April 29, 2002

Elvis in Ireland.
   By Maurice Colgan (PressBox.UK & Click2Newssites - Sun Apr 28 2002) 
   
Elvis Fans Call on University Departments to Award Elvis a Posthumous, Honorary Degree in Music
    
An, "Elvis Presley Overture". 
Due to the inestimable contribution to the world of music by Elvis Presley in his lifetime and subsequently after his untimely death, Elvis fans are now calling on the relative University departments to award Elvis a posthumous, Honorary Degree in Music. 

The rapidly growing number of Professors of music history, and many other disciplines, albeit belatedly, addressing the importance of Elvis's unparalleled impact on the international stage are testament to why such an honour should be bestowed. Just consult a search engine on the Internet using, "Elvis Academics", or glance through the pages of the book , "In Search of Elvis", by Dr Vernon Chadwick, famous for the controversial, "International Conference on Elvis Presley", to see the variety of academics and others examining every facet of the late singers life.

 
With the enduring nature of Elvis's appeal being brought home to the sceptics by the vast and growing number of Elvis Festivals taking place annually around the world, and especially on landmark Anniversaries such as the important upcoming 25th when tens of thousand will descend on Memphis Tennessee to visit, Graceland, and Tupelo Mississippi, to see the little house where Elvis was born, and hopefully the new life-sized bronze statue of, "Elvis at 13", in which the writer played a tiny role, it is not surprising many people are understandably scratching their heads in disbelief. 

As an avid listener to the music of great composers, especially Beethoven, it did not surprise me in the least to come across a little piece of prose written by Bill McGlaughlin a , Music Director of the Kansas City Symphony, "I want to look at Beethoven's journey...before his death....stack it up against Elvis Presley's life...Perhaps the unlikely collision will give off some sparks". 

Listening to my children's growing strength in banging out Beethoven on a boudoir grand piano, and their scraping on violin, over many decades lead to an appreciation of the, suddenness, of some music-especially Beethoven's. And the suddenness of some voices too, especially Elvis Presley's when singing the likes of, "Hound Dog", and "I got Stung", etc. 
Do our ears really differentiate between the sounds of pop and classic to the extent some would have us believe? Did not the great composers take simple tunes and dress them in finery? Beethoven himself took a relatively simple, "Irish Air", and turned it into a masterpiece, his glorious, Seventh Symphony. Did not Elvis's amazing voice turn the old fashioned, tune, "Love me Tender", into one of the most memorable pop songs of all time? And a great many more too! 

Yes indeed Elvis truly deserves the award, have not hundreds of millions internationally enjoyed the remarkable sound of his unmistakable voice- the surprising thing is, it was not awarded years ago, although the Memphis City Orchestra did play an, "Elvis Presley Overture", at the, "Elvis Concert", Mid-South Coliseum 1997. 

Maurice Colgan. 2002. http://www.elvis.com.au/news/articles/givinganirishladhisdue.htm "Elvis at 13" statue story from the, "Daily Journal", Tupelo Mississippi, newspaper. 

April 29, 2002

Rock Hall's 50th Anniversary Exhibit Features Items From Alice Cooper, Elvis Presley & More
   By Gary Graff, Detroit (04/28/2002)


The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame And Museum in Cleveland will celebrate rock and roll's 50th anniversary with a new exhibition titled Fifty Years Of Rock And Roll, which opens Wednesday (May 1) in the Ahmet M. Ertegun Exhibition Hall. The first major overhaul of the display galleries in more than two years, the new exhibit will feature a new array of instruments, stage props, and costumes, many of which have never been on display at the museum.

Among the fresh items will be stage costumes from Elton John, Alice Cooper's guillotine, a jumpsuit and guitar used by Elvis Presley, Robert Palmer's suit from his "Addicted To Love"-era tour, and a drum kit from Green Day. One section of the exhibit will be dedicated to teen idols, with costumes and merchandise from Ricky Nelson, Annette Funicello, David Cassidy, the Jackson 5, New Kids On The Block, the Backstreet Boys, *NSYNC, and Britney Spears. The Hall also plans to celebrate rock's 50th anniversary with a series of special concerts, exhibits, and educational programs.

