February 27, 2003

Follow That Dream Records Releases EP's New Year's Eve '76 Concert (RELEASE DATE REVISED)
   EPE 2/27/2003 

Update: There has been a slight delay with this release. It is now expected to come out on March 15 rather than March 3 as originally announced... FTD Label

February 27, 2003

Jones tells PK why Elvis is still King 
   By Eddie McIlwaine, The Belfast Telegraph - February 27, 2003


THE grand old man of pop Tom Jones will be telling Patrick Kielty why he prefers Elvis to the Beatles when he appears on the Almost Live chat show tomorrow night (BBC1 10.35).

"I thought John Lennon and the rest wrote great songs, but they didn't impress me like my friend Presley," he said today.

The Welsh miner's son who has just received an Outstanding Contribution Brit Award, first met Presley in 1965 in Hollywood on the set of the movie Paradise Hawaiian Style and they were close for years until his death in 1977.

Jones (62) - and with no thoughts of retirement - is coming back to Belfast in early summer to play the Odyssey on May 13 - and it's going to be a sell-out. 

"I'm proud that people like the way I sing," he said. "It's something God gave me and I did something with it."

During his career Jones has amassed a £350m fortune. He lives in Bel Air with his wife Linda, the childhood sweetheart he married in 1957.

On the show too will be Danii Minogue, Kylie's little sister.

February 26, 2003

Jack Lord’s Special Memory of Elvis
   By Marcia Borie

Elvis Presley had the ability to touch others’ lives as few human beings ever could. Just as people were magnetically drawn to him, so too, he had an almost fan-like devotion to those he admired. Among that group was Hawaii 5-0’s Jack Lord and his wife, Marie. Theirs was a relatively brief but extremely intense friendship so illustrative of the rapid magnet-like attraction Elvis had for those comparatively few people he ever really got close to once fame had crowded in on him.

A few hours after the shocking news of Presley’s death, I called Honolulu. I had known for several years of the personal relationship which existed between the Lords and Elvis. They had never wanted to talk about I publicly, but now, I thought they might want to share their knowledge of Elvis with those of us who care..... Full Story 

February 26, 2003

Jackie Kahane: Reading Of The Diary

Elvis’ long time friend and comedian Jackie Kahane died at age 79 in 2001. He’s one of the few people around Elvis that there never have been so much attention on. Believe me "That’s a same!" Jackie was a very nice and funny guy! Like Colonel Parker use to say about Jackie: He’s a very funny man who can make all age groups laugh without embarrassing anyone" 

EU Production will release a tribute Cd to Jackie Kahane entitled "Reading Of The Diary" on Friday March 28th. This release will contain an in-deep interview with Jackie Kahane, some rare recordings of Elvis and his group on tour and last but not least the VERY funny recording of the reading of the diary. The story behind this "Diary" is that Jackie did write a diary on every tour he was one with Elvis. When the tour was over did the band and all the crew people have a party (not attended by Elvis) were Jackie would read the diary and make fun of some the things that have happened on the tour. This Time (July 1976) did Jackie for example interview Felton Jarvis (Who’s dressed up as Elvis and acting like him). This interview is one of the funniest interviews that I’ve heard!

You can pre-order your copy of "Reading Of The Diary" from Elvis Unlimited for 149.- Dkk. + Shipping

   Disc 1 
1 Reading Of The Diary 
2 Interview With Jackie Kahane 
3 Elvis On Tour Talk

Source: Elvis Unlimited

February 25, 2003

'THEY LIKED THE ENERGY' 

RED ROBINSON: A pioneering rock 'n' roll DJ remembers Elvis, the Beatles -- and some hot lyrics 

THE WALLS of Red Robinson's Vancouver offices are a photographic history of his long run as Vancouver's pre-eminent rock 'n' roll disc jockey -- one of the first in North America. As a teen, he literally talked his way onto Vancouver radio station CJOR in 1954 by phoning in voice impressions......  Full Story and rare photos, click here "Macleans Online"

February 25, 2003

TV director Henry Peter Tewksbury dies at 79
   Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Henry Peter Tewksbury, a director who won an Emmy Award for the television series "Father Knows Best" and created "My Three Sons," has died. He was 79.

Tewksbury died Thursday in Brattleboro, Vt., of undisclosed causes, the Los Angeles Times reported Monday.

His focus had moved away from Hollywood decades ago. For the past eight years, Tewksbury managed the Brattleboro Food Co-op's cheese department. His book, "The Cheese of Vermont: A Gourmet Guide to Vermont's Artisanal Cheesemakers," was published last year.

"His curiosity and commitment to whatever he touched, films or farming, milling wheat or tasting cheese, was astonishing in the depth of its commitment," said his wife, Cielle Tewksbury.

Tewksbury, born in Cleveland in 1923, was a Dartmouth College graduate and served in World War II as an Army captain. In the postwar years, he worked in radio and then as a community theater director in Porterville in central California.

When "Father Knows Best" moved from radio to television in 1954, Tewksbury was hired to direct the comedy starring Robert Young. Tewksbury received an Emmy in 1959 for his work.

In 1960, he created, produced and directed another hit comedy, "My Three Sons," which starred Fred MacMurray. A more complex series, the critically acclaimed "It's a Man's World," lasted just 19 episodes in the 1962-63 season.

Tewksbury went on to direct other TV programs and movies including "Sunday in New York" and the Elvis Presley pictures "Stay Away, Joe" and "The Trouble with Girls."

