Elvis Presley Fans of Nashville would like to take a moment to wish Elvis' high soprano of
18 years,
Millie Kirkham a very Happy 90th Birthday!!
Millie was Elvis' high soprano and she can be heard on numerous Elvis recordings, including "Blue Christmas," "How Great Thou Art," "The Wonder of You," and many others. In 1969 and 1970, she performed in Las Vegas with Elvis. Millie can be seen in the documentary "That's The Way It Is".
Kirkham collaborated for years with the Jordanaires. In their first session together, she sang harmony on Husky's recording of "Gone," in 1956. The blend of background vocals and string arrangements contributed to the lush, pop-flavored production that made "Gone" one of the trademark songs of the Nashville Sound.
It was Kirkham's high soprano vocals on "Gone" that caught the attention of Elvis Presley. In 1957, she added her voice to the first of many recordings by Presley. "Blue Christmas" was one of the songs on the session. Kirkham recorded with Presley for 18 years and contributed to some of his movie soundtracks, Vegas recordings and live performances.
Kirkham also recorded with pop, country and rock 'n' roll artists. Among them are George Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Jerry Lee Lewis, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Charley Pride and more. Though Kirkham stopped recording regularly in the 1980s, she toured the U.S. and Europe with "Elvis-The Concert" in the late 1990s.
Kirkham collaborated for years with the Jordanaires. In their first session together, she sang harmony on Husky's recording of "Gone," in 1956. The blend of background vocals and string arrangements contributed to the lush, pop-flavored production that made "Gone" one of the trademark songs of the Nashville Sound.
It was Kirkham's high soprano vocals on "Gone" that caught the attention of Elvis Presley. In 1957, she added her voice to the first of many recordings by Presley. "Blue Christmas" was one of the songs on the session. Kirkham recorded with Presley for 18 years and contributed to some of his movie soundtracks, Vegas recordings and live performances.
Kirkham also recorded with pop, country and rock 'n' roll artists. Among them are George Jones, Rosemary Clooney, Perry Como, Jerry Lee Lewis, Loretta Lynn, Roy Orbison, Charley Pride and more. Though Kirkham stopped recording regularly in the 1980s, she toured the U.S. and Europe with "Elvis-The Concert" in the late 1990s.
Biography source: Elvis Matters