April 28, 2002

High-dollar road rally zooms into Graceland
Cross-country drivers show off speeding tickets

By Bill Dries and Bartholomew Sullivan
April 28, 2002 (The Commercial Appeal)

Several drivers in the coast-to-coast Gumball 3000 Rally left Memphis on Saturday with pictures of themselves and their cars outside Graceland and speeding tickets from the Tennessee Highway Patrol. 

The New York to Los Angeles rally is billed as more tour than race. 

But just before 11 a.m. Memphis police dispatchers reported groups of exotic sports cars approaching Shelby County at speeds of up to 140 mph, and police radio traffic indicated some officers were being passed by high-speed traffic as if they were standing still. 

Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers in Madison County said the high-dollar armada came through the Jackson area between 8:30 and 10 a.m., with Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Mercedes Benzes, BMWs, Jaguars, an old Chevrolet Chevelle and some Corvettes. 

"We stopped seven or eight of them," said Highway Patrol Lt. Jim Caraway. "We didn't have any high-speed chases." 

The cars, more than 100, pulled into a back parking lot in Graceland Plaza starting about 11 a.m. in groups of four and five. 

Jerry Lyddane, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., diesel mechanic who is part of a team driving a Ferrari GTS, said that because the cars are exotic-looking with numbers and stick ers from numerous sponsors, it isn't hard to spot them even if it may be hard to catch them at top speed. 

"It's been hectic, real bad with the police. The truckers don't want to cooperate. They want to get in and block you," he said. 

Some "gumballs," as they call themselves, openly bragged of going up to 160 miles an hour coming into Memphis. 

"Actually, I think some of them think it's a challenge to try to get the ticket," Lyddane said. "When you see the guy pulled over getting a ticket, you see the other guys pulling over taking pictures of him." 

Trooper Caraway said his encounter with an Englishman driving a Ferrari with the steering wheel on the right side was pleasant enough. 

"Here in the country, we don't see too many Lamborghinis or Ferraris," Caraway said. 

The Englishman was given a $139 speeding ticket for going 85 mph in the 65-mph zone, and was sent on his way. 

Arkansas State Police in Forrest City were preparing for the onslaught Saturday afternoon as the group left Memphis bound for Dallas. A police dispatcher said highway construction on Interstate 40 might impede their progress. 

Bonita Bond was among the Memphians who went to the plaza to snap pictures of the cars and see if they could spot any celebrities who have taken part in other legs of the cross-country drive. She went with her 13-year-old godson, Quadarius Franklin. 

"These are my dream cars," said Quadarius, who had already spotted a yellow Lamborghini Diablo. 

Larry Myers of Mobile, Ala., the owner of the 2001 Diablo, is making his first Gumball Rally. 

"When I bought it, the salesman said, 'Here's a ticket to Gumball,' " Myers said. "It's like 500 brothers and sisters traveling together. It's fabulous." 

Among the Elvis admirers in the cross-country rally was Charles Morgan, managing director of the Morgan Auto Co. The 92-year-old Worcestershire, England, family company is known for its luxury and race cars. 

"It was interesting to see the go-cart because I wouldn't have thought he would have fit in the go-cart," Morgan said of Elvis Presley's car collection. "I saw some really interesting touches like the Ferrari with wire wheels. Enzo Ferrari would have gone mad. . . . He would never have allowed that." 

By Mike Maple

James Loutit steers his 1960 Corvette through the gates of Graceland Saturday as he and his partner, Rob Bibow of London, pass through Memphis in the Gumball 3000 Rally. More than 100 exotic sports cars drove through the Memphis area -- some approaching Shelby County at speeds of up to 140 mph -- during the New York-to-Los Angeles tour.

April 28, 2002

THE KING AND I
   By Paul Stewart (Herald Sun - April 28, 2002)

THE biggest misconception about Elvis Presley is that he was a "dumb, backwards, country boy".

So says his best man, tour manager, personal assistant and army buddy Joe Esposito, who will be in Melbourne this week recounting stories about the late "King". 
"Elvis was a huge reader of books," Esposito said. 

"People think he was dumb when he was interested in all kinds of things, particularly religions and spiritual matters. 

"He hated being called 'The King'. He would get very shy when people yelled that. Elvis would always say, 'there is only one King and that is Jesus Christ'. 

"He loved kids, dogs, his mum and rock." 

Esposito said Presley had been "a real shy kid". 