Tiring of the business in the 1970s, Tewksbury turned to ranching in California and farming and teaching in Vermont.

February 21, 2003

Sun Records Master 'Mother' stampers 

The original Sun Records stamp used in 1954 to create the Elvis Presley hits "That's All Right Mama" and "Mystery Train" (1955) were sold for £20,000.

February 20, 2003

Letter from the Producer on Recent "Elvis-The Concert" Cancelations 
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------ EPE 2/20/2003



February 19,2003

Dear Elvis – The Concert Fans, 

The recent cancellation of 'Elvis -The Concert'at The Mohegan Sun and Trump Taj Majal was devastating to all of us -the cast,the production team,and everyone at Graceland who gave birth to this incredible show and supported us since day one.

We have performed this concert flawlessly in over 120 shows around the world for almost 1 million people,and we take pride in having the finest production staff and equipment in the world -but it does not make this weekend any easier for all the fans who traveled and spend their hard-earned money to see our show.

At the Mohegan Sun Casino,everything was fine until 2 hours before showtime.It was then that we realized the center 'Elvis Screen'was not looking good.We immediately started changing the video equipment,and during this process burned out the equipment that sends the video signal to the screens. We even considered playing the show on the side screens,but the problems just got worse -and the side screens went down also. Over the past 5 years,we have been ready for this type of emergency and have solved numerous "close calls", but despite having over 4 back-up processors and video machines,we were not able to bring the screens back to "life".

At 7:30 p.m., we had to make a decision to either let the crowd of 6000 inside the arena (which I felt would make matters considerably worse),or cancel the show -and the decision to cancel was solely mine.

The management at The Mohegan Sun was extremely understanding and supportive to us, but apparently there were some problems with communicating the news and crowd control. I only ask that you try to understand that this was the first time any show has been cancelled at Mohegan Sun, and with all the confusion, no one on the Mohegan staff was well-rehearsed for this unfortunate situation.

In regard to the show at Trump Taj Majal in Atlantic City – we had to reach another difficult decision..Although we already had another video system ready to be sent to Atlantic City,the management at The Taj Majal asked to re-schedule the show because of a huge snowstorm heading for the New Jersey and they also did not want to take a chance on the new video equipment arriving in the snowstorm.Therefore,it was a joint decision to re-schedule their show.

After both shows were cancelled,the cast and crew were caught in the snowstorm and stuck in Atlantic City for 2 days - we all just got home last night,and thank God,everyone is safe.

It appears that we will re-schedule the shows for March 28 at Trump Taj Majal in Atlantic City,and March 29 at The Mohegan Sun Arena --please look at the Graceland website for further confirmation.

Please accept my deepest apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused you,and thank you for your support of Elvis – The Concert.

Sincerely,
Stig Edgren
Producer /SEG EVENTS
ELVIS – THE CONCERT 

February 20, 2003

Circle G official to mayor: Resort project not dead
   By Robert Lee Long, Desoto Times Today - February 20, 2003


HORN LAKE - The Circle G Resort project may not be dead after all.

Nearly two months after Circle G Resort LLC officials broke off talks with owners of the former Elvis Presley Ranch in Horn Lake, Horn Lake Mayor Mike Thomas said he received a voice message on his answering machine from former NASCAR racing owner and resort project promoter J.D. Stacy.

Thomas was out of town last week attending the Mississippi Economic Development Con-ference in Jackson when Stacy called.

"He (Stacy) just called to say that he would be up here soon and said the project was not dead," Thomas said.

Thomas has not heard from Stacy since or had any communication from any other individuals involved in the project.

Stacy could not be reached for comment.

Nearly one year after the $500 million project was first announced, the land is still undeveloped farmland, much as it was when Presley owned it from 1967 until 1974.

One member of the McLemore family, which owns the property encompassing the original ranch site, said he has had no contact with Stacy or anyone involved with the proposed Circle G Resort.

"I haven't talked to them in about two months," said Gerald D. "Buddy" McLemore. "They may have talked to other people because there are other people involved, but they haven't talked to me," McLemore said.

Landowner Vernon Simpson, who owns property adjacent to the site at the intersection of state Highways 302 and 301 where Circle G Resort LLC officials wanted to build at least two championship golf courses, could not be reached for comment.

However, his wife Bette Simpson said Tuesday that neither she nor her husband had heard from Stacy or any of the Circle G developers.

"We have not heard a word from them, but we did have somebody call the office (Monday)," Simpson said. "He did say he had an interest, but it was not associated with Elvis."

Circle G Resort LLC officials at one time held an option on more than 600 acres of property surrounding the original ranch but allowed that contract to expire. Three months later, Circle G Resort officials allowed an option on the McLemore property to expire.

February 20, 2003

Celebrate the King on a classic car 'cruise' 
   By Lynn Petry NEWSDAY/The Olympian - February 20, 2003 

For Elvis fans who also happen to be car enthusiasts, Tupelo, Miss., the birthplace of the King of Rock 'n' Roll, has a new draw: a newly opened automobile museum stocked with more than 100 classics, including a 1976 Lincoln owned by Tupelo's very own legend. Now the city is hosting a cruise weekend in his honor. 

From May 2 to 4, Tupelo will welcome visitors to a collectible car event with a familiar Presley theme. "Blue Suede Cruise" will feature five sites scattered around the city that cruisers can drive to, including a stop at the modest two-bedroom, shotgun house where he was born Jan. 8, 1935. Throughout the weekend, there will be live '50s and '60s-era concerts, a classic car parade and a trip to the Tupelo Automobile Museum, which traces the development of the automobile from the 1800s to the present. The collection at the museum is valued at more than $6 million and has cars on display such as an 1899 Knox, a Duesenberg, three Hispano Suizas, a Tucker and an 1886 Carl Benz. 

