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Why the lyrics to Hound Dog were changed.

Hound Dog" is a twelve-bar blues written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and originally recorded by Willa Mae "Big Mama" Thornton in 1952. Other early versions illustrate the differences among blues, country, and rock and roll in the mid 1950s. The 1956 remake by Elvis Presley is the best known version. This is the version that is #19 on Rolling Stone's list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. "Hound Dog" was also recorded by 5 country singers in 1953 alone, and over 26 times through 1964.

Thornton gave this account of how the original was created to Ralph Gleason. “They were just a couple of kids, and they had this song written on the back of a paper bag.” She added a few interjections of her own, played around with the rhythm (some of the choruses have thirteen rather than twelve bars), and had the band bark and howl like hound dogs at the end of the song.

In fact, she interacts constantly in a call and response fashion during a one minute long guitar "solo" by Pete Lewis . Her vocals include lines such as: "Aw, listen to that ole hound dog howl.. OOOOoooow", "Now wag your tail", Aw, get it, get it, get it". Thornton's version is a slow, powerful, country blues.

Record producer Bernie Lowe suspected that "Hound Dog" could potentially have greater appeal, and asked Freddie Bell of Freddie Bell and the Bellboys to rewrite the lyrics to appeal to a broader radio audience. "Snoopin' round my door" was replaced with "cryin' all the time", and "You can wag your tail, but I ain't gonna feed you no more" was replaced by "You ain't never caught a rabbit, and you ain't no friend of mine."

This new version of "Hound Dog" was recorded on Lowe's Teen Records in 1955 ((TEEN 101 with "Move Me Baby" on the flip side, two of four songs the group did with Lowe that year). The regional popularity of this release, along with the group's showmanship, yielded both a tour, and an engagement in the Las Vegas Sands Hotel's Silver Queen Bar.

The governor of Antwerp, Camille Paulus, retires today. The governor, appointed by the Belgian government and the Belgian King, was the highest official in the Province of Antwerp for the last 17 years.

Mr. Paulus has never hidden his sympathy for Elvis and ElvisMatters, proof of which is this picture - taken at the governor's office in Antwerp with John Wilkinson 5 years ago.

John was greeted as an honorary guest and received a deluxe picture album of Antwerp as a souvenir of his visit. We'd like to thank governor Paulus for all his dedicated work, his support and friendshop, and we wish him all the best for his future endeavors.

Sony BMG Australia will release the five CD set 'Original Album Classics' in July.

The set will contain the following albums; Elvis Presley, Elvis, Loving You, Elvis Is Back and G.I. Blues.

The 2007 Paramount DVD re-issues of "Fun In Acapulco", "G.I. Blues", "Girls! Girls! Girls!", "Roustabout", "King Creole", "Paradise Hawaiian Style", "Easy Come Easy Go" and "Blue Hawaii" will be re-ssued again June 20, 2008 in Japan.

2008/04/29 www.biwa.ne.jp - www.elvisnews.com / www.epgold.com

EIN received the following message from Marty Lacker after yesterday's story about Radford Ellis' claim Vernon Presley offered him a job as Elvis' double:

"Although my memory is still very good, just to be sure and fair I checkerd with Billy,Sonny and Lamar and NONE of us remember anyone by the name of Radford Ellis. Seems like, although he's a bit harmless in his story, Ellis is another bullshitter like Billy Miller.

At least one of the four of us was with Elvis every day during the period Ellis states and he was not a friend of Elvis.

These people come up with their stories because Elvis and in this case Vernon too, is gone but they forget one big thing, we are still here. These people don't understand that we know just about everything Elvis did and who he did it with and who was around. In many instances we knew more than his father, Priscilla and certainly Lisa Marie.

I don't say that to make ourselves important. Fame and a $1.25 will get you on the bus. It doesn't mean anything to us. All we do is state fact and we tell it like it is for a number of reasons. One being that Elvis is too important of a historical icon for false information to be put out there.

First of all, that's the way it should be with anyone. It's a dis-service to Elvis just as it is a dis-service to the millions of worldwide fans. They often complain that they don't know who or what to believe about Elvis,us and all those years and that's one reason we have been sticlers for the truth.