"He was teased at school because of his clothes, which looked so different to everyone else's. He came from a very poor family. 

"Elvis also wore his hair long in the '50s, which was unheard of at the time." 

Esposito said he had often talked about Elvis at charity events in the US, but his Australian visit supporting impersonator Mick Gerace would be the first time he had toured talking about his friend. 

"My Australian tour will be a one-off," he said. "I am doing it to help commemorate the 25th anniversary of Elvis's premature passing." 

Esposito said he had met Presley in Germany when they were in the US army. 

"Everyone already knew him as a rock star," he said. 

"Even though I was in the artillery and he was in the tank corps, we hit it off straight away. 

"I can remember one leave we went to Paris, and people were literally following him in the streets. It was wild. 

"It was great, though, because we got front row seats at all the Moulin Rouge shows and nightclubs, and, yes, we did party with the dancing girls." 

Esposito later became a member of the "Memphis Mafia", the team surrounding Presley when he toured. 

Esposito said he had not been surprised when Presley split with his young wife, Priscilla. 

"It was not her fault," he said. "All of us on the road acted like we were single, even though most of us were married." 

Esposito said Presley had ended life as a "sad figure". 

"He was not taking care of himself and he knew it," he said. "We all asked him to cut back on the prescription drugs, but he was stubborn." 

Esposito said had seen many bad Presley impersonators, but Gerace was one of the best. 

"Elvis sung from the heart and never delivered the same tune the same way," he said. "Some impersonators are embarrassing." 

April 28, 2002

Presley Joins With D.G. Jewelry Inc.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 15, 2002

 D.G. Jewelry Inc., one of North America's leading designers, manufacturers and distributors of stone-set jewelry, is delighted to announce that it has entered into a contract with Donna Presley, skilled jewelry designer, businesswoman, and cousin of Elvis, and with her company, Donna Presley Early Productions Ltd. Ms. Presley will be working with DG's staff to create her own unique jewelry designs, which DG will produce, and will present her special creations on DG's sales programs on television shopping networks which air regularly to approximately 46 million American households. 

Jack Berkovits, President and CEO, commented: ``We are delighted to join with Donna Presley Early in this exciting new venture and feel confident that Donna's unique creative talents will produce a newly popular line that will be established and recognized throughout the jewelry industry. She has demonstrated that she is a multi-dimensional and very capable person in all her varied endeavors, and we know she will excel in this new area too. Donna is a valuable new member of the DG team, and the timing of this arrangement is especially opportune as August 2002 will mark the 25th anniversary of the passing of Elvis, and interest in the `King' is at a record high.'' 

Donna Presley commented: ``I am very happy to have this opportunity to show off my creativity and design skills. Jewelry and jewelry design has long been a love of mine. I am excited and happy to work on this project with DG's great production and sales team, and to be able to present my designs to America.'' 

Donna Presley Early is the daughter of Elvis Presley's aunt ``Nash''. Nash, the younger sister of Elvis' father Vernon cared for the young Elvis when he was growing up and was his friend and advisor until his death. In 1970, Donna moved to Graceland with her family after her father, Earl Pritchett, accepted an offer of employment from Elvis. She spent her teenage years on the estate with her dear cousin Elvis and their grandmother Minnie Presley. As a labor of love for her deceased mother, Donna authored a book, Elvis - Precious Memories``, full of pictures and stories of Elvis the man and his cherished family relationships. In January, 1979, Donna began working at Graceland at Vernon Presley's request, answering fan mail. In 1985, she accepted a modeling position with Carvel Modeling in Memphis. Donna has appeared at many events in the United States, Canada and Europe and continues to receive recognition and continues to receive invitations to appear on television and at speaking engagements throughout North America and Europe. Recently, she has become involved in a new project, the creation of the new Elvis Presley-themed Circle G Ranch Resort in the Memphis area. Donna and her husband, Buddy Early, a retired law enforcement officer and now private investigator live in Memphis. They have two sons, Stacey and Jamie. 

Donna Presley Early Productions is a sales and marketing company formed to promote products designed and/or endorsed by Donna Presley Early. The company has recently signed a letter of intent with a public company trading on the CDNX stock exchange. It has also entered into an agreement with Mel Shaw, legendary producer, founder and past president of Canadian Independent Record Producers Association, and three-time recipient of the Canadian music award, the Juno Award, for production of 3 CD's, with recording work to begin on April 15th. 