Registration for the weekend is $30 before March 15 and $40 afterward and includes admission to all events and concerts. The Web site for further information and scheduling for the cruise weekend is www.bluesc.com. For lodging and travel arrangements, log on to www.tupelo.net, which includes details on cruise specials at hotels for participants

February 19, 2003

"Fire Down Below Music Festival" at Elvis Presley's Memphis 
    ------------------------------------------------------------ EPE 2/19/2003 

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Presents The Fire Down Below Music Festival

Elvis Presley’s Memphis on Beale Street hosts seven featured young bands and presents each with The Gladys Award

Seven young bands are being spotlighted on March 24th - March 29th at Elvis Presley’s Memphis at 126 Beale Street in Memphis at the first Fire Down Below Music Festival. Each band will also be a recipient of The Gladys Award.

The Festival takes its name from the last song Elvis worked on in his final recording session, which was at Graceland in 1976, the year before his death. His vocals on this Jerry Scheff composition were never completed.

The Gladys Award, appropriately named for Elvis’ mother, acknowledges and recognizes each bands’ participation in the festival as well as their early achievement as a cutting-edge, live music presence in Memphis, the “mother” of all music towns.

“Since Elvis Presley’s Memphis first opened its doors, we’ve wanted to put this great venue’s acoustics and ambience to work showcasing new music talent in our city." said Jennifer Burgess, director of Marketing for EPE, Inc., "This festival is our latest expression of that goal.” 

The bands, which are listed below, will perform beginning at 10:00 p.m. during the six-night festival. More information will be available on the festival Web site at www.elvis.com/fire (The site will be up and running very soon and we'll activate a link from here.)

Festival Lineup:

Monday, 3/24
Native Son

Tuesday, 3/25
Chosen View and Dis-Missile

Wednesday, 3/26
The Gamble Brothers

Thursday, 3/27
Bumpercrop

Friday, 3/28
The Subteens

Saturday, 3/29
Dora

February 17, 2003

Bob Ivers, former movie actor and television newsman, dies 
   The Associated Press - 2/16/03 11:25 PM


YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- Bob Ivers, a movie actor who once co-starred with Elvis Presley and later worked in television news, has died at the age of 68. 

Ivers died at his home here Thursday after a six-month battle with cancer of the esophagus. 

He spent most of his career as a television news reporter, anchor and news director in Yakima, Phoenix, Lansing, Mich., and Fargo, N.D. 

Before that, he co-starred in several movies. He played Cookie in "G.I. Blues" with Presley and Kyle in "Short Cut to Hell" directed by James Cagney. He also had a role with comedian Jerry Lewis in "The Errand Boy." 

Ivers also appeared in more than 17 television shows, including "The Fugitive," "The Untouchables," and "Gunsmoke." 

Born Robert L. Prestlien in Seattle on Dec. 11, 1934, he graduated from Tucson High School and worked for Pasadena Playhouse before winning a contract with Paramount Studios. 

Ivers never quite made it to the stardom he would have liked. In 1978, he told the Yakima Herald-Republic that he would have liked the fast-paced life of Hollywood and wondered what might have been. 

Instead, he moved to television news. In 1965, he started working as weatherman and newsman for KPHO in Phoenix, then was news anchor and reporter for WJIM in Lansing, Mich. In 1970 he moved to KTHI in Fargo, N.D. 

After moving to Yakima in 1972, he worked as news director and anchor at KAPP, hosted a morning children's show and the annual Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Telethon. He also worked at KNDO and ran his own advertising business. 

He is survived by two daughters, Mallory Cangialosi, of Westport, Conn., and Alenda Michael, of Las Vegas, Nev. 

A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Shaw and Sons Memorial Chapel in Yakima. 

Valley man relishes his time with Elvis - Aug. 16, 1997

February 17, 2003

U.S. Dates of ELVIS-THE CONCERT Rescheduled 
   ------------------------------------------ EPE 2/17/2003 

Failure of video equipment forced the canceling of the presentation of Elvis-The Concert on February 15 at Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT. A winter storm prompted the cancelation of the engagement at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, NJ on February 16. We await confirmation of make-up dates from our show's producer, SEG Events. Tentative make-up dates are March 28 for Taj Mahal and March 29 for Mohegan Sun. The very moment we have confirmation on these dates, we'll post an article in News on our site, update the tour schedule and issue an E-newsletter alert. We, along with SEG Events and the venues, apologize to anyone who has been disappointed or inconvenienced by these cancelations. 

On show day at the Mohegan Sun the video equipment failed. The processors that send the Elvis video image to the screen burned out. Then, the backup processor units also burned out. Something highly unusual had gone wrong with the system. All contingency options were exhausted and the video compmany that works with our show could not be repair or replace the equipment in time to make it possible for the show to go on as scheduled. A winter storm was keeping much of the potential audience for the Atlantic City show from attending and made it iffy as to whether the cast and crew could get there in time to set up and play. The status of the equipment problem was also a factor. The cancelation of that show was a joint decision by SEG and Taj Mahal.

