The latest on www.elvisinfonet.com:

Shameless exploitation of Elvis catalog by BMG: Scott Adams had a listen to BMG's latest Elvis CD, Love, Elvis, and asks why? (CD Review, Source: Scott Adams, BMA, Australia)

"Elvis: The Concert Years" book still available: Bill Burk tells us he has plenty of copies of Stein Erik Skar's book. Bill says: "Arguably the very best Elvis coffee table book ever printed! . . . it costs $65 to non-subscribers; $50 to subscribers of Elvis World. A $15 discount and our cheapest subscription is $18. And speaking of Concert Years, one well-known, established Elvis dealer has been advertising the past month he has only 3 of these books left in stock and you had best rush and buy one before all 3 disappear overnight !!! At a price about $90, plus shipping !!! Do your own math. And yes, we have a plentiful supply of Concert Years, having closed a deal in 2002 whereby we took over ALL the remaining stock of this book". (News/Bill Burk's Elvis World)

"Elvis By The Presleys" update: RCA announces the issue of Elvis by the Presleys, a 2-CD complementary issue for the upcoming TV special. This 2 disc special will contain 24 songs on the first disc, with a bonus disc that includes alternate takes, demos, live, and private recordings of well known songs that include "Jailhouse Rock," "Blue Christmas," and "Baby What You Want Me To Do." These songs are mastered using DSD technology. This CD set will issue on May 3 and be followed by the DVD (4.5 hours long form of the upcoming televised TV special) on May 17. A coffee table book will join the two media titles later. (News, Source: Source: Elvis World Japan)

New book from Brazil: The Bazilian fan club Elvis Presley's World Fan Club released the first book of the collection Essential Para Fãs (Essential to fans) last February. This collection of 3 books will be released yearly until 2007 and it will comprise Elvis' entire career. The first volume's title is "O Rei de Las Vegas" (King of Las Vegas). The book is written by Waldenir Cecon, it has 240 pages and it's all written in Portuguese. (News, Source: ElvisNews.com)

Presley has little hope for new album: Lisa Marie Presley has low expectations for her soon-to-be-released second solo album Now What, because it doesn't "fit in" with today's music scene. Despite teaming up with ex-Sex Pistols guitarist Steve Jones on a track titled Idiot, and collaborating with in demand songwriter Linda Perry and Pink on six other tunes, the daughter of rock 'n' roll legend Elvis Presley still believes there's little hope for her new disc. She says, "I don't think my music fits into the radio formats of today so I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't get any airplay. "But I didn't do this for money or fame because I've always had that." (News/LisaPresley World, Source: Sanja Meegin)

CD Review - Elvis The Cover-Up: This unusual release from Memory Records is a tantalising mix of high quality "audience" recordings and interviews from around August 1977 and the TV show 20/20 in 1979. An historic record recommended for anyone interested in what happened around that fateful day in August 1977. (CD Review, Source: EIN)

UK #1 Sales Figures: So far in 2005, there have been 66 Top 10 entries in 11 weeks, an average of six a week, Elvis Presley alone is responsible for a sixth of them. The Presley reissue juggernaut rolls on as "She's Not You" - originally a number one hit in 1962 - debuts at number three providing the late singer with his 11th top three single in as many weeks. First week sales of 26,424 for the Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller and Doc Pomus song bring cumulative sales of Presley singles in 2005 to 383,268 - 8.64% of overall 2005 singles sales. The first reissue in the series - "Jailhouse Rock" - remains the biggest seller, with sales to date of 39,001. "Are You Lonesome Tonight" is next, with sales of 38,306. Taking the No.1 spot this week was "(Is This The Way To) Amarillo?" by Tony Christie with 266,844 copies sold. In second spot was the McFly single "All About You'/'You've Got A Friend" which sold 73,770 copies. (News, Source: Brian Quinn/ElvisNews.com)

