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Elvis Encyclopedia Quiz: Courtesy of Overlook Duckworth Press, EIN presents a quiz based on the recently published book, The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor. More than thirty years after his death, Elvis Presley remains indelibly etched in to the American psyche. As the Elvis of myth – an embodiment of the American Dream in the flesh- has become synonymous with Elvis the man, the subject of countless books, articles and songs, it has become increasingly hard to discern who Elvis really was. By combining obsessive research with absorbing writing, Adam Victor, author of the bestselling The Marilyn Encyclopedia, sifts through the competing versions of events throughout Elvis's life and traces a young man's path to immortality.

Answer the following by choosing either a, b, c, or d:

1. What did Elvis pay for Circle G Ranch?
        a. $36,000
        b. $437,000
        c. $1,000,000
        d. 128,000

2. What was Elvis’s job before cutting his first record in 1955?
        a. delivery truck driver for Crown Electric
        b. worked in a sewing factory with his mother
        c. a line cook at the local diner
        d. he cut lawns for the local neighbors

3. What was Elvis’s first appearance on national television and when?
        a. “Louisiana Hayride” on KWKH March 5, 1955
        b. “The Roy Orbison Show” on KOSA May 31, 1955
        c. “Stage Show” on CBS January 28, 1956
        d. “Milton Berle Show” April 1956

4. Between which two celebrities is Elvis’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?
        a. Gary Cooper and Milton Berle
        b. Jack Lemmon and Ronald Regan
        c. Fred Astaire and Ingrid Bergman
        d. Ray Charles and Vivian Leigh

5. How many of the following women did Elvis marry?  Magdalene Morgan, Dixie Locke, June Juanico, Anita Wood, Priscilla Beaulieu, Linda Thompson, Ginger Alden
        a. three
        b. two
        c. one
        e. six

6. What did radio personality, Dewey Phillips, call Elvis when spinning his record on the radio for the first time?
        a. Elton Preston
        b. Eli Preistly
        c. Elia Priest
        d. Ellis Perry

7. What was Elvis’s favorite alias to use when traveling?
        a. Tom Wilson
        b. John Carpenter
        c. Jon Burrows
        d. Lucky Jackson

8. Which of Elvis’s movies was the only one to premiere in New York City?
        a. Viva Las Vegas
        b. Love Me Tender
        c. Jailhouse Rock
        d. Blue Hawaii

9. Of what was Elvis made honorary captain in 1956?
        a. Louisiana Hayride
        b. The Tupelo Rotary Club
        c. The Mississippi State Baseball Team
        d. Louisiana State Highway Patrol

10. What was one of Elvis’s earliest gifts to his mother after giving her the famed pink Cadillac?
        a. a vacuum
        b. an electric mixer
        c. a house
        d. a washer/dryer set

11. How many number one singles made it to the Billboard Charts in Elvis’s lifetime?
        a. 10
        b. 38
        c. 57
        d. 17

12. What was the name Elvis gave to the pitched firework battles he regularly held in the Graceland grounds over the Christmas and July 4th holidays?
        a. Spectacular Spectacular
        b. Sparkle Show
        c. War
        d. Lisa Marie’s Fireworks


The above is excerpted from the book The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor.........Published by Overlook Duckworth Press; October 2008;$65.US/$71.50CAN; 978-1-585-67598-2.........Copyright © 2008 Adam Victor

Author Bio: Adam Victor is a writer and translator and the author of The Marilyn Encyclopedia. The Elvis Encyclopedia is his biggest project to date, the distillation of more than six years of research in libraries, film and audio archives, and private collections. The result is the most comprehensive book on Elvis ever published. Adam Victor lives in Italy with his wife and son.

Read EIN's review of "The Elvis Encyclopedia"

Quiz Answers: b, a, c, d, c*, a, c, b, d, b, d, c

* EIN Note: A 2nd marriage certificate exists between Elvis and Tupelo girlfriend, Magdalene Morgan. It is not known how it came into being, but it is known the couple never married.

the king is dead.......Memphis Funeral Home Director, Robert Kendall, first hand account of the aftermath of Aug 16, 1977: The circumstances surrounding Elvis’ death and what transpired in the days after 16 August, 1977, are issues which have fascinated many people since that fateful day.  The Death of Elvis: What Really Happened? by Cole & Thompson found a wide audience following its release in 1992 and many fans refer to it in trying to unravel what happened in August 1977.  A perceived weakness of the Cole & Thompson publication is that it involves an amount of supposition and conjecture. Another book important book which needs to be examined in establishing issues around Elvis’ death is the king is dead by Robert Holton.  Published twice, in 1998 and 2004, by KatcoMedia, this book is an account of the arrangements for Elvis’ funeral as told to the author by Memphis Funeral Home Director, Robert Kendall. Kendall was the last person to see the body of Elvis Aaron Presley!

After publication in both 1998 and 2004, copies of the book were very hard to buy, even through KatcoMedia’s website.  EIN received numerous complaints of people ordering and paying for the book and either never receiving it or having to wait a very long time for it to arrive. It appears in both 1998 and 2004, despite reasonable demand for the book, relatively few copies actually made it into fan’s Elvis libraries.

Unfortunately KatcoMedia has ceased operation, meaning the only way to locate a copy of the king is dead is on eBay or through an online bookstore like Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

The importance of the king is dead lies in Robert Kendall’s first hand account of the state of Elvis’ body as he received it in the Memphis Funeral Home, the embalming process and how the casket and funeral was arranged so quickly (a logistical nightmare that took some work but was plausibly done!). 

EIN won’t cover all the issues answered in the king is dead, but Kendall’s account of the following issues is more than interesting:

Was it Elvis? 

Robert Kendall’s account of his first viewing of Elvis’ corpse is telling:

….I closed my eyes in a sudden spasm of fear that the face to come into view might not be that of Elvis Presley.

Finally, I heard someone in the room whisper: “now I believe Elvis really dead.”

Eyes shut, I conceded to myself that my trust in the doctors in the autopsy suite had not been misplaced.  I opened my eyes and stared down into the face of Elvis Presley.

Cranial Autopsy?......Wax Dummy?

One of the issues answered by the king is dead are the questions of whether or not a cranial autopsy had been performed on Elvis and why his face looked “like a wax dummy”. 

Despite the conjecture in other books, Robert Kendall makes it very clear no cranial autopsy had taken place:

There had been no cranial autopsy, leaving the head untouched and in need of little more than hairdressing and facial make-up restoration. The discoloration of the skin turned ashen once the blood was replaced by embalming fluid.

Cosmetics, powder, lip tint and rouge would be applied to the face and hands to restore a more life-like tone to the corpse.

the king is dead also evokes a vivid picture of the emotional grief experienced by the Presley family, particularly Vernon, those close to Elvis and the thousands of mourners who came to pay their last respects.

There are so many different genres of Elvis books and the king is dead is mandatory inclusion for those interested in at least some of the ‘facts’ of his death.  The book deserves a much wider audience than it has so far been exposed to and being based on a first hand account has a credibility other books lack. (Book News, Source: EIN)

Tomorrow on EIN: An account from within the autopsy room

'Dec 2008 Record Collector' now in Aussie & NZ newsagencies: The December 2008 edition of Record Collector is now available from newsagencies "downunder". Featuring a substantial 10 page cover article by Ken Sharp on Elvis' legendary '68 Comeback Special, it is recommended reading (+ some great photos!). Price: A$10.95. (News, Source: EIN) EIN Note: Record Collector rates 'Elvis Christmas Duets' with only 1 star (out of 5)!

ELVIS IN PERSON (FTD DELUXE 2008): EIN contributor, Crister Berge, reviews the latest FTD release........ ”You read your lines so cleverly”… Observations: I’ve always found it a little odd that they used a photo from the 1968 TV Special for the cover of this album of 1969 live recordings from Las Vegas. I think the second guitar solo in “Mystery Train” / “Tiger Man” is the best solo James Burton ever played – turn the volume WAY up and listen to this dude! The August 25 midnight show seems to have been something else (look at the track list on CD 1). How can anyone do fifty-seven 70-minute shows in four weeks? It’s inhuman!

“Rare performances”: Says Elvis, “We’re recording a live aud… (whistles) a live album here tonight and I gotta do a couple o’ new songs…” And of all the great songs (more than thirty of ‘em) recorded at American Sound in 1969, Elvis chooses to perform “This Is The Story,” one of the weakest tracks from that session. And it’s so sloppy you won’t believe it. The singer is apparently unfamiliar with the song and also struggles with the key. Elvis himself feels that this is not going too well, “An open fire [makes shooting noise], mah favorite chair, I get a book from the shelf…” (Elvis starts laughing.) And check out Larry Muhoberac’s bum notes at the beginning. You can even hear the Sweets conversing during the intro.

“Inherit The Wind” is a different story (ha-ha) altogether. A contemporary song written by artist / songwriter Eddie Rabbitt (“Kentucky Rain”), it is rehearsed and a brilliant performance. I’m positive that both James and Jerry Scheff liked the song, you can hear that they really enjoy playing it. Elvis warms up to the song as it goes along and it works out just fine. Listen to the way he attacks the third verse when he snarls, “Ah can’t!” Ten times better than the studio cut, single material, IMO . How sad that he did this one live only once. “Rubberneckin’” is another superb stab at one more song from Memphis, featuring some inspired drumming from Mr. Ronnie Tutt. But the ending is very abrupt, to say the least.

Oh yeah, don’t miss out on Elvis goofing around with the wammy bar on his guitar.

CD 2: The August 22 dinner show is almost 71 minutes; the fifth 1969 show released by BMG . Elvis is not as hoarse as he was a couple of days / nights later. Sound and mix is excellent, although I wish James Burton’s guitar could’ve been more prominent. Elvis never did his 50s material better live than in 1969, just listen to how he attacks “Don’t Be Cruel”. Therefore it’s a pity that Burton holds back in his solo in “Heartburn Motel.” And his solo in “Blue Suede Shoes” is drowned by the horns. Luckily, they adjusted that for the last couple of shows. Although the key is a little high for Elvis, “Runaway” is great. And I’m starting to like James’ Ventures / Western solo more and more. “Max Crook”? I don’t know about you, but I can listen to FIFTY versions of Elvis’ “life story” monolog. J Listen to Jerry Scheff’s bass playing during the “Da-da-da”-segment of “Hey Jude” – what a Master! The band was still a little uncertain about the ending, but “Suspicious Minds” is nevertheless absolutely outstanding. And finally: Why did they always play “What’d I Say” at break-neck speed?

Funny quotes........

“That’s mah closing bit, man, I just take a leap right into the crowd…”

“Also got some stuff back here called ‘Gate Aid’”…

“Somebody spiked my ‘Gate Aid’”…

“If this comes out on record, I’m dead…”

Booklet: Lots of beautiful pictures of Elvis on stage, both in color and b/w. One of them was used on the cover of the FTD release All Shook Up. Many of the photos were obviously taken from the balcony in the International showroom. But surely, the shot on page 10, top left, is NOT from August 1969? Look at the microphone! No recording date on the bonus songs (= August 25 DS). Always these fuck-ups… Different data: on page 2 the photo caption says Elvis signed the mock contract January 1969, but on page 6 it says, “February 26”.

“Behind the scenes”: As late as at a July 24 rehearsal, Elvis and his band were apparently planning to perform “Such A Night.” Now, that would’ve been something. The deal struck between Colonel Parker and Kirk Kerkorian is described: “The Colonel has to give in on several points - - - Elvis will have to pay his band out of his own fee.”

Oh, that Dutchman…!

Finally, a little FFF:

Official releases:

July 2001: LIVE IN LAS VEGAS, Aug. 24 DS = 62 minutes

Dec. 2002: ELVIS AT THE INTERNATIONAL, Aug. 23 MS = 79 (!) min.

July 2005: ALL SHOOK UP, Aug. 26 MS = 75 min.

July 2007: VIVA LAS VEGAS, Aug. 21 DS/MS = 68 min.

Dec. 2008: ELVIS IN PERSON, Aug. 22 DS = 71 min.

Boots:

OPENING NIGHT, Aug. 3 (?) DS = 67 min.

HERE I GO AGAIN, Aug. 23 DS = 69 min. (FTD Review, Source: CRISTER BERGE, January 2009)

Comment on this review

For sale - dinner plate owned by Elvis!

Elvis Calendar 2010: It might be on a very early stage, but the UK based Dream International company is already working on their 2010 calendars and was happy to announce a beautiful coverpicture for their next Elvis calendar that was choosen in cooperation with the United Elvis Presley Society / Belgium. Hubert The United Elvis Presley Society American Dream Uw Elvisboetiek - votre boutique Elvis! ueps@skynet.be www.ueps.be

Tom in North Carolina posted this intriguing message on the FECC forum: OK, not to get a philosophical or anything, but as I sat in my study last night listening to the Love Letters FTD, I was hit with an interesting thought. I remembered back to buying the 45 of I'm Leavin' only to fall in love with Heart of Rome after one spin. I must have played that record a hundred times that first couple of days and the song remains a favorite. Flash forward almost 40 years and we're listening to the actual recording session and several takes of that great song. Not really sure where I'm going with this, except to say back then I never, ever would have imagined hearing anything more than the version on that 45 and yet............

The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture - Vol. 12: Music by Bill C. Malone: Southern music has flourished as a meeting ground for the traditions of West African and European peoples in the region, leading to the evolution of various traditional folk genres, bluegrass, country, jazz, gospel, rock, blues, and southern hip-hop. This much-anticipated volume in The New Encyclopedia of Southern Culture celebrates an essential element of southern life and makes available for the first time a stand-alone reference to the music and music makers of the American South.

Book Releases in 2009: Today, EIN adds it's comprehensive page covering new releases, information, reviews and articles about Elvis books released in late 2008 and throughout 2009. With more than 50 new releases, reviews, links and information items, Elvis book lovers will be in their element!

	Promo copy of Aussie "Easy Come, Easy Go" LP attracting high bidding: Now on eBay is a "promo/not for sale" copy of the ultra rare Aussie 12 track LP, Easy Come, Easy Go. (News, Source: eBay)

Time for Canada's Collingwood Elvis Festival to leave the building?: An interesting, if, in EIN's view, misguided letter to the editor:

Dear Editor, Now that a $20,000-plus deficit has been reported for the Elvis Festival for 2008, wouldn't it be prudent to say that it was fun while it lasted--but it is now time to move on?

This deficit comes during a relatively healthy economic climate last year. Surely it doesn't take a rocket scientist to conclude that 2009, with its economic downturn, will almost guarantee even fewer ticket sales and less revenue. Yet, we are told that Elvis Presley Enterprises wants to almost double the permission fee to sanction the event. Until now, I was unaware that we were actually paying anything to this organization. Whew!

Admittedly, the Elvis Festival has brought publicity to the Town of Collingwood, but after 10 or so years there isn't much more bang for the buck to be had. In these difficult economic times when an even larger deficit is almost guaranteed it would be wise for the Town to say that "Elvis has just left the building." Al Truscott, Collingwood. (News, Source: The Enterprise Bulletin)

Packet Test Kitchen - Elvis Cookies (Submitted by jpaprocki on January 27, 2009).......EIN warning, some will find this offensive! Packet Test Kitchen: An occasional series where we find a bizarre recipe, try it and write about it. This week, resident baker/my editor, Hannah Carroll, makes Elvis Cookies. Elvis Cookies. Take a guess what those are. You’re probably right. Main ingredients: peanut butter, bananas, bacon. Yes, bacon. Makes sense in Elvis Presley lore — take his famous peanut butter banana sandwich and mix in a little more gluttony.

More Rare Elvis Photos added to EIN today: Elvis fans don't miss out on these rare and exciting photographs - from EIN contributor Sanja Meegin. Now with over 500 photos and with more added every week – including YouTube footage. Click here to access our Facebook Elvis Information Network. You need to be a Facebook Member.

Elvis on cover of Rolling Stone: Elvis is featured on one of four covers of the February 2009 edition of the German Rolling Stone magazine with an article on the 100 Greatest Singers. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

Rex Martin talks about his friends Maria & Gladys Davies; Elvis in Houston and those reel-to-reel audio recordings: EIN presents another fabulous article from Rex Martin, publisher of the legendary Worldwide Elvis News Service Weekly. Rex's article includes rare photos of Elvis in Houston, stories of Rex's great friendship with the Davies sisters as well as details of the video film shot by Maria. Relive a piece of Elvis history as Rex recounts some wonderful memories. (Spotlight, Source: EIN) Coming soon to EIN: Maria Davies' report with photos of Elvis' triumphant return to live performing in Las Vegas in 1969!

Unique postcard on eBay: Offered for sale on eBay is a possibly unique post card signed by Elvis and posted on January 15th 1955 (using a 2 cent stamp). The post card reads "Dear Al. Your a heart breaker if you don't help me with my "Milk Cow Blues Boogie." Sun Records Thanks Elvis Presley" and it is addressed to Al Robinson KSYL Alexandria La. The post card was taped in Al's scrap book so there are some tape marks on the edge. Robinson tells the story about the postcard and about the only booking of an Elvis show he ever did (for 165 dollars) on the clip below. In case you're wondering: bidding begins at 250,000 $US. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Elvis topped UK Music DVD Sales: Further to our news item dated 21 January, Stupot posted this info on the FECC board: Top acts 2007:
1. Elvis Presley 176,847
2. Queen 107,180
3. Westlife 91,103
4. Oasis 91,103
5. Pink Floyd 85,744
6. David Gilmour 75,026
7. Led Zeppelin 69,667
8. Daniel O’Donnell 69,667
9. The Who 69,667
10. AC-DC 64,308

Top Selling Holiday Albums in the US (2008): Stupot also posted this info on the FECC board:

1. Enya "And Winter Came" 580,000
2. Faith Hill "Joy to the World" 474,000
3. Elvis Presley "Christmas Duets" 341,000
4. Yo-Yo Ma "Songs of Joy and Peace" 319,000
5. Harry Connick Jr. "What a Night!" 243,000
(Source: Variety.com/Mael@UKMix)

"I Believe - The Gospel Masters" 4CD boxset: Here is the coverart and the tracklisting for the upcoming 4CD box I Believe - The Gospel Masters. DISC 1: I Believe Peace In The Valley Take My Hand, Precious Lord It Is No Secret Milky White Way His Hand In Mine I Believe In The Man In The Sky He Knows Just What I Need Mansion Over The Hilltop In My Father's House Joshua Fit The Battle Swing Down, Sweet Chariot I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs If We Never Meet Again Known Only To Him Crying In The Chapel Working On The Building

Adrian Payne - author of "The Australian Elvis Discography & Price Guide" talks to EIN: There have been few Elvis related books published "downunder", but arguably the 'cream of that crop' is Adrian Payne's wonderfully illustrated and informative The Australian Elvis Discography & Price Guide. In this interview Adrian opens up to EIN about the story behind the book and offers the remaining copies of the limited edition release to interested fans at a special, discounted price. (Interview, Source: EIN)

Sunset Rundown - from the Madison label: This is the cover art for the upcoming Madison import release "Sunset Rundown - Standing Room Only Tapes, Vol. 4" featuring the unedited first half of Elvis' March 31, 1972 rehearsal in stereo. The second half will comprise Volume 5 of the Standing Room Only Tapes series. (News, Source: FECC/Elvis News)

Aussie Chart Update: On this week's ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis The King of Rock 'n' Roll drops 6 places to #13 (Music DVD Chart) while Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii drops 2 places to #30. The '68 Comeback Special exits the chart this week as does Elvis: Christmas Duets on the ARIA Top 20 Country Album Chart. Interestingly, the Aloha DVD is showing at 5xP, when previously it was 2xP. This may be a misprint for 3xP. EIN will check and update asap. (News, Source: ARIA)

More Reasons to visit EIN This Week:

Article: Rex Martin remembers Maria & Gladys Davies & Elvis in Houston (with photos)

FTD Reviews: Both Piers Beagley & Crister Berge provide their reviews of Elvis In Person

Book Releases in 2009 - EIN's new page chock full of news, info & reviews about Elvis books

How well do you know your Elvis?: Courtesy of Overlook Duckworth, publishers of The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor, an Elvis Quiz to test your knowledge

Article: EIN correspondent Sanja Meegin's Hawaiian Elvis places to visit - and Sanja meets a couple of E aquaintances along the way!

Elvis back to fight Victorian fires: WHEN fire storms hit Victoria, Australia, the pilots of aircrane Elvis are ready to rock 'n roll, lifting the 10-tonne orange beast skyward within minutes. Pilots Jim Tipler, 52, of Medford, Oregon, and Pete Bradley, 49, of Seattle, Washington, are professional fire chasers. They follow bushfires around the world from Australia to America and Europe, working three weeks on and three weeks off. While Elvis is king of the skies in bushfire season, it can’t operate without a backup firebird. Local pilot Don Relf, 46, of Coburg, and air attack supervisor Wayne Rigg, 35, of Ballarat, crew on Firebird 307. Firebird 307 is more than a support helicopter. From it, Mr Rigg directs Elvis to act in tandem with firefighters on the ground.