Perhaps some of the disappointed audience members will be consoled somewhat by knowing that SEG Events is taking a very painful financial hit on this cancelation, with cast and crew payment and all the travel and production expenses to deal with even though the show did not play. SEG is the company to whom we have licensed the concert project and they are in charge of its management and take on all the expenses and financial risks. If there had been any way to make the shows go on, SEG would have done so. 

February 16, 2003

Sun cancels Elvis show
   Norwich Bulletin, CT - February 16, 2003

MOHEGAN -- For the first time since it opened, the Mohegan Sun Arena canceled a show just hours before curtain time Saturday night. 

"Elvis, the Concert" was canceled two hours before show time because of technical difficulties, Public Relations Manager Saverio Mancini said Saturday night. The show features members of Presley's band performing with Elvis, whose image is projected on a giant screen, Mancini said. "There's a lot of technical requirements with the show and they had some problems that they tried to fix but couldn't," Mancini said. 

The arena seats 10,000, but Mancini said the show was not sold out. 

He said the Arena hopes to reschedule the concert early next week and tickets for Saturday's concert will be honored for the new date. If people want a refund instead, they can get one at the point of purchase, he said. 

Mancini said the casino rarely cancels a concert on such short notice. Saturday's was the first arena show that had to be canceled, he said. 

February 16, 2003

Acting bug bites again
   By Ramsey Campbell | Orlando Sentinel, FL - February 16, 2003 



Nancy Walters is among the rarest of Hollywood celebrities.

She was a fast-rising young actress, groomed for stardom by a major movie studio, and she walked away from the glitter and glamour of Tinseltown at the most unlikely moment.

Now, more than 40 years after flirting on-screen with co-star Elvis Presley in Blue Hawaii, the Central Florida native is knocking on Hollywood's door again.

She was back in the area recently, at an Elvis convention in Kissimmee, signing autographs, talking about Elvis and trying to explain why she had given up a career that most people would die for.

"That's the first thing people usually ask me, 'What happened to you?' " said Walters, who was last seen on the big screen in The Singing Nun with Debbie Reynolds in 1966.

It has been a long road for the former Mount Plymouth teenager, who traded rural northeast Lake County for the bright lights and big-city appeal of New York and the fashion scene in 1952.

"When I left here it was all oranges," said Walters, whose parents worked at the golf club in Mount Plymouth. She said there wasn't much for a teenager to do, but she fondly remembers swimming in Rock Springs on hot afternoons.

She was spotted by one of the visitors to the golf club, a photographer who thought she had a special look.

At first she modeled for print ads in Sears and Montgomery Ward catalogs.

Later she went upscale, appearing on the cover of Vogue, Mademoiselle and Harper's Bazaar.

But fashion models have short careers, and she decided to branch out and turn to acting. She got the acting bug after appearing in a New York musical, she said.

Walters started attending drama school with an eye on the movies and Hollywood.

She landed a contract with MGM studios, which wanted to see what potential the Southern charmer had on the big screen.

She got her first screen role as a victim in 1958's B-feature horror movie Monster on the Campus, which also featured Troy Donahue.

That was just the start. Soon she landed a minor role in a major production, the classic Bells Are Ringing with Judy Holliday and Dean Martin.

In 1961 she was featured as the love interest in her third film, The Green Helmet, an auto racing movie shot in England and starring Bill Travers.

The raw daily film shot for that movie was sent to producer Hal Wallis, who was casting for Presley's next movie. Virtually every young actress in Hollywood wanted to be in Presley's films.

Despite, or perhaps because of, her newness to the film industry, Walters was offered the role of Abigail Prentice in Blue Hawaii. She played a flirtatious schoolteacher in charge of four amorous schoolgirls that Elvis' character was to guide around the island.

Walters got to sing with the king of rock 'n' roll and even kiss him on screen: "It was just a little peck."

But it was the thrill of a lifetime.

"I was a huge fan. I had been for a long time," Walters said. "He was charming, very Southern. I think that's why we got along well."

She and Elvis had this classic exchange on film:

"Mr. Gates, [Elvis] do you think you can handle a schoolteacher and four teenage girls?"

"Oh, I'll certainly try, ma'am."

It was a plum role, and she was given fourth billing in the movie, which also starred Joan Blackman, Angela Lansbury, Roland Winter and Steve Brodie.

The movie featured Elvis at his hip-swinging best, scenic Hawaii, beautiful women and plenty of songs such as "Rock-A-Hula Baby," "Hawaiian Wedding Song," "Blue Hawaii" and the classic "Can't Help Falling in Love." It was, and remains, one of his most popular movies.

It was almost the end of the line for Walters, though.

She appeared as aguest star in several popular television programs including Get Smart, 77 Sunset Strip, The Jackie Gleason Show and Gunsmoke.

Then, in 1966, she played in her last film, as a nun alongside Debbie Reynolds, before tragedy struck.

"I had gotten married, and my husband was killed in Vietnam," Walters said. "Then I turned to religion."

She quietly returned to Central Florida, settling in Orlando, and joined an evangelical group while she learned to cope with her loss.

In the early 1990s she resurfaced at a scattering of Elvis conventions to sign autographs and talk to fans who wanted to know what happened to the young rising star they remember.

She stopped after remarrying and moving to Wyoming.

"Then three months ago, my husband died of cancer," Walters said. "We talked about it before; he wanted me to go on with my life.

"It's just time to move on."

So she was the host for an Elvis revue in Las Vegas a few weeks ago andbegan accepting appearances at conventions.

Now she has her eye on moving back to the West Coast and resuming her short-circuited acting career.

She said she has an agent andhopes to find opportunities to work in Hollywood again.