New camera policy at Graceland: In response to changing technology, Graceland operations is making the following change to its photo use policy effective Saturday, 19 March 2005. EPE allow digital cameras that record at the mansion and the attractions. They will continue to NOT allow video camera equipment. The

updated guidelines read: "New Security Guidelines for Attractions *No Video Recording Equipment Allowed *No Flash Photography Allowed *No Bags (to include camera bags, backpacks, shopping bags, briefcases, luggage items) allowed. Any other carried items will be searched. Thank you for your cooperation". (News, Source: Amber Smith)

Big El On the Big L: Radio London has started test transmissions today, Monday 21st March, on Sky channel 940. With a format mirrored on the 1960s pop pirate, Radio London will officially launch on May 2nd from 100Kw medium wave transmitters in Holland with a footprint which will cover all of the UK and continental Western Europe, and simultaneously on SKY 940. Elvis Presley will be a core artist on the station which will carry the "BIG EL ON BIG L" weekly Elvis hour hosted by Todd Slaughter. (News, Source: Source: Todd Slaughter/ElvisNews.com)

New Elvis book titles: In other Elvis book news, the following new titles have been announced: I Wanna Be Elvis (Mike Evans; Collins & Brown; 1 August 2005); Elvis 2 (Andrew Murray Slater; Macmillan Childrens Books, 20 Jan 2006); The Gospel of Elvis (K. Crouch, Sanctuary Publishing, 3 October 2005) and Elvis Talk Volume 2 (Trevor Cajaio, 2007 release). (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

Sonny West book update: Apparently our earlier information (see 15 March) about the status of Sonny's book was wrong. Cory Cooper advises us: "The information that Bill Burk has about Sonny Wests upcoming book is wrong. I contacted Sonny today (20 March) and asked him about this and he stated to me that when they first tried to get a publisher before writing and finishing it they had an agent contact some publishers and it was turned down. The book will be published and that also at this time, the manuscript is not finished." (News, Source: Cory Cooper)

"She's Not You" debuts at #3: As expected, She's Not You debuted at #3 on this week's UK Singles chart. It is Elvis' 71st top ten hit in England. At #1 was Tony Christie and comic Peter Kay with (Is This The Way To) Amarillo?, while the #2 single was McFly with All About You/You Need A Friend. Good Luck Charm dropped from #2 to #25. (News, Source: BBC)

Fort Baxter fights back with "Classic Series": The Fort Baxter label is aware that some producers are re-releasing some of their CD's from the A Profile - The King On Stage box-sets with inferior artwork. According to an update on the FECC site the label thinks that the fans deserve the best products and has decided to re-release some of those concerts as very limited editions on the label Fort Baxter - Classic Series. All the re-releases will come with full color booklets (12 pages) and improved sound from the original master tapes. The technology has changed and it is now possible to improve the audio on several of the recordings originally featured on the two "Profile" box sets. The first of the series will be "Kansas City Blues" (June 29th, 1974 evening show in Kansas City). (News, Source: FECC)

Buy an Elvis pinball machine: US residents have the opportunity of buying an Elvis pinball machine (Stern) on eBay at a "Buy-It-Now" price of US$3999.00 (plus $200.00 delivery). The item number is: 6163199832 and it is listed until 25 March. (News, Source: eBay.com)

New book release announced: Toby Press will be releasing a hardcover fiction title, The Girl Who Became a Playwright and the Boy Who Became Elvis by Diane Thomas in September this year. The ISBN is:1592641229. (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

Percy Sledge praises Elvis: likethebike posted this very interesting message on the FECC messageboard. (News, Source: likethebike on For Elvis CD Collectors Only messageboard)

Elvis fans are "big spenders": The Belgian fanclub ElvisMatters did an interesting poll. The question was: “What kind of money do you spend on Elvis per month?”. Over 200 visitors voted with the following results. Only 26 percent said they bought for less than 50 euro ($65) a month. A majority of 39% spent “between 50 euro and 125 euro ($160) each month, and 11 percent bought for a total of 125 euro to 250 euro ($325) CD’s, books and memorabilia of the King. Still 1 out of 4, or 24 percent, needs more than 250 euro a month to keep track with the countless releases. (News, Source: Elvis Matters/ElvisNews.com)