Australian Fans - Pictorial article on Lisa Marie and her twins in this week's issue of Womans Day   Visit EIN's Lisa Marie Presley's World

Insight into the Elvis story: "From such simple things as signatures filaments were spun. And inexorably these filaments were winding round and round until they'd cocooned the essence of his being and hidden it from view. Or, to put it another way, in signing the recording, managerial, music publishing and movie contracts, Elvis step by step was led to a crossroads where unlike the intimations of a thirties country blues singer he finds he has no soul to sell to the Devil, for he's already signed away the control over his art, and in his art his soul resides." Jan van Gestel in Fire In The Sun (Riff & van Gestel), Tutti Frutti Productons, Amsterdam, 1991

5 Reasons to visit EIN Next Week:

Article: Rex Martin remembers Maria & Gladys Davies & Elvis in Houston

FTD Review: Crister Berge reviews Elvis In Person

Interview: Adrian Payne, author of The Australian Elvis Discography & Price Guide, talks to EIN

Book Releases in 2009 - EIN's new page chock full of news, info & reviews about Elvis books

How well do you know your Elvis?: Courtesy of Overlook Duckworth, publishers of The Elvis Encyclopedia by Adam Victor, an Elvis Quiz to test your knowledge

Behind Closed Doors: The EU based Laurel label will release the CD "behind Closed Doors". This is a limited edition release. Tracklisting 1. My Baby Left Me (remake) 2. Jailhouse Rock (Jailhouse Rock - movie version) 3. Young And Beautiful (Jailhouse Rock - end title version) 4. Peace In The Valley (Pearl Harbor Memorial Version) 5. Don't (intro + master) 6. Intro / Crawfish (King Creole - movie version) 7. A Big Hunk O' Love (remake)

8. So Glad Your Mine (remake)
9. Lonesome Cowboy (Loving You - movie version)
10. Ready Teddy (1956 live version, improved sound - from the original master tape)
11. Intro / When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (1957 live version, improved sound - from the original master tape)
12. King Creole (King Creole - Nightclub version)
13. As Long As I Have You (King Creole - long version)
14. How Do You Think I Feel (remake)
15. Teddy Bear (Loving You, movie version)

Bonus track: 16. Little Darlin' (Home Recording) (News, Source: Elvis Corner /Elvis News)

---

New CD releases: Elvis News lists two other new CD releases. The CD "En The Movies" was released January 1st. 2009 on the Laserlight (Delta Music) budget label. Available from Amazon.de On the website of the UK based Play store we found the 2CD compilation "The Collection". Information on the label or release date was available.

Ed Bonja to contribute to Elvis Matters magazine: Excellent news for the subscribers to our quarterly magazine. Elvis Presley’s official photographer Ed Bonja has agreed to contribute to the next editions. As most fans know, Ed shot some of the very best pictures of Elvis. But apart from the many already published pictures (in magazines, books, album covers, websites), Ed still has numerous unseen pictures in his vault. We are extremely proud to announce that Ed will contribute to our future magazines by selecting one completely unseen picture for each new magazine. Not only that, Ed will also comment on the picture: where was it taken, who is on it and what was his relationship to the Elvis World at that time? This exclusive and exciting new series, together with the free extras such as CD’s (and shortly DVD’s), makes the ElvisMatters Magazine once again stand out of the pack. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Read EIN's great interview with Ed Bonja

Graceland prepares for 4 new exhibits: January 8, 2009 was the date for the celebrations to begin with the 70th Anniversary of Graceland, a National Historic Landmark, and the Elvis Presley Birthday Celebration - which promises new surprises this year. Following the kick off of celebration for the 70th Anniversary, three major other exhibits will open this spring: Elvis in Hollywood, Elvis Lives: the King and Pop Culture and new exhibits in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. The following highlights are some of the details on the four different exhibits for the 2009 calendar:

• Graceland’s 70th Anniversary Celebration/VIP Tour Exhibit – open January 2009: The colonial style mansion was built in 1939 by a prominent Memphis family that later sold the historic home and surrounding 13 acres to Elvis Presley in 1957. The 70th Anniversary exhibit, included as part of the VIP Tour package, features the original architectural drawings of Graceland, a signed check from Elvis for the down payment ($102,000) on the home, the deed to Graceland and a video presentation that includes memories from those who lived there, including the first family to call Graceland home.

• Elvis in Hollywood – slated for March 2009: With 31 films to his name and box office smashes such as Love Me Tender and Jailhouse Rock, this new exhibit focuses on Elvis’ years in Tinsel Town and his success on the big screen. The exhibit tells the story of how Elvis transitioned from singer to on screen star and how he took Hollywood by storm to become its highest paid actor. Also part of the exhibit will be memorabilia from his career on the silver screen including his wardrobe (from Viva Las Vegas, Charro and Jailhouse Rock), personal scripts (featuring his own handwritten notes), rare behind the scenes photos, personal copies of his own feature films, original movie and a variety of other Elvis movie memorabilia.

• Elvis Lives: The King and Pop Culture – slated for March 2009: This interactive exhibit showcases Elvis in action as he entertains crowds in a stunning video presentation. Visitors can also retrace Elvis’ impact on pop culture by taking a trip down an Elvis time line, test their knowledge at an Elvis trivia kiosk and explore Elvis’ music through listening stations that features classics from the King of Rock ‘N’ Roll. Also included is a display of Elvis collectibles from the 50s to some of today’s must have memorabilia.

• Elvis Presley Automobile Museum – slated for March 2009: This Graceland exhibit celebrates new additions with a special display featuring both of Elvis' Rolls Royce sedans and his 6-door Mercedes Benz limousine featured in the movie Elvis on Tour.

To plan your visit to Graceland, visit our Free Online Travel Planner (News, Source: EPE)

Inside Blue Hawaii delayed: Inside Blue Hawaii boxset is expected to be out mid February. The reason for the delay is that we found a lot of unseen pictures, but also some unseen 8mm footage in color. The footage is to be included on the bonus DVD. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

South for a song..........Elvis, Country Music and the Blues: Mike Safe heads to Texas, Tennessee and beyond in search of the roots of blues and country music.

Fort Worth neon shinin' bright
Pretty lights red and blue
They shut down all the honky tonks tonight
Say a prayer or two if they only knew
- Fort Worth Blues by Steve Earle

LEAVING Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, you can turn left for the glitz and glamour of Dallas or right for the stockyards and cowboy boots of Fort Worth. We turn right. The "city of cowboys and culture", as the lesser-known of these twin towns promotes itself, is more in keeping with our Texas state of mind.

With my son, Nathan, I am embarking on a musical odyssey to the places that have filled my head with lyrics and images for years. Yes, it's un-Australian, to use an over-used term, but the music that resonates with me comes from this part of the world.

Blues and country, in their many offshoots and amalgams, remain the basis of popular music in Western culture. They gained their resonance here even though their ancestries trace back to the indigenous musics of Europe and Africa.

Fort Worth happens to be celebrating its annual Main Street Arts Festival with hundreds of booths showing every form of visual art imaginable, from painting, sculpture, ceramics and installations to photography, graphics and craftwork. Thousands stroll in the early evening; there are families with prams, urban cowboys in hats and boots and neo-hippies in sandals and in need of a barber.

Acts of various musical persuasions play along the way. We catch Terri Hendrix, a virtuoso Texan singer-songwriter whose guitarist is Lloyd Maines, father of Dixie Chick Natalie Maines, who had the nerve to diss fellow Texan George W.Bush, thereby having the Chicks effectively banished from country radio.

It's entirely right that Maines's dad is resident godfather of what's known as Texas alt country, a looser version of what they play up north in country music HQ, Nashville, Tennessee.

When you died at 29
You heard the voice of angels
Could you hear the lonesome cry
Of the ones you left behind
- 29 by Slaid Cleaves

NEXT morning we're on Interstate 35 heading south for Austin, the Texas capital. Its three lanes each way are jammed with pick-up trucks, recreational vehicles and semis, none of which travels at less than the 120km/h limit outside city areas.

Bumpers on every second pick-up carry US or Lone Star state flags or decals proclaiming support for the troops, fine young Texans fighting in a faraway war. Many also carry stickers of yellow twined ribbons, representing mothers and wives waiting the return of sons and husbands. The highway offers weird real estate placements. Next to an evangelical church, one of many topped by an obligatory white spire, is a clinic offering vasectomy reversals.

We have only a basic map so our strategy for finding somewhere to stay is rudimentary: drive to the destination in question, find a downtown exit, take it and wander about until we find something that looks like, well, downtown. In Austin, population 1 million, this works and we even end up on Sixth Street, the epicentre of the city's vaunted musical heritage.

Austin is a university town that labels itself "the live musical capital of the world". It hosts South by Southwest, an annual jamfest that gathers musicians from all over the planet. There's a statue of electric blues great and legendary drug imbiber, Stevie Ray Vaughan, who spent his formative years in Sixth Street's clubs. The favourite local T-shirt carries the slogan "Keep Austin Weird". We visit the Broken Spoke, a Texas honky-tonk institution. Old-fashioned dance halls remain big deals down here and those who frequent them can really dance: proper Texan two-stepping, not that stupid line-dancing stuff. The dance floor is rickety from tens of thousands of cowboy boots that have clomped across it for more than 50 years and the ceiling so low slung it appears about to collapse.

We sense the ghosts of legends past: Bob Wills and Roy Acuff while, in their humbler days, the still-kicking Willie Nelson and Dolly Parton trod its tiny stage.

The atmosphere is friendly, courteous even, very much a Texan characteristic where folks call you "sir" or "m'am" and tip their hats. There's even a quaint museum packed with everything from a hat Nelson wore on stage here to a cigar butt supposedly chomped on by the legendary Hank Williams who, in country's finest tradition, died in the back seat of his Cadillac while being driven to a performance on New Year's Day, 1953. He was 29. Someone should write a song about that except, of course, it's been written.

I went to the crossroad
Fell down on my knees
Asked the Lord above "Have mercy now
Save poor Bob, if you please."
- Crossroad Blues by Robert Johnson

NOW we are in Clarksdale, Mississippi, at the intersection of State Highways 61 and 49. It's where Robert Johnson, the mystical blues virtuoso, is said to have sold his soul to the devil some time in the 1920s, thereby being rewarded with his incendiary guitar-playing skills. Well, this is where the legend says it happened, if it happened at all, of course. But no one is quite sure if this is the exact spot because the highways, which were originally national roads, have been rerouted numerous times since.

A nearby town, Rosedale, also lays claim to the legend, but Clarksdale has gone so far as to emblazon its crossing with daggy-looking blue metal guitars hanging from a pole next to a couple of straggly trees. On one corner is Abe's Bar-B-Q joint and, on another, a furniture store. Scores of cars blast through here every minute.

We've followed the Mississippi and Highway 61, known as the Blues Highway, north through the delta (cotton fields and hamlets with names such as Bobo and Alligator) but now the Crossroads proves to be, well, a bit of a dead end.

We adjourn to the nearby Delta Blues Museum, which celebrates local luminaries such as Muddy Waters and John Lee Hooker. A guy behind the counter, wearing a Vietnam Vets airborne division cap, rolls his wild-looking eyes at mention of the Crossroads and dismisses it all as myth. I think he's been asked about it once, twice or a thousand times before.

We beat it north up Highway 61 to the Tennessee border and Memphis, home of the King. Using our downtown method, we're soon taking evening drinks in the Rum Boogie Cafe on Beale Street, the legendary entertainment strip and, naturally, the place is alive with Elvis imitators who range from the spectacular to the spectacularly awful. Beale Street is tightly controlled by the local authorities, unlike in the 1920s when one club was known as the Castle of Missing Men because of the number of gambling defaulters who were disposed of through its back door.

But they still know how to get you. An old character dancing the boogaloo to some local blues in a CD shop convinces me to buy a heap of discs by guys I've never heard of. It turns out they're all pretty good in a raw, rocking sort of way. That night, as an electrical storm erupts across the skyline, I don't feel cheated one bit.

Forget the mousse and hairspray, sugar
We don't need none of that
Just a little dab'll do ya, girl
Underneath a pork pie hat
Let's go to Memphis in the meantime
- Memphis in the Meantime by John Hiatt

WE do the tourist stuff, including Sun Studios, where Elvis made his first recordings, and Graceland, where he lived and, of course, died. Sun Studios is funky, fun and highly informative while Graceland is a massive money-making enterprise. It's Saturday and thousands are being shuttled non-stop through the house and surrounds. I had the impression Graceland was some sort of quasi southern mansion but it's more like a super-sized project home you might find in an outer Australian suburb and, strangely, the ceilings are reallylow.

There's 1352 guitar pickers in Nashville
And they can pick more notes than ants on a Tennessee ant hill
And anyone that unpacks his guitar can play twice as better than I ever will
- Nashville Cats by John Sebastian

WE head 300km up Interstate 40 to Nashville. Along its famous Lower Broadway, we hear the distinctive twang of Fender Telecaster guitars, the instrument of choice in this part of the world. It issues from institutions such as Tootsie's Orchid Lounge where the walls are lined with photos of every nobody who carried a guitar through its doors to become somebody over nearly 50 years.

Then there's the Ernest Tubb Record Store where you can find thousands of CDs by long-dead country heroes, including Tubb himself, the Texas Troubadour as he was known, who opened the shop in 1947. But you won't find one by whoever is this week's rap star on the rise. Tradition reigns; if it don't twang, it ain't the Ernest Tubb thang.

Around the corner is the venerable Ryman Auditorium from where the Grand Ole Opry, the longest-running radio program in the US, was broadcast for more than 30 years. These days, the Opry, which upholds country's traditions and not the new-fangled crossover country pop favoured by modern Nashville, has relocated to a purpose-built auditorium and holiday resort on the nearby Cumberland River.

Later, we visit the Wildhorse Saloon, a three-level mega venue that represents this new Nashville. There are massive fried steaks and live music; they'll even teach you dumb line dancing. Tonight on stage are TelluRide, five young guys from the faraway Pacific Northwest who have come here to live the dream in what's probably the most competitive music scene on the planet. More than a quarter of the albums on the Billboard Top 100 chart at any time can come out of this small city, population 600,000.

TelluRide play a tight, concise brand of country pop, tailor-made for what now constitutes country radio. All they have to do is claw their way over thousands of other equally talented hopefuls.

WE ease on down to Atlanta, Georgia, from where we catch a flight to New York and then home. We've driven more than 2000km, eaten 21 steaks, 37 hamburgers, 23kg of potato (fried, mashed and boiled) and no fruit or greens while guzzling 63 litres of beer, never while driving, of course. When can we go again?

Checklist: Creative Holidays' new North American 2009/10 program includes sections on Nashville and Memphis with accommodation options. More: www.creativeholidays.com  (Article, Source: The Australian)

New Madison releases announced: The next Madison releases, coming soon, will be "Sunset Rundown - Standing Room Only Tapes, Vol. 4" and "A Hilton Double-Shot !"  The former will be a standard issue, with fully-illustrated, 16-page booklet, while the latter will appear in a limited-edition digipak, with gorgeous color photos!"Sunset Rundown" details a unique day, filmed for "Elvis On Tour."  At the end of March 1972, MGM's documentary cameras captured Elvis Presley at a rollicking Los Angeles rehearsal at RCA Hollywood.  Against a stark background -- no audience -- Presley, the TCB band, and the Stamps Quartet ran down the upcoming tour at the Sunset Boulevard studio with vigor and a few surprises, with selections like "Until It's Time For You To Go," "For The Good Times" and "Burning Love."Now, one may enjoy the unedited first half of this March 31, 1972 rehearsal -- the second half will comprise Volume 5 of the Standing Room Only Tapes series -- in superb STEREO!  Track listing:

Rex Martin talks to EIN - the penultimate part!!: Today, EIN presents the 3rd part of our riveting interview with Rex Martin, publisher of the legendary publication, the Worldwide Elvis News Service Weekly. Rex's blow-by-blow account of the Elvis world in the 1960s and 1970s is a fascinating time capsule bringing to life an exciting era fondly remembered by many fans. Relive the excitement as Rex reminisces about being in the center of things "Elvis"!

• finally meeting Elvis!
• the hidden microphone
• Red & Sonny's double somersault
• why Rex threw his clothes away
• the "awkward" February 1973 Las Vegas season
• the riot on stage in Vegas
• the fan who got kicked in the eye during that fight
• getting banned from Vegas
• the logistics of following an Elvis tour
• having to buy a ticket from a scalper
• wild times in Cleveland
• how a car battery helped Rex film Elvis on tour
• the final years!!!!

Read Part 3 of Rex's interview

Elvis autograph sells at Bonhams auction: Thanks to Rex Martin for this news item circa late 2008....... Lots 277-297 from the collection of Maria Davies, a former Elvis Presley UK Fan Club branch leader, Liverpool. A passionate fan, she saw Elvis in concert and met him, and members of his family and management, on several occasions. This item, an autographed Elvis Presley brochure, US, circa 1970, front cover signed and inscribed in blue ballpoint pen, To Maria Luisa, Elvis Presley, signature obtained during the January/February 1970 appearances at the Intercontinental Hotel, Las Vegas Sold for £456 inclusive of Buyer's Premium (News, Source: Rex Martin /Bonhams)   Coming to EIN next week: Maria Davies previously unpublished article about Elvis' triumphant return to live performances .......... ..........Vegas '69!!!!

Big balloons, Elvis included, more than just hot air for business owner: Consider this: if sales are hurting at your car dealership, or you want to celebrate the opening of a new bank branch, you could buy advertising time on the radio to boost traffic. Or for $1,850 a month, you could rent a gigantic blue gorilla wearing sunglasses, his arms reaching toward the sky and mouth agape, practically shouting “Visit this business.”And if the second option seems silly, Dan Matheus wants you to know the gorilla works.

His nine-year-old Fort Worth company, Bullseye Balloons & Searchlights, has been renting all manner of inflatable advertising balloons to area businesses. If you notice a big balloon at any area car dealership, sporting event or circus, chances are it came from Matheus and his eight-employee company.The former Delta Air Lines flight attendant and Fort Worth native started the business after he noticed two separate groups of coworkers start conversations because they saw large balloons and wondered aloud what businesses the inflatables were advertising. Matheus took note, made a few phone calls to balloon dealers nationwide and in January 2000, he bought his first balloon. His plan was to keep that balloon in constant rotation while he flew. That might have worked, but his first client decided the balloon worked so well that he rented it for 22 months consecutively.

“There went my idea of having one balloon and keeping it busy, so I had to get another one,” said Matheus, 44. “Somebody said, ‘Hey, you have King Kong?’ So I got King Kong. Then I bought Godzilla, because you have to have Godzilla. He’s kind of a standard.”Nine years later, Matheus has more than 100 balloons – nine King Kongs, six cowboys, American eagles, Uncle Sam, a giant money bag, an alien and more. During the busiest time of the year, Thanksgiving, he could have about 30 balloons out at any time.Clients are in more than 60 area towns and cities, and nationwide thanks to his Inflatable Advertising Dealers Association membership.Grand openings are the biggest client, along with car dealerships, mobile home dealers, manufactured home builders, dry cleaners, hotels – “pretty much anything where they sell one item they make a lot of money on,” he said.

Moritz Kia has used Bullseye Balloons for about four years, and keeps a balloon up 12 months out of the year.“They advertise on radio, on TV and in the newspaper to get the broad base. When they want to get close, they use us,” Matheus said. “They love Elvis.

I don’t know why they love Elvis so much, but they have an Elvis balloon up probably eight months out of the year, and then the other four months they’ll have a turkey up for Thanksgiving or Santa Claus for Christmas. ”Moritz Kia General Manager Matt Ducote said the dealership uses the balloons to draw attention, plain and simple.

“It’s one of those advertising deals you don’t know for sure it works, but how could a 20-foot Elvis not draw some attention?” Ducote asked. “When we first opened, on our TV commercials we had King Kia and we also had Elvis, because of the Las Vegas Trail exit. And it just kind of stuck, and now he’s our good luck charm.”So what makes a big, inflatable balloon so effective in attracting people?

“I really don’t get it. I never have got it, but some things you just don’t get,” Matheus said. “And it’s amazing how it works – that’s the most amazing thing is how effective they are.

”Business has been so successful it afforded Matheus the opportunity to focus on balloons full-time. He has expanded, too, into spotlights, dancing men and now a whole new company: 360 Auto Displays Inc., for the business that shuns balloons (which some do). The auto display machines can be assembled in about half a day, and lift a vehicle 10 feet in the air and spins it 360 degrees, like at the State Fair of Texas car show. Vehicles can be switched in about 15 minutes.