"Maybe I can get a part as someone's aunt," she said .

February 12, 2003

Interview With Priscilla Presley

Aired February 11, 2003 - 21:00 ET

LARRY KING, CNN HOST: Tonight: exclusive. Priscilla Presley. She married Elvis, the King, when she was 21. Together they had a child. Named her Lisa Marie. And then Priscilla went on to become a big start herself. Her life, her family, her career fascinate us all, but she never talks about them. Well, she's talking tonight. A rare, in-depth personal interview with Priscilla Presley, next, on LARRY KING LIVE. 
Click here Interview with Priscilla Presley 

February 11, 2003

FTD Label
    
    "NEW YEAR'S EVE"  Release March 3rd 2003
    "STUDIO B - Nashville Outtakes 1961-64" Release April 1st 2003 
      Full info

February 10, 2003

Personally, Lisa Marie

   Elvis' daughter's bluesy, introspective single, 'Lights Out,' is already on radio playlists in major markets,
   including in Los Angeles.

   By Robert Hilburn, Los Angeles Times - February 10 2003


What are the odds that the debut single by the daughter of the king of rock 'n' roll would be anything more than a fleeting novelty?

Fifty to one? Fifty thousand to one? Take that bet.

Lisa Marie Presley's first single, "Lights Out," is a powerful, hauntingly personal work.

Capitol Records is releasing "Lights Out" to radio stations today, and many of the nation's most powerful pop outlets, including KIIS-FM (102.7) in Los Angeles, have already added it to their playlists.

Presley's gutsy, blues-edged voice has a distinctive flair, and her lyrics on the song feature a memorable image about going through life under the weight of the Elvis Presley legacy:

Someone turned the lights out there in Memphis

That's where my family's buried and gone

Last time I was there I noticed a space left

Next to them in Memphis in the damn back lawn.

In the accompanying video, Presley, who shares her father's striking, pouty good looks, shows ample charisma and presence, and other key songs on her upcoming album also have a strong, introspective edge. That collection, titled "To Whom It May Concern," will be released April 8.

Lots of celebrity offspring have enjoyed pop success, including the sons or daughters of Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, John Lennon and Brian Wilson. But no offspring arrives with as much public curiosity surrounding her as Presley, as measured by the constant tabloid attention and her high-profile former marriages to Michael Jackson and Nicolas Cage.

Far from the anonymous pop that dominates radio these days, "Lights Out" and other songs on the album are hard-edged reflections on Presley's experiences and relationships -- and they didn't come easy. She has been exploring a music career for more than a decade and spent more than four years at Capitol working on this album before she felt comfortable with it.

"Most people want to be pop stars because they want attention, but I've already had plenty of attention," Presley, 35, said Friday by phone from Houston, where she was on a brief promotional tour of top radio stations. "I wanted the music to be real so that people would know who I am based on my artistry, not based on what they might have read about me."

Presley, who was 9 when her father died in 1977, began working in 1998 with writer-producer Glen Ballard, whose Java Records label was affiliated with Capitol. He's best known for his work with Alanis Morissette on the Grammy-winning "Jagged Little Pill," another pop-rock collection with a dark, personal tone. As he had with Morissette, Ballard helped Presley gain confidence as a writer and helped shape her vision in the studio.

Presley, who was raised by her mother, actress Priscilla Presley, wrote "Lights Out" with Ballard and songwriter Clif Magnes, but progress on the album was slow. The project was jump-started when Andy Slater took over as president of Capitol Records in 2001. He was intrigued by some of the songs, but he felt Presley's creative voice was lost in the arrangements and he helped her further shape her vision.

"I was impressed when I read the lyrics," said Slater, who had previously worked as record producer and manager with Jakob Dylan, Fiona Apple and Macy Gray. "I felt this was someone who was facing the real issues of her life, but I couldn't find the soul of the artist in the record."

Slater, who produced the "Lights Out" single, put Presley together with Eric Rosse, who produced Tori Amos' first two albums, to rework the record. Like Slater, Scooter Weintraub, who manages Presley, was also impressed by her seriousness. "What struck me about her right away is that she is very, very honest," he said. "There's no pretense whatsoever."

Dan Hubbert, senior vice president of promotion for Capitol Records, says mainstream pop radio stations have been so enthusiastic about the record that he predicts it'll be a top 10 single.

"The remarkable thing about the single is that normally you try to break a new record in small markets and then hope it gets so popular that big-market stations jump on it, but the big stations are going right on it -- and it's not because she's a celebrity. That's not enough to get airplay on these stations."

John Ivey, program director at KIIS, confirms that it takes more than the Presley name to make it onto the air in the competitive radio market.

"We wouldn't play it unless it was a good record," he said last week. "Lots of celebrities who have made records never made it onto the radio -- except maybe once as a novelty. This record has the stamp of a serious artist all over it."

Weintraub said the singer is already rehearsing with a band with an eye to doing live shows, but she is expected to start on a limited scale before any formal tour -- some club showcase appearances or maybe guest spots on radio station concert bills.

Presley was pleased Friday about the early radio response to the single, but she was more interested in talking about the music.

"This whole process was a great big ride for me," said Presley, who lives in Los Angeles. "On the album, I tried to address every facet of my life, everything that is important to me or outstanding in my life. The single is my take on one part of it -- a dark, ominous look at where I've come from. I don't think I was ready, emotionally or creatively, to do that until now." 