There are a number of things in that story sent in by EP Gold that Ellis stated that are so unlike Elvis to do and I will leave that alone for now.

We just thought your readers should know the truth."

Note EpGold:

This Story was from the source as mentioned in the original story by EpGold dated April 26,2008:

Cannock’s most well-known Elvis Presley fan has died after suffering a massive heart attack in hospital.

Charity campaigner Eunice Fitch was known across the region for her love of the King and her house in Danby Drive, Prospect Village, had become a shrine to the star over the years.

It was dubbed Graceland after his Memphis mansion and her extensive collection of memorabilia included statues, neon lights above her door, a gold bust of him on a plinth in the garden and a stained glass window of him.

Mrs Fitch, aged 65, a mother-of-four, had suffered from poor health over recent years and underwent a bowel operation three weeks ago from which she was recovering in hospital.

Her son Paul, aged 34, and of Cannock, today said doctors had warned the family there was a 60 per cent chance she would not pull through although she had appeared to be making good progress.

He said: “She was getting better but suffered a mild heart attack on Wednesday and then she had a massive heart attack on Friday.”

Funeral arrangements were due to be made by the family today.

She was known across the region for having an annual display of extravagant Christmas lights in aid of Cancer Research and crowds braved the cold each year to see them switched on.

Last year’s event was televised on BBC1’s The One Show and the lights included Elvis with Vegas lights, a star of Elvis and a 4ft angel looking down on him.

She also organised several fundraising concerts at Cannock’s Prince of Wales Centre.

Richard Kay, manager at the Prince of Wales Centre in Cannock, said: “We knew Eunice for a good number of years. She was a real stalwart of the community and will be very sadly missed.”

High Spirit In Vegas & Getting Down To Business.

For the first time these two concerts will be available under their original titles, but not on CD-R and at the correct speed.

High Spirit In Vegas and Getting Down To Business were recorded from the audience but quality was above average for this type of material.

Both should be released soon on the Vegas Strip label.

1- Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:02 ; 2- C.C. Rider 3:21 ; 3- I Got A Woman / Amen 4:26 ; 4- Love Me 1:40 ; 5- Steamroller Blues 2:48 ; 6- You Gave Me A Mountain 3:11 ; 7- Trouble 2:02 ; 8- Rock Medley : Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Don't Dance/Flip Flop And Fly/Hound Dog 2:37 ; 9- Love Me Tender 1:32 ; 10- Fever 2:37 ; 11- Bridge Over Troubled Water ( with reprise ) 5:24 ; 12- Suspicious Minds 4:05 ; 13- Introductions of the band and celebrities : Hugh O' Brian, Marty Allen and Vernon Presley 3:45 ; 14- My Boy 3:24 ; 15- I Can't Stop Loving You 2:18 ; 16- An American Trilogy 4:25 ; 17- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face 3:16 ; 18- Mystery Train / Tiger Man 3:12 ; 19- How Great Thou Art 3:38 ; 20- A Big Hunk O' Love 2:08 ; 21- Release Me 2:12 ; 22- What Now My Love 3:08 ; 23- Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp 1:58

1- Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:09 ; 2- C.C. Rider 3:21 ; 3- I Got A Woman / Amen 4:20 ; 4- Love Me 1:32 ; 5- Steamroller Blues 2:46 ; 6- You Gave Me A Mountain 3:09 ; 7- Trouble 2:04 ; 8- Rock Medley : Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin' On/Mama Don’t Dance/Flip Flop And Fly/Hound Dog 2:35 ; 9- Love Me Tender 1:40 ; 10- Fever 3:31 ; 11- Bridge Over Troubled Water 3:57 ; 12- Suspicious Minds 3:52 ; 13- Introductions of band and celebrity : Charlton Heston 2:41 ; 14- My Boy 3:19 ; 15- I Can't Stop Loving You 2:15 ; 16- An American Trilogy 4:01 ; 17- A Big Hunk O' Love 2:30 ; 18- The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face ( beginning only ) 0:58 ; 19- How Great Thou Art ( reprise only ) 1:32 ; 20- Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing vamp 2:01

22008/04/28 E-Mail / www.epgold.com

Songs by artists on the Sony/BMG label, including those by the likes of Mark Ronson and Leona Lewis, are available on a free music website.