“I’ve got a few of those now, and they’re rented out all over the Metroplex,” he said, adding the advantage of the auto displays is they don’t have to contend with city sign ordinances, which the balloons do.While Matheus may not be able to pinpoint exactly why a balloon drives traffic to a business, he knows that nothing sells like a gigantic blue gorilla or Elvis in his classic, white Vegas show suit.Just ask Moritz Kia. (News, Source: JOHN-LAURENT TRONCHE, Fort Worth Business Press)

CD Now available from Amazon UK: Without A Song Road Would Never End (Elvis Unlimited)

FTD confirms limited edition vinyl releases: Roger Semon has just confirmed that FTD will be releasing limited edition vinyl sets in the near future, the first being Blue Hawaii. A cover is not available yet, as the FTD-team is still in the process of finalizing the content and packaging. (News, Source: Elvis Matters)

Elvis in UK's Top 20 Selling Artists of 2008: UK's Best Selling Album Artists 2008 (last year's position in brackets)

1 (3) Take That – 2,051,285
2 (-) Duffy – 1,684,944
3 (29) Kings Of Leon – 1,620,215
4 (-) Coldplay – 1,380,367
5 (8) The Killers – 1,137,554
6 (2) Leona Lewis – 1,108,370
7 (1) Amy Winehouse – 999,012
8 (38) Girls Aloud – 972,672
9 (17) Rhianna – 926,455
10 (-) Neil Diamond – 921,607
19 (10) Elvis Presley – 578,900 (News, Source: Elvis News)

Elvis #1 again! - Billboard chart update: This weeks entries for Elvis on the Billboard Charts.

• Top Music Video - He Touched Me: The Gospel Music Of Elvis Presley: Volumes 1 & 2 - #1 (new entry)
• Top Music Video - Elvis Lives: The 25th Anniversary Concert - #2 (new entry)
• Top Music Video - Elvis #1 Hit Performances - #50 from #41
• Top Pop Catalog Albums - Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits - Up from #47 to #18
• Top Pop Catalog Albums - Peace In The Valley: The Complete Gospel Recordings - #32
• Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits - Up from #3 to #2
• Top Country Catalog Albums - The Essential Elvis Presley - Up from #19 to #8.
• Top Country Catalog Albums - Hitstory - #16
• Top Country Albums - Elvis Christmas Duets - #59
• Top Country Albums - Collectors Edition: Elvis Inspirational Memories Up from #75 to #71
• Comprehensive Albums - Peace In The Valley: The Complete Gospel recordings - #190
• Comprehensive Albums - Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits - #144
• Top Christian Albums - Collectors Edition: Elvis Inspirational Memories - #30
• Top Christian and Gospel Albums - Collectors Edition: Elvis Inspirational -Memories - Up from #63 to #41

Graceland, before Elvis: Farm filled with family memories: Ruth Cobb is one of the few people outside Elvis Presley's family to visit the upstairs of Graceland. It was before it opened as a tourist attraction, and Cobb, who lived there before Elvis, soon learned her old upstairs bedroom had been turned into a music room.Cobb visited in 1967 at the invitation of Elvis' grandmother, and later when the Presley family planned to turn the home into a tourist attraction. It reminded Cobb of her own music career and left her slightly quizzical about a few decorating changes.

"We did not have a jungle room growing up," she says. There was also no fabric on the ceiling of the billiard room in her day. "We didn't have a billiard room," she says.

Other distinctive touches added during Elvis' ownership of Graceland drew little attention from Cobb, but there was one: "Elvis didn't like the chandelier we had in the dining room. It came from New Orleans. He put up some garish thing."As part of this week's observations of Elvis' birthday, Graceland is celebrating its 70th anniversary, and mementos of its early years are part of a new tour.

Cobb, 82, and her husband, retired lawyer Charles Cobb, 86, married in 1948. She had grown up at Graceland as an only child. When she married Charles Cobb, they remained at Graceland with her parents at first while Ruth toured the country as part of a professional harp ensemble. She would later become harpist for the Memphis Symphony Orchestra from 1953 to 1973.Her father, Dr. Thomas Moore, was a prominent surgeon and urologist. Her mother, Ruth Brown Moore, was a volunteer who enjoyed club work and became president of the Tennessee Association of Garden Clubs.They built Graceland in 1939, naming it for Ruth's great aunt, Grace Toof, who had left the farm to Ruth's grandmother. The grandmother divided her 520-acre farm into three parts, leaving it to her three children. Two of them sold their shares to Ruth's father.

The house on 20 acres began as what Ruth Cobb calls "just a comfortable country home." It would become as familiar to America as Tara, Scarlett O'Hara's home in "Gone With the Wind," and it would rival Monticello, Mount Vernon and other once-private homes among the biggest tourist attractions in the country.

There, Ruth's father taught her to shoot well enough that she once downed three geese with a single shot. He also taught her to fish in a 25-acre manmade lake behind the house. But her first love was music. Ruth played the piano, but she loved the harp, studying, then touring with one of the world's leading harpists, Carlos Salzedo.Her favorite music was classical, but Ruth says she liked all music from country to Elvis' music.

"I wasn't really crazy about his music, but my mother marveled at his hymns," she says. When her mother decided the property was more than she wanted to keep up, she asked Ruth and Charles if they would like to stay.

"We just didn't have time to take care of a big house," says Charles. "It cost $1,000 a month to keep it up. The yard alone was like trying to take care of a golf course. We had a yard man who worked two to three days a week.

"When the property was put up for sale, Ruth said there were three potential buyers -- Sears Roebuck Co.; a private party who wanted to turn it into an exclusive restaurant, and Elvis. By then, most of the surrounding land had been sold to developers for a subdivision, and the lake behind the house had been drained.

Ruth says a church, Graceland Christian Church, wanted to buy 5 acres on the northwest corner of the property. Sears and the restaurant interests did not want to split the 5 acres off for the church, but Elvis said he would be glad to have a church next door, she says. That helped seal the deal. Elvis bought the property for $102,000 in 1957.

When the church next door, Graceland Christian Church, eventually decided to move, the Presley family bought back the land and turned the church into the headquarters of Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Ruth and Charles built their own home in Coro Lake and later moved to Central Gardens before retiring to Trezevant Manor.Charles met Elvis during the closing on the sale of Graceland, but Ruth never met him. She has since returned to Graceland as a tourist with her grandchildren. "I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it didn't feel like home," she says. (News, Source: Michael Lollar, Commercial Appeal Online)

Life at Graceland before Elvis, narrated by former resident Ruth Moore Cobb. Watch the video and More about Graceland - read EIN's Spotlight article

Aussie chart update: On the ARIA Country Album Top 20, Elvis: Christmas Duets fell 6 places to #13 (11 weeks on the chart; high of #4). On the ARIA Top 40 Music DVD Chart, Elvis: The King of Rock 'n' Roll slipped one spot to #8, while both Elvis: The '68 Comeback Special (#24) and Elvis: Aloha From Hawaii (#30) re-entered the chart. (News, Source: ARIA)

Heartbreak Hotel DVD: These are the cover art and product description of the Stormbird DVD, CD and book package "Heartbreak Hotel". Product Description: Come back to the beginning with some of The Kings closest friends and find out how ELVIS became one of the World s biggest icons! Legendary Elvis guitarist Scotty Moore, Elvis' long time drummer DJ Fontana and Elvis' loyal backing vocal quartet the Jordanaires come together for the first time in the inside story to unveil the events behind the scenes during the creation of classics like Hound Dog, Heartbreak Hotel and Love Me Tender. These are the leading musicians who actually worked with Elvis, shared the long term friendship and trust of the King. Also featured are rare interviews with Elvis himself, not to mention a comprehensive review of the music of the King, plus rare photographs in the 48 page book Elvis 1953-1977!Along with this amazing 2 DVD & Book, the box set includes a DVD & CD pack, with unique collection of Elvis recordings from the Sun years! Tracks featured include: That s Alright ; Baby Let s Play House; Blue Moon Of Kentucky; I Don t Care If The Sun Don t Shine; Good Rockin Tonight; Milk Cow Blues Boogie; You re A Heart Breaker; I m Left Your Right; Mystery Train; I Forgot To Remember To Forget; Don t Be Cruel; Hound Dog; Love Me Tender; Reddy Teddy. (News, Source: Amazon.co.uk /Elvis News)

ShopElvis Winter Sale: Visit EPE/Graceland's ShopElvis during the Winter Sale and take advantage of these great offers through January 31. All promotions are valid while supplies last.

• Save 15% on all T-shirts & Hats! Complimentary 1-year subscription to Rolling Stone magazine with $30 purchase! (US customers only) Save 25% on Holiday Items with any $50 purchase!
• FREE 2009 Calendar with any $100 purchase!

Lisa Marie lightens up on Idol: JUST DAYS BEFORE MORE than 30 million viewers tuned in to the season premiere of American Idol, Lisa Marie Presley tuned out of $420,000 in shares of the company that owns the rights to the program.

Lisa Marie Presley took a stake in CKX when she sold a majority stake in Elvis Presley Enterprises to the entertainment company in 2005, giving it ownership of her father's name and image. She retained a 15% stake in the estate and kept the title to Elvis' Graceland property in the deal. Presley also received 500,000 common shares and 1,491,818 shares of convertible preferred stock, which entitle her to a seat on the board of directors (currently filled by her mother, Priscilla Presley) and a $1.8 million annual dividend. The company has valued the convertible stock at $22.8 million. Presley's stock in CKX is held through the Promenade Trust, of which she is the sole beneficiary.

Presley hadn't sold any of the stock she received until this year. On Friday and Monday she sold 97,600 of her common shares for $422,438, or about $4.33 per share. A company spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

CKX, formed in 2004, has rights deals and partnerships with such celebrities as Muhammad Ali and David and Victoria Beckham. It also owns a company that manages comedians such as Billy Crystal and Woody Allen. A partnership led by Chairman and Chief Executive Robert Sillerman attempted to buy the company and return it to private ownership, but the deal fell apart this year because of the "recent turmoil in the financial sector and the related tightening of the financing markets," according to a company statement from September.

CKX says it is "committed to preserving the integrity of the Elvis legacy and to judiciously selecting future commercial opportunities," but it has also pushed to expand the Elvis brand. It announced in 2006 that it plans to open an Elvis Presley-themed Cirque du Soleil show this November in partnership with the MGM Mirage (MGM). The company operates Elvis' Graceland property on a 90-year lease with the Promenade Trust under which they pay rent of $1 a month after prepaying $3 million. The company announced in its 2007 annual report that it plans to expand the Graceland property from 13.5 acres to 104 acres, adding a new visitors center and other attractions.

Despite the immense popularity of American Idol, CKX's stock has fallen precipitously since hitting a high of $30.65 in May 2005. The stock closed at $4.20 on Thursday. (American Idol is broadcast in the U.S. by Fox Broadcasting, which like Barron's is owned by News Corp.) (Lisa Marie Presley's World / Sale of EPE Archives, Source: Barrons.com)

Reality show looking for Elvis relatives: Many thanks to Asher Maystein for sending EIN the following two items:

More photos of Lisa Marie, her twins and husband, Michael Lockwood: Thanks to Rex Martin who sourced 4 photos (taken by John Russo) from the People magazine article. They include a family candid and individual close-ups of the twins. (Sourced by Rex Martin from People magazine) Visit EIN's Lisa Marie Presley's World to view large sized images

For what it's worth: Elvis' talents became buried in embarassing, formula plots: Elvis is Lucky Jackson. And Rusty Wells. And Lonnie Beale. And Tulsa McLean. And Pacer Burton. And Johnny Tyronne. Those are just some of the interchangeable hunks the King of Rock 'n' Roll was compelled (by Col. Tom Parker) to play during the dark movie days of Elvis Presley's career. From 1956, the year of his first film role, in “Love Me Tender,” through 1969, when he co-starred with Mary Tyler Moore (who played a nun undercover) in “Change of Habit,” Elvis' musical career took an unfortunate back seat to an ill-conceived attempt to make him a movie idol for teen audiences. Like the clean-cut, singin' heroes he portrayed, the formula plots of these lightweight flicks varied little from picture to picture. Turkeys like “Harum Scarum,” “Double Trouble,” “Tickle Me,” “Girl Happy,” “Roustabout,” “Clambake,” “Speedway” and “The Trouble With Girls.”

Worst of all were all the “songs” Elvis had to croon, tunes unworthy of his towering talent. Anyone for “There's No Room to Rumba in a Sports Car” (from “Fun in Acapulco”)? How about “Do the Clam” (from “Girl Happy”)? Elvis even renders “Old MacDonald (Had a Farm)” in “Double Trouble.”

As Priscilla Presley recounted in a TV Land “Myths & Legends” episode this month (the month of Elvis' birth), her husband was justifiably embarrassed by the schlock he was appearing in. Who could blame him?

There were a couple of exceptions. The early (1957) “Jailhouse Rock” doesn't disgrace Elvis' rebel image, nor does “King Creole” ('58), which was actually directed by Michael Curtiz (“Casablanca”). “Viva Las Vegas” (in '64) at least has Ann-Margret, a terrific title song and, well, Las Vegas.

But today, 32 years after Elvis Presley's death, I cringe for him as he must have cringed himself during the “heyday” of these exploitive cotton-candy flicks. I suppose the memory of them is nobler than that of the overweight, drugged-out Elvis onstage in Vegas near the end of his life, but not much. The King deserved better. Rock 'n' roll deserved better.

Elvis was really before my time. I never got to see him in concert. I first heard his records on oldies stations and I remember, as a kid, liking “Fun in Acapulco.” That's because I didn't know who the real Elvis was. I didn't know what I was missing.

Now we all know what we were missing, and we still do. (Celluloid Elvis/Opinion, Source: David Coddon, signonsandiego.com)

FTD price rise: FTD dealers in the UK recently received an email from Roger and Ernst,  dated January 8th 2009, informing them that the price of all FTD titles will increase immediately by 30% according to the Essential Elvis Editor's blog. This is due to the devaluation of the British pound. The price for the FTD CD has become one of the main topics on various Elvis message boards on the internet. (Source: Elvis News)

Elvis Week Ticket Sales Announcement: Elvis Week 2009 will be in Memphis on August 8-16. A schedule of events, along with ticket prices and on-sale dates have now been posted online. Ticket pre-sale for Elvis Insiders starts on Friday, March 13. Tickets for the general public will go on sale on Friday, April 3. (News, Source: EPE)

Elvis Sessions IV: Our work on Elvis Sessions IV book is already in progress although it will take awhile before its release. There are a lot of discussion about the Standing Room Only project on different sites/forums  and here's a quote from an interview done in 1993 with the late Joan Deary for Sessions II that will be featured in Elvis Sessions IV:

''Standing Room Only was never intended to include the selections recorded in Las Vegas in February or the single material that was cut in March. The final project was scrapped but my intent all along with RCA and The Colonel was to release a live album based on the best of the four shows recorded in April on tour. I even went as far as compiling my own track listing from these shows, our goal was to increase single sales and it worked. This is how it was going to be no matter what anyone else says ''.... (Book News, Source: JAT Productions / FECC)t &Elvis"

"Earnhardt & Elvis" to scorch up the speedway: Motorsports Authentics, along with Elvis Presley Enterprises and Dale Earnhardt Inc., will unveil its new "Earnhardt & Elvis" car in the Neon Garage at Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Feb. 27.

The "Earnhardt and Elvis" car, which features the King of Rock 'n' Roll on the hood of the Intimidator's famous No. 3 Chevrolet, is the third car in the Enduring Legends Series from Motorsports Authentics and Dale Earnhardt Inc. This is the third collection in the series that began last year when Earnhardt was paired with American legends Johnny Cash and John Wayne.

"Dale Earnhardt was instrumental in convincing NASCAR to bring the Cup Series to Las Vegas, so he has a special place in our hearts," LVMS president Chris Powell said. "Elvis is a Las Vegas icon and is loved by race fans and tourists around the world. We are excited to be the host for the unveiling of this unique program and promotion in the greatest entertainment destination in the world. It's also a special treat for our Neon Garage pass holders, as well."

The worldwide unveiling of the "Earnhardt and Elvis" car will take place in during Pole Day and could include family members and friends of both the Earnhardt and Presley families. In addition, NASCAR fans also will be treated to a unique Elvis experience that will transform the Neon Garage into a Memphis music studio.

As part of this program launch, Las Vegas Motor Speedway will give a commemorative 1:64 scale die-cast replica of the "Earnhardt and Elvis" car to the first 10,000 fans to purchase weekend passes to the Neon Garage. Those fans purchasing a weekend pass will be given the opportunity to see the "Earnhardt & Elvis" race car up close and are invited to take pictures with the car.

Following the LVMS NASCAR Weekend, the "Earnhardt & Elvis" car will go on display at Graceland in Memphis. The car will move to DEI headquarters in late April for Earnhardt's birthday. Following Earnhardt's birthday celebration, the car will never be on display again.

All of the "Earnhardt and Elvis" die-cast and apparel items will be available in the speedway's midway at Earnhardt's merchandise rig during the event weekend.

"Because of the strong fan reaction and collector excitement we experienced around the Johnny Cash and John Wayne cars in 2008, we're expecting the 'Earnhardt & Elvis' car to be the most popular program of the entire Enduring Legends Series," said Mark Dyer, president and CEO of Motorsports Authentics. "Elvis's legacy as a great American icon makes him the perfect man to grace the hood of the famous No. 3 Chevrolet and we're excited to make this worldwide car unveiling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as part of its action-packed weekend of NASCAR racing."

Tickets for the Las Vegas race weekend, featuring the Nationwide Series race on Feb. 28 and the Cup event on March 1, may be purchased by calling the LVMS ticket office at (702) 644-4444 or online at the track's official Web site. (News, Source: EP Gold)

Elvis is gone, but his music is still alive: The only downside of writing a weekly column is that I’m always in danger of being a few days early or even a few days late. This time I’m a few days late, but bear with me. What I’ve got to say is worth reading. In a word, Elvis. I know that most of us usually note the day a celebrity dies is more worth observing than the day of his birth. But Jan. 8, 1935, to an Elvis fan, is much more worth celebrating that the date of his death. Because it was also the day his music was born. As for the man himself, I am an atypical Elvis Presley fan. Is Elvis really dead? Yup. Have I ever been/ever want to go to Graceland? Nope. What do I think of all those Elvis impersonators? They desperately need to get a life. So, as much of America once again looked back on Elvis’ life last week, writers and commentators alike attempted to make some sense of the man. But it was a rare few who succeeded. As the years go by, more and more folks have a difficult time understanding what all the “Elvis” hoopla is about. They try but they continue to make the mistake of wanting to know more about the man and not enough about his music.

New book release: Treasured Memories of Elvis by Judy Palmer is the story of her experiences as a Elvis Presley fan club president (The Kissin' Cousins); meeting Elvis, attending many of his shows and participating in some of the key moments of his career, from 1965 to 1976. This photo, the book cover, was taken in 1972 during the Elvis Summer Festival at the Las Vegas Hilton. She considers her photos of this engagement as her best work. No one has ever seen all her photos in one book, in context with her stories. Judy is an enthusiastic storyteller and remembers her moments with Elvis in great detail. Treasured Memories of Elvis will be a hard cover, 8’’ by 10’’, full color book with approximately 100 pages and over 125 photos, nearly all the photos are of Elvis Presley. Memphis Explorations will release her book in the spring 2009. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Elvis' sidemen & Wanda Jackson announced for Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame Inclusion: Rockabilly and country singer Wanda Jackson and former Elvis band members will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland April 4. Jackson will join the hall as part of the Early Influence category.

Elvis Presley band members Bill Black and D.J. Fontana will be inducted as part of the Sidemen category as will Spooner Oldham.

Others to be honored include Jeff Beck, Little Anthony & the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C. and Bobby Womack.

Jackson became popular in the 1950s, while also enjoying a country career. Her hits include Let's Have a Party, Tears Will Be the Chaser for Your Wine, The Box it Came In, My Big Iron Skillet and Fancy Satin Pillows.

Black, Fontana and guitarist Scott Moore were The Blue Moon Boys, Elvis' backing band. Black played bass for Presley and was on early Presley recordings including Good Rockin' Tonight, Heartbreak Hotel, Baby Let's Play House, Mystery Train, That's All Right (Mama) and Hound Dog. He left in 1958 after a dispute about money. He continued making music, but died at 39 of a brain tumor in 1965. Fontana, 77, played drums for Presley for 14 years. He played on more than 460 RCA cuts with Elvis. Moore previously joined the Rock Hall in 2000. (News, Source: Country Standard Time)

Lisa Marie and the twins: Many thanks to Hubert Vindevogel from the UEPS for this photo (originally from People magazine) of proud mum, Lisa Marie with her twins, Harper Vivienne Ann Lockwood & Finley Aaron Love Lockwood. The twins were born on Oct 7, 2008. (Lisa Marie Presley's World) Hubert Vindevogel The United Elvis Presley Society ueps@skynet.be www.ueps.be   People magazine will be publishing a photo spread of Lisa Marie and her twins in their issue released on Friday 16 January 2008.

"Blue Hawaii" to be February FTD release: If all goes according to schedule, the new FTD-release will be available February 15th. This time, the team of Ernst Jorgenson picked Blue Hawaii to re-release as a classical 2CD set and also as a limited 2LP set. On March 15 FTD will follow up with a 2CD version of Standing Room Only. As you know the album never came out, and it’s possible that the version we create was never meant to be, but it’s the best way we can present the Las Vegas masters from February 1972 and the masters and outtakes from the March 1972 sessions at RCA. FTD is planning two more CDs for the first half of 2009, and at this time we have scheduled them for mid-April and mid-May. One more thing: the FTD 6363 Sunset Blvd will no longer be available, so get it while you can.