 ..... more about Lisa Marie 

February 10, 2003

Original Elvis disc 'stampers' for sale
   BBCNews - February 09, 2003

A chance find in a loft led to the discovery of two metal master discs used to press Elvis Presley's first recording for the legendary Sun Records and now worth thousands of pounds. 
In 1968, an R&B enthusiast from Scotland was poking around a Memphis record store, buying up 78s to bring home. 

But unsure of how he should keep them safe for the journey he asked an assistant at the store - attached to Sun Studios, where Elvis recorded - who had a suggestion. 

Two unmarked pairs of silver-plated "stampers" were lying around - devices used to actually press vinyl records. 

He gave the Scottish fan the master stampers to use as packaging. 

"So he wraps these 78s - one either side - with these silver-plated stampers. And then went home to England. He didn't even give them a second thought," said auctioneer Ted Owen. 

'Dope box' 

They turned out to be the original stampers for That's All Right (Mama) and Mystery Train, ostensibly the original recordings of each Elvis track, the grooves of which created ridged stampers which in turn cut wax 45s. 

The pair are now going up for sale at the Cooper Owen auction house in London and are expected to fetch between £20,000 and £30,000. 

The sale on 20 February also features Presley memorabilia including sheet music, autographs and a full-size wax work figure. 

Elvis "Masters" Auction

February 10, 2003

A Special Interview With Maurice Colgan from Ireland

Maurice Colgan contacted me about five years ago about an Elvis story, and we subsequently have become very good friends. Maurice has been involved with quite a few Elvis related projects which have previously appeared on "Elvis Presley From Poland" website. One in particular has been renewed and I have invited Maurice to answer some questions about it in the form of a special interview. Click here!   

February 09, 2003

Record Awards on Display 
   EPE - February 07, 2003









The gold and platinum awards for ELV1S 30 #1 HITS are now on display in The Racquetball Building at Graceland. They come from around the world and were presented by RCA at Graceland during the Elvis Presley Birthday celebration in January. 

February 08, 2003

Lisa Marie's singing, writing pretty good
   By Bill Ellis, The Commercial Appeal - February 8, 2003


So how is that Lisa Marie Presley record? Judging from a four-song advance, it's better than you might think. 

The album, "To Whom It May Concern," doesn't come out till April 8, though its label, Capitol Records, has fed media an EP sampler that features four tracks: S.O.B., The Road Between, lead single Lights Out and Nobody Noticed It, a song the fledgling singer premiered at last year's "Elvis - The Concert" event inside The Pyramid. 

It's easy to see why Presley, 35, waited so long to make her splash in the recording arena. She's at a disadvantage from note one: How do you carve a niche for yourself when your pop happens to be one Elvis Presley, the King of Rock and Roll? 

In all fairness Lisa Marie can't compete with Elvis. She isn't the vocalist, interpreter or ecumenical stylist her famous dad was (nobody is, for that matter). But to her credit, she doesn't try. 

People will still be tempted to juxtapose the two - and she did have the most awkward of debuts when she sang a video duet with her late father at the Mid-South Coliseum's "Elvis in Concert '97," a blase performance of Don't Cry Daddy that showed little promise. 

One can see Elvis fans being both the most forgiving - Lisa Marie is the King's only child after all - and the most critical - what would Elvis have said about the profanity in her lyrics? 

In the middle lies the truth. Lisa Marie is a solid singer with plenty of character in her husky voice, a cross somewhere between Sheryl Crow and Cher (though not as strong as either of those singers). And she has some good songs 

Dolled up in a VH1 rock-friendly manner, the material is contemporary with a roots rock edge not unlike Crow or Shelby Lynne. 

Two of the better tunes musically - S.O.B. and Lights Out - are those she co-wrote with producer/songwriter Glen Ballard, the Natchez, Miss., native behind Alanis Morissette's breakout success and the person who signed Lisa Marie in 1998 to his then Capitol-distributed label, Java Records. Ballard didn't produce any of the tracks on "To Whom It May Concern," now a Capitol release proper; that task went instead to Tori Amos studio pro Eric Rosse and Andrew Slater (Macy Gray, the Vines), who helmed the single Lights Out. 

Some have noted how Lights Out buries Presley's voice in the mix, implying that it was done perhaps to cover up her singing flaws. Bear in mind the arrangement and mix befit a rock song, not a pop tune where vocals are front and center. And for all her photo options with Pink and Avril Lavigne, Lisa Marie definitely is of a generation that prefers to rock. 

What grabs the ears most, however, are the lyrics, all penned by Presley with a frankness some may find surprising. On song after song, the performer dissects relationships with her dad, herself and men (and with three marriages under her belt, she should have enough life experience to keep the albums coming for some time). 

"This is me. This record is me. Every song is me," says Lisa Marie in a Capitol press release. 

S.O.B. is a dark, vilifying stab that lashes both outward and inward ("You said I wouldn't rot but worms are crawling on me/Well I'm just a [expletive] no matter what you say"), while The Road Between heads into even deeper dysfunctional territory. Both Lights Out and Nobody Noticed It address her father, the former with embittered feelings ("You were a million miles behind/And I was crying every time I'd leave you/Then I didn't want to see you"); the latter in more poignant terms ("You're still lovely/You were lovely then . . . Well, they tried to make you look broken/But not while I'm living"). It's a load off her chest, this album, one that's defiant, open and confident. 

The biggest question, of course, is, would this be getting attention without the big E's name attached? Maybe not. Being a chip off the old block is one thing. Being talented is another. Yet there's enough of the latter that Lisa Marie has nothing to be embarrassed about. The best songs here, in fact, suggest that she has a musical career ahead of her, if not a legendary one. 