Ernst comments on EU Sun boxset: "I have known for quite some time that Joseph is working on a Sun project, and we have had conversations about it, but apart from his stamper single I have no idea what his materials are. The "news" on the board reveals nothing, but obviously sounds exciting. I'm not an expert on the legal issues, but I assume that Joseph has done his home work. Although I am producing a project on the same subject (Elvis in 1953-55), I'm just as much of a fan as the rest of you, and welcome any unpublished material. I see that Joseph has a list of great people helping - several of these people are also helping me, and one of the greatest things for me in this project is that so many people have decided to share their knowledge and materials - it seems that everybody realises that it's time to forget about personal agendas, and help create the historical document about these early times - we will all benefit from this." (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Only)

CKX, Inc. Acquires 19 Entertainment, Creator of American Idol: Robert Sillerman, the new owner of EPE, has used his "Elvis" company (CKX) to buy the production company responsible for American Idol. (News/Sale of EPE, Source: EPE)

New DVD Elv1s: Released in China (region 6) is the DVD "ELV1S". It features the tracks Don't Be Cruel, Ready Teddy, Hound Dog, Too Much, When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again and Peace In The Valley from the Ed Sullivan Show. Bonus Clips: The Beatles (Help); The Bee Gees (Words); The Byrds (Mr.Tambourine Man); The Four Tops (It's All in The Game); The Temptations (My Girl); The Rolling Stones (Satisfaction). (News, Source: FECC/ElvisNews.com)

Jerry Springer will be Elvis for a song: Chat show host Jerry Springer will get audiences all shook up when he appears on Celebrity Stars In Their Eyes as Elvis Presley. Springer has always been a huge fan of The King and jumped at the chance to impersonate his hero. For his appearance he wears a $10,000 rhinestone jumpsuit - the most expensive costume ever designed for the ITV show. And with a dark wig and shades, he is virtually unrecognisable as his usual self. Springer will croon I Can't Help Falling In Love on the April 2 show. He said: "Elvis is one of my favourites. I'm from that generation where as a kid we all started combing our hair back like him. I've only ever sung in the shower or performed for friends so this will be the first time I will have sung in public. "I'm looking forward to performing but I don't expect that I'll get a record contract out of it!" (News, Source: Sanja Meegin email)

Wiggle sings Elvis: 'The Wiggles' Greg Page will throw out his yellow skivvy for the next three weeks, choosing to don cowboy boots for a solo tour backed by the band made famous by Elvis. Page this month released his new album, a collaboration of covers with Elvis's Taking Care of Business band (TCB). The album, Taking

Rubberneckin' show theme: The remix of "Rubberneckin'" will be used as opening song for new show called "EYES" on ABC this summer. The song will be used in the same way as the "Las Vegas" show used the "A Little less Conversation" remix. (News, Source: Elvis 2nd To None/ElvisNews.com)

Sun boxset from EU!: According to a sensational and surprising posting on the FECC site a new EU label called "Memphis Recording Service", which allegedly controls all the rights including the original logos from the 1950s, will release a Sun box. (News, Source: Mark Wilson on For Elvis CD Collectors Only messageboard)

Rare Elvis concerts on Elvis Radio/Sirius 13: Elvis Live In Concert with Doc Walker 11:00 PM Central - Saturday, March 12, 2005 Featured Album: Elvis As Recorded Live on Stage in Memphis (1974). No longer available as a regular Elvis RCA catalog release, this album is now available a special reissue on BMG's special Follow That Dream (FTD) collectors label. Saturday, March 19, 2005 Featured Performance: U.S.S. Arizona Memorial Benefit Concert (1961). Saturday March 26, 2005 Featured Performance: An April 18,1972 concert recorded at the Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. From the Elvis: Close Up box set, Disc #4. This concert was filmed and recorded as part of the MGM concert documentary film Elvis On Tour. (News, Source: EPE)

Another recycled unofficial release: A new release by the Snowy label has the title "I Couldn't Live Without You". The back cover says that all tracks have been mastered from tapes except for track 4 & 5. The track listing looks quite familiar and if not mistaken it's very likely that all the tracks were lifted from mp3 files on the net. If so then the sound quality might possibly be less than expected.