Disc 2: 1) Hawaiian Sunset – take 2 2:46 / 2) Hawaiian Sunset – takes 6, 3 3:18 / 3) Aloha Oe (section 2) – take 6 1:19 / 4) Aloha Oe (section 2) - takes 7/5 0:55 5) Ku-U-I-Po – takes 2, 4, 5 3:55 / 6) Ku-U-I-Po – takes 6, 7 2:51 / 7) No More – takes 1, 2, 4, 8 6:15 / 8) No More – takes 11, 15 (insert ending) 3:16 / 9) Slicin’ Sand – take 4 1:43 / 10) Slicin’ Sand – takes 5, 6, 7 3:32 / 11) Slicin Sand – takes 8, 13, 15, 16, 14 4:06 / 12) Blue Hawaii – takes 4, 5, 6 4:39 /13) Ito Eats – takes 4, 6, 5 2:21 / 14) Island Of Love – takes 1, 2, 4, 6 4:31 / 15) Island Of Love – takes 7, 9 3:16 / 16) Steppin’ Out Of Line (movie version) – takes 4, 5, 7/8 3:22 / 17) Steppin’ Out Of Line (record version) – takes 10, 11, 16, 15 4:08 / 18) Steppin’ Out Of Line (tag for movie) – takes 18/19 1:15 / 19) Always Almost True – takes 2, 4, 5 5:11 / 20) Almost Always True – takes 7, 6 2:52 / 21) Moonlight Swim – takes 1, 4 3:54 / 22) Can’t Help Falling In Love – takes 14, 15, 16 3:08 / 23) Can’t Help Falling In Love – takes 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24 4:27 / 24) Can’t Help Falling In Love – takes 25, 26 2:15 (News, Source: Elvis News)

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New EPE Campaign: elvisallc posted these photos of the new EPE ad campaign on the FECC board:

Enter the Blingdom

See How Rockin' Royalty Rolls

New booklet release - ELVIS MEETS THE PRISONER (THE DIALOGUE FOR 2 IN ONE ACT): Due for release in the next two months from Short Stage Play Productions, Australia. Softcover, Not illustrated, Unpaginated. Synopsis: Short stage play based on the opening scene of Patrick McGoohan’s enigmatic television program, The Prisoner. In this two person play, Elvis is #6 and his protagonist is #2. Play script interweaves parts of the early Elvis story. (Book News, Source: EIN)

EIN Note: Sadly, only hours after we published this story, news came through that the creative genius behind The Prisoner, Patrick McGoohan, had passed away on January 13, following a short illness. He was 80 years old.

Coming to EIN this month: Here is a selection of some of the interesting items we will be publishing this month:

Rex Martin talks to EIN (Part 3) – in the final part of Rex’s fascinating interview he talks about:

• finally meeting Elvis!
• hidden microphone
• Red & Sonny's double somersault
• why Rex threw his clothes away
• the "awkward" February 1973 Las Vegas season
• the riot on stage in Vegas
• the fan who got kicked in the eye during that riot
• Rex getting banned from Vegas
• the logistics of following an Elvis tour
• having to buy a ticket from a scalper
• wild times in Cleveland
• how a car battery helped Rex film Elvis on tour
• Elvis' final years - the decline!!!!!

Elvis' Triumphant Return to Vegas in 1969 – detailed review and photos of Elvis’ triumphant Vegas return in 1969 by Maria Davis.  While Maria’s article has been circulated in the Elvis world over the years this will be the first time it has been officially published.

Elvis Books in 2009 – EIN’s new Elvis book page full of news, info and reviews

Adrian Payne talks to EIN: The author of the glorious book, The Australian Elvis Discography and Price Guide tells EIN how the book came about, his involvement with DJ Fontana and more…….including how to buy the full color book!

The Elvis Encyclopedia Quiz – Adam Victor’s new book is out and it is one of mammoth proportions, a stunning 600 page behemoth chock full of facts, figures, information and photos.  Courtesy of the publisher, Overlook Publishing, EIN has Elvis Quiz.

Elvis In Person (FTD Review) - Crister Berge reviews one of the latest FTD releases.

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Aussie Chart Update: On this week's ARIA Top 40 Music DVD chart, Elvis: The King of Rock 'n' Roll jumps 13 places to #8. It is now certified Platinum and has been on the chart for 40 weeks. (News, Source: ARIA)

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The Top Ten Elvis Books: Robert Fontenot, About.com has compiled his list of the Top 10 books released about Elvis. While not everyone will agree with Robert's list, it makes for interesting reading:

Since Elvis Presley was not only the "King" but also arguably the most famous entertainer of the 20th century, there are of course books (ghost)written about him by everyone, it seems, who ever met the man. And his significance in music history has led to endless print discussions of him as a musician, celebrity, and icon. But Elvis was also the most aggressively private star of his time, difficult to know even by those who knew him best. These books attempt to understand him from all angles.

1. "Elvis," Dave Marsh There are a number of books that explore Elvis more intently from different viewpoints, but this is the only one to define him in all ways at once -- who he was as a person, why he rose, what he meant to music and culture, why he was so loved and hated, why he fell. As a result, this is the first book to buy if you're wondering what all the fuss was about, but there's plenty of thoughtful eulogy for hardcore fans, too. The stunning Bea Feitler photos are alone worth the price of purchase.

2. "Last Train To Memphis" and "Careless Love," Peter Guralnick

The best of the in-depth attempts to understand Elvis as all things to all people, Guralnick's two-volume, 1600-page monster (the post-Army Careless Love being the second half) offers painstaking (and sometimes painful) detail on what life the King was, in fact, leading while worshipped from afar. Sort of a rise-and-fall tale that substitutes The Pelvis for the Roman Empire, and often cited as the greatest rock and roll biograohy ever written, it's a must for any Elvis fan.

3. "That's Alright, Elvis," James Dickerson and Scotty Moore

Guitarist Scotty Moore, who worked with Elvis at Sun and beyond, was one of the handful of people present when Presley "created" rock and roll, but his memories are even more valuable than that fact would indicate: he was also one of the King's favorite people (if not quite a close friend, but who was?). Add to that the fact that he knew Elvis well for three full years before the Sun sessions, and this becomes the most important (and least sensational) of the "insider" books.

4. "Elvis Day by Day," Peter Guralnick

Ernst Jorgensen's Elvis Presley: A Life in Music: The Complete Recording Sessions is the bible for those who want to know what Elvis did in the studio and when, but for the big day-by-day picture of the King's life, you want this lavishly illustrated coffeetable book, which utilizes Guralnick's wordsmithing and Jorgenson's archivism to paint a very intimate portrait of Presley's life. Want to play detective and figure out who the real Elvis was? Here's 400 pages of (often surprising) evidence.

5. "Elvis: A Radio History From 1945 to 1955," Aaron Webster

A simple and straightforward tome: transcripts of radio interviews and descriptions of performances that Elvis made in the postwar era. But what a revelation! Presley was walled away from the public, both by accident and design, after his initial success, but before then he was an open book, and this book attempts to show us the Elvis we might have met on the street before he became an icon. Essential reading for those who think his professional life started in 1954.

6. "Elvis! Elvis! Elvis! The King at the Movies," Peter Guttmacher

A book that exists to fill a vacuum, but it's a fun and necessary job: a look at the thirty-one (!!!) films the King made in his thirteen-year screen career. Many folks snicker at these films, but in his earliest years of stardom, Presley was thought of as a possible successor to James Dean. Film historian Guttmacher examines the evidence and offers the hard facts on every single film, including full-color reproductions of every poster and loads of rare on-the-set photos! Fun and fascinating.

7. "The Girls' Guide to Elvis," Kim Adelman

Many male music lovers admired the King, but all the girls simply adored him, and so this crushworthy salute to Elvis also addresses a need. It's subtitled "The Clothes, The Hair, The Women & More," and that about sums up the kicky (and yet surprisingly in-depth and archival) approach to all things Elvis. Not born when he made millions swoon? Want to relive old slumber-party memories? This book can help. See Elvis on dates! Go with him on shopping sprees! Gossip about his girlfriends!

8. "The Death of Elvis," James P. Cole, Charles Thompson

Elvis Presley died as he lived -- mired in controversy. And the unfortunate circumstances of his demise have been fodder for tabloids since before his burial. Cole and Thompson, newsmen both, prove that Presley died from drug abuse and not heart failure through a long and sadly detailed look at the last decade of his life. This is the definitive book on the causes of his death, which is why it's here, but it's not for everyone -- no morbid factoid is spared the reader. Approach with caution.

9. "Dead Elvis: A Chronicle of a Cultural Obsession," Greil Marcus

This, on the other hand, is not about Elvis death at all, but his afterlife -- that is, the fixation that the world still has with him, inspired by the many "sightings" of Presley in the years following his death. Irreverant and often hilarious, this series of essays (by one of rock's most venerated critics) works from the premise that he's worth more dead to us than alive, that Elvis represents "the necessity existing in every culture to produce a perfect, all-inclusive metaphor for itself."

10. "The Elvis Treasures," Robert Gordon

Examining Elvis Presley's possessions makes as much sense as examining those of King Tut -- he was our boy-king, after all. A gorgeous "interactive" book assembled by historian Robert Gordon with the help of the Graceland estate, The Elvis Treasures features an hour-long CD of interviews and 22 removable documents. And those are just the bonuses. Personal letters, business contracts, invitations, greeting cards, handwritten plays for "Memphis Mafia" football games...it's all here. And then some!

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"The Essential Elvis": This double CD budget compilation, entitled "The Essential Elvis", will be released on the NotNow label on January 29, 2009. (News, Source: Elvis News)

Popular Mouseketeer, Cheryl Holdridge, has died after a battle with lung cancer, aged 64 years:  AP reports that Cheryl, who caused a scandal in Australia when, then aged 15, she had an affair with Aussie singer Lucky Starr (aged 19), was later also linked in fan magazines and gossip columns as being involved with Elvis.  After The Mickey Mouse Club ended Cheryl was a guest star on shows including Bewitched, Dr Kildare, Mr Novak, Hawaiian Eye, My Three Sons and The Dick Van Dyke Show, as well as playing Wally Cleaver’s girlfriend for two seasons on Leave It To Beaver.  Her last screen appearance was in the 2000 film, The Flintstones in Viva Rock Vegas. In 1964 she essentially left acting after marrying Lance Reventlow (son of Woolworths heiress Barbara Hutton).  Mr Reventlow was killed in a plane crash in 1972. Cheryl had a second marriage in 1974 to Jim Skards, and her third marriage in 1994 was to prominent Democratic Party fund raiser, Manning Post. It ended with his death in 2000.  Cheryl was known for her winning smile and personality. (News, Source: AP)

Elvis' Christmas Album ranks #30 in the List of the 30 Worst Christmas Album covers: Triple M Radio in Australia has issued its list of the 30 Worst Christmas Album covers. Elvis came in at #30. Other artists ranked in the list include Wham; Billy Idol; Johnny Mathis; Lonnie Lee (Australia); Jimi Hendrix; Air Supply and The Cheetah Girls. Surprisingly missing from the list are such classics as Christmas with Colonel Sanders; Six Million Dollar Man Christmas; Heino; Liberace and Merry Christmas with the Mom and Dads. View full gallery

Film version of Lamar Fike story: Dallas-based LAMAR FIKE, the key member of Elvis Presley’s famed Memphis Mafia, who formally started up his own Drawbridge Productions in February, is now putting the finishing touches on the accompanying screenplay to his forthcoming book FIKE: AN UNCOMMON JOURNEY ON ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD, written with best-selling celebrity-author Mark Bego, titled “ONE OF THE BOYS; ‘57 TO 60’.” The screenplay was written by Fike, Bego, and filmmaker D. Edward Stanley. Drawbridge Productions was formalized to bring under one umbrella Fike’s many productions as well as to contain all his ‘intellectual properties’ pertaining to his Presley-related projects in the works.

“We want the right type of deal for it … with someone who can effectively get the job done. I look at the finished product, now having been able to take a step or two back, as something that deserves to be on told on film. There’s never been an accurate rending of the Elvis-story, and truth be told, it’s long overdue. So, when we get to the point of putting the film in production, we want it done the right way.” Fike continues, “It’s funny … we wrote the book first, but the screenplay almost wrote itself. We realized during the creation, that again, it is a great story … and, it’s one that’s never been told before and deserves to be.”

Fike is also provisionally on board as a talent judge for a new television show to be produced later this year in the U.S. … enabling him to not only seriously put himself out there again in the public eye, but to appear as a credible force in the business.

“I’ve logged quite a bit of time in this entertainment business, working for talented people like Elvis, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, and, record company executive Jimmy Bowen, but I’ve been a bit under the radar. I’m ready to step up to the plate!”  (Celluloid, Source: TheInsider.com)

Parkes "all shook up" over record Festival crowds: Organisers of the Parkes Elvis Festival, in central western New South Wales, are planning to further expand the event in response to this year's record crowd. An estimated 9,500 people turned out to the five day festival - 1,500 more than in 2008.

Festival coordinator Ellie Ruffoni says the gospel breakfast was a highlight attended by up to 3,000 people yesterday morning. She says planning will now start to make next year's event even bigger.

"We've had so many people say to us they're coming back next year and they can't wait," Ms Ruffoni said. "We may have to look at ways of making sure we can get more people in Cook Park and making sure we can accommodate more people next year.

"We're going to be planning 2010's festival shortly so there'll be some new ideas coming through."

Ms Ruffoni says new events, including a car show and Elvis poets breakfast, proved successful.

"Everyone's just realised you don't have to be a diehard Elvis fan to come to Parkes and have a great time," she said. "We have people from all over the place, so we have people that have all sorts of music interests - not just Elvis - but [who] are all having a great time.

"We've had more shuttle buses running from various towns this year so it means that people can daytrip more easily." (News, Source: ABC News)

Elvis Tour Number 14: BIGREDG posted news of this new release on the FECC forum. It is a "new" 14 CD box set of Elvis' tour between May 30-June 10 1975. The boxset comes with a 20 page booklet with full track listings for the tour. As the visual indicates it is a limited edition of 500 copies.

Elvis in Wellsville?: Rita Taylor of Wellsville sent in this picture of Elvis Presley which she said was taken in 1958, location unknown.

She said she received it from a fellow student while taking classes in Rochester. Interviewing “The King,” Taylor said, was Lloyd Gordon, the first station manager of WLSV in Wellsville.

The person to Gordon’s right, who worked with him, was reportedly from the area. Taylor suggested this person might be able to verify the location. Presley would have been 74 Thursday.

Elvis may have visited Wellsville during this time.

Anybody with more information about this picture should contact The Daily Reporter's newsroom at (585) 593-5300. (News, Source: EP Gold/Elvis Matters/wellsvilledaily.com)

Elvis At The Wheel: Elvis At The Wheel is the title of a song on Al "Year Of The Cat " Stewart's new album. According to a review this is "The oddest song, set a generation ago, is a telling of the possibly-true tale of Elvis Presley's handlers being in a bizarre limbo as a drug-addled king stares at the clouds changing from an image of Josef Stalin to one of Jesus Christ ". (News, Source: Elvis News)

'Elvis: Spring Tours '77' includes three cuts from Saginaw concerts: Six years ago, the BMG/FTD record label released a CD titled "Elvis: Spring Tours '77." Of the album's 25 cuts, three were recorded in Saginaw -- two when Presley played what is now TheDow Event Center on April 25 and the third during a return visit May 3. That release is partly the reason The Saginaw KING Fest is slated for next weekend as 20 Elvis tribute artists compete at the neighboring Temple Theatre, 203 N. Washington. Saginaw is closely linked to Presley.

As an Internet web site reports it, by 1977 Presley was no longer making studio recordings. But that year he did do 55 live shows before his death in August. So during the spring segment of those tours, Felton Jarvis set up four-track recording equipment at several of the tour venues in the hopes of recording something special. A quarter of a century later, his work was compiled and officially released (with a few booklegs predating that). From Saginaw's April 25 concert comes "Heartbreak Hotel" and "My Way" and from the May 3 concert is "Mystery Train/Tiger Man." Other cuts on the album were recorded in Ann Arbor and Kalamazoo, as well as nine other venues on the tour. Some of the on-line reviews of "Elvis: Spring Tours" criticize the fact the release did not include the "Hawaiian Wedding Song" from the April 25 Saginaw concert. Those attending the concert or hearing the recording in bookleg releases rate it highly. (Photo: Elvis live in Saginaw; Source: The Saginaw News Archives) Among the on-line review comments: * "These Saginaw recordings are really good ... of very high standard." * "Mystery Train/Tiger Man'' is a one-time performance during 1977. * "My Way" shows a nice, powerful voice, a great strong song to end the CD." (CD Review, Source: Janet I. Martineau | The Saginaw News)

DJ Ethan and Teddy present: She Is The King & Elvis Presley Song remix with video! NEW "EDGE OF REALITY" REMIX WITH VIDEO BY DJ ETHAN FROM FRANCE & VIDEO BY TEDDY (Almost Elvis, Source: She Is The King)

Billboard Chart Update: The following are the Elvis entries on the Billboard Charts for this week:

Top Country Albums - Collectors Edition: Elvis Inspirational Memories - 75
Top Country Albums - Elvis Christmas Duets - 29
Top Country Catalog Albums - Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits' - 3
Top Country Catalog Albums - The Essential Elvis Presley - 19
Top Holiday Albums - Elvis Christmas Duets - 26
Top Pop Catalog Albums - Elvis: 30 No.1 Hits - 47
Top Christian and Gospel Albums - Collectors Edition: Elvis Inspirational Memories - 63
Top Internet Albums - Elvis Christmas Duets - 13 (News, Source: Briann Quinn, FECC board)

Aussie Chart Update: On tomorrow's ARIA charts in Australia, Elvis Christmas Duets drops 4 places to #7 on the Country Album chart after 10 weeks on the chart and a high of #1. It is yet to be certified Gold (35,000 units) or Platinum (70,000 units). A technical glitch means the ARIA Music DVD Chart has not appeared online (we'll update this chart later). (News, Source: ARIA)

Elvis re-marries Priscilla........23 times!!: Today, as part of the Annual Parkes Elvis Festival in Australia, "23 Elvises" re-married "23 Priscilla's".......and as the marriage celebrant said, "they walked up to the preacher and said I do". (News, Source: Prime TV)

Scotty Moore & DJ Fontana to be inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame: It has been confirmed that Bill Black and DJ Fontana will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Official announcement to be made shortly. The induction of both men into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, in EIN's view, is long overdue! (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine)   Visit Scotty's official website more more details.

Priscilla on Larry King Live - a photo montage: Priscilla Presley appeared on Larry King Live on 8 January to celebrate what would have been Elvis' 74th birthday. Rex Martin, publisher of the legendary Worldwide Elvis News Service Weekly, not only watched the show but put together a wonderful photo montage. Included in the 19 image montage are photos of Elvis, Graceland, Priscilla, John Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston, and Lisa Marie. (Spotlight, Source: Rex Martin/Larry King Live)

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NOW AVAILABLE!! THE ´ELVIS -UK CLASSICS´ CARDSLEEVES EDITION!: Each release now comes in a very cool large glossy cardsleeve ( 14x14 cm or 5,51x5,51 inch) with the original artwork. The CDs are vinyl- look with actual grooves. They look just like the original albums in miniature!!

They even have white innersleeves!! All sleeves are completely re-designed to make it look like the original artwork. So no cheap photo copies! The audio sounds superb, and is digitally remastered.

EACH CD CONTAINS 2 OUTSTANDING ALTERNATE VERSIONS!!!!!

These neat releases are ´shrunken´ versions of the original vinyl albums from the 1980s. (News, Source: EP Gold)

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King Creole - budget label release: This is the complete tracklisting and cover art of the "King Creole" budget compilation which was released on the Xtra label on January 5, 2009. Tracklisting: 1. King Creole 2. As Long As I Have You 3. Hard Headed Woman 4. Trouble 5. Dixieland Rock 6. Don't Ask Me Why 7. Lover Doll 8. Crawfish 9. Young Dreams 10. Steadfast Loyal And True 11. New Orleans 12. Don t 13. I Beg Of You 14. Wear My Ring Around Your Neck 15. Doncha Think It's Time 16. One Night 17. I Got Stung (News, Source: Amazon.co.uk/Elvis News)

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Good Rockin' Tonight release: This is the cover of the "Good Rockin' Tonight" budget compilation which will be released on the Cleopatra label on February 24, 2009. (News, Source: Amazon.co.uk/Elvis News)

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Viewpoint - Elvis, we need you now!: January 8 is the birthday of Elvis Presley.  Why do a commentary on an entertainer who died in 1977 when we’ve got all the weighty issues going on around us, you may ask.    Notwithstanding the fact I’ve been an Elvis fan ever since he came on the scene, I was inspired by a commentary I heard Mike Huckabee do on his show over the weekend.  

He pointed out that Elvis was a big force in breaking down racial barriers with his music, a mix of blues, boogie, country and gospel.

He gave a generation of rural Southern boys who were looked down on by the rest of the nation and called ignorant and worse hope we too could be somebody, that anyone in this great country could rise above their circumstances and go for their dreams. You didn’t have to settle.  

