Catching Up with Lisa Marie Presley: a Q&A - By Colt McGraw
It was a perfectly lovely Saturday. The sun was shining proudly and the wind blew softly at the 61st Annual Sausalito Art Festival.
I decided to attend the event because of the festival’s royal headliner, Lisa Marie Presley. Who could pass up the opportunity to experience a performance by a woman whose history is so deep that it’s matched only by the prideful Pacific Ocean, which served as the backdrop to festival’s main stage?
My Father and I had a couple hours to wander prior to Presley’s performance so we pondered pieces by artists from all over the country. We browsed exhibits featuring photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry and more. The attendees all contributed to a beautiful community feel, adorned with stylishly yet casual attire often topped with floppy Labor Day weekend hats and accessorized with ribbon and flowers.
As the time drew near to Presley’s appearance, a crowd began to gravitate to the front of the stage though a group of photographers and fans claimed their stations earlier on. The band prepared as the crowd grew restless with excitement to catch a glimpse of Presley, whose presence had been felt all day long.
Presley took to the stage wearing a royal blue full length dress showing off her slim figure. Her full hair was perfectly quaffed and her eyes covered with traditional aviator glasses that shielded her soulful eyes from the sharp sunlight. Presley’s first song was almost forgotten due to the crowds needed time to accept the stunning vision. Security wove through the audience discouraging photography to the disappointment of many, however it gave everyone the opportunity to focus on the show and catch the subtleties of the performance.
Presley’s unique sounds clearly set her apart from her father’s musical style. This came to a surprise to many who hadn’t followed the development of her music career. The band stuck to upbeat songs to complement the energy of the crowd. Presley graciously thanked the listeners for coming and departed the stage with a solid staff and security that led her and her family back to a private tented area.
I met with Presley shortly after her performance in her private room under a highly guarded tent. Christy, her kind assistant escorted me to the area that brought me only a few moments from greeting her. I must admit that I began to get quite nervous. The tent flap opened and I was welcomed into see Lisa Marie Presley, now with her sun glasses off, sitting alone at an empty table awaiting only me.
I reached out my hand and introduced myself; she shook it softly and offered me a seat next to her. It took me a moment to feel comfortable to look directly at her. Her iconic features were focused on me and it was almost too much to handle, luckily I was able to communicate without stumbling over words or fidgeting too much.
I hope you enjoy our brief Q & A:
Q: What makes you happy in your free time?
Lisa:
"Gardening, cooking, plain simple types of things, meeting friends for a drink and even just going for a walk makes me happy. My family is very important to me."
Q: Being an advocate for civil rights, who taught you compassion?
Lisa:
"I think you just kind of have it but being a mom has really opened my eyes more. I’ve always been very passionate about what I believe, no matter what. I don’t know if it’s hereditary but my father was very charitable and so is my mother. Right now I am working with World Vision that provides food, water and shelter to children in third world countries. I like to help children because they can’t help themselves. My mom is more about animals but I’m about the children. Moms a dog person and I’m more of a crazy cat lady." (she laughs)
Q: If you were to record one of your father’s songs, which one would it be?
Lisa:
"I have recorded 3 but as duets. It’s kind of like a Natalie and Nat King Cole thing. I get nervous about this because I don’t sing like him, I never said I could. I would never try to take one of his songs but I don’t mind singing harmony with him."
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Lisa: "Hopefully not in a casket."
Q: Does that often cross your mind?
Lisa:
"Always, doesn’t it cross yours? I guess I think about it because it happened to me so young. It’s always on my mind and I think about my kids and I can’t do that to them."
Q: Being a child of fame, how has that allowed you to prepare your children for the same type of life?
Lisa:
"I don’t expose them to the limelight. I understand that some people think it’s fun to watch these children grow up and watch what they wear and what they do. I don’t think that’s fair to them. I want my children to think about their choices. I also make sure that my children live in normalcy. My parents did it with me. We have spurts of this type of stuff. That’s how I kept somewhat of my sanity."
We ended our quick Q & A with a couple pictures and Presley admits, “I hope that I didn’t bore you.” She needed not to worry; there was no possible way that I would be bored in her presence.
You may pick up a copy of Presley's newest CD, "Storm & Grace" today!
Feel free to follow Lisa Marie Presley on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisamariepresley
Colt McGraw is a freelance writer in Sacramento, and frequent contributor to Outword. He can be reached at mrcoltmcgraw@yahoo.com .
source: http://www.outwordmagazine.com - Colt McGraw for Outword Magazine
It was a perfectly lovely Saturday. The sun was shining proudly and the wind blew softly at the 61st Annual Sausalito Art Festival.
