Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall to Celebrate Elvis, 8/15-17
Published: July 28th

Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall will celebrate the life and legacy of 'The King of Rock n' Roll' Elvis Presley with live entertainment, food specials, contests, movies, music and gaming promotions August 15-17.

Throughout the weekend, Elvis' most popular songs including "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender" and "Jailhouse Rock" will play throughout the casino, while several of his hit movies are aired in Roxy's, during scheduled times.

Guests dressed as Elvis dine for free at Firelight Buffet. Elvis's favorite dishes will appear at several of the food and beverage offerings throughout the property: The Sports Deli will feature a peanut butter and banana sandwich; and Billy Bob's Steak House & Saloon and Willy and Jose's Cantina will offer a "King Creole" dinner special - blackened orange roughy and shrimp creole with tobacco onions.

B Connected members have a variety of promotions available during the special weekend, including, 20X points on all "Grease, Pink Lady" slot machines, slot and video poker tournaments on Friday and Saturday, three randomly selected $100 hot seats every 20 minutes from 1-4 p.m. daily, one randomly selected $1,000 hot seat at 5 p.m. daily, and players earning 200 points can receive a TY Elvis Beanie Bear on Sunday and an Elvis-themed license plate on Saturday, and $20 in free slot play per day (with valid identification) for guests named Elvis. See B Connected Club for complete rules and details.

Renowned Elvis tribute artist Brandon Bennett performs at Sam's Town Live! August 16 at 8 p.m. Bennett's show takes the audience on a journey through Elvis' career, symbolized by powerful vocals, high-energy stage performances and the legendary jumpsuits. Tickets are available starting from $15, plus tax and convenience fees, and can be purchased at any Boyd Gaming Box Office, by calling 702.284.7777, or visiting www.samstownlv.com. 

An Elvis Karaoke Contest will be held in Roxy's August 17 from 2-4 p.m. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top five contestants with the first place contestant receiving $1,000. Registration for the contest will take place from 12:30-2 p.m. See B Connected Club for complete rules and details.

Beginning August 1, visit www.samstownlv.com for complete details about Elvis Weekend at Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall.


About Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall
Sam's Town Hotel and Gambling Hall, located at 5111 Boulder Highway, is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation. Sam's Town features 12 restaurants, an 18-screen movie theater, 56-lane bowling center, a 12,000 square foot entertainment center and newly renovated Mystic Falls Indoor Park. The property has a 133,000-square foot casino with 29 table games, more than 2,000 slot and video poker machines, a bingo parlor, keno lounge and poker room and race and sports book. For more information visit www.samstownlv.com, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/samstownlv), and Twitter (@samstownlv). Headquartered in Las Vegas.


source: http://www.broadwayworld.com

See the World Premiere Screening of “Nobody" During Elvis Week
JULY 28, 2014

Join us during Elvis Week for the world premiere of the short film about Elvis and the spring talent show that sparked the big bang of rock 'n' roll! The highly-anticipated “Nobody" will make its exclusive debut the morning of the Fan Club President's Event on August 13. Fans can then see the world-premiere screening that evening at Studio on the Square in Memphis.

The biographical production was filmed entirely in Memphis, recreating true events at Sun Studio and the Humes High School auditorium where Elvis performed on April 9, 1953. The world premiere screening will feature the 15-minute short film, followed by a Q & A session with the film’s writer, director and producer William Bryan, in addition to lead cast members. 

"Nobody" will be included in a special sneak-peek screening during the Fan Club President's Event taking place at 10:00 a.m. inside the Elvis Week Main Stage on August 13. The world-premiere will take place at 5:00 p.m. on August 13, at Studio On the Square in Memphis. 