D.G. Jewelry Inc. is primarily engaged in the design, merchandising and distribution of stone-set jewelry for department stores, mass merchants, catalog showrooms, television shopping networks and other high-volume retailers and other major discounters in the U.S., Canada and Europe. For more information, please visit us at www.dgjewelry.com. 

Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this release include forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may vary significantly based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, risks in product demand, the impact of competitive products and pricing, changing economic conditions, both here and abroad, release and sales of new products, changing retail economic conditions, reliance on major accounts and banking relationships, general economic conditions including those specific to the jewelry industry, and other risk factors detailed in the company's most recent annual report and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result, there is no assurance that our revenues will continue to grow or that our margins will be maintained. Nor is there any assurance that reserves shown as unusual item will be adequate. 

Donna Presley Page | The Official Donna Presley Early Site

April 27, 2002

Elvis: 25th anniversary

Elvis: a Celebration
   Images of Elvis Presley from the Elvis Presley Archive at Graceland 
   By Mike Evans 
 
(25 July, 2002 | Amazon.com)
Published to coincide with the 25th anniversary of Elvis' death, the 608 page book is a pictorial tribute to this rock and roll legend. It features archive images, news photographs, movie stills and rare memorabilia from the Elvis Presley Estate in Graceland.  

The ultimate celebration of the King of Rock 'n' Roll as seen from the archives of the Elvis Presley Estate at Graceland published on the 25th Anniversary of his death.

Compiled and written with the full authorization and assistance of the Elvis Presley Estate, and using exclusive material from the official archive at Graceland, Elvis: A Celebration is the ultimate tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll on the 25th anniversary of his death. This pictorial record of Elvis's life features over 600 photographs and illustrations, from his early days in Tupelo and Memphis, his rise to superstardom, his career in movies, his television and Vegas performances, and his posthumous ascent to the top rank of the pop-culture pantheon. Loaded with news photographs, memorabilia, and movie stills-many never before published-this is the one book that Elvis fans should not be without!

April 26, 2002

Elvis Repackaged 
(April 25 - The New York Times)


At the peak of his fame, in the 1950s, Elvis Presley was as global as global got. But time makes strange things happen. Elvis' fans have gotten older, and global itself has grown. Even the language of pop fame has changed. The words that Elvis once evoked — rebel, icon, legend — have been demoted to suit smaller figures. 

If Aerosmith is now an icon, as MTV insists, then what is Elvis? And if, as it happens, Elvis wasn't a rebel in quite the ways he seemed at first, he still set a standard for fame in his own time, a fame that was carefully, if strangely, husbanded by his manager, Col. Tom Parker. Now the managers of the Elvis Presley estate have decided it is time to market Elvis' music and his fame all over again in the year that will see, this August, the 25th anniversary of his death. 

It comes as a surprise to realize that Elvis has dwindled as a going concern. But it makes sense. The "original demographic," as the chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises puts it, has grandchildren now and hasn't necessarily been able to pass along its Elvis devotion. From this distance, Elvis looks more like a great adaptor than a great originator, and for a younger generation that was reared on the greatest of singer-songwriters, like Bob Dylan and the Beatles, Elvis' achievement seems smaller. And of course there is always the question of which Elvis we're talking about. In a sense, the managers of the Presley estate have the luxury of being able to sell any old Elvis they want — the pre-Army Elvis, the Hollywood Elvis, the Vegas Elvis, the peanut-butter-and-Cadillac Elvis. Surely in all these personae there's an Elvis for everyone. At least that's what they're hoping. 

There haven't been many moments in the past quarter-century that would make one say, as Wordsworth did of Milton, "Elvis! thou should'st be living at this hour," but this is one of them. It will be something to see the utter renovation of Elvis, involving as it does commercial tie-ins with McDonald's, America Online and the Walt Disney Co. The real question is how deep the revitalizing of Elvis will really go. It will certainly put new life in the licensing of the King and it may lead to a new appreciation for his distinctive contribution to the history of American popular music. 

But it's worth remembering that Elvis in his last years was an Elvis seeking refuge. And one of the things he was seeking refuge from was a version of himself that had metastasized in the culture around him. It's hard to know whether this new burst of marketing would bring him pleasure or turn him even more deeply in upon himself. 