Users on the We7 website can listen to music free while they are online, with ten-second advertisements played between songs. They must still pay to download songs.

Steve Purdham of We7 told BBC Newsbeat: "You can pay for a track with money, but most people don't like to do it these days. So the deal we are giving is free music in return for some of your time."

The website currently has a catalogue of around 250,000 songs. As well as the new additions from Sony/BMG, songs by artists including Elvis Presley and Michael Jackson are available.

2008/04/28 Brian Quinn - www.nme.com / www.epgold.com

(REELTRAX 47-9600-2 – 2nd Edition)

Out NOW is the 2nd edition of the first cd from the new „REELTRAX“–label titled „You´ll Never Walk Alone“. While the content of the cd stays the same as the first edition, this new edition features a different portrait of Elvis on the frontcover.

About five years ago the legendary „2001“ label released it´s series „How Great Thou Art Sessions Vol. 1 – 3“ and the content was absolutely fascinating – especially for those who just love to hear how Elvis was working in the studio on „his“ gospel music. Still the three cds suffered quite a bit from rather bad sound.

REELTRAX is now able to present a great variety of HGTA-Outtakes on it´s „You´ll Never Walk Alone“-release in absolutely breathtaking sound – MUCH better than you have heard it before.

And if this would not be enough reason to get the cd while you can: Did you ever hear a complete and uncut 12:32 minutes of the first six takes of the title „You´ll Never Walk Alone“? If not, it is now the chance for it! Needless to say that the sound quality on this real treasure is just perfect! The same goes for the unreleased Take 1 of „We Call On Him“.

„You´ll Never Walk Alone“ contains a 16 page-booklet with all necessary information regarding Elvis´ love for gospel music. Have a look at the enclosed pictures to get an overview how it looks like.

We hope you like our first release on REELTRAX!

PS: By the way, there will be a brandnew cd- release by REELTRAX coming in June 2008!

Courtesy of Danny Holiday. Danny Holiday, a retired radio disc jockey who lives near Stanwood, sent this photo of Elvis Presley with Vancouver, B.C., disc jockey Red Robinson. “It was taken in Vancouver, B.C., during the Elvis performance on Aug. 31, 1957, said Holiday, who describes Robinson as his mentor. Holiday said the Vancouver show lasted just 20 minutes because the crowd rushed the stage, and that Robinson still has the teddy bear “wrapped in plastic."

In the wonderful world of Elvis Presley fandom, there's always more.

Unflagging interest in all things Elvis means that even 30 years after Presley's death, there are more stories to hear and more images to see. In that sense, the King is definitely not dead.

Two weeks ago, after reading an Associated Press story about newly discovered 1972 Presley concert photos, I shared a picture I have. It shows Presley in the 1950s, when he apparently visited the Dallas radio station KLIF. My late father-in-law David Muhlstein, a radio news director there, is standing right next to Elvis.

Seeing that was all it took to coax a few Herald readers into sharing their personal Presley pictures. I also heard from far-flung Elvis fanatics, who sent theories about my photo. A Danish gentleman, Brian Petersen, is such an Elvis aficionado he believes he can precisely pinpoint the date of my picture -- Aug. 10, 1956. Another e-mail directed me to a message board where Elvis fans guessed at the timing of my photo based on Presley's sideburns.

My goal was to find other candid shots.

Diane Woodall's snapshot may be the fuzziest of the bunch, but the Everett woman has a good story to go with it. Her mother, Arlene Dinsmore, worked at the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. She was there while Presley was filming "It Happened at the World's Fair."

Along with the picture her mother took -- Presley flanked by police officers -- Woodall sent a statement her mom wrote about the scene.

Dinsmore wrote that during the time Presley was at the fair, "September Fourth to the 17th, 1962," he was walking to the Seattle Monorail one day with two police officers. "I rushed up to him and grabbed his arm and told him I had two daughters who would like his autograph. He very kindly signed two World's Fair postcards for me," she wrote.