Tickets for the world-premiere are $12.00 and available by visiting NobodyShortFilm.com or at the door of the event, pending availability. All proceeds from the event will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. For a complete schedule of events, featured guests, and more visit ElvisWeek.com.


source: Graceland

Sandie Kaye Stevens
(Met Elvis in 1957 while Hollywood, California & remained friend for many years)
Billy Stanley
(Elvis' Step-Brother. His Mother, Dee Stanley, married Elvis' Father, Vernon Presley)
Sandi Pichon
(Author and friend to Elvis. Attended numerous concerts and became close to Elvis and his inner circle. Author of "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!", "Elvis on Tour: '75" and "Elvis... Poetry from the Heart."
Sue McCasland 
(Friend to Elvis. Attended numerous concerts. Author of "Elvis Live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe")
Will McDaniel - "Bardahl"
(Friend to Elvis. Their first meeting was at the Roller-Dome Skating Rink. Author of "Elvis the Lighter Side")
Mike Freeman
(Elvis Historian & Author of "Elvis Memphis Style")
Thomas R. Machnitzki
(Memphis Corespondent for the German Elvis Graceland Magazine, "E.P.G")

Allyson Adams 
Author
(Daughter of Elvis' Actor Friend, Nick Adams. Autographed copies of "The Rebel & The King" will be available for purchase. Allyson, will not be present. 


Other Elvis world celebrities, authors and friends will possibly make appearances. 

Special Guests

Sandi Pichon 
(Author of: "Raised on Elvis! Elvis! Elvis!", "Elvis On Tour: '75" and "Elvis Poetry.... From the Heart"

Sandi Pichon, President of the TCB Elvis Style Fan Club, first met Elvis Presley when she 11 years old at the Presley's 1034 Audubon Drive home. Sandi, attended numerous Elvis concerts in the 1970's. She became known to Elvis and members of the inner circle of Elvis' entourage. 

Peggy Mercer 
(Award winning Author, Songwriter & Speaker)
Wayne Mann
(Cousin of Elvis. His Mother was Gladys sister, Lillian)
Danny Smith 
(Son of Billy Smith, Elvis' 1st Cousin)
Nancy Black Shockley 
(Daughter of the late Bill Black, Elvis' Bass Player)
Donna Lewis 
(Author of the "Hurry Home Elvis" Diaries book series Vol 1-3)
Shirley Connell 
(Author of "The Man in My Backyard")
Sue McCasland 
(Author of "Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe")
JoCathy Brownlee Elkington 
(Elvis' Former 1975 Girlfriend)
Will "Bardalh" McDaniel
 (Friend to Elvis)
Steve Kelley 
(Friend to Elvis)
Alan Wade 
(Friend to Elvis)

source: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Elvis-Presley-Birthplace

Elvis' Lifelong Friend Jerry Schilling To Speak at Official Insiders Event During Elvis Week
JULY 24, 2014

We are excited to announce another special guest for Elvis Week 2014! Elvis' lifelong friend Jerry Schilling will be speaking at the Official Insiders Event taking place August 14, at the Elvis Week Main Stage. Purchase your tickets through Graceland Reservations by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322 or online here at Graceland.com.

Jerry Schilling is a veteran music industry professional and childhood friend to Elvis Presley. He was with Elvis the day he met President Richard Nixon and he also worked with Elvis throughout his career. As his lifelong friend, he traveled around the country on Elvis' tours. Schilling co-edited the now famous "Elvis On Tour" with Martin Scorsese. He has spent forty years in the entertainment industry working as an actor, film editor, producer, and manager for acts such as the Beach Boys and Jerry Lee Lewis. He still currently resides in the West Hollywood Hills home that Elvis gave him. 

Other guests at the Official Insiders Event include The Memphis Boys’ members Bobby Wood, Gene Chrisman and Reggie Young; representatives from Sony and Warner Bros. talking about “Elvis: That’s The Way It Is; Elvis artist and fellow Insider Joe Petruccio; Elvis’ jeweler Lowell Hays; and authors of the new Follow That Dream book "Elvis Presley: Memphis To Nashville '61" Pål Granlund and David English. 