April 25, 2002

 Elvis: Collector's Gold 

California Gold Introduces Two New Elvis Record Collectibles
  

California Gold is a long-time EPE licensee, which makes Elvis gold/platinum record commemoratives for collectors. Following is an announcement from them about two new items:


Elvis Presley 25th Anniversary Silverized LP Record
This beautifully framed and matted piece features a Platinum Edition silverized LP record and an individually numbered text plate listing some of Elvis Presley's most notable achievements. Three different images of Elvis have been etched onto the record itself along with a replica of Elvis' signature. The entire presentation is complemented with a metallic-silver frame. Measuring 16" x 20", this piece is limited to an edition of only 2,500. 



Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender" Framed Gold Record
Another beautifully framed and matted piece, a 24KT gold-plated record is featured along with a commemorative cachet that has been postmarked on the 45th anniversary of the recording of Love Me Tender. Measuring 11" x 18", this piece is limited to an edition of only 1,956. 

Visit www.collectorsgold.com to see pictures of these great new items.

Source : EPE

EP The cell phone

Elvis Presley Cellular Phone Covers >>

April 23, 2002
 
HUNK-A-HUNK-A RINGIN' PHONE
(Philadelphia Inquirer) Mon Apr 22 

Maybe you'd like to talk face-to-face with Elvis. (Hold him close, ladies. Go ahead.) Thanks to wireless technology and America's never-say-die marketing ethic, you can. And you don't even have to use the Psychic Network to chat with the King.

A Florida firm, the Art of Sports, is introducing a line of cell phone covers featuring images of Elvis. Everything from Elvis the Pelvis to Elvis of Vegas (Alternative: Elvis de Vegas?) For now, the company has nine styles of Elvis covers for both Nokia's 3300 and 5100 series phones. But covers for other models and phone manufacturers are in the works.

The 5100 covers will sell for about $30; 3300, $40. They should be in stores within the next four to six weeks.

The cell phone covers are just part of an Elvis marketing blitz that will mark, well, cash-in on, the 25th anniversary of the King's death.

We'll see an Elvis-themed Disney film and McDonald's Happy Meal, an AOL mini-site featuring Elvis, a revival of the musical, "Jailhouse Rock," commemorative Elvis books and CDs and much more. Vaughan-Bassett Furniture Company is even manufacturing wood furniture for the premiere of "The Elvis Presley Collection." Initially, the collection will consist of two Elvis-inspired styles of master bedroom suites.

April 21, 2002 

Presley industry trying to sell hipper image to new generation
(Daytona Beach News Journal) Sun Apr 21 11:34:00 2002

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The King may be immortal, but his fans are not. 

That is the essence of the problem facing the Elvis industry, which has hummed along quite nicely without him for 25 years, selling and reselling songs, movies, posters, books, clothing and every other imaginable form of merchandise, souvenir and retail experience related to or inspired by the King of Rock 'n' Roll. 

The cashing in is about to crest this year, the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death, with new CDs, coffee-table books, furniture, commercial tie-ins and even an animated Disney movie with Elvis songs in a crucial plot role. 

But now, with original Elvis fans qualifying for senior-citizen discounts -- Elvis himself would have turned 67 in January -- the biggest question is whether this year's hoopla will be a comeback at all, or merely a last hurrah. 

Joe DiMuro, senior vice president of strategic marketing at Elvis' record label, RCA Records/BMG, which is orchestrating a yearlong international marketing campaign for the release of two new Elvis collections on CD, said the goal was to spruce up what was essentially a timeworn product line. 

"For us, it's about taking a property and figuring out, how do we make him hip, young and irreverent -- into a brand that's relevant to this younger demographic," DiMuro said. 

That challenge was on full view last week at Graceland, where the elderly taking snapshots of Elvis' tombstone far outnumbered the young. Dan Saulsgiver, 49, had driven his wife, Carol, and both of their mothers from Hamilton, N.Y., near Syracuse. But the real Elvis fan in the bunch was his mother-in-law, Marion Sandquist, 77 and in a wheelchair. 

"When we were dating, we'd go to the drive-in to see Elvis movies because that's the only way we could go out," Saulsgiver said. 

"They had to be chaperoned," Sandquist said, laughing. "And I looooove Elvis." 