In 1999, Woodall's mother went so far as to have her statement, with the Presley picture attached, signed and stamped by a notary public.

The story behind it may be a riddle, but the photo Mark Hibbert sent looks to be a sharp-looking Elvis posed with a hotel maid -- to me, that maid looks pretty nervous. Hibbert of Marysville said the picture was taken by his late grandmother, Wynn Barry, who was a beautician at Seattle's posh Olympic Hotel.

Describing Barry as quite a character, Hibbert said she lived an elegant life in San Francisco before divorcing and moving here. At the Olympic, she once styled the hair of opera star Maria Callas, among other famous clients. During the Seattle filming of "Cinderella Liberty," Hibbert said, his grandmother landed his brother, Scott, a role as an extra in the 1973 James Caan movie.

About the Presley photo, though, Hibbert is short on details. Searching the Internet, where Elvis Web sites trace an almost day-by-day history of Presley's life, I could find no mention of him being in Seattle in 1966 -- the year marked on the photo's border. Along with his 1962 World's Fair visit, Presley sang at the old Sicks Stadium and in Tacoma on Sept. 1, 1957. HistoryLink.org, an online encyclopedia of Washington state, puts Presley in Vancouver, B.C., and in Spokane on Aug. 31, 1957.

Perhaps Elvis made an unreported Seattle visit, or Hibbert's grandmother photographed him on her travels elsewhere. "If my grandmother saw Elvis, she would have pinned him down," said Hibbert, who runs a Marysville music studio, Whiskey Ridge Recording.

In the mid-1960s, Hibbert played bass guitar in a successful local band, Axis Drive. The band was a regular at Seattle's Warehouse Tavern, and once backed up Bobby Sherman. It was hardly Elvis fever, but Hibbert recalls girls throwing jelly beans at the band.

Retired KJR disc jockey Danny Holiday, who lives near Stanwood, sent me a picture of Presley taken with Holiday's mentor and close friend, Red Robinson.

Taken at Vancouver's Empire Stadium on Aug. 31, 1957, the day before Presley played Seattle, it shows a 22-year-old Elvis with Robinson, then 20. Robinson, who emceed the Vancouver concert and is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is still heard on Vancouver's CLEAR-FM, 104.9, every Saturday night.

A half-century ago, Holiday said he went with his parents to Vancouver to see Elvis. "The Vancouver show only lasted 20 minutes because the crowd rushed the stage," Holiday said.

In the summer of '57, Presley's "Teddy Bear" had been a No. 1 hit. With the smoldering look of a star at his peak, Presley posed with the fresh-faced Robinson while holding a cute prop, a plush toy bear.

"Red still has the bear wrapped in plastic," Holiday said.

Regency Superior has announced a new Elvis related auction for May 3rd. Among the 20+ items are signed Sun-records, promotional 78 rpms, contracts, signatures, pictures and even a 2 piece buff-colored leather suit, custom made for Elvis by the famous North Beach Leather Company (bearing its label).

The jacket, the highlight of the Elvis items, is hand-stitched, 5-button, with 2-button cuffs. The pants, also hand-stitched, feature a football-style fly, and slightly bell-bottomed. The suit appears moderately worn with some sweat stains. Even Elvis, apparently, appreciated a casual Friday in Las Vegas.

This leather suit was one of his favorites and sometime around 1974 had similar ones made for the stage. It is very similar to his 'Mermaid' and 'Rainfall' suits.

The suit was a gift from Vernon Presley to Jim Curtin. (Letter of authenticity from Jim Curtin included).

BMG / Sony of Chile released a promotional CD commemorating the 30 anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley.

This promotional disc was originally due for release August 2007 but just recently arrived at radio stations in Chile. The CD is a replica of a 1956 vinyl 10-inch release from RCA Chile.

The original is considered the most rare and important vinyl release made in South America.

2008/04/27 www.elvispresley.cl - Various / www.epgold.com

After the death of Bill Burk, many fans wondered what would happen with his magazine, 'Elvis World'? Bill's wife Connie has now commented to that: "It just won't be the same without him", she writes in an email - making this February 2008 issue the last one since 1986, when the first EW-magazine came out.