He changed the world with his music and brought untold joy and happiness to millions as well as setting a wonderful example with his generosity and humble attitude toward his fans. We could use a little more of that kind of example today.    I’m Jim Cameron. Let us hear from you.  Email Jim Cameron at jcameron@wdam.com (News, Source: wdam.com)

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When Elvis met Nixon: Scott recently posted the following commentary on powerlineblog.com: Today is the anniversary of the birth of Elvis Presley, who was born on this day in 1935. Elvis died of a life of excess and drug abuse at an absurdly young age. He had been a superstar for more than 20 years by the time he died, entombed in his own celebrity. When Elvis, Scotty and Bill found their way to the heart of American music with their recording of "That's Alright, Mama" in 1954, they (and Sun Records owner/producer Sam Phillips) knew they had done something special. Elvis found the heart of America -- the place where country, blues, and gospel meet -- many times over in his music. Indeed, after his artistic decline in the '60s, he willed himself to a second period of creative genius and genuine accomplishment at the end of the '60s and early '70s. Am I wrong in thinking that listening closely to the music all by itself can make us love our country more?

With his superb two-volume biography of Elvis -- Last Train to Memphis and Careless Love -- Peter Guralnick has made himself the essential chronicler of Elvis's story. Guralnick of course tells the true story of the day in December 1970 when Elvis met Nixon in the White House. The story of the visit provides insight into Elvis's patriotism as well as comic relief in the denoument of Elvis's life.

Elvis admired law enforcement officers and collected the badges of police departments he visited. In Los Angeles on a secret getaway from tensions at home in Memphis, Elvis became inflamed with the desire to be deputized by the federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangersous Drugs (BNDD). He inveigled his friend Jerry Schilling to join him on a quick trip to Washington. Bodyguard Sonny West would fly in from Memphis to meet them. Elvis asked Schilling to take out some cash for the trip, which Elvis ended up giving away to soldiers returning from service in Vietnam.

California Senator George Murphy was coincidentally on the flight from Los Angeles to Washington. Elvis sought out Murphy back in tourist to enlist his assistance. On the flight Elvis wrote out a letter to President Nixon:

Dear Mr. President

First I would like to introduce myself. I am Elvis Presley and admire you and Have Great Respect for your office. I talked to Vice President Agnew in Palm Springs a week ago and expressed my concern for our country. The Drug Culture, The Hippie Elements, the SDS, Black Panthers, etc do not consider me as their enemy or as they call it The Establishment. I call it America and I Love it. Sir I can and will be of any Service that I can to help the country out. I have no concerns or motives other than helping the country out. So I wish not to be given a title or an appointed position, I can and will do more good if I were made a Federal Agent at Large, and I will help out by doing it my way through my communications with people of all ages. First and Foremost I am an entertainer but all I need is the Federal credentials. I am on the Plane with Sen. George Murphy and We have been discussing the problems that our country is faced with. Sir I am Staying at the Washington hotel Room 505-506-507. I have 2 men who work with me by the name of Jerry Schilling and Sonny West. I am registered under the name of Jon Burrows. I will be here for as long as it takes to get the credentials of a Federal Agent. I have done in depth study of Drug Abuse and Communist Brainwashing Techniques and I am right in the middle of the whole thing, where I can and will do the most good. I am Glad to help just so long as it is kept very Private. You can have your staff or whomever call me anytime today tonight or Tomorrow. I was nominated the coming year one of America's Ten Most outstanding young men. That will be in January 18 in my Home Town of Memphis Tenn. I am sending you the short autobiography about myself so you can better understand this approach. I would love to meet you just to say hello if you're not too busy.

Respectfully,
Elvis Presley

Upon his arrival in Washington on the morning of December 21, Elvis dropped the letter off at the White House and went off to a meeting (arranged by Murphy) with the director of the BNDD to seek a badge. He instead met with BNDD deputy director John Finlator, who refused Elvis's request for a badge. Back in the hotel room, however, Schilling received a call inviting Elvis to the White House for a meeting with the president.

Elvis's letter had prompted internal deliberations over the wisdom of a presidential meeting. Dwight Chapin's memo to Bob Haldeman summarizing Elvis's request is a bit clueless. The second page of the memo has Chapin's earnest advice and Haldeman's somewhat more astute response. Chapin writes: "[I]f the President wants to meet some bright young people outside of the Government, Presley might be a perfect one to start with." Haldeman responds: "You must be kidding." The meeting was nevertheless promptly approved and arranged. Elvis, Schilling, and West met up with White House aide Bud Krogh for Elvis's 12:30 meeting with the president in the Oval Office.

Bud Krogh's memo summarizes the meeting:

Presley indicated to the President in a very emotionial mamner that he was "on your side." Presley kept repeating that he wanted to be helpful, that he wanted to restore some respect for the flag, which was being lost. He mentioned he was just a poor boy from Tennessee who had gotten a lot from his country, which in some way he wanted to repay.

Elvis thought he could be helpful to Nixon "in his drug drive" and Nixon expressed "his concern that Presley retain his credibility." It was at this point that Elvis made his pitch for the BNDD badge. Nixon told Krogh that he would like Elvis to receive a badge.

Krogh wrote in a subsequent account of the meeting:

Elvis was smiling triumphantly. "Thank you very much, sir. This means a lot to me."...Elvis then moved up close to the President and, in a spontanous gesture, put his left arm around him and hugged him.

Not done yet, Elvis asked the president if he would see his friends Schilling and West: "It would mean a lot to them and to me." Schilling and West were ushered into the Oval Office. Nixon gave them the same tie clasps and cuff links with presidential seals that he had already given Elvis.

Elvis prompted Nixon: "You know, they've got wives too."

According to Guralnick, Elvis and Nixon then rummaged through Nixon's desk for suitable presents for the wives. After lunch in the White House mess and a tour of the White House, Elvis was presented with the BNDD badge by Finlator at Krogh's office. Finlator promised to send along additional credentials.

"Leaving the White House," Guralnick writes, "Sonny and Jerry never stopped to ponder the many strange things that had occurred on this day. As far as they were concerned, there was one thing, and one thing only, responsible for whatever had happened to them, good or bad: they were with Elvis Presley."

At least this particular chapter of the Elvis story had a happy ending. (Spotlight, Source: Gail Carver)

A mockumentary film "Elvis Meets Nixon" was released in 1997. It was issued on DVD in 2006.

See EIN's Celluloid page for more info

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Newspaper stand CD in Italy: This CD was released in Italy on the A&R label is a digi-pack with a small booklet housed in a cardboard box. The CD was released before in Italy a few years ago, but is now available through newspaper stands only. It is part of series entitled "Nostalgia" which also features CDs from Frank Sinatra and Ray Charles. (News, Source: EP Gold)

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Fun Time At The Coliseum: The VB Records import label has released a new product called "Fun Time At The Coliseum", a single CD containing an audience recording of the complete concert at the Hirsch Coliseum in Shreveport on June 7, 1975 (2:30 PM). This concert was never released before as a real CD before. According to the information we received the sound quality is good and especially Elvis' voice is clear. The show itself is really enjoable with Elvis in very good mood joking with the audience and delivering a good performance. VB Records presents his new CD in a very attractive three panel 'premium longbook package' full of pictures from June '75, the songlist, all the information and two interesting newspaper clips regarding the concert on the CD. Tracklist: 2001 Theme See See Rider I Got A Woman/Amen Love Me If You Love Me Love Me Tender All Shook Up Teddy Bear/Dont Be Cruel Hound Dog The Wonder Of You Burning Love Introductions Johnny B Goode Ronnie Tutt drums solo Jerry Scheff bass solo Glen Hardin piano solo Joe Guercio Orchestra Hail! Hail! Rock N Roll T.R.O.U.B.L.E. Why Me Lord ? How Great Thou Art Funny How Time Slips Away Little Darlin (with reprise) Mystery Train / Tiger Man Cant Help Falling In Love Closing Vamp (News, Source: Elvis News)

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Elvis lives in Sandy's room: Elvis is alive. If you don't think so ask Sandy Wulf of Deloit. Sandy has been an Elvis fan since she was a little girl. She stated, "Elvis has always been in our family". Sandy has been gathering and collecting Elvis the Pelvis (a name he was called in the 50's) memorabilia for a long time. Her husband Bob built a special room in their home just to house the items. The centerpiece of the collection is a bigger-than-life size statue of Elvis that her husband Bob got for her birthday. The colorful figure, with a guitar, is flanked on both sides by shelves bulging with collectibles such as a fat and furry pig with sideburns that gyrates and sings, pictures, 45 rpm RCA records, figurines of all sizes and even a duplicate set of Elvis driver licenses.

On the opposite end of the shrine is an actual poster from a performance Elvis gave in New York in 1957, 16x20 or larger framed photographs, and, to the joy of Pez and Elvis collectors, a relatively new set of three Elvis Pez dispensers (that could be called Elvis Pezly dispensers) that show Elvis in different stages of his career. A collectible tin also houses a CD with three old songs such as Hound Dog. The three dispensers show Elvis at an early age, dressed in Army clothes and his flamboyant, white sequined outfit and sun glasses. Most recently a giant Pez dispenser more a foot tall that dispenses whole packages of the Pez has been added. Elvis sings when the candy is dispensed.

Sandy idolizes Elvis and has the highest regard for him. Sharing her enthusiasm for Elvis, she visits nursing homes around the area and performs and lip syncs the words for the elderly, while dressed in Elvis attire. Of course the shows are all donated to residents wherever she performs. When Sandy first started performing she always packed lots and lots of scarves to give away during the show, but due to economic crunch she now has everyone register and at the end of the show she pulls the lucky winner's name.

Elvis's birthday was January 8th and all Elvis fans (he still has millions) celebrated the King of Rock and Roll's birth date in their own special ways. You know there will be a lot of singing along with old 45 rpm records, CD's, cassettes and watching one or more of Elvis's 33 movies.

Since Presley's death in 1977 one would believe that his popularity would be dwindling, but that's not the case. It's been flourishing as Elvis records and other collectibles are designed weekly and distributed. Millions of dollars a year for Elvis collectibles have been spent as the years go by. So Elvis is still alive, at least in the minds of the millions of his adoring fans. Most of all Sandy Wulf"s.

Sandy invites anyone interested in seeing her Elvis memorial to stop at her home in Deloit, which doubles as her business, the Hair Depot, across the street north from the "Oldest Town in Crawford County" sign along Highway 39. (News, Source: Bruce A. Binning, dbrnews.com)

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Church is key to Elvis' Graceland: When Elvis Presley purchased Graceland Mansion in 1957, his $102,000 investment was one of three offers on the table, and one of the main reasons he got to buy the now-famous property was his willingness to live near a church. Ruth Cobb, who grew up in the home after it was built in 1939, told The Memphis Commercial Appeal that Sears Roebuck was interested in the land, as was a developer who wanted to turn Graceland into a high-priced restaurant. At the time, the Graceland Christian Church was interested in buying five of the 20 acres that came with the property. Sears and the restaurateur balked, but Elvis had no problem living near a church: He got the house. (Photo: Graceland in 1940)

Elvis, who would have turned 74 on Thursday, made major changes to the mansion, which Ruth calls "just a comfortable old country home." He had fabric hung on the ceiling in at least one room, and turned one of the biggest areas in the building into the Jungle Room, where he recorded two of his hits: "Moody Blue" and "Way Down."

Ruth wasn’t particularly fond of some of the changes. He took down a chandelier that was previously in the home and, she said, "put up some garish thing." She has, nevertheless, brought her grandchildren back to Graceland to take a tour.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it," she said, "but it didn't feel like home."

Many people have taken similar tours of Graceland, including such famous folks as Deana Carter, Loretta Lynn, Charlie Daniels, Randy Owen, Gretchen Wilson, Robert Plant and President George W. Bush. Martina McBride also visited the property in November to throw the switch on the annual "Blue Christmas" light display. Priscilla Presley returned to the mansion on Thursday, the Associated Press reported, and led fans in a round of "Happy Birthday" to the King. (News, Source: Charmaine Voisine/Great American Country

Read EIN's All About Graceland Spotlight article

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Elvis at Beenleigh on Australia's Gold Coast: THE greatest rocker of all, Elvis Presley, who would have turned 74 yesterday, would be proud of what has happened at the Beenleigh Village Mall.

Up in the mall, they're going to open the Jukebox Diner, a retro place to celebrate the great times and music of the Elvis era and to observe his birthday, tomorrow night. The Jukebox Diner is at 145 George Street, Beenleigh, and can be contacted at 3807 0440 or www.jukeboxdiner.com.au

Elvis impersonator and singer Gabe Phoenix will be performing in front of what the owners call a 'top dance floor'. And if you have a 50s or 60s Caddy or T-Bird and want to park it at the gig, there's a well-lit car park monitored by security cameras ready and waiting. People can go dressed as Elvis, if that's their fancy, but in keeping with the Elvis tradition, the night will not include alcohol. (News, Source: goldcoast.com.au)

EPE announces Elvis Legacy Project: Elvis Presley’s life and career made an impact on entertainment and culture that is still being felt today. While millions of individuals have encountered Elvis through his music, movies and photographs, a lucky few were able to meet, work with or have a personal relationship with Elvis himself.

The archives department of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. is announcing this ambitious project to gather as many video interviews as possible with those who personally encountered Elvis.
“We hear many Elvis stories each week,” said Angie Marchese, director of EPE archives, “and this will enable us to preserve many of those stories for Elvis fans and rock historians in the future.”

These videos will be cataloged and housed in the Graceland archives.

From now until Elvis' 75th birthday, in January 2010, videos will be gathered and, beginning on February 1, 2009, a new video will be added online each week on Elvis.com for the public to view.

If you encountered Elvis and have a story to share with the world, we would love to include you in this project.

Simply record your video, download and sign this release form and mail both to:

Elvis Presley Legacy Project
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Archives Department
3734 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116

HDV or miniDV tape formats are preferred but any video format is acceptable.

Please note, we will not be able to process or include videos that are sent without a signed and dated release form. (News, Source: EPE)

ELVIS PRESLEY DAY 2009.....Thursday, January 8, 2008.....Mayor of Shelby County, The Honorable A C Wharton's Comments: Elvis and Memphis........ They compliment one another. They are bound together. In fact, they almost rhyme. Now I know we are on Elvis Presley’s Boulevard, but I must remind everyone this was also Elvis Presley’s city. Tupelo is where he was born Vegas is where he’d perform The World Stage is where he was known But Memphis was always his home Here in his city, we cherish his memory and his legacy and what he brought to the distinctive American invention of Rock and Roll. And as we see year after year, folks across the globe have a genuine love affair with Elvis Presley as well. We all are CAUGHT IN A TRAP that we CAN’T WALK OUT. We love Elvis completely, deeply, sincerely, and forever.

If Rock and Roll were a religion, Elvis was its most prolific disciple, responsible for more converts than anyone before or after him. If Rock and Roll were a country, Elvis was a Founding Father and his lyrics were the documents of freedom that helped to birth the nation. If Rock and Roll were a sickness, Elvis-itis would be the most potent and contagious virus known to man, infecting victims who just looked at his image, heard his voice or saw him perform in person or through a recording. But since Rock and Roll is music, we’ve all decided the world over to just call Elvis…the King.

I want to thank Robert Sillerman, and Priscilla Presley and Jack Soden for their creativity, their passion, and their devotion to this history we celebrate today. They are helping to refine and build on the structure that will carry Elvis-mania forward with a new energy and awareness even as thousands of new fans – who were never even alive during Elvis’ lifetime – enlist in the army of the faithful.

I must say it again: this community was one he loved and we love him.

We know that the legacy of Elvis will be just fine because it’s planted in the right place. Memphis laid the rails for the MYSTERY TRAIN; we put sole polish on those BLUE SUEDE SHOES, we gave the HEARTBREAK HOTEL its first business license….Memphis was even the kennel and the playpen for that HOUNDDOG.

There is a creativity in the air here, possibly even in the soil and in water; a creativity that helped to activate the music in Elvis’ soul from any early age. A creativity that would allow him to embrace bedazzled and colorful jumpsuits, activate his rhythmic hips, have a Cadillac painted pink, and eat fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches.

As a community, we were a major part of who he was, and he is a major part of who we are. Memphis and Shelby County will forever uphold his legacy for the world to see and admire.

Thank you for coming and for embracing our favorite son, Elvis Aaron Presley. (News, Source: EPE)

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EPE Chief says Graceland development plans still have the green light: The chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises' parent company says the Elvis industry is thriving despite the bad U.S. economy. The late U.S. rock 'n' roll icon, who would have celebrated his 74th birthday Thursday, was No. 1 on the Forbes magazine list of top-earning dead celebrities in 2008. "There is only one Elvis, and you don't have to do much to keep him front and center," Robert Sillerman, chief executive of CKX Inc. (NASDAQ:CKXE), told the Memphis Commercial Appeal.

Sillerman also told the newspaper that President-elect Barack Obama's inaugural committee has requested permission to use Presley's song "If I Can Dream" as part of an inaugural event.

"I am a big supporter of President Obama," Sillerman said. "If they want to use it, we absolutely will make it available to them. Forty years after Elvis' '68 special, we see that he's being thought of as part of a new beginning."

Although attendance at Graceland was down in 2008 compared to 2007, when fans flocked to Presley's former home to mark the 30th anniversary of his death, CKX said the numbers were on par with attendance from previous non-milestone years, suggesting Elvis is "recession-resistant."

Sillerman also said CKX is moving ahead with plans to improve and develop Graceland so it will be even more appealing to tourists. (Sale of EPE Archives, Source: UPI)

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Tupelo to receive next Mississippi Blues Trailer Marker: On tuesday we ran this story. We re-present it together with two visuals: Governor Haley Barbour today announced the placement of the latest Mississippi Blues Trail Marker honoring Tupelo’s blues legacy is perhaps most widely known — albeit in little detail — via its influence on a young Elvis Presley. The Mississippi Development Authority Tourism Division Heritage Trails Program, the Mississippi Blues Commission and the City of Tupelo will hold dedication ceremonies at 3 p.m. Thursday. The marker will be located at 399 East Main St. in Tupelo. “The story behind the king of rock ’n’ roll begins with deep roots in the blues,” Gov. Haley Barbour said. “It was the sounds of gospel and country found in the blues music that helped to vault a native son of Tupelo into a worldwide music icon.” As a boy, Presley lived adjacent to the African American neighborhoods of “Shake Rag” and “On the Hill.” Shake Rag, located east of the old M&O (later GM&O) railway tracks and extending northward from Main Street, was one of several historic African American communities in Tupelo.

Elvis' birthplace still draws the crowds: As legend has it, Elvis Presley was cruising back into his hometown of Tupelo, Miss., for a benefit concert when he decided to take a look at the tiny shack where he was born. Seeing that the property was for sale, along with several parcels surrounding it, he asked the city of Tupelo to use funds from his show at the local fairgrounds to develop the property into a park for neighborhood children. That was in 1957.

Today, the serene attraction bears very little resemblance to the original landscape. Asked if the property was always so well-kept, the tour guide inside the birth home gives a look of shock, before confiding that this was never the desirable part of town. She is positioned inside the bedroom, about two steps from the front door, and she immediately begins telling the story of that fateful morning of Jan. 8, 1935, at 4:35 a.m. When she's through, you can take about 10 steps and glance at the fixed-up kitchen area. And that's the end of the birth home tour.

But the dioramas and archived photos inside the adjacent museum indicate that the whole neighborhood was then a seedy mess. All the decrepit houses around Presley's birth home have long since been razed. Don't be fooled by how cute the house looks now -- the floor and roof were replaced, the furniture isn't original and the newspapered walls are now adorned with a perky floral print. There was no electricity or bathroom, either.

Vernon Presley built the home as a teenager with help from his father and brother in 1934.

Vernon's wife, Gladys, gave birth here to twin sons, Elvis Aron and Jessie Garon, but Jessie was stillborn. Vernon had borrowed $180 from his employer to pay for the home but couldn't pay it back. He was also imprisoned in 1938 for forging a $4 check. So, after two-and-a-half years in the house, the family was forced to move in with Vernon's parents, who lived next door.

That situation didn't last either, and the Presleys moved in and out of several homes in Tupelo over the next decade, including some in black neighborhoods, where Presley first absorbed R&B and blues music. The stories about those early years in Tupelo still linger. When he was 10, Elvis received his first guitar from Tupelo Hardware as a birthday gift from his mother. (He had originally wanted a bicycle or a rifle.) A year later, he won second place for singing "Old Shep" in a youth talent contest at the Mississippi-Alabama Fair and Dairy Show at the Tupelo Fairgrounds. His earnings? Five dollars and free rides. Some of that cash may have been spent on cheeseburgers and RC Colas at Johnnie's Drive-In. The restaurant and the hardware store are still in operation.

Elvis played that same guitar at a farewell concert for his classmates at Milam Junior High School just before his family moved to Memphis, when Elvis was 13. If you walk around the perimeter of the birth house, each of the 13 years are marked by granite blocks, noting something that happened to the family that year. A few steps away, a bronze statue called "Elvis at 13" shows the young man wearing oversized overalls and carrying a guitar. The statue was commissioned by the Elvis Presley Foundation at the request of an Irish fan and stands as the most evocative photo opportunity on the grounds.