Her Presley roots radiate from Lights Out    

Lisa Marie Presley Interview 
   STAR 94FM Atlanta - February 03, 2003

Lisa Marie Presley dropped by the studios of STAR 94, to chat with The Morning Show and visit with some of our lucky listeners. The only child of Elvis Presley and Priscilla Beaulieu Presley, Lisa Marie has always had music in her blood. Growing up as the daughter of the original "King of Rock and Roll", Lisa early on developed an understanding and appreciation for music of all types. That affinity continues today, as she prepares to release her self written debut album on Capitol Records. 

Lisa's life and upbringing have been unique to say the least. Born on February 1, 1968, Lisa split her childhood, living in Los Angeles with her mother and at Graceland with her father, after her parents divorced in 1973. Upon the universally mourned death of her iconic father, Lisa became sole heir of the legendary Graceland and its attendant activities. She currently serves as the Chairman of the board for "Elvis Presley Enterprises," which works to preserve the name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley. 

In 1997, at the tribute concert marking the 20th anniversary of Elvis' death, Lisa roused the crowd by presenting a duet video of herself singing, "Don't Cry Daddy" with her father. Lisa, while nurturing her budding music career, has also had some time to have some fun in the last few years. She appeared on the April 1996 cover of Vogue, in a much discussed shot highlighting her resemblance to her famous father. Lisa did a campaign for her friend, the late Gianni Versace ...as well as one for Gap Jeans. She's also appeared in many noted coffee table tomes - one for friend, talented makeup artist Kevyn Aucoin, where he transformed Lisa into Marilyn Monroe, as well as one for prestige jeweler Cartier of which she graced the cover. 

Lisa has two children, Danielle and Benjamin, with first husband, Danny Keough whom she divorced in 1994 after six years. 




You can hear an excerpt of Lisa Marie's interview with "The Morning Show" right here. (MP3 - 13 min. 06 sec.) 12MB

February 07, 2003

New Book from Elvis Unlimited Productions - "Pieces Of My Life - A Collection Of Rare And Unpublished
   Pictures Of The King"  



After the great success of our latest photo book "All Elvis" have we decided to do a follow up. The title of this one will be "Pieces Of My Life - A Collection Of Rare And Unpublished Pictures Of The King" As you can tell from the title does this book contain many rare and never before published photos of Elvis .... Click here for full info. and illustrations

Source : Henrik Knudsen - Elvis Unlimited

February 07, 2003

AIRDATE CONFIRMED: Priscilla's Presley's Appearance on Larry King Live 
   ------------------------------------------------------------------- EPE Updated: 2/7/2003 

Priscilla Presley was to have appeared as a guest on CNN's Larry King Live on Wednesday, February 5. King's show that night shifted to coverage of a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, so King taped his interview with Priscilla. It will air next week while King is on vacation and that week's airings of his shows are all pre-recorded rather than live. Airdate is Tuesday, February 11. Times are 6:00 PM/ET, 9:00 PM/ET and 12:00 Midnight/ET.

February 07, 2003

Elvis Fest to feature co-stars of the King
   By Sara ShecKler, Orlando Sentinel, FL - February 7, 2003

KISSIMMEE -- Elvis may have left the building, but he will be all over Kissimmee this weekend.

There'll be a whole lotta shakin' goin' on when the Elvis Presley Continentals Fan Club presents its 24th annual Elvis Fest.

This year's event will have a Hawaiian theme. It kicks off today at the Travelodge Hotel, 5711 W. U.S. Highway 192 in Kissimmee, with an awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and a Polynesian show at 8 p.m. with performer Rich Purnell, said Sue Manuszak, president of the club, which is based in Orlando.

"Rich will be performing songs Elvis made famous during his Hawaiian period," Manuszak said. Polynesian dancers will accompany Purnell. After the show, other Elvis entertainers will sing tunes. Tickets are $10.

The festivities continue Saturday at the Radisson Resort, 2900 Parkway Blvd. in Kissimmee, with a show at 8 p.m. David King will perform 14 songs from the Presley movie Blue Hawaii, including "Hawaiian Sunset," "I Can't Help Falling in Love" and the title tune.

Terry Mabe will perform tunes from the "Aloha Special," a concert Presley performed via satellite from Hawaii in the early 1970s.

"In that concert Elvis was wearing an American eagle jumpsuit that was very elaborate, and a cape he tossed into the audience," Manuszak said.

Mabe will wear a replica of the jumpsuit and cape and sing "I'll Remember You," "Hawaiian Wedding Song" and "My Way." Tickets are $20.

Need more Elvis? An Elvis memorabilia show will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday at the Travelodge. Even though the memorabilia won't include peanut butter and banana sandwiches, Manuszak said plenty of other items will be available.

Also, the show will feature a question-and-answer session by actors who appeared in Presley's movies and other people who were close to him during his life.

Guests will include Julie Parrish, who appeared with Elvis in Paradise, Hawaiian Style; Nancy Walters, who was born in Lake County and played Miss Prentice in Blue Hawaii; Dick Grob, Presley's chief of security when the star was touring; and Marian Cocke, his personal nurse.

Also scheduled to appear are Gordon Stoker, who performs with the Jordanaires; Myrna Smith, who toured with Presley as part of the Sweet Inspirations; and Steve Christopher, an Alabama disc jockey who has a program called Elvis on the Air.