Tribute - Remembrances of the King: Ken Vrana has completed the first two hours of his thirteen hour documentary about Elvis. Ken is seeking still photos for the remaining eleven hours. (News, Source: EPGold.com)

Former Elvis haunt suffers some damage from afternoon fire: Danny Barrows, mayoral candidate and city councilman, had just gotten a cup of coffee in preparation for shooting a campaign ad Wednesday when he heard a "pop" inside Johnnie's Drive-in. After that, the restaurant and tourist attraction for Elvis Presley fanatics filled with smoke, driving out Barrows, the camera crew and about 20 others in there for a mid-afternoon respite. Firefighters pulled down a portion of the ceiling and put out the fire. (News, Source: djournal.com, Tupelo)

Good Rockin' "Elvis Day" Festival for Elvis Week 2005: Elvis International.The Magazine In Association with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Presents A GOOD ROCKIN’ “ELVIS DAY” FESTIVAL All-day festival staged August 14, 2005 as part of ELVIS WEEK in Memphis. To be held at the Memphis Marriott East in Memphis, Tennessee, 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM, on August 14, 2005. EPE’s annual Elvis Week presentation of Conversations on Elvis with Elvis friends and colleagues will kick off the day, followed immediately by Elvis International’s presentation of a full roster of live performances by top Elvis Tribute Artists. Presented throughout the day by Elvis International and EPE will be The Elvis Merchandise & Memorabilia Showroom, featuring new and vintage Elvis merchandise and celebrity autograph sessions. Also during the festival will be a Charity Auction of rare memorabilia. (News, Source: EPE)

Ernst says Jailhouse Rock acetate is movie "long" version: Ernst Jorgensen has told Andylon Lensen that the Jailhouse Rock acetate found by the Treat Me Nice fan club in France is the movie long version. See News, 19 February 2005 for our earlier report. (News, Source: EPGold.com)

Tupelo Elvis Festival Sings New Marketing Tune: Organizers of the Tupelo Elvis Festival plan a new approach to marketing this year that could dramatically increase ticket sales. If successful, the change could propel the 7-year-old festival honoring the rock 'n' roll legend back into the black after two straight losses. Elvis Presley was born in Tupelo and later moved with his parents to Memphis, Tenn. Through a deal with Clear Channel Communications and Dodge's Chicken stores, festival organizer Jim High said he hopes to pre-sell 10,000 tickets. The most tickets sold — before and during an event — was 8,500 last year. This year's festival is June 3-5 and features a performance by Chuck Berry. Elvis festival chairman Gary Bailey dismissed rumors that the event would end unless it earns a profit this year, but said it eventually must start making money. The event lost $2,642 in 2003 and $5,465 in 2004, the same year the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau halved its usual festival grant to $50,000. (News, Source: AP)

Elvis 78's for sale: If you are looking for Elvis 78's, Elvis Unlimited has three for sale at 499 Dkk. each. The titles are: RCA-1020 (Black label) (England) Got A Lot O' Livin' To Do/Party; HMV-213 (Blue label) (England) Tutti Frutti/Blue Suede Shoes; RCA-1058 (Black label) (England) Don'cha Think It's Time/Wear My Ring Around Your Neck. (News, Source: ElvisUnlimited)

"Elvis" TV mini-series to face Desperate Housewives: When part 1 of the CBS mini-series screens on 8 May it will be up against the top-rating phenomenon, Desperate Housewives. (News, Source: TimesLeader.com)