Proof again that all things come to an end, ufortunately.

Columnist wrote books on Presley, published magazine.

Bill E. Burk was a newspaperman with a front row seat for the life and career of Elvis Presley who later kept the King alive in books and a magazine.

Mr. Burk, 75, died Thursday following a heart attack.

During the last 20 years of Presley's life, Mr. Burk, a columnist for the Memphis Press-Scimitar until it closed in 1983, wrote roughly 400 stories and columns about the King's life.

And over the last 20 years he published 13 Elvis books and the quarterly Elvis World magazine.

The latest issue of the magazine was published in February and Mr. Burk's wife, Connie, said it would likely be the last.

"He's such a gifted writer it wouldn't be the same without him," she said.

Mr. Burk lived one minute from Graceland and at times visited the entertainer there. Every so often Presley would return the gesture with a visit to Mr. Burk's home.

Mr. Burk, a native Memphian who was also a international pilot and standout athlete in three sports, uncovered plenty of Elvis photos and stories, particularly from his early days.

"The Elvis I have come to know in talking to scores of his friends, classmates, teachers and neighbors since 1985 have greatly deepened my knowledge of Elvis and today I find I admire the man much more than I did during those 20 years we were neighbors," Mr. Burk said in a recent column on the Elvis Information Network.

Mr. Burk, nicknamed "007" because of the way he signed his last name, said he always enjoyed the thrill of the investigation, unearthing those personal moments with greatness that so many Memphians shared.

"He enjoyed the hunt," said Mrs. Burk.

Mr. Burk was given the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau Tourism Award in 1980. He was the first journalist to win the award that honors supporters of the tourism industry in Memphis.

He was also twice named United Press International Columnist of the Year in Tennessee.

"He was a great friend to Elvis fans and a respected journalist who covered Elvis for a number of years," said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises.

Burk is also survived by two sons, Gary and Randy, and his daughter, Jennifer.

Services will be at 1 p.m. Monday at Memphis Funeral Home Poplar Avenue, with burial later in the week at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

The family asks that any memorials be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, stjude.org .

Radford Ellis is a singer and performer who was born and raised in Memphis, TN. He has won many local and regional talent contests; his first at age 5.

Radford first met Elvis around 1966 at Graceland while helping his older brother repair a pinball machine. Before this meeting, he was just an average Elvis fan, but afterwards, Elvis musically influenced Radford.

During the early 70's Radford fronted a band called Radford Ellis and the McCarver Sisters. It was during this time that he began his tribute to Elvis. The band regularly played at Liberty Land Amusement Park in Memphis, TN, a launching ground for other Elvis Tribute Artists.

In 1972 during a 2am conversation with Harold Lloyd, Elvis' first cousin, at the Graceland guard house, the phone rang. It was Elvis. Radford was then invited to come to the house and show off his customized motorcycle. After looking at the bike, Elvis asked if he could take it for a ride. A few minutes later Elvis returned and a friendship began that lasted until Elvis' untimely death in 1977.

Radford saw Elvis perform live 3 times and was personally invited to many parties and get togethers at Graceland and the Memphian Theatre, many of which included Christmas and New Year's Eve parties. Elvis gave Radford a rawhide fringe jacket and a TCB necklace that he removed from around his own neck. These things are still in his posession to this day.

It was at one of the many parties at Graceland that Radford performed Elvis for Elvis. It was at this time that Vernon Presley offered him a job as Elvis' double. Radford was to be a decoy for Elvis after concerts. The job would have included leaving the arena dressed as Elvis, getting into a limo and driving to the airport and/or the hotel to divert an onslaught of fans while Elvis safely left the building. Due to a conflict with his 1st wife, Radford turned down the job.

In 1973 or 1974 while Elvis returned from riding a big black horse named "Sombitch" (a name recieved after throwing Elvis), he gave Radford the nickname "Chief," a nickname he still uses to this day.

After Elvis' death in '77, Radford stopped doing his tribute to Elvis out of respect for his friend and to persue his own musical career. Radford fronted many bands in the late 70's and 80's including The Diamond Steel Band which achieved much success in the southeast region of the US.