"When he went on Ed Sullivan with the camera above his waist," Saulsgiver kidded back, "she had the only TV set showing him from the waist down." 

Graceland officials insist that half of all visitors are younger than 35. Even if that is true, it is an open question how many children are eager to come and how many are dragged by their elders. 

Shanna Brown, a music teacher in Alabama, brought a group of students to Graceland for the day. Though they admired its fake fur, shag-carpeted ceilings and vinyl furniture, none said Elvis was particularly cool. 

Asked what she knew about Elvis before she arrived, Katie Palmer, 10, replied, "That he died because he took an overdose." 

Jack Soden, chief executive of Elvis Presley Enterprises, who has overseen Graceland since 1981, acknowledged that its marketing mission would have to adjust. "We don't want to abandon the original demographic," Soden said. "But to successfully sell that music, you've got to sell the guy, and tell new generations why the music's important, why he's important." 

The selling of Elvis is happening now in ways that his manager, Col. Tom Parker, could never have dreamed. There are the new CD collections -- one with 100 previously unreleased tracks, the other with 30 chart-topping singles. For men under 34 coveted by advertisers, sweaty Nike commercials are already on the air, with a techno remix of Elvis' song "A Little Less Conversation." For women under 24, there will be a book titled "A Girl's Guide to Elvis." 

Soon there will be McDonald's Happy Meal tie-ins and free CD-ROMs from America Online. There will be Elvis bedroom furniture and Elvis coffee-table books. 

On June 21, the Walt Disney Co. will release an animated movie, "Lilo and Stitch," about an alien creature and a troubled little Hawaiian girl who adores Elvis and does a mean lip-sync of "Heartbreak Hotel." The soundtrack includes half a dozen Elvis songs, and the happy ending involves a trip to Graceland, said Todd Morgan, director of media and creative development at Elvis Presley Enterprises. 

Here at Graceland, the high point, as always, will occur during Elvis Week in August, when thousands will converge on Memphis for nine days of homage-paying, pegged to the annual all-night graveside vigil beginning on Aug. 15, the night before the anniversary of Presley's death. For $40, fans will be able to swim in a backyard pool at another Memphis house where Elvis once lived. For $100, there will be a more highbrow offering: a University of Memphis seminar titled "Is Elvis History?" 

The climax, Graceland executives say, will be a concert at Memphis' Pyramid arena intended to transcend the great beyond, with 30 members of Elvis' various bands, live onstage, accompanying the King himself, beaming down from giant television screens. 

Of course, this year's endeavors are new only in scope, scale and intensity. Soden, after all, has seen every oddball idea imaginable for new ways to cash in on the King. 

There was the Elvis-head Chia Pet, which would have sprouted green pork-chop sideburns. And there was that man years ago who wanted to turn an abandoned ranch in Mississippi that Elvis once owned into a cemetery, with his undying voice serenading his most devoted fans off to their eternal rest. 

As recently as few weeks ago, an Atlanta real estate developer proposed an Elvis-themed golf resort for the same old ranch. Graceland threatened a lawsuit, and the developer quickly started talking a lot less about Elvis and a lot more about golf. 

Graceland's own ventures, meanwhile, have encountered difficulty. Soden said a restaurant, Elvis Presley's Memphis, envisioned as the flagship of a chain, had been a money pit. It was all but dead on a recent Saturday night. An inn, the Heartbreak Hotel, meanwhile, apparently caught the end of the boutique hotel fad, Soden said. 

Now, Soden said, plans for an interactive Elvis museum had been put on hold. 

Just how this year's megamarketing campaign will be perceived here where Elvis' lived, and where many Memphians now speak wistfully of the more tacky shops that once sold souvenirs like vials of "Elvis sweat," remains to be seen. 

No matter how the 25th anniversary year goes, Soden is not worried about Graceland's future as a destination. It has averaged 650,000 visitors a year, he said, ahead of Monticello but well behind Mount Vernon among historic homes. That is not likely to change, he said. 

"People will always be able to get some intimacy with Elvis Presley when they come here," he said. "Nobody knows what George Washington's laugh was like. Graceland is always going to be a more personal experience." 

But as Elvis takes his rightful place in American history, is history where Elvis will stay? "Unlike a lot of '60s and '70s groups like the Doors, who recycle back into popularity, I don't see that happening with Elvis," said Andrew Bergstein, a marketing professor at Pennsylvania State University who specializes in pop culture. 

