on SmugMug.com

8/21/2013

 
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Elvis Week 2013 Photos Now Available on SmugMug.com
August 21, 2013

Were you at Elvis Week 2013 or know somebody that was? Hundreds of photos are now available for purchase on SmugMug.com. Photos come on many types of paper and in many sizes, making them great gifts for everyone.

Want to see more? Elvis fans can also view complete recaps from each day of Elvis Week with videos, photos, blogs, and Elvis Week extras featured on ElvisWeek.com.


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

Remembering Gladys Presley 55 years after her passing....

8/20/2013

 
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Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville is remembering Elvis' beloved Mother, Gladys Love Smith Presley.
Mrs. Presley passed away 55 years ago on August 14, 1958.

UPDATE: Elvis Presley BLVD - next possible public meeting

8/20/2013

 
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A Facebook page for the improvements on Elvis Presley Blvd has announced the next possible public meeting.

From
Elvis Presley Boulevard Improvements:


"We are starting the planning process for our next Public Meeting, tentatively set for late September. We'll be providing updates on the construction at Brooks Road, utility improvements in the North Segment, and the design of the overall project. We'll post more information as it becomes available, and we hope to see you there!"


source: https://www.facebook.com/epbmemphis

Mother Dolores Hart at "Conversations on Elvis"

8/20/2013

 
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Mother Dolores Hart at "Conversations on Elvis"

It’s not that often you find a nun headlining a rock and roll event. But fans packed the main stage tent at Graceland Wednesday to hear Mother Dolores Hart along with singer/songwriter T.G. Sheppard and bassist Norbert Putnam tell tales of the King of Rock and Roll at the "Conversations on Elvis" discussion.

Fans were particularly interested in Mother Dolores’ unusual story. Before she joined a monastery as a nun, Mother Dolores was a rising actress in Hollywood and costarred with Elvis in two of his films. She’d been in prestige films and starred on Broadway, but gave it up for the cloistered life.

Cloistered but not isolated: with permissions from her abbess and the archbishop, she published a book and came to Memphis to visit fans and sign "The Ear of the Heart." She’s also taking pictures of people she’s meeting on the trip — fans, staffers and even reporters. "I’ve always wanted to see Graceland and where Elvis lived and where his heart was," she said. "I feel his presence here so much."

She recalled the first time she met Elvis (asking him "What do you do?" because she’d been studying too hard to pay attention to pop culture), saying, "I could not believe his charisma — his voice and how it penetrated the heart."

A long line of fans stood to meet her and get signed copies of her book.

T.G. Sheppard also told his stories. Elvis knew Billy Neal Browder in the early days before he changed his name to T.G. Sheppard. He recalled to fans how Elvis was walking around Graceland singing along with his first hit, but Elvis didn’t know his friend Billy — who was hanging around at Graceland — was also T. G. Later Elvis found out and said, "Hey, you could’ve told me you were T.G. Sheppard."


source: http://www.commercialappeal.com/ Memphis Commercial Appeal Newspaper & Elvis Information Network - http://www.elvisinfonet.com

Watch the STAX Listening Party!

8/20/2013

 

During Elvis Week 2013 an event titled "Elvis: at STAX Listening Party" happened on August 13th with hundreds of Elvis fans in attendance. Norbert Putnam, bassist discussed this musically historic event, along with Ernest Jorgensen and Roger Semon from Sony Music. The event was FREE to the public and also offered great refreshments.

Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville, President Caroline Pratt attended the event and afterwards met Norbert Putnam and Ernest Jorgensen.


Watch the complete one hour & 16 minute discussion by clicking on the video shared above!

Thousands honor Elvis Presley at Graceland candlelight vigil

8/20/2013

 
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Thousands honor Elvis Presley at Graceland candlelight vigil
  • Adrian Sainz, Associated Press
  • Posted August 15, 2013 at 11:11 p.m.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Elvis Presley fans from around the world made their annual pilgrimage to Graceland on Thursday to pay their respects to the rock n' roll icon with a solemn candlelight vigil on the 36th anniversary of his death.

Thousands of Presley fans carried lit candles as they walked slowly and silently through the Mediation Garden at Graceland, Presley's longtime Memphis home. The garden is the location of Presley's grave and also is the spot where his mother, father and grandmother are buried.

Wreaths of flowers and pictures of Presley encircled the grave, while shadows cast by the glowing candles danced along the stone wall surrounding the garden. Soft music played in the mild night, as some in the procession bowed their heads or cried quietly.

Each year, fans of Presley's music and movies come to Memphis for Elvis Week, the weeklong celebration of his life and career. Presley died on Aug. 16, 1977, of a heart attack after battling prescription drug abuse.

The vigil is the highlight of Elvis Week, which this year featured a listening party at Stax Records for the recent release of the three-CD box set "Elvis at Stax." Performances by Presley tribute artists and a screening of the "Aloha from Hawaii" television program from January 1973 are other featured events of the weeklong reunion, which wraps up Saturday.

Police estimated 35,000 people would attend the vigil. Last year, an estimated 75,000 people descended on Graceland for the event. Elvis' ex-wife Priscilla Presley and his daughter Lisa Marie Presley spoke at last year's event, the first time they appeared together at the vigil since it began.

Christine Jeffords made her fifth trip to Graceland with her husband Jon and three other members of a fan club called the Elvis Midwest Mafia, whose members are from Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin. They wore red T-shirts with Presley's image emblazoned on a king of hearts playing card on the front.

The back of their shirts had a quote that gives one reason why fans have made repeated trips to Memphis for Elvis Week and the vigil: "If you have a friend who is an Elvis fan, you have a friend for life."

"Where else can you go where you meet people from year to year who have the same passion?" said Christine Jeffords, a pre-school teacher from Traverse City, Mich.

Jeffords, 52, smiles when she talks about buying her first Presley 45, "Let Yourself Go," which she bought as a young teen with money she had saved from babysitting jobs. She said the vigil is a way to remember not only his career, but also his giving personality and ability to make people happy with his music.

"If you were sad or happy or whatever, he was such a big part of your life," Jeffords said. "I always felt in my heart that he was a good person, a beautiful person."

The vigil started as an informal gathering the year after his death. It has blossomed into a major tourist event. Fans begin lining up along the outer wall of Graceland about 12 hours before the vigil, and many will stay until the early morning hours of the next day.

The event also has become an international affair and a tribute to the Tupelo, Miss., native's worldwide popularity, hosting fans from Australia, Brazil, England and Japan and other foreign countries.

Miguel Salinas Caceres, 53, came with other members of a fan club whose members are from Chile. Making his first visit to Graceland, Salinas Caceres recalled making scrapbooks of newspaper article clippings about Presley when he was a teen.

The articles and scrapbooks were a way he and his family followed and learned about Presley because they could not afford a record player or even the records themselves. He said his family used to pay a neighbor who owned a television so that they could watch Presley movies and other TV programs at the neighbors' house.

"For a person who is an Elvis fan and has the chance to come to the place he lived, it's emotional for me," said Salinas Caceres, of Santiago, Chile. "It's hard to believe that I'm here on the street where he walked, the street corners where he stood, the restaurants where he ate."

His fellow fan club member Rodrigo Gandarillas, a native Chilean who now lives in Houston, is on his second visit to Graceland. An Elvis tribute artist himself, the 39-year-old Gandarillas said the vigil is a way to give thanks for the enjoyment Presley has given him.

"The thing that impacts me the most about the vigil is the large amount of people from different countries, different races and different languages who understand 'the King's' musical message," Gandarillas said.


source: The Commercial Appeal http://www.commercialappeal.com

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