From there, things get a little weird. The neighborhood church where Vernon and Gladys met, which the Presley family attended frequently, was moved across the street in August and now rests inside the 15-acre park that encompasses the museum and birthplace. The pews aren't original since the church had become a private residence at some point along the way, but the building itself remains firmly intact. A tour guide offers insight into the role of the church in Presley's music -- mainly that the minister, Frank Smith, taught Presley the D, A and E chords on the guitar and that the love of gospel music that Presley sang in this church never left him.

The tour guide then retreats to the corner as enormous screens slither out of slits in the ceiling, covering the old windows. By God, there's gonna be church. With drawling confidences from local thespians, the lengthy multimedia presentation is intended to show visitors what an Assembly of God church service was like in the 1940s.

Once the screens zip back into the roof, tourists can drop by the memorial chapel for a glimpse of Presley's original Bible. On the way to the museum, there's a 30-foot wall engraved with remembrances by Presley's friends and family. In the middle, a fountain flows with 13 spouts at the top, again representing the years he spent in Tupelo, with 29 more spouts on the ground to mark the remaining years of his life.

Aside from the revealing photographs and dioramas, the museum itself is noteworthy because the memorabilia (a few costumes, some photos, etc.) largely comes from the collection of longtime family friend, Janelle McComb. When he was 4, Elvis befriended McComb, who was about 11 years older, and they kept in touch after the Presleys moved to Memphis. When Elvis died in 1977, Vernon asked McComb to write the epitaph for his grave. The museum, which was updated in 2006, takes about 15 minutes to walk through, and unlike the trek through Graceland, nobody's crying at the end. Instead, visitors are more likely to be quietly humbled to see how one of the world's most famous entertainers came from such an unlikely place. (News, Source: Craig Shelburne, CMT News)

View photos of Elvis Presley's birthplace.

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If Elvis has left the building, you wouldn't know it: IT SEEMS hard to believe that Elvis Presley would have turned 74 today. But what seems harder to believe is the man has been dead for more than 31 years — not that you'd know it by the way he still dominates the news.

For, on an almost daily basis, The King's memory is perpetuated in a multitude of media mentions ranging from the remarkable to the ridiculous, somehow making him larger in death than he was even in later life. Whatever you think of him, and I admit to only respecting his achievements and singing his praises after he had stopped singing, his ongoing fame could make his initials stand for ever-present as easily as Ever-Presley.

Whether it be the 400 people who boarded a train bursting with Elvis impersonators and fans in Sydney last year for the annual Parkes Elvis Festival in NSW, with even the train's staff dressed as you-know-who, or those taking the Michael out of Elvis by doing karate moves and mumbling "Thank ya verra much" while inebriated at parties, it proves there's room for everyone in the legions of Elvis fans.

These include former Wiggle Greg Page who believes he is the world's fourth biggest Elvis memorabilia collector, and Bob and Anne Steel who received the Order of Australia in 2008 for establishing the Parkes Festival in 1993 to celebrate what would have been Elvis' 58th birthday.

Serious achievements by The King are still up there, too, such as it taking until 2008 for him to be pushed into second place on Billboard's all-time No. 1 singles list (by Mariah Carey). Or Madonna surpassing him with her 37th hit to make the top 10.

And despite not being around to cash his cheques, Elvis still earned more than Madge in 2007, with the Forbes Top Earning Dead Celebrities list showing he topped his own 2006 figure of $75.8 million with $80 million, leaving living stars Justin Timberlake and Madonna in his wake.

So when someone asks "What's green and sings rock and roll?" you could answer "Elvis Parsley", though the green will probably refer to the US Treasury lettuce required to buy Elvis items such as his favourite performance costume, the Peacock Jumpsuit, which sold at auction last August for $US300,000. The white outfit with the plunging V-neck overtook the Aloha Cape as the most paid for one of his costumes as well as becoming the most expensive piece of his memorabilia ever sold at auction.

Or the Melbourne antique dealer who had a second-century Roman marble architectural ornament with a resemblance to the '50s-era Elvis up for auction in 2008. Quite spooky with its slicked-back hair and chiselled facial features, it could have passed as a concert souvenir had Elvis ever performed at the Colosseum.

Cashed-up fans could also have bought Graceland-approved Elvis and Priscilla wedding dolls that went on sale on the eve of the 31st anniversary of his death on August 16, 2008 at $US65 a boxed set.

Even Elvis impersonator Frederick Denmark presumably got all shook up when charged with fraud in 2008, and maybe hoped to sing Jailhouse Rock in situ after falsely telling people his Florida house had burned down so they would stage a benefit concert.

Elvis also came third in Rolling Stone's greatest singers of the rock era poll in 2008 (behind Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles but before Lennon and Dylan), with his Christmas Duets album hitting No. 1 on the Australian country charts before Christmas. The last word, though, goes to the US funeral home in 2008 that celebrated its 80th anniversary by putting the "fun" into "funeral" and displaying a replica of Presley's 300- kilogram coffin and having an impersonator dancing around it singing The King's hits. Although they wanted to show people their employees weren't "creepy", they needn't have feared, for nearly 300 people turned up.

I'm sure Elvis would have approved, no doubt expressing his gratitude to someone taking care of business like that by saying "Thank ya verra much" before the show ended with the now-famous announcement, "Elvis has left the building". So happy birthday, Elvis, and many more happy returns. (News, Source: Julian Lewis, The Age)

Julian Lewis is a Melbourne-based freelance feature and trivia writer with an obsession with Elvis Presley — both dead and alive.

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4th biggest Elvis collector lends collection to 4th biggest Elvis festival: AFTER years as one of the highest paid entertainers in the country, retired Yellow Wiggle Greg Page has revealed what he's been spending his money on: Elvis memorabilia. Page has been outed as the fourth-biggest collector of Elvis Presley memorabilia in the world, the number one collector being Graceland, Presley's mansion. He became a "passionate and diligent" collector after visiting the home of "the King" four years ago, and he's lending the items to the council of Parkes, in NSW, to establish a permanent Elvis museum in the town. Visitors to Parkes' annual Elvis Festival (itself ranked the fourth-biggest in the world) , which starts today, will be the first to glimpse the King's Castle collection.

"It was always my goal to put it on display," Page said. "It was just a matter of working out a way to be able to do it. There's no point in me being custodian of all these items if people can't see them and enjoy them."

Among the items in the King's Castle are the first management contract signed between Elvis and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker, the original blueprints for Graceland, two pairs of Elvis' trademark Aviator sunglasses, Elvis and Priscilla's marriage certificate, and one of only two gold lame suits made for Elvis by Nudie of Hollywood (Nudie Cohn).

Page's favourite item is a two-piece leather suit Elvis wore on stage in 1974, and he's trying to get his hands on one of those white rhinestone-studded jumpsuits. The collection is said to be worth more than $1 million, but Page said he could not put a value on it.

"I think from my point of view the value is in being able to tell the story of the life of Elvis and share that with people," he said.

Page donned the yellow skivvy as part of The Wiggles until late 2006 when he retired due to poor health. (News, Source: Alyssa Braithwaite, AAP/EIN)

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Click to view: "Elvis Pencil Sketch" by Harry Magruder

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Elvis' Bodyguard: Jessie Taylor is a gifted artist...and one of his favorite subjects is Elvis Presley. He has many drawings of "The King." He knows a lot about him, too...such as, very early in his career, Elvis was a natural blonde.

Here to download video interview: http://www.wkrg.com/news/video_download/22377 (News, Source: Jere Hough, WKRG News)

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Special Elvis Cup Cake....for one day only: In honor of what would have been Elvis Presley's 74th birthday, Sprinkles Cupcakes will be offering a banana peanut butter cupcake for one day only on Jan. 8. Named "The King," it's made from banana cake with peanut butter frosting and topped with a gold star -- a fitting tribute to the man who brought fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches into the popular consciousness.

Sprinkles Cupcakes: 9635 Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. (310) 274-8765. 9 a.m.-7 p.m., Mon.-Sat. ; 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sun. (News, Source: Elina Shatkin, Daily Dish)

Priscilla on Larry King Live: Read Priscilla's comments about Elvis' birthday and the 70th anniversary of Graceland, watch some behind-the-scenes video of how she spent Elvis' birthday at Graceland and find out the story behind Elvis' gold rolex all on the Larry King Live Blog (News, Source: EPE)

400 Elvis and Priscilla's crowd "Elvis Express" bound for Parkes: About 400 Elvis impersonators and Priscilla look-alikes have boarded a special train from Sydney to Parkes for the annual festival honouring 'The King'. The passengers on the Elvis Express will be among about 8,000 visitors expected to crowd the town in the state's central west for the next five days. Impersonators and dancers performed at Central Station before departing at 8:30am. Martin was among the Elvis faithful, happy that the black wig, glasses and white-caped pantsuit he was wearing hid his true identity.

The Mayor of Parkes, Ken Keith, says he hopes they have organised their accommodation.

"All the motels, hotels and caravan parks have been booked out for quite some time now," he said. "In fact, the surrounding towns of Forbes and Peak Hill are already booked out as well. For the last three months or so nobody's been able to get any real accommodation booking at all in the area but there's certainly camping facilities still available."

Mr Keith says it should be a great ride. "They'll have a wonderful time on the train coming up and get right in the mood before they arrive at the station," he said.

"The last three years we've had a huge crowd, close to 1,000 people on the platform, to welcome them and I've got no doubt it'll be the same this year. It becomes a little bit of a safety issue actually to try and get people off the train." (News, Source: ABC News)

It was 74 years ago today!

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EIN Exclusive!!! Very Rare Elvis Photos Unveiled: Many thanks to Rex Martin for this breaking news story and photos from BBC Antiques Roadshow............. ..........Elvis in Germany in 1960........ .............very rare photos revealed on UK TV show!   Read Rex's account of this breaking story and view the photos

Lisa Marie Presley says don't blame Scientology: LISA MARIE PRESLEY has blasted critics of her Scientology faith, in the wake of the death of fellow follower JOHN TRAVOLTA's teenage son. Presley is furious anti-Scientology groups are blaming Jett Travolta's tragic death from a seizure on the controversial religion. Dismissing the 'myth' that Scientologists don't believe in medical doctors, the daughter of legendary rocker Elvis urges critics to let Travolta and his wife Kelly Preston grieve in peace.

She writes on her MySpace blog, "I wished I could be writing (to) you under happier circumstances but I cannot because Two of my very good friends, (John and Kelly Travolta ) the sweetest people in the world have just encountered the worst possible tragedy a parent could be forced to endure, the death of their son Jett.
"For the most part, people and the media have been very sympathetic and respectful, but there are those certain ones that want to use this horrible tragedy as an opportunity to once again, blame and or attack Scientology?"

She goes on to describe some of the "misinformation" about Scientology, adding, "Among most of the crazy made up garbage that goes around about it, It is not true that Scientologists 'Don't believe in' medical care, medicine or medical doctors and that may have something to do with this terrible tragedy. Just like anyone else, If one (a Scientologist) is sick, they go to the doctor, If a medication will make it better then they take it. If they don't then they are an idiot and you can't blame their religion.

"Whatever medical and or physical condition Jett had, I can tell you first hand that his parents were on a tireless, never ending quest to get and provide him with the absolute best care anyone could ever ask for and need.
"John and Kelly have done nothing but spend their lives and their time helping others, making people happy and making peoples lives better. Please let this family grieve in peace." (Lisa Marie Presley's World, Source: Contact Music)

George Klein injured: Elvis Unlimited would like to wish George Klein a speedy recovery. Earlier today while headed to the Horse Shoe Casino in Tunica where he is a Casino boss, George was involved in a car accident. The weather has been pretty rough the past two days in this area. The rain caused George's car to hydroplane when his car hit a puddle of water which sent his car off the road near Tunica. While the G-Ker in your speaker was not seriously injured, he did spend the day at the hospital. “Luckily, no broken bones. I spent the whole day at Methodist Central. But I’m really banged up. My back is horribly hurting,” said GK. “I could’ve been killed.”

Beginning January 8, 2009 - Elvis' Birthday - I will place one new chapter a week of a new, unique book I am working on about Elvis Aaron Presley, on Nowpublic.com. And each and every chapter will all be free... from beginning to end. With no hidden charges. The book will be written in the language and manner of the King James Bible.

On January 8th in the afternoon, go to this link to read the first Chapter: http://my.nowpublic.com/strange/unique-elvis-book-be-published-nowpublic-1-chapter-weekly (Book News, Source: Chris Bamford)

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Elvis Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Essential 70s Masters box set (CD Review): The Elvis Presley of the mid 1970s bore little resemblance to the lean rock icon of the 1950s and early 1960s. As the seventies progressed and his addictions and weight spiraled upward, he would increasingly put less effort into his recordings and live performances. By the time of his death in 1977, in many ways, he had become a caricature of himself. Despite all this, his voice remained strong and thus there are some gems to by culled from his 70’s music. Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70’s Masters is a huge 5 disc, 120 track box set that followed on the heels of similar sets that covered his 50’s and 60’s material. The production is first rate as the sound is crystal clear. The 90 page booklet of photo’s, biographical material, and notes about the included songs is essential to any Elvis collection. There is even a sheet of stamps, each of which portrays one of his 70’s album covers.

The first two discs form the heart of the set. They contain the A and B sides of every single released between January 1970 and August of 1977. While his album releases would contain highs and lows, his singles would be consistently excellent. Building ballads such as “The Wonder Of You” and “You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me” find Elvis in fine vocal form. “Burning Love,” “Raised On Rock,” “Steamroller Blues,” and “Way Down” prove that Elvis could still rock. “An American Trilogy” shows that he could still successfully interpret songs that he cared about. “She Thinks I Still Care,” “If You Talk In Your Sleep,” and “For The Heart” are pure pop. “T-R-O-U-B-L-E,” “Mr. Songman,” and “Fool” and lost classics.  Most of the songs gathered here would climb the Billboard charts and become an important part of the Elvis legacy.

Discs three and four concentrate on his studio work or studio highlights as it is listed in the credits. There are a number of so called unreleased tracks. This may be technically true but in reality they are mostly informal recordings and alternate takes of previously released material. When you remove the studio tracks that were issued as singles you are left with some good and some not so good material. Elvis gives a spectacular performance of “Bridge Over Troubled Water” but his “Mary In The Morning” is just the opposite as it is gentle and poignant in its presentation. “I Washed My Hands In The Muddy Water” finds Elvis traveling in a blues direction. “Amazing Grace” is an example that Elvis would rarely give a poor or even average performance of a gospel song. All in all these are discs that you need to pick and choose as to what appeals to you.

The fifth disc gathers live tracks from his concert performances and is the spottiest of the lot. His live material in the 70s would vary greatly in quality. Again the unreleased tracks are really not rare and actually detract from the overall quality of the disc. “Polk Salad Annie,” “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” “You Gave Me A Mountain,” and “Suspicious Minds” demonstrate that he could still rise to the occasion when motivated.

Walk A Mile In My Shoes: The Essential 70’s Masters is about 70% very good and 30% less so which probably is representative of his output during the decade. While the material contained here has been released a number of times, it is nice to find it one collection. It is a worthwhile set for the serious Elvis collector and for anyone who would like to add some good music to their collection. (CD Review, Source: David Bowling, BC Music)

Buy "Elvis: Walk A Mile In My Shoes - The Essential 70s Masters" Box Set

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Elvis Festival sleeper train cancelled: Plans to boost the number of people attending this year's Elvis Festival at Parkes in New South Wales have been dealt a blow by the cancellation of a train from Melbourne. A 200-bed sleeper train was set to bring Elvis fanatics from Melbourne to Parkes for the first time.

However it has been cancelled because of a lack of interest.

The festival's coordinator Ellie Ruffoni says it is disappointing because it was a way to open up the event to more people without putting added pressure on accommodation providers.

"It was a way in which it would help us expand the festival," she said. "It meant that people would have accommodation, because we are so limited with accommodation these years. People were going to sleep on the train so it just meant that it solved a problem there."

Ms Ruffoni says she is hopeful interest will grow.

"It is disappointing but it was quite ambitious as well I think," she said. "But who's to say it might not happen in the following years. I think a lot of people are interested in hearing about it but I think perhaps our visitor market doesn't reach as much down to Melbourne as it does to Sydney."

The five-day Elvis Festival began yesterday. (News, Source: ABC News)

And speaking of the Parkes Festival, the Age newspaper reports:

Crap Elvis will appear at the Elvis Festival, Parkes, from January 7.

See crapelvis.com

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Elvis' UK DVD Sales 2005-2007: 'stupot' posted these figures on the FECC board:

Top acts 2005: 1. Queen 254,170 2. Elvis Presley 246,910 3. Daniel O’Donnell 159,760 4. U2 159,760 5. Westlife 130,720 6. AC/DC 108,930 7. Metallica 101,670 8. Bob Dylan 87,140 9. Il Divo 79,880 10. Robbie Williams 79,880

Top acts 2006: 1. Pink Floyd 259,060 2. Take That 258,060 3. Elvis Presley 195,500 4. Robbie Williams 187,680 5. Westlife 148,580 6. James Blunt 140,760 7. Michael Flatley 140,760 8. Cliff Richard 132,940 9. Il Divo 117,300 10. Daniel O’Donnell 109,480

Top acts 2007: 1. Elvis Presley 176,847 2. Queen 107,180 3. Westlife 91,103 4. Oasis 91,103 5. Pink Floyd 85,744 6. David Gilmour 75,026 7. Led Zeppelin 69,667 8. Daniel O’Donnell 69,667 9. The Who 69,667 10. AC-DC 64,308

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The King lives…on the web: The 74th anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth is shimmying its way closer on January 8th and according to Yahoo! it's not only the home of Graceland that is most interested.

Of the top ten states searching for "Elvis" in the past 30 days, Tennessee ranks a mere 7th while Texas slides in at #1.

Here's some bullet point factoids from Yahoo!:

• According to Yahoo! 54% of Elvis searches come from women, while 46% come from men.
• Searches for Elvis Presley have spiked 24% in the last month.
• The top searched Elvis Song is "Blue Christmas"
• Searches for Elvis songs are up 120% in the last month

According to Yahoo! the top Elvis searches are:

1. Elvis Presley (searches are up 24% this month)
2. Elvis Songs (searches are up 120% this month)
3. Elvis Pictures
4. Elvis Presley Christmas Duets
5. Elvis Presley Middle Name
6. Elvis biography
7. Elvis's first hit
8. Elvis Birthday

According to Yahoo! the top states searching for "Elvis" are:

1. Texas
2. Missouri
3. Illinois
4. Ohio
5. New York
6. California
7. Florida
8. Virginia
9. Tennessee
10. Pennsylvania

According to Yahoo! the top DMAs searching for "Elvis" are:

1. Rockford (IL)
2. Dallas-ft. Worth (TX)
3. Houston (TX)
4. Los Angeles (CA)
5. Chicago (IL)
6. New York (NY)
7. Washington, Dc (DC)
8. St. Louis (MO)
9. Atlanta (GA)
10. Little Rock-pine Bluff (AR) (News, Source: Yahoo)

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Elvis-inspired blood drive kicks off........donors receive free Elvis T-shirts, chance to win trips to Memphis and Las Vegas: Donate blood this evening at Grace on the Hill United Methodist Church in Corbin — or in Barbourville or Williamsburg this week — and the Kentucky Blood Center will treat you like “The King.” The annual “Give Like the King” blood drive that celebrates Elvis Presley’s birthday includes free Elvis T-shirts and a chance to win trips to Memphis or Las Vegas.

 Everyone who donates blood from Jan. 3-10 will be registered to win either a trip to Memphis, including airfare for two from Blue Grass Airport and a night at the Heartbreak Hotel, or airfare for two from Blue Grass Airport to Las Vegas and two nights at the MGM Grand.

The Corbin blood drive will be from 3:30-7:30 p.m. today (Wednesday) at Grace on the Hill United Methodist Church inside the bloodmobile in the parking lot.

A blood drive in Barbourville will be held Thursday from 3-7 p.m. downtown at 312 North Main Street.

The mobile blood drive van will be in Williamsburg from 2-7 p.m. Friday at 85 Stringtown Road for the Dannie Vanover Blood Drive.

The T-shirt being given away (while supplies last) is black and features a picture of Elvis donating blood early in his career. Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland have allowed the blood center the use of the photo in order to promote blood donations.

In addition, Graceland has provided the night’s stay at the Heartbreak Hotel, two Platinum passes to tour Graceland as well as two passes for the Stax Museum, Memphis Rock N’ Soul Museum and Sun Studios.
Meanwhile, another prize winner might be chosen to win the two night’s stay at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Blue Grass Airport has donated the flights to promote blood donation.

All Kentucky Blood Center locations and blood drives are participating in the event. Donors can make an appointment to give blood by visiting kybloodcenter.org or calling 800-775-2522. Individuals can also register to win online. The Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties.

Anyone in good health, at least 17 years old, and at least 110 pounds may donate blood every 56 days, or every two months. 16-year-olds can donate with signed parental consent. There is no upper age limit. The Kentucky Blood Center has donors in their 80s.