For more on Elvis Week events and special offers from our Elvis Week partners, visit ElvisWeek.com or download the new Elvis Week app. 


source: Graceland

Meet The Elvis Week Online Hosts
JULY 21, 2014

We are excited to announce this year's Elvis Week online hosts! Fans can tune in and hear from video host Memphis Jones and daily blogger Jon Waterhouse each day as we celebrate the life and legacy of Elvis Presley! As we prepare to kick off a week filled with live Elvis entertainment, special guests, concerts and much more, fans will have the opportunity to go behind the scenes of Graceland and experience Elvis Week 2014!

ONLINE HOSTS

Memphis Jones 
2014 Elvis Week Video Host
Memphis Jones is a professional fan and he brings his unique brand of enthusiasm to every job. Whether he's emceeing, interviewing, tweeting or shooting promotional videos, he brings the excitement with his positive, uplifting and spirited personality. Family friendly and fun for all audiences, Memphis Jones works hard with every group to create an atmosphere of unity and does not stop until everyone is playing along. Memphis Jones has been a life-long Elvis fan and is an expert on the birthplace of rock 'n' roll. His love for the king turned into a lifetime dedicated to music and educating people about the unique sound of Memphis's finest musicians.

Jon Waterhouse
2014 Elvis Week Blogger
Entertainment journalist and lifelong Elvis fan Jon Waterhouse returns as the official blogger for Elvis Week 2014. With a journalism career spanning more than 20 years, Jon has had the pleasure of interviewing music legends from Ringo Starr to Dolly Parton. He even served as publicity writer for Rock Hall of Famers, Van Halen. Yet 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 his weekly Atlanta-based radio program, “The Pop Culture King Show,” snagged a 2013 award for his annual Elvis special. Keep an ear open for Jon’s guest DJ specials on SiriusXM’s Elvis Radio. 

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 see a complete scheudle of events, live entertainment and special guest by visiting ElvisWeek.com.



source: Graceland

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

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

Elvis' Co-star Cynthia Pepper Joins Elvis Week Lineup

We are excited to announce Elvis' "Kissin' Cousins" co-star Cynthia Pepper will be joining Elvis fans for Elvis Week 2014. Pepper will be speaking at Conversations on Elvis at the Elvis Week Main Stage on Friday, August 15. Tickets for this event are available through Graceland Reservations by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322 or online at Graceland.com.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of MGM’s release of “Kissin’ Cousins.” In this film, Cynthia co-stars with Presley, playing his love interest Midge Reilly. Cynthia was also a regular in the first season of “My Three Sons,” as well as other guest appearances on “Perry Mason,” “Wagon Train” and others. Pepper's first movie role was opposite Sandra Dee and James Stewart in “Take Her She’s Mine” in 1963. Then in 1964, she co-starred with Elvis Presley in “Kissin Cousins.” In this film, Cynthia receives her first on-screen kiss by Elvis himself. Cynthia went on to guest in many TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s such as “The Addams Family,” “Julia,” “The Flying Nun” and “The Jimmy Stewart Show.”

Other confirmed guests for Conversations on Elvis include Elvis' former wife Priscilla Presley, who helped open Graceland to Elvis fans in 1982, and Elvis' Imperials Terry Blackwood and Joe Moscheo, who were in "Elvis: That's The Way It Is." 

See a complete list of featured guests, schedule of events, Elvis Week partners and more by visiting ElvisWeek.com. 


http://www.graceland.com

Priscilla Presley to Join Fans During Elvis Week Celebration

A special guest has been added to the Elvis Week lineup and fans will want a front row seat to hear exciting stories from someone very close to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Priscilla Presley will join the annual celebration of the life and legacy of Elvis Presley when she sits down with host Tom Brown during Conversations on Elvis at the Elvis Week Main Stage on Friday, August 15. 

Other confirmed guests for Conversations on Elvis include Elvis' Imperials Terry Blackwood and Joe Moscheo who were in "Elvis: That's The Way It Is." More guests to be announced soon.

Tickets for this event are available through Graceland Reservations by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322 or online at Graceland.com.


http://www.graceland.com