There will also be a classic car show Sunday at the Travelodge.

Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for children 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6.

Part of the proceeds will benefit the Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando, a home for physically disabled children. Last year the club raised $15,000 for a different charity.

For information, call at Manuszak at 407-281-9818 or 407-851-0000, Ext. 279. 

February 06, 2003

Elvis Featured in New NBA "Love It Live" Commercial - DEBUTS TONIGHT! 
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPE 2/6/2003
 
EPE and BMG have collaborated with NBA Entertainment to feature Elvis in an NBA "Love It Live" commercial that will run all season. The clip of Elvis shows him in his 1968 TV special singing his #1 hit "All Shook Up". This continues the promotion of the hit album ELV1S 30 #1 HITS and contributes to "black Leather awareness" in this the 35th anniversary year of EP's 1968 TV special. Following is the press release issued today by NBA Entertainment:

THE KING OF ROCK IS BACK IN THE SPOTLIGHT IN NEW NBA LOVE IT LIVE COMMERCIAL


Elvis Presley’s got the NBA “All Shook Up” in Spot Set to Debut During NBA All-Star Game on TNT (8:00PM/ET)


New York, NY February 6, 2002 - The King of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley “shakes up” the NBA on February 9th in a new NBA Entertainment-produced television spot as part of the NBA’s “Love it Live” campaign. The spot, which features Presley performing his classic “All Shook Up,” will debut during the NBA All-Star Game to be televised on TNT (8:00 p.m./ET). 

The :30 spot, which will run throughout the NBA season, combines video images of Presley singing his 1957 #1 hit single “All Shook Up” from the famous 1968 Comeback Special, interspersed with NBA game action footage, NBA dancers, and highlights featuring the New Jersey Nets’ Jason Richardson, the Sacramento Kings’ Vlade Divac and Peja Stojakovic and the Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudamire grooving to Presley’s hit.

NBA Entertainment will also debut its latest Read to Achieve spot, highlighting the community events taking place during NBA All-Star 2003 in Atlanta, GA. 

February 06, 2003

They Said No Cameras at "Elvis-The Concert"? Don't Ever Believe Them!  
   ------------------------------------------------------------------------- EPE 2/5/2003

In response to inquiries we get every time our show goes out on tour:

Are cameras allowed at Elvis-The Concert? Yes. Flash? Yes. Audio and video devices are not allowed, but regular still cameras with flash are allowed at all our concerts. In fact, we encourage flash because it adds to our efforts to re-create the feeling of being at an Elvis concert when Elvis was alive. 

However, every time we tour we hear from fans who say that the staff at one venue or another has told them "no cameras" or that the tickets issued by the venue or their ticketing services say "No cameras." It's a mistake. Anytime you encounter this with Elvis-The Concert, it's a mistake. Don't ever believe it.

Our show's producer and his staff always make a special point of emphasizing to each venue's management that we DO want the fans to be allowed to bring still cameras with flash. But, usually one venue or another on a tour does not communicate this to their front line staff or to their ticketing services. This is why you get wrong information. They don't know that the "no cameras" policy for most concerts does not apply to Elvis concerts and Elvis fans.

Please do take your camera with you no matter what you are told. Often, we've had such problems making venues communicate properly that the camera thing doesn't get straightened out until show night when our own announcer tells the audience it's okay. Then, we have unhappy fans who left their cameras at home thinking the venue's "no cameras" statement was true. 

If, prior to your attendance of Elvis-The Concert, you receive such wrong information from a venue employee, please refer them to this article. If you encounter this on actual show night at the venue, you can whip out a copy of this article and you can also point out to them the statement always found in our souvenir concert program book inviting fans to use their cameras and encouraging the use of flash. 

February 05, 2003

Listen to Lisa Marie Presley's First Single 
   ------------------------------------- EPE 2/4/2003

On Lisa Marie Presley's official web site you can now listen to her first single Lights Out in its entirety. We are in the process of adding it to our online listening material here on Elvis.com. Lisa's debut album To Whom It May Concern is a Capitol Records release set for April 8. More news and special information will be found on Lisa's site and here on Elvis.com as we count down the weeks to the album's release. 

POSTPONED: Priscilla's Presley's Appearance on Larry King Live 
   ------------------------------------------------------------------ EPE 2/4/2003

Priscilla Presley was to have appeared as a guest on CNN's Larry King Live on Wednesday, February 5. King's show that night is shifting to coverage of a speech by U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell. King will now be taping his interview with Priscilla and it will air sometime next week while King is on vacation and that week's airings of his shows are all pre-recorded rather than live. We will post an airdate for Priscilla's interview as soon as it is confirmed.

Fans have asked us what the purpose of Priscilla's interview is. There is no particular project, occasion or agenda for the interview. King has extended several invitations to Priscilla over the years since her well-recieved previous appearance on his show. The subject matter is expected to be wide-ranging and what the content of the program ends up being will depend mostly upon what it is that King asks about and focuses on in the conversation. 

February 03, 2003

"A Weekend With The King"

An Anniversary Celebration In Palm Springs, California "Elvis Presley Country" May 8-11, 2003

Special Guest Star: Charlie Hodge, Sonny West, Al Dvorin, Ed Bonja and many more .... 

Sunday morning Gospel singing with Charlie Hodge and the Tribute Artists ....

Free celebration festivals with singing Elvis's ....

Please see web site at www.celebritysunglasses.com for the details!! 

Source : Dennis Roberts

      .<< Back to today's Elvis News !