Each year, 4.5 million American lives are saved by blood transfusions. (News, Source: The Times Tribune Special Report)

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Elvis Birthday Celebrations on Australian Foxtel TV: The new documentary 'Return To Tupelo' is showing today on Foxtel TV along with three other Elvis documentaries in the next week.

Jan 8th - 'Return to Tupelo' 9.30pm - Biography Channel (repeated 9th & 10th)

Jan 8th - 'Elvis '56' 11.15pm - Biography Channel (repeated 9th & 10th)

Jan 15th - 'Elvis Live from Memphis' 8.30pm - Ovation Channel (repeated twice on 16th)

Jan 18th - 'Elvis Presley Classic Albums' 10.00pm VH1 Channel (repeated on 19th) (News, Source; SanjaM)

 

Investigate 'Hounddog,' Mukasey told......... Dakota Fanning movie opening over objections from pedophilia opponents: A federal investigation is being requested by a pro-family organization into the new Dakota Fanning movie "Hounddog," which was made more than a year ago and debuted at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival but kept investors at bay with its graphic sex scenes. "This is a body of work that sexualizes children. This movie is rated 'R,' begging the question: If a child cannot see the movie, why should a child star in it?" said a letter sent to U.S. Attorney General Michael Mukasey and Deputy Assistant Attorney General Larry Rothenberg.

A copy of the letter also was sent to Empire Film Group, which eventually picked up distribution of the film and whose spokesman Dean Hamilton-Bornstein called it a "coming-of-age drama that deals with serious issues that should resonate with audiences."

"Reportedly, the producer has edited the film from when it aired at the Sundance Festival (a viewing that resulted in people booing and walking out). Yet there is no dispute that these scenes were filmed with minor actors," continued the letter signed by Donna Miller, director of the No More Child Porn campaign, as well as Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, the nation's largest public policy women's group.

"The producers recently changed their defense from saying that Fanning's nine-year-old character is "celebrating her sexuality" to saying that this film will bring awareness to child rape and received the backing of a 'child support group' with ties to Hollywood and the child actress involved," the letter said. "We request that the Department of Justice investigate those responsible for producing, distributing and making available the movie 'Hounddog.'"

According to a parent-managed IMDB website, there are a number of objectionable scenes involving sex and nudity, including:

• Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) tries to talk a 10-year-old boy into showing her his penis by promising him a kiss if he does so.
• Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) sits in a tree nude talking to an adult male.
• Daddy (David Morse) sneaks into Lewellen's (Dakota Fanning) bedroom as Lewellen lays in bed in her underpants. Later on he climbs in her bed nude.
• A 12-year-old girl watches her father undress.
• Daddy (David Morse) pleasures himself as his daughter (Dakota Fanning) watches until he completes the act.
• There are upshots of little girls' underwear, aged 8 and 12.
• A 12-year-old girl is raped by a young man in the darkness. Screams and a few images are shown.
• A 10-year-old boy watches a young milkman rape a 12-year-old friend.
• A 12-year-old girl is told to remove her clothes by a young man (Christoph Sanders) and she then proceeds to do a seductive Elvis dance for him.
• A 12-year-old ties two nearly nude children together with snakes and forces them to touch one another at gunpoint.
• Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) stands in front of the full length mirror, takes her clothes off and looks at herself in the mirror.
• Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) and Buddy (Cody Hanford) have just finished swimming in the creek when they run to a shed and strip naked. They begin kissing and fondling each other.

There are other objectionable factors include violence, gore, profanity, and alcohol and drugs, the report said.

The letter warned the Department of Justice efforts to crack down on child predators and child sexual exploitation would be "handcuffed" if the sexual exploitation of a child is filmed, shown in movie theaters, given tax breaks and excused as "artistic."

WND has reported just a day ago when the founder of Movieguide, a top film-rating organization in Hollywood, joined up with a call for a boycott of "Hounddog" as well as another new movie, "Towelhead," because of the themes involving sex with children.

"These despicable movies promote pedophilia, whether intentionally or unintentionally," said Ted Baehr, who's well known for his Christian Film & Television Commission work. "There should be a massive public outcry against them. The inclusion of children in sexually explicit films is inappropriate. There also is no excuse for the authorities to allow such material to be shown publicly."

Fanning was 12 when she filmed the movie, portraying a sexually active nine-year-old. In "Towelhead," 18-year-old Summer Bishil played a 13-year-old Arab-American girl who has a "sexual obsession." Miller earlier had raised the issue of taxpayers in North Carolina contributing $387,000 to the production costs of the film.

"Hounddog" director Deborah Kampmeier explained in the film's press kit about Fanning, "She is simply and innocently experiencing and relishing the aliveness of her being, the life force pulsing through her body, celebrating the power and creative force of her sexuality that is her birthright."

"This movie is about a nine-year-old girl, not an adult woman. She should be outside skipping rope or riding her bike, not 'celebrating the power and creative force of her sexuality,'" Miller said.

Baehr was more direct..........."For this gruesome director who has wallowed in perversion to say this is the child exploring her sexuality is insane. It's worse than insane. A child of that age doesn't understand the consequences," he said.

Kampmeier already had a reputation for controversial scenes, depicting a young girl who is raped but doesn't remember the attack and believes she is carrying the Christ child in her earlier work, "Virgin."

After its Sundance screening, Rex Gore, the district attorney in Bolivia, N.C., near where much of the movie was filmed, issued a statement to WND that he found "no violation" of the state's obscenity or sexual exploitation laws. He said the movie was saved by its "artistic value."

"I am aware that there is an outcry from some who find the content of the film disturbing and distasteful. However, public opinion is not the test we must apply as prosecutors; we must apply the law. North Carolina's child exploitation statutes do not apply because none of the acts depicted in the film meet the legal definition of 'sexual activity' under our current law," Gore said at the time.

Baehr didn't hesitate to respond..........."For the state attorney to even suggest that this was art is absolutely insane. He should take a course in art," he said.

Fanning's behavior has been described as more explicit than what was required of Jodie Foster, who as a 12-year-old played a prostitute in "Taxi Driver," a 1976 Martin Scorsese production, or Brooke Shields, who was a New Orleans brothel worker in the "Pretty Baby" movie from 1978.

Blogger Steven Pill said it appears that the public is making its statement already........."I received a somewhat rueful message of congratulations from Eric Parkinson, the CEO of distribution for Empire Film Group," he wrote recently. "According to him, more than 200 theaters across the country had cancelled their scheduled screenings of the motion picture 'Hounddog,' citing pressure from 'vocal groups.'" (Celluloid Elvis, Source: Bob Unruh, WorldNetDaily)

More about "hounddog"

Graceland Commemorative Stamp Campaign: Elvis Unlimited & Elvis News report......Gigi Ballister, president of the Memphis Elvis fan club has formed a committee to request the issuance of a U.S. Postal Stamp commemorating Graceland Mansion.

She will be posting online petitions after BW and will send the links when available. Gigi asks Elvis Unlimited to tell you that If you are in Memphis during BW, please visit the Guest Services area at Graceland and sign the petition. These will be sent to Jean Picker Firstenberg, the chairperson of the Citizens Stamp Committee.

This is a very long process and our target date is 2014 which is the 75th anniversary of Graceland. The committee meets three times a year. Once the request is introduced to the committee, they will evaluate the worthiness of the subject. Below is from their website and it explains the criteria for the issuance.

On behalf of the Postmaster General, the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee (CSAC) is tasked with evaluating the merits of all stamp proposals. Established in 1957, the Committee provides the Postal Service with a "breadth of judgment and depth of experience in various areas that influence subject matter, character and beauty of postage stamps."

The Committee's primary goal is to select subjects of broad national interest for recommendation to the Postmaster General that are both interesting and educational. In addition to Postal Service's extensive line of mail use stamps, approximately 25 new subjects for commemorative stamps are recommended each year. Stamp selections are made with all postal customers in mind, not just stamp collectors. A good mix of subjects, both interesting and educational, is essential." Read more here: http://www.usps.com/communications/...zation/csac.htm

Only U.S. and territory citizens are eligible to sign. If you have a fan club, please pass this information on to your members. You can return the signed petitions to me.

Gigi Ballester
P.O. Box 195
Ellendale, TN 38029

Even more effective are personally signed letters sent to the committee. These letters are to be mailed to:

Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee
c/o Stamp Development
U.S. Postal Service
1735 North Lynn St., Suite 5013
Arlington, VA 22209-6432

Elvis in Key magazine: The January 2009, Memphis edition of Key Magazine features an Elvis cover! This special issue remembers the king's 74th birthday. There are 2 pages covering the local events in Memphis focusing on the Birthday celebration. There are great tips for those of you coming to Memphis this week. Be sure to pick up a copy of the magazine while in town! Have fun and please be safe traveling! Permission is granted to reproduce this story and photo as long as elvisunlimited.com is given proper and full credit. (News, Source: Elvis Unlimited)

The shows runs from 9 pm to 11 pm, perhaps midnight (East Tennessee time!). So, please tune in and email or call us at the station with your request or dedication. Or just listen in!

We challenge all true Elvis fans to email us with your request, and test your knowledge of Elvis musical output through the years! We THINK we have every LP and 45 released during his lifetime.....so I would guess the challenge is on us to come up with your fave tune! Clambake anyone?

Happy Birthday Elvis!


Here is some additional info on the show!

http://www.wdvx.com/the_vinyl_frontier

http://www.wdvx.com/biographies/453

http://www.wdvx.com/ (News, Source: )

T-shirts and trips to Memphis, Vegas Elvis Blood Drive: Jan 3-10: The Kentucky Blood Center wants to motivate blood donors in a big way to start off 2009. The annual "Give Like the King" blood drive that celebrates Elvis Presley's birthday includes free Elvis t-shirts and a chance to win trips to Memphis or Las Vegas. Everyone who donates blood January 3^rd through January 10^th will be registered to win either a trip to Memphis, including airfare for two from Blue Grass Airport and a night at the Heartbreak Hotel or airfare for two from Blue Grass Airport to Las Vegas and two nights at the MGM Grand. The t-shirt being given away (while supplies last) is a black t-shirt that features a picture of Elvis donating blood early in his career. Elvis Presley Enterprises and Graceland have allowed the blood center the use of the photo in order to promote blood donations. In addition, Graceland has provided the night's stay at the Heartbreak Hotel, two Platinum passes to tour Graceland as well as two passes for the Stax Museum, Memphis Rock N' Soul Museum and Sun Studios. Meanwhile, another prize winner might be chosen to win the two night's stay at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Blue Grass Airport has donated the flights to promote blood donation.

All Kentucky Blood Center locations and blood drives are participating in the event. Donors can make an appointment to give blood by visiting kybloodcenter.org or calling 800-775-2522.

The Kentucky Blood Center is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC has enlisted Elvis fan clubs to help promote the event and reach Elvis fans in Kentucky who are interested in being lifesavers like Elvis was when he donated blood.

For more information, contact:

Jim Tinker, Executive Director of Communications & Marketing

800.775.2522 | jtinker@kybloodcenter.org

"hounddog" to be released on DVD: Finally, news that this controversial film starring Dakota Fanning will be issued on DVD in the US on 3 February. DVD Details: UPC: 761450121539 Actors: Dakota Fanning, Robin Wright-Penn, Piper Laurie, David Morse Director: Deborah Kampmeier Source: HANNOVER HOUSE Presentation: Wide Screen, Full Screen Language: English Time: 1:42:00 (Celluloid, Source: EIN)

Alfred Shaheen, garment designer dies: Elvis Presley wore a red aloha shirt of an Alfred Shaheen print on the album cover for the "Blue Hawaii" soundtrack in 1961. Email Picture Shaheen revolutionized the garment industry in postwar Hawaii by designing, printing and producing aloha shirts and other ready-to-wear items under one roof. Alfred Shaheen, a textile manufacturer who revolutionized the garment industry in postwar Hawaii by designing, printing and producing aloha shirts and other ready-to-wear items under one roof, has died. He was 86. Shaheen died Dec. 22 of complications from diabetes in Torrance, where he had lived for the last five years, his daughter Camille Shaheen-Tunberg said. (News, Source: By Claire Noland, LA Times)

Is Elvis King of the Cultural Lag?: I am passably fluent in English, American and Hoosier. My French vocabulary is limited to words like "Voila," and this historic proclamation: "Le Roi est mort! Vive Le Roi!"

That one raises the question: Is King Elvis really mort, as news reports told us back in 1977? Is the new king the old one? A nifty ad for an Elvis ornament created for the top of the Christmas tree made me wonder: Did he jiggle a lot up there in the tree top?

We were in Arkansas when word came of the King's alleged demise, a report that spread a cloud of gloom not only south of the Mason-Dixon line, but up north, too. His records were cleaned off the shelves in a kind of fan frenzy -- a disease prevalent in the civilized world.

Now, I read in a little book sent to me by a daughter that about 7 percent of Americans believe Elvis is still alive, but the figure may be low. If he were still with us, he would be up in years, too old to wiggle his hips the way he did while mesmerizing half the globe's residents. His career created big opportunities for guys who can do music in his style. Maybe if the recession lasts long enough, more fellows will join the remember Elvis movement.

I suppose that psychologists could tell us why people practically worship entertainers like Elvis and the Beatles -- others too, with which I am unfamiliar by choice.

Elvis did, or still does, maybe, have some musical and physical skills, but he just did not steal my heart; his stuff was too profound.

His most touching number was "You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound Dog." The lyrics are unforgettable:

"You ain't nothing' but a hound dog

Cryin' all the time

Well, you ain't never caught a rabbit

And you ain't no friend of mine."

Each generation has its idols, actors, singers, athletes who touch them, famous figures they can relate to. Millions swooned in the presence of Sinatra and other entertainers. It is built into our cultures, probably. I don't recall people going nuts over Cal Coolidge, but I guess he couldn't sing or move his hips.

I wonder if there is a Rodney Dangerfield Christmas tree decoration. If not, why not?

There may be others who suffer from cultural-lag syndrome, and the inability to go ga-ga over people who are famous. It bothers me, but I will survive.

A few days before Christmas we were in a big mall store where a guy with a loud music system blasted us with some stuff unintelligible to me. Mrs. V, a more connected person than I, told me I was listening to somebody named "Chubby Checkers." I hurried home and put on one of my favorite CD things: The Statler Brothers. It gave me comfort. I could understand every word and could match almost every note by moving my lips, not my hips.

I mean no disrespect to Elvis lovers, or to anyone who believes that he never really left us. But give me a Marilyn Monroe Yule tree ornament every time. (Opinion, Source: Carrol Vertrees, Post-Tribune)

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Marty's Musings: We have now completed our archives of Marty Lacker's many contributions to EIN. Now added are Marty's messages in 2005 and 2006. From Elvis' alleged half-sister to the real story behind the Meditation Garden, remixing Elvis' music, Elvis and Marilyn, and a lot more, Marty provides both valuable insight and food for thought.

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Young Elvis fan finally at peace: After years of battling the physical and emotional changes in her body, Angelica Contreras wanted peace. Although she could no longer speak or write, Angelica was still able to answer her grandmother when asked if she was tired of the struggle. Her family had worked out a system to ask her questions. One finger raised meant, "yes." Two meant "no."

Angelica made it clear. "She was ready to go to heaven," Connie Contreras said.

Angelica Monique Verala Contreras died Nov. 14. The Phoenix resident was 20.

It was the end of a long fight. Her problems started when she was in seventh grade. The vibrant, active young girl had become clingy, anxious about leaving her mother's side.

"I had moved her from a public to a private school, and I thought she was having trouble adjusting," her mother, Noreen said. "She would cry, not wanting to go."

After going to counseling, the nervousness slowly dissipated. Angelica, the girl who loved to read, dote on her younger sister and work on her ever-expanding Elvis collection, seemed back to her old self. She was excited to start her freshman year at Bourgade Catholic High School, quickly joining various clubs.

"But all of a sudden, the change came again," Contreras said. When family members would drive her to school, she would get out, but then turn to chase them as they drove away.

Doctors said she was manic depressive and prescribed medicine to treat an emotional disorder. But a phone call from her father, Michael Varela, in 2005, painted an even darker future for Angelica. He had just been diagnosed with Huntington's disease, a genetic neurological disorder that leads to degeneration of the body's functions.

Angelica was frightened at the prospect that she might have inherited Huntington's. But when doctors confirmed her fears in late 2005, "she actually relaxed," her mother said. She set out to make her final dreams come true.

"She wanted to go to Graceland," Noreen said. "She wanted to see where Elvis lived."

Her grandparents had ignited Angelica's passion for the King when she was about 7. Richard Contreras would dance with her in his arms to Elvis records. Her favorite song? Love Me Tender. Over the years, she decorated nearly every empty spot of her bedroom with Elvis memorabilia.

With help from the Contrerases' church, family, friends and donations by Swift Transportation Corp. in Phoenix, money was raised to help pay for Angelica's trip in July 2007 to Memphis, Tenn.

"She was so excited," Noreen said. "Her face was the happiest I had ever seen it."

In the weeks that followed, memories of the trip eased painful days.

"I think it really helped," her mother said. Using blocks to spell out words, Angelica told her mother that she wasn't afraid to die.

To help boost her spirits, Paul Spoonmore, an Elvis impersonator in the Valley who had given her a benefit concert, made frequent visits. He had become like a member of the family. He was there by her bed at the hospice, holding her hand, that last day. "I was singing There Will be Peace in the Valley," Spoonmore said. "She took a final breath and was gone." (News, Source: Connie Cone Sexton, Arizona Republic)

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The Parkes Elvis Festival - backstage politics and lost opportunity?: Today we publish more reader feedback on our controversial article. And for those attending the 5 day Festival which starts on Wednesday, here are details of Mark Andrew's shows at the Parkes Leagues Club: Friday Show: Elvis in the 50s, 3 part show featuring, Dorsey Brothers, Milton Berle, and Gold Lame looks, Then Part 2 is purely Elvis In the movies featuring 6 costume changes including Jailhouse Rock, Gi Blues, Blue Hawii and featuring songs like Girls girls Girls with my show girls in Bikinis. Saturday Show: 1968 come back including Unplugged, and Elvis in Concert. Mark's band is an 8 piece including Brass section. Contact Mark Andrew: mtcbe@bigpond.com www.markandrew.com.au

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Set of 15 Original Elvis Singles for sale: Feature item on 991.com:

ELVIS PRESLEY Set Of First-Issue USA 7" Singles (Rare original set of 15 US RCA Victor label wide centre vinyl 7" singles from 1956s 'Love Me Tender' [47-6643] to 1962s 'She’s Not You' [47-8041], each comes complete with their own original paper picture sleeves. This set is in a remarkably well-preserved condition from excellent to near mint - now extremely hard to find in any condition, the fact that these are in such an outstanding condition is amazing and would make this a g
Price: AUD1358.50 / £650.00
http://991.com/Buy/ProductInformation.aspx?StockNumber=458209&from=991_AG01D271-Mon

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Dinner and Elvis Presley movie deal in Sag Harbor: Can't help falling in love with this dinner-and-Elvis-movie deal.....

In the winter of 1956, life was simple, and dating was easy. You could enjoy a reasonably priced dinner at a good restaurant and then take in a movie. You might even catch the debut film of that hip-shaking rock-and-roller who wowed America with his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."

It's the winter of 2008-09, but Elvis is in the building, and a combo package of a movie starring The King and a three-course dinner is being served, all for $25.

The Bay Street Theatre in Sag Harbor is presenting its continuing series of American classics, and January has an Elvis Presley beat, just in time for what would have been his 74th birthday this Thursday. "Love Me Tender," Presley's first movie, will be on the big screen Friday. The film was released in November 1956, just two months after Presley's historic appearance on the Sullivan show. The 1964 Presley movie "Roustabout" will be screened next Saturday.

The liberating gyrations of Elvis Presley: Many thanks to Brad Richason, Performance Art Examiner, Examiner.com, for providing EIN with the following link to his insightful new article:

"Rock and roll music, if you like it and you feel it, you can’t help but move to it. That’s what happens to me. I have to move around. I can’t stand still. I’ve tried it and I can’t do it." Elvis Presley, 1956 January 8th, 2009 will mark what would have been the 74th birthday of Elvis Presley.

Years ago such an anniversary would have meant little to me. I grew up knowing only the bloated caricatures of Elvis; the overweight impersonators in sequin jumpsuits, the cardboard star of a multitude of abysmal movies, and the lurid tabloid tales of demented decadence behind the gates of Graceland. In my youthful arrogance I dismissed the cult of personality around Elvis as merely the musty byproduct of nostalgia. Only recently, upon seeking out the man behind the myth, would I find an artist of extraordinary consequence that remains fully worthy of his legendary status." Read full article

Graceleland celebrates 70th Anniversary with New Exhibit: EPE advises: Graceland mansion, a National Historic Landmark, celebrates 70 years in 2009. The Colonial style mansion, built in 1939 by a prominent Memphis family, was later sold to Elvis Presley in 1957 for $102,000. In celebration of the 70th anniversary of Graceland, a special exhibit will open on January 6, 2009, as part of the Graceland VIP Tour that will include documents, artifacts, videos and more about this historic home. The Graceland 70th anniversary special exhibit will feature:

• The original architectural drawing of Graceland

• The deed to Graceland

• A signed check from Elvis and the canceled check for the down payment on the home

• Receipt for famous Graceland gates

• Receipt for lions at front steps

• Receipt for swimming pool

• Artist's rendering of mansion prior to construction

• Bills for redecorating fees from Golden's Interiors, who decorated the mansion when the Presley's moved into the home in 1957

• Videos of Virginia Grant, Priscilla Presley and others talking about Graceland

• and more

Click here for more information on visiting Graceland.