I decided to attend the event because of the festival’s royal headliner, Lisa Marie Presley. Who could pass up the opportunity to experience a performance by a woman whose history is so deep that it’s matched only by the prideful Pacific Ocean, which served as the backdrop to festival’s main stage?
My Father and I had a couple hours to wander prior to Presley’s performance so we pondered pieces by artists from all over the country. We browsed exhibits featuring photography, painting, sculpture, jewelry and more. The attendees all contributed to a beautiful community feel, adorned with stylishly yet casual attire often topped with floppy Labor Day weekend hats and accessorized with ribbon and flowers.
As the time drew near to Presley’s appearance, a crowd began to gravitate to the front of the stage though a group of photographers and fans claimed their stations earlier on. The band prepared as the crowd grew restless with excitement to catch a glimpse of Presley, whose presence had been felt all day long.
Presley took to the stage wearing a royal blue full length dress showing off her slim figure. Her full hair was perfectly quaffed and her eyes covered with traditional aviator glasses that shielded her soulful eyes from the sharp sunlight. Presley’s first song was almost forgotten due to the crowds needed time to accept the stunning vision. Security wove through the audience discouraging photography to the disappointment of many, however it gave everyone the opportunity to focus on the show and catch the subtleties of the performance.
Presley’s unique sounds clearly set her apart from her father’s musical style. This came to a surprise to many who hadn’t followed the development of her music career. The band stuck to upbeat songs to complement the energy of the crowd. Presley graciously thanked the listeners for coming and departed the stage with a solid staff and security that led her and her family back to a private tented area.
I met with Presley shortly after her performance in her private room under a highly guarded tent. Christy, her kind assistant escorted me to the area that brought me only a few moments from greeting her. I must admit that I began to get quite nervous. The tent flap opened and I was welcomed into see Lisa Marie Presley, now with her sun glasses off, sitting alone at an empty table awaiting only me.
I reached out my hand and introduced myself; she shook it softly and offered me a seat next to her. It took me a moment to feel comfortable to look directly at her. Her iconic features were focused on me and it was almost too much to handle, luckily I was able to communicate without stumbling over words or fidgeting too much.
I hope you enjoy our brief Q & A:
Q: What makes you happy in your free time?
Lisa:
"Gardening, cooking, plain simple types of things, meeting friends for a drink and even just going for a walk makes me happy. My family is very important to me."
Q: Being an advocate for civil rights, who taught you compassion?
Lisa:
"I think you just kind of have it but being a mom has really opened my eyes more. I’ve always been very passionate about what I believe, no matter what. I don’t know if it’s hereditary but my father was very charitable and so is my mother. Right now I am working with World Vision that provides food, water and shelter to children in third world countries. I like to help children because they can’t help themselves. My mom is more about animals but I’m about the children. Moms a dog person and I’m more of a crazy cat lady." (she laughs)
Q: If you were to record one of your father’s songs, which one would it be?
Lisa:
"I have recorded 3 but as duets. It’s kind of like a Natalie and Nat King Cole thing. I get nervous about this because I don’t sing like him, I never said I could. I would never try to take one of his songs but I don’t mind singing harmony with him."
Q: Where do you see yourself in ten years?
Lisa: "Hopefully not in a casket."
Q: Does that often cross your mind?
Lisa:
"Always, doesn’t it cross yours? I guess I think about it because it happened to me so young. It’s always on my mind and I think about my kids and I can’t do that to them."
Q: Being a child of fame, how has that allowed you to prepare your children for the same type of life?
Lisa:
"I don’t expose them to the limelight. I understand that some people think it’s fun to watch these children grow up and watch what they wear and what they do. I don’t think that’s fair to them. I want my children to think about their choices. I also make sure that my children live in normalcy. My parents did it with me. We have spurts of this type of stuff. That’s how I kept somewhat of my sanity."
We ended our quick Q & A with a couple pictures and Presley admits, “I hope that I didn’t bore you.” She needed not to worry; there was no possible way that I would be bored in her presence.
You may pick up a copy of Presley's newest CD, "Storm & Grace" today!
Feel free to follow Lisa Marie Presley on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lisamariepresley
Colt McGraw is a freelance writer in Sacramento, and frequent contributor to Outword. He can be reached at mrcoltmcgraw@yahoo.com .
source: http://www.outwordmagazine.com - Colt McGraw for Outword Magazine
