Part 2
Maurice Colgan Interviews Elvis' cousin, Donna Presley Early
March 17, 2003

Maurice: Hello Donna. Thank you Donna for kindly agreeing to this little interview. I am sure the great many Elvis fans around the world who are regular visitors to Andrzej's excellent web-site are intrigued by your insights and will enjoy reading your responses. By the way congratulations on being featured in the current Finish Fan Club magazine - Finland is a long way from Memphis is it not?

Donna: Thank you Maurice, it is always a joy to speak to the fans about my family and a double pleasure to talk with you, Yes, Finland is a long way from Memphis but thanks to Elvis and the internet it has become a better and smaller world for us all.

Maurice: Previously we have spoken intimately of Elvis, his fans, and the impact he has had on the world but you have lived and witnessed the changes Elvis brought to Memphis, briefly what would you say was the most important ?

Donna: Well first and foremost it is my belief that it was Elvis who made Memphis an international vacation spot. Memphis is a lovely city and like Elvis I love it but when you mention Memphis in any city in the world, the next response is the home of Elvis Presley. Elvis has boosted the tourism here 1000%.

Maurice: Yes, I feel many will concur with that. Do you foresee the city of Memphis, as it developes further, taking a greater interest in Elvis fans and their needs, I have in mind a regular tour bus for those of us on a tight budget?

Donna: I think that is any excellent idea about the regular tour bus for Memphis but also remember we will have regular tour buses to and from the Circle G resort to any and all Elvis related spots in Memphis and surrounding areas. You will be able to stay at the Gircle G, play at the Circle G and still maintain the closeness to Memphis.

Maurice: Memphis University informed us they do not issue Posthumous Honorary Degrees, yet I feel Elvis deserves such a Degree for his undoubted contribution to popular music. Perhaps a plaque or memorial at the fabulous New Concert Hall?

Donna: What a marvelous idea to have a plaque or memorial for Elvis at the New Concert Hall. I think all of us shoukl forward that thought onto the Mayor of Memphis, Willie Harenton.

Maurice: By now, I guess you can see by this line of questioning, I am seeking more Official recognition of Elvis - is there something special Donna Presley would like Elvis fans to pursue?

Donna: Well we can start with the New Concert Hall and expand from there. EPE has such a tight hold on the name, likeness and inage especially in the Memphis area we may run into some difficulties. I know that we an always depend on you and all the other Elvis fans to continue to keep his memory alive in a positive and loving way.

Maurice: Your book, "Elvis -Precious Memories", has brought you to the attention of the Elvis fans everywhere, we know it has been widely featured on the world's media and is now treasured by many-yours truly included. Will there be a sequel?

Donna: We are presently working on releasing the revised edition of Elvis, Precious Memories that was to be released on the 25th anniversary but due to publication difficulties that was not possible. However, if I learned only one thing from Elvis and my family, never give up!

Maurice: Having witnessed the changes in mass communication and the growing number of Elvis related Web-sites it seems to me Elvis fans are on a roll. Already Donna you have been mentioned as an Ambassador for Elvis, soon, I foresee, the Title may be unavoidable:-) Would you accept the title, as I firmly believe you should?

Donna: Well thank you Maurice for that vote of confidence.The Presley name endows the holder of that name with privlege and prestige but along with that is also a huge responsibility to carry on that name and legacy with the same integrity, elegance and class that Elvis and my family before me did and to embrace the one you must embrace the other. It is my desire to be an ambassador for my Lord and my family so I would accept that honor with great love and great pleasure.

Maurice: Sometimes people think some of my Campaigns are unrealistic. Me too! But they do generate Publicity even if they fail, and when they succeed we find ourselves with a new statue of Elvis in Tupelo. I think you will agree publicity is a tool we can all use. Like your book demonstrated so well, a new approach can work wonders. The Presley name opens doors. That is why we have been fortunate to have made your acquaintance. Have you Donna, ideas you would like Elvis fans to embrace?

Donna: I would love for the fans to continue their love and memory of Elvis. To continue to honor his name and his legacy with the gift of love for one another and the idea that we are all put here to help our fellow man. What greater tribute could we possibly give him.

Maurice: Donna, Exploitation is not always a bad word. With Lisa Marie Presley currently on a media tour we too can "exploit" the Presley name by requesting Elvis:-) Have you a view on Lisa you would like to share?

Donna: I know that Lisa has suffered great sorrow in her life and has been burdened by her own problems and I pray for her daily that God will guide her. She is a beautiful young woman with a lot of talent and I wish her well in her endeavors. However, it is my wish that she would do much more to stand up for her father in a positive and loving manner. I know she loves her dad but I feel she could be such a blessing to the Elvis world if she would put herself out there on a regular basis for her father's legacy and that she would reflect the same values that Elvis stood for.

Maurice: I would like you to know because of our friendship with yourself and Buddy, the media and even total strangers contact us by telephone, e-mail, and letters. It proves the worth of message boards, it was on one we first came into contact. Have you any thoughts on the worth of the better regulated boards?

Donna: I am thrilled to go the the message boards that are well regulated and kept positive. Elvis gave so much to all of us and I always want to see that love continued in the proper way. Elvis dearly loved his family and his fans and I just want to keep giving that circle of love.

Maurice: New and younger generations of Elvis fans are coming online every day, which is very heartening indeed, your beautiful granddaughter may one day be exchanging e-mail with our little gang of six, and maybe Andrzej's too?

Donna: Let me tell you, we are already grooming our precious Nash to continue the Presley legacy so get ready to see more of her in the future.

Maurice: Well before I tire us both out Donna, I will close with this important message and last question. We wish you all the best luck in the world in your upcoming ventures. So far you have enriched our special Elvis World, which brings so much pleasure to millions of lives because Elvis had a beautiful voice, a very generous nature, and an all too human a lifestyle with all its faults, but the humanity of the man will never be forgotten. Now you have taken up the Baton, so to speak, may you carry it with pride. Will you consider a trip to Ireland one day, when the time is ripe? Maureen and I would love show you our beautiful countryside, and line-up the media! 

Donna: Thank you so much for your continued love and support of Elvis, me and the entire Presley family. You are special people and hold a special place in our hearts. It would be my pleasure to come to Ireland, let's work toward that. Give Maureen and Andrzej a hug from us. .... Love and Prayers