Click here for a coupon to receive $5.00 your Graceland VIP Tour that will feature this special exhibit starting January 6.

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'Absent Friends: Elvis Presley' - new film book: Absent Friends: Elvis Presley The filmography of Elvis Presley looks at every film that Elvis has ever made and gives a trivia quiz at the back of the book to test your knowledge of the King of rock and roll. Absent Friends also looks at over forty films about Elvis and that feature different actors that have played Elvis Presley: Such as the John Rheys Meyerson bio-pic "Elvis". Did you know that "Love Me Tender" wasn't Elvis first film? What was? Who was Elvis favorite leading lady? What actor that played Elvis Presley was in an Elvis movie? Which leading lady did the media imply really married Elvis after a wedding scene in one of his films? The answer to these questions and many more in "Absent Friends: Elvis Presley". About KRG publishing: KRG publishing is a self publishing book company. (Book News, Source: 24-7pressrelease.com)

Chart Update: On the Swedish Budget Top 10 chart the "White Christmas" compilation is #1.

On the Dutch Back-catalogue Top 50 chart the "ELV1S 30 #1 Hits" compilations climbed from #50 to #46.

In Australia, "Christmas Duets" drops out of the ARIA Top 50 Album Chart and on the Country Album Chart drops from #1 to #3. On the ARIA Music DVD Chart, Elvis King of Rock 'n' Roll drops two places to #21, after 39 weeks on the chart and a high of #4.

• Top 200 Albums - 'Elvis Christmas Duets' - Down from #24 to #55
• Top Country Albums - 'Elvis Christmas Duets' - Down from #3 to #10
• Top Holiday Albums - 'Elvis Christmas Duets' - Down from #4 to #6
• Comprehensive Albums - 'Elvis Christmas Duets' Down from #25 to #56
• Top Country Catalog Albums - ELV1S: 30 No.1's - Up from #8 to #5
• Top Country Catalog Albums - 'Elvis Christmas' - Down from #3 to #10.

(News, Source: Various)

Dust Off Those Grooves (Back In Memphis) - review by Jeremy Richey: It seems like every great artist has at least one album in their catalogue that is universally ignored due to the greatness of the album that proceeded it. How often is The Stones’ "Goat Heads Soup" mentioned in the shadow of "Exile On Main St." or how about the third Oasis platter "Be Here Now" after:"What’s The Story Morning Glory?" All the great ones from The Beatles and The Beach Boys up to The White Stripes and Radiohead have made great works that have suffered simply due to comparison. January and February of 1969 is a month that occupies a special place in rock history, specifically 6 days in January and 5 days in February. These 11 days would mark the legendary Elvis Presley American Studio sessions in Memphis, Tennessee. Much has been written about these sessions, Elvis Costello would label the performances supernatural and I’m not sure a better word could have been chosen to describe them.

Elvis Birthday Tribute song: Thanks to Brenda Foutz for the following information:

Elvis' 1968 Gold Caddy going under the hammer: A car once owned by Elvis Presley is one of five hundred rare and vintage cars being auctioned this week at the Boca Raton South Florida Collector Car Auction. However, all eyes will be on the '68 Cadillac Eldorado owned by the Rock N' Roll legend himself.  According to the auctioneers, Ellvis traded in his '66 Olds Tornado and purchased this 1968 "Gold" Cadillac from Madison Cadillac, in Memphis, on December 28th, 1967 for $8,836.83.

Read EIN's FREE Online Newsletter "E-Alert #252"

The King is dead....long live the King!: Though the real Elvis Presley's infamous pelvis hasn't swiveled in 32 years, his music remains popular, proven once again by this holiday season's best-selling "Elvis Presley Christmas Duets" album and the "new hit" radio status of Presley's pairing with Martina McBride on "Blue Christmas."

Further proof is the continued success of the annual "Elvis Birthday Tribute Spectacular" produced every January by Omar Farag and his company O.M.A.R. Presents to honor the 1935 birth of the Tupelo boy who would be king.

This year's series of show dates marks what would have been Presley's 74th birthday and again features three of the world's most popular Elvis impressionists -- Donny Edwards, Ryan Pelton and Shawn Klush -- along with Presley's original drummer D.J. Fontana, who kept the beat for the first 14 years of Elvis' career.

"The idea for 'The Elvis Birthday Tribute Spectacular' was conceived 22 years ago to satisfy the throngs of Elvis fans," Farag said.

Additional show dates have been added over the years. Chicago-area dates at Skokie's North Shore Center and Aurora's Paramount Theatre, on Jan. 8 and 9, respectively, will precede the Jan. 10 Star Plaza date. The concert starts with the rockabilly segment, Farag said. Then come segments spotlighting Presley's military years, the Hollywood movie years, his triumphant 1968 comeback TV special and, finally, the Las Vegas years.

Opening the show as Elvis circa 1956 is the youthful-looking Donny Edwards (donnyedwards.net), ABC-TV's Blue Suede Elvis as seen on "The Next Best Thing" and a finalist in Elvis Presley Enterprises' "Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest." A Dallas resident, Edwards has been a professional Elvis performer since 2002.

"As a fan, Elvis has always brought joy to my life," Edwards said. "As a performer, I try my very best to bring that same joy to my fellow Elvis fans."

When it comes to representing the well-groomed Elvis of the silver screen who sang, fought and always won the girl during the 1960s, Ryan Pelton (ryanpelton.com) does a great job marching about the stage in his "G.I. Blues" uniform crooning about "black pumpernickel for chow." But Ryan, a Cleveland native, excels when he slips into the skin-tight black leather for the electrifying '68 Comeback/Memphis Recording Session segment of the show.

A former U.S. Marine and Ohio State University graduate with degrees in English lit and marketing, Cleveland's Pelton has a facial resemblance to Presley that is downright uncanny. Those stunning looks recently landed Pelton on screen as Elvis in the controversial indie film, "Hounddog," starring Dakota Fanning, Robin Wright Penn (also executive producer) and Piper Laurie, which is due out on DVD in 2009.

"I love it all, but it's always special for me to look back and see DJ (Fontana) up there playing with me on the '68 Special' stuff, because he was actually there with Elvis on the TV special," Pelton said.

Fontana was house drummer for "The Louisiana Hayride," a popular live radio concert show in the 1950s when he first met Elvis.

"Elvis liked the way it sounded and asked if I wanted to do some dates with them in Texas. Since I was only playing the 'Hayride' on Saturdays, I had plenty of free time to go with them," he said.

After several weeks as a hired gun, Fontana became a full-time member of Elvis' band, along with guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black.

"We'd all climb into this old car and drive lickety-split through the night down country roads to get to the next show. Then we'd do the show, climb back in the car and drive all night to the next show. It was exhausting and exciting at the same time," Fontana said.

The most popular era of Elvis' career comes alive as Shawn Klush (shawnklush.net) storms the stage to the strains of "Also Sprach Zarathustra (2001: A Space Odyssey)" in a white jumpsuit with scarves. Klush, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., was named "The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2007" by Elvis Presley Enterprises and that same year was named "The World's Greatest Elvis" by the BBC1 in London. Klush also portrayed Elvis on the hit CBS television miniseries, "Shake, Rattle & Roll" a few years back.

"I close out the 'Birthday Tribute' show by recreating Elvis' mid-'70s Las Vegas years," said Klush, who has been shaking his leg and grinding his pelvis in tribute to the fallen rock king since the 1980s.

"I do from 'That's the Way it is' (the Elvis concert film) on up to around the 'Aloha in Hawaii' era. I don't go past 1973, because after that, Elvis was starting his decline, and I want to present him at his very best."

Klush's dad was a radio DJ in the 1950s where he grew up in the coal mining town of Pittston, Pa.

"Dad used to play Elvis and all sorts of great records at the house all the time, so I was raised with music as a child," Klush said.

"I think Elvis would be very flattered by all this and that all these years later people still care so much," Fontana said.

onStage
"Elvis Birthday Tribute Celebration"
Starring Shawn Klush, Donny Edwards, Ryan Pelton, DJ Fontana and The Fabulous Ambassadors
When: 8 p.m. Jan. 10
Where: Star Plaza Theatre, I-65 & U.S. 30, Merrillville
Cost: $35.50
FYI: (219) 769-6660, StarPlazaTheatre.com, elvisbirthdaytribute.com (Almost Elvis, Source: TheTimesOnline.com)

Elvis Plans could be on way out the door: An investment group that had once envisioned building an Elvis-themed resort in Las Vegas on 18 acres across from CityCenter may be on the verge of losing the land. FX Real Estate and Entertainment said Monday it has defaulted on a $475 million loan from Credit Suisse and does not expect to be able to repay or refinance it by the time it matures on Tuesday, a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission shows.

"Unless the loan is repaid, refinanced or extended at maturity, the lenders may at any time exercise their remedies under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreements, which include foreclosing on the Las Vegas properties," the filing read.

A $14.9 million payment made July 6 already extended the maturity date six months.

The company received a waiver on Nov. 25 when falling land values pushed the property into noncompliance of its debt-to-loan value ratio covenants, but the company failed to make the $26 million compliance payment by Dec. 19.

The land, which stretches from the Harley-Davidson Café on the corner of Harmon Avenue to the Smith & Wollensky building just north of the MGM Grand, is currently generating revenues for FX mainly through rental income. The Hawaiian Marketplace, Travelodge and several shops also occupy the land.

The land was acquired through six separate transactions totaling $221.3 million, or $12.5 million per acre, between March 1998 and May 2005.

FX, however, wrote off $10.7 million in development costs in the third quarter after abandoning plans for the Elvis-themed resort in September due to the "dislocation and turbulence in the capital markets."

The group posted $482,000 in revenues in the third quarter ended Sept. 30 against operating costs of $16.8 million driving it to a $33.7 million loss.

FX has posted a $112.7 million loss the first nine months of the year.

The possible loss of the land comes after an agreement for FX to acquire an 85 percent interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises fell through.

In a Nov. 5 filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, FX said the acquisition agreement was canceled when a go-private deal for CKX Inc., which licenses the rights to the singer, collapsed.

FX is a partnership between Robert F.X. Sillerman, whose publicly traded company CKX, Inc. owns the name and image of Elvis Presley and the operation of Graceland, hotel developer Paul Kanavos and residential and commercial developer Brett Torino.

Attempts to reach FX representatives in New York on Tuesday failed.

FX, which is publicly traded on the Nasdaq National Market, has had its stock price fall from an offering-day high of $10.02 per share Jan. 10 to 13 cents per share at Tuesday's close. (Sale of EPE; Source: Arnold M. Knightly,  Las Vegas Review Journal)

Historical Society celebrating Elvis' birthday: The Marion County Historical Society in Ohio will celebrate the birthday of Elvis Presley on Saturday, Jan. 10. Festivities scheduled to run from 1-5 p.m. in the Heritage Hall auditorium and the public is invited.

The party includes Elvis impersonator Mel Wallace (MElvis) plus cake and ice cream provided by Primrose Retirement Community of Marion. Visitors may come dressed in their '50s or '60s attire (optional) and sing the afternoon away or just sit a spell and enjoy the performances.

Museum admission is $4 for adults, $3 for those age 55 and older, $1.50 for children ages 6-12, under age 6 is free. Admission includes access to the party, all of Heritage Hall's displays including the Marion County Sports History exhibit, as well as the Wyandot Popcorn Museum.

Persons with questions may call 740-387-4255 or check online at www.marionhistory.com

The Marion County Historical Society museum Heritage Hall is located at 169 E. Church Street, Marion, Ohio and is dedicated to maintaining the existing interest in the history of Marion County, and in collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting for public education and enjoyment, historical artifacts and information. (Almost Elvis, Source: MarionStar.com)

Now on eBay:

Elvis autograph on 'In The Ghetto' cover single
FTD: Pot Luck with Elvis

The Tupelo-Memphis Murders: A Psychological Study of Self Destruction and Murder!: This is the rare spiral bound edition which, unlike the regular edition, contains clues as to the author of the book.   The Tupelo-Memphis Murders: A Study in Self-Destruction and Murder! is rated by ElvisBookResearch as: "....the best Elvis conspiracy book in years.......brings together all of the major Elvis conspiracy theories......confusing, confounding and hard to put down

More help needed for Parkes Elvis Festival: The CountryLink Parkes Elvis Festival organisers are still looking for more volunteers to help run the Festival next week.

The organising committee needs more than 150 volunteers to pull off the Festival but the target hasn't been reached yet. Festival volunteers are vital to the success of the festival; they help committee members run their events and provide extra hands to deliver a smooth running festival.

Volunteers are needed to help with many areas of the festival program including:

* Selling programs,

* Helping to load luggage onto coaches at the train station,

* Selling merchandise at Elvis Central Store,

* Coordinating the arrival of market stalls,

* Helping to run Cooke Park competitions,

* Street parade marshalling,

* Manning the admission desk at The King's Castle - Elvis Collection.

A volunteer briefing will be held next Monday (5 January) at 6pm at the PCYC in Pearce Street where volunteers can learn more about the festival, view the volunteer roster, find out more about their roles and collect their Coca Cola t-shirts and hats.

You don't need to have already registered to be a volunteer to attend - new volunteers can register on the night.

"It’s a great way to get involved and enjoy the festival," Ellie Ruffoni, Festival Coordinator, said yesterday.

"If you can spare just a few hours to help out, please consider being a volunteer. We can't do it without you!"

Volunteer registration forms can be picked up from the Parkes Visitor Information Centre, downloaded from www.parkeselvisfestival. com.au or completed at the volunteer briefing on 5 January, PCYC 6pm. (News, Source: Parkes Champion Post)

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More about the Annual Parkes Elvis Festival:

The Annual Parkes Elvis Festival - backstage politics and lost opportunity?: Your feedback added today Please click here to see our previous Spotlight on the Parkes Elvis Festival

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The King of Elvis Collections: Bill Huntsman's growing collection of Elvis Presley records is quickly consuming his living space. With more than 7,000 Elvis records -- including many duplicates -- and thousands from other artists, Huntsman said this month that he needs room to grow.

"I'm in the process of converting my garage so I can display all of them," said Huntsman, who lives on Manslick Road near Iroquois Parkway.

He is still about 200 records short of having every Elvis record, though he has added 500 albums and 400 45s since his story was told in Neighborhoods in March. He also has set up cameras around his property because some of his records are worth several thousand dollars, according to price guides.

He joked that a thief would have a hard time finding the gems among the others that sit in boxes and crates around each corner of his home.

When asked about his favorite Elvis period, Huntsman responded, "Every bit."

Some fans prefer the energy of Elvis' early music to his Vegas-style shows, but Huntsman said he wouldn't have wanted to be in Elvis' shoes because there were so many negative influences around him.

"I think of him at 42 and me at 67. … How could such a vibrant person burn out in just 42 years?" wondered Huntsman, who recently underwent successful treatment for prostate cancer.

His mother, Mary, 87, has quilted several Elvis-themed quilts for him, including one that was made from T-shirts -- some dating to the 1960s -- that he obtained in Memphis, Tenn.

Huntsman, who travels to Elvis' birthplace twice a year and attends numerous record shows and yard sales, said he hopes to auction a T-shirt quilt soon and donate the proceeds to Safe Place Services, 2400 Crittenden Drive. (News, Source: Charlie White, Courier-Journal.com)

Elvis collection to "wiggle" in for Parkes Festival: The Parkes Elvis Festival has received another boost with news that former ‘yellow’ Wiggle Greg Page (opposite) has completed negotiations to exhibit a collection of Elvis memorabilia at next month’s festival. There is also the possibility the collection will be permanently housed at the Henry Parkes Centre as council continues to liaise with Mr Page. The privately owned collection includes the last Cadillac owned by Elvis, a range of his personal and movie clothing, jewellery including rings, neck chains and pendants, furniture, law enforcement items, guitar and piano.

While Mr Page has agreed to cover transport costs, security, insurance and even the setting up of a component of his collection – volunteers will be required to man the venue throughout the week the display is open.

Council has agreed to provide the facility and work with Elvis Festival Coordinator Ellie Ruffoni and the Parkes and District Historical Society in an attempt to recruit volunteers to oversee the collection both during the festival and possibly into the future.

Mrs Kelly Hendry (Parkes Shire Council’s Tourism Manager) has appealed for volunteers to come forward.

“The collection will be displayed in Moat Cottage at the Henry Parkes Centre and will undoubtedly prove a major attraction at next month’s festival,” Kelly said.

“Mr Page has one of Australia’s largest Elvis collections – one that has been featured on the ABC `Collectors’ series.

“However, before we get too excited we must have volunteers to oversee the display during opening hours. Anyone who can spare the time would be greatly appreciated.

“Just phone me on 6863 8860 – and ask your friends if they may be able to assist. The more volunteers, the lighter the work-load.”

Kelly said all admission costs taken throughout the festival would be set aside for the future planning and establishment of a permanent home for the entire collection.

“Further discussions have been planned between all parties for the collection to be included at premises within the proposed integrated Henry Parkes Centre,” Kelly said.

Meanwhile, Parkes Shire Council will write to Mr Page to express appreciation of his offer – described by Cr Barbara Newton as ‘truly wonderful.’ (News, Source: Parkes Champion Post)

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Auburn man gives fans a night with the King: Heather Greene is too young to remember the era of Elvis Presley and is not familiar with a lot of his music. And yet, behold the power of the King.

Elvis impersonator Robert Washington took the stage at Fast Breaks on Wednesday night and within seconds, Greene was dancing in the aisles.

"It's good music," she said, as Washington belted out "Good Rocking Tonight." "It gets you going. I'm into it."

So were dozens of others at the Lisbon Street bar. By the third song, most of them were bobbing up and down, singing along or some combination thereof.

Clad in a pink blazer, sideburns sculpted just right, Washington meant to put on a good show, the kind of Elvis tribute he's been delivering for 25 years.

"It's New Year's Eve," Washington said, 10 minutes before his set began. "It's more of a party. I don't expect everyone to be watching my show."

Wrong. Though the crowd consisted mostly of 20-somethings, born long after Elvis died, the room became electrified as Washington stroked his first chord.

"It's Elvis time!" one man hollered.

"Wahoo, it's Elvis!" a woman hooted.

It was a lively venue, though a smaller one than Washington is accustomed to. He first performed on stage in 1983 and since then, he's been everywhere. He plays in Memphis, of course. That's what Elvis would do. He plays in Vegas, naturally. The King was beloved there.

Those tend to be big shows and they've won Washington awards. In 2003, he took the top spot in the Images of Elvis International Competition. In the world of Elvis impersonation, Washington is the big time. But so what? It was New Year's Eve in a small club across the river from his Auburn home. He planned to play as hard as he would before screaming Elvis fans on the Vegas strip.

"I try to read the crowd," he said, getting his pompadour just right before the show. "I try to see what kind of mood the audience is in. I'll just go out there and do the best show I can do."

Promise delivered. By the time he began "Treat Me Nice," Greene was shaking it up good at the back of the room and hollering a little bit, too. "I came through the door and said, 'who's that cat?'" Greene said. "My husband said, 'It's Elvis.'"

Exactly right. The world renowned performer planned to move through Presley's early stuff and then start banging out the hits popularized by the Elvis movies. It was to be the kind of show that would last all night and into midnight.

And then, like 2008 itself, Elvis would leave the building. (Almost Elvis, Source: Mark LaFlamme, SunJournal.com)

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Rick Husky, Elvis - and the TKE 'Man Of The Year' award: In mid 1960 Rick Husky from the TKE fraternity at Arkansas State College came up with the idea of presenting Elvis with a 'Man of the Year' Award for his considerable contributions to charity. Elvis had only recently returned from his stint of Army duty in Germany. Husky got the name of Elvis' secretary from a fan magazine and sent a letter to Graceland notifying him that TKE wished to present him with his award. But even he wasn't prepared for what followed when the world's biggest entertainer actually accepted their invitation to become an honorary TKE brother. Go here to the full story. (Spotlight, Source;theTrumann Democrat)

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Cleopatra meets Elvis: DETAILS are finally emerging about Steven Soderbergh's latest folly, "Cleo," the bizarre 3D musical about Cleopatra he's planning with Hugh Jackman and Catherine Zeta-Jones. "Our version [of the Cleopatra story] will be like an Elvis musical in 3D. It's a total rock 'n' roll, 1966 aesthetic - like 'Viva Las Vegas' meets 'Tommy,' " Soderbergh tells Britain's Independent. "I've wanted my whole career to make a musical. And the 3D makes it more challenging but makes it more fun." Soderbergh's most recent work was the 4½-hour, criti cally slammed "Che." (News, Source: New York Post)