"Lots of students I teach are only vaguely aware who he is, and as more of a comic figure. They don't appreciate that he was cutting some pretty important ground. I wouldn't want to be in charge of trying to sell him to a younger generation." 

April 20, 2002 
Festivals, Sun tour can tide fans over for Elvis Week 
By Bill Ellis (The Commercial Appeal)


Here's a few things to put you in a Kingly mood before summer's hunka-hunka burning heat plops us in the middle of Elvis Week 2002, when the 25th anniversary of Elvis Presley's death brings its highly touted mix of reverie and revelry. 

The King's birthplace, Tupelo, Miss., holds its fourth annual Elvis Presley Festival, which moved last year from August to the first weekend in June because of weather, says Jim High, assistant director of the event's producer, the Downtown Tupelo Main Street Association. 

"That's what we were going to do in August was to tie in with Elvis Week in Memphis," says High. "But it was too hot for us to have a festival, and we didn't receive the synergy we thought we would." 

The cancellation of a "Viva Tupelo" concert due to poor ticket sales also put the 2000 festival, the last to be held in August, in the red. Last year fared better financially, according to the association. 

This year's two-stage lineup is its best yet, a mix of Presley-related, regional and national acts, including blues legend B. B. King. 

Appearing May 31: Charlie Daniels Band; Presley's Sun peer Billy Lee Riley; Tupelo's other native son, acclaimed singer-songwriter Paul Thorn; Jerry Lee Lewis protege Jason D. Williams; Oxford institution the Kudzu Kings; and Elvis interpreter Travis LeDoyt. 

On June 1: B. B. King; North Mississippi Allstars; Emma Gibbs Band; Memphis up-and-comers Ingram Hill; Malaco R&B tunesmiths Sam Mosley and Robert A. Johnson; Tupelo-based Elvis tribute artists Double Trouble; and Duff Dorrough & the Revelators. 

The festival will be held in downtown Tupelo on Front Street ("Right next to Tupelo Hardware, which is where Elvis bought his first guitar," says High). Tickets are $15 daily at the gate or a $20 weekend pass. Call (662) 841-6528 or visit http://www.tupeloelvisfestival.com. 


Much closer to Elvis Week will be Rockabilly Fest 2002 in Carl Perkins's hometown, Jackson, Tenn. 
Produced by the International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame, the third annual festival will be Aug. 9-11 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. Last year, the event took place at the end of June when the nonprofit Hall of Fame opened in downtown Jackson at 105 N. Church St. With its museum space established, the festival - in a reverse move from Tupelo - now moves to August to unite better with Elvis Week in building Tennessee tourism, according to director Henry Harrison. 

Expect a fine lineup of rockabilly royalty once again, including the original Comets, Ace Cannon, Sonny Burgess, D. J. Fontana, Narvel Felts and Rock 'n' Roll Trio guitar great Paul Burlison with his late bandmates' sons Billy and Rocky Burnette. 

The festival will also be padded with pool parties by many of the acts at various motels beginning Aug. 5. And a new event has been added, a Rockabilly Awards Night on Aug. 8 for Hall of Fame inductees. Current Sun Records owner Shelby Singleton will host the awards. 

Tickets are $45 for the weekend or $17.50 per day (children under 12 free). Call (800) 562-6824 or visit http://www.rockabillyhall.org for more info. 


In time for Sun Records' 50th anniversary, Sun Studio unveiled a new tour last month, expanding the half-hour experience by an additional 10-15 minutes. Starting now on the second-floor museum, visitors are given better context for their buck, with the studio and label's blues legacy fleshed out upstairs, the rockabilly downstairs, so that the arrival at ground zero carries more historical and emotional weight. 
And with narrators like employee Mic Walker of the Porch Ghouls, you get an enthusiastic, knowledgeable tour guide to boot. 

Frankly, entering that studio still has a profound effect on this writer. The legacy is there, of course, but so is the magic: You can almost feel the room's white acoustic tiles pulse with residual slapback. The tour is worth the time if you've never been, and definitely worth another go-round if it's been awhile. Sun Studio is open seven days a week with its $8.50 tour at the bottom of every hour between 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Call 521-0664 or visit http://www.sunstudio.com. 

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