Talk about sequel to "Elvis" mini-series: The production "Elvis" covers Elvis from ages 18 to 33, when he made his now-fabled 1968 “comeback” appearance via an NBC special. So there could, of course, be a sequel, particularly if Part 1 of Elvis somehow holds its own against ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.” “They’d have to pay me a helluva lot of money, baby!” Jonathan Rhys Meyers (who plays the part of Elvis), 27, laughs during a break from filming. “I’d become Vegas Elvis then! I’d get my own Colonel on it!” Then he downshifts. “I don’t know. Let’s see how this one works first. I don’t think it’s an option right now. I’d have difficulty putting on that weight, first of all. I’d have difficulty taking it off, too.” Many others have gone before him, including pacesetter Kurt Russell in ABC’s 1979 version of “Elvis.” Don Johnson then gave it a go in 1981’s “Elvis and the Beauty Queen,” and Dale Midkiff starred in 1988’s “Elvis and Me.” ABC’s 1990 weekly series “Elvis,” also dramatized his early years, but largely favorable reviews weren’t enough to save it from a quick cancellation. Its star, Michael St. Gerard, hasn’t had a screen credit of any kind since 1994’s “Replikator.” (News, Source: TimesLeader.com)

Sonny West heading "downunder": Prominent member of the Memphis Mafia, Sonny West, will be appearing throughout New Zealand in May. Sonny's dates are Auckland - Onehunga R.S.A. (May 5); Hamilton - venue tba (May 6); Wellington - Mecure Hotel (May 7) and Christchurch - Woolston Working Mens Club (May 8). There is also talk that Sonny will appear in Australia while he's in the area. (News, Source: Memories of Elvis, New Zealand)

Bilko's Gold Cuts: EIN investigates the new “Best of” import CD, and discovers some interesting facts that others seem to have missed. While it does contain several gems, a surprising number of tracks have already been released on FTD. (CD Review, Source: EIN)

"Behind The Image 2 - Welcome To His World" book release: Bud Glass expects to release the follow-up volume to his Behind The Image book in late summer 2005 (USA time). (News, Source: Bud Glass)

James Burton & Glen D. Hardin "Aussie" tour starts tomorrow: If you haven't already booked your tickets time is running out. Greg Page (the "yellow" Wiggle) starts his tour with James Burton and Glen D. Hardin tomorrow. (News, Source: EIN)

Elvis The Concert 2005 song line-up: The songlist for the 2005 tour of Elvis The Concert features a few changes and improved sound on a number of tracks. (News, Source: For Elvis CD Collectors Only messageboard)

Most popular Elvis books on eBay: ElvisBookResearch has released a list of the most popular Elvis books on eBay. They are: titles by Sean Shaver, Ger Rijff and Joseph Tunzi; Elvis Paperdoll Book (St. Martin's Press, 1982); 1950 Humes High Herald; 1970 America's Ten Outstanding Young Men program; Elvis Aaron Presley Revelations of the Memphis Mafia (Alanna Nash); I Called Him Babe Elvis Presley's Nurse Remembers (Marion Cocke); and Elvis and Kathy (Kathy Westmoreland). (News, Source: ElvisBookResearch)

UK single sales: Elvis was well and truly beaten in the race for this week's #1 UK single - #1 McFly 158,000; #2 Elvis 28,000; #3 Sunset Strippers 24,000. A similar situation is expected next week with big sales looming for the duet between Tony Christie and comic Peter Kay, Is This The Way To Amarillo?, while in the race for the #2 single next week, mid-week sales for the McFly single put it several thousand ahead of Elvis' She's Not You. ((News, Source: ElvisNews.com)

Elvis and the marble - Joe Guercio remembers: Elvis World Japan recently added an interview with Elvis' orchestea conductor, Joe Guercio. It included this amusing story. (News, Source: Interview, Elvis World Japan)

"The Elvis Archives" released in Australia: Todd Slaughter's late 2004 book release is now available in Australian bookstores. RRP around A$40.00. (News, Source: EIN)

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