He also worked with producer, Fred Morris in Nashville, on a solo career. While performing for audiences throughout the country Radford has often been asked to perform Elvis songs. He reminded so many people of Elvis that requests started pouring in for him to perform an Elvis tribute. So after much thought and consideration, Radford Ellis put together "Thanks For The Memories" as a tribute to Elvis' fans and a personal message to an old friend.

Even though Elvis has long since "left the building," Radford will hold these memories and the private conversations with Elvis very deep in his heart and soul. So when you see a Radford Ellis show, you are not watching the usual impersonator or tribute artist, you are watching a friend say "Thanks For The Memories."

The famous American celebrity photographer Ron Galella, known for his 'historic' pictures of Marlon Brando (Ron Galello lost 5 teeth at his first encounter with the actor), Liz Taylor, Robert Redford, Jackie O and Bruce Springsteen, has published his 'Best Off' in 'GUP Magazine' (Guide to Unique Photography).

Galella, one of the firs paparazzi in Hollywood, also managed to snap Elvis in 1975. This picture is the highlight of Ron's "Best Off", and is simply titled 'The King'.

Due for release from SONY / BMG on July 16, 2008 is the five CD budget set "Original Album Classics".

OPEN: Saturday & Sunday April 26 & 27, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.

E-Mail: elvisinternational@casema.nl

The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240

2008/04/26 ElvisInternational / www.epgold.com

Bob Cantwell, director of the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, has announced his retirement, ending a 44-year law enforcement career that brought him into close contact with two of the most famous figures of the 20th century.

Cantwell, who has been CBI director since July 1, 1999, was working for the Denver Police Department in 1976 when he befriended Elvis Presley on a moonlighting job and was given a Cadillac by the singer.

He was one of three officers the singer gave a luxury car.

Cantwell was still with Denver when he was assigned to a security detail for Nobel Peace Prize winner Mother Teresa in Estes Park in the late 1980s.

Cantwell worked with the Colorado Department of Corrections before he was named to the CBI post.

He expects to leave the CBI in late May or early June.

"I've grown up with law enforcement," he said this week. "I love it. I just love helping people."

Cantwell, who's turning 65, isn't sure what he will do when he retires.

He's had some job offers, he said, and he's thought about working cold cases or finding a ghost writer to help him write a book about his career.

But he's not worried about what he will do next.

"When God shuts one door, he opens another," said the graduate of Metropolitan State College and the FBI National Academy.

Cantwell's successor will be selected through a competitive process. Peter Weir, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Safety, will make the final selection.

The job pays $11,073 to $11,859 a month.

CD: Elvis 30 #1 Hits is #1 on the Top Country Catalog Charts for the 4rd week in 2008.

At the same time the album is number 14 on the Top Pop Catalog charts (last week number 12) and on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums list, #130 (last week # 122).

None Elvis dvd's did chart this week.

New information is being made available courtesy of Egil Krogh regarding the relationship between Richard Nixon and Elvis Presley. It was a most remarkable scene, if you can image it, when the King of Rock and Roll walked into the office of the straight-laced President. In fact, the images from that meeting are now legendary. To be a fly on the wall……

Of all the requests made each year to the National Archives for reproductions of photographs and documents, one item has been requested more than any other. That item, more requested than the Bill of Rights or even the Constitution of the United States, is the photograph of Elvis Presley and Richard M. Nixon shaking hands on the occasion of Presley’s visit to the White House.

And now new information that keeps the story growing more interesting.

Friendship apparently meant more to Elvis Presley than politics. Egil “Bud” Krogh, the presidential aide who was convicted of running Richard Nixon’s “plumber” unit and who also guided Elvis around the White House on Dec. 21, 1970, reveals that the King and the former president kept in touch even after Watergate forced Nixon from office.

Krogh, who is updating his The Day Elvis Met Nixon with the new revelation, says Elvis phoned Nixon in 1974 when the ex-prez was suffering from life-threatening phlebitis. “Something obviously happened when they met,” says Krogh, whose latest book, Integrity, is a primer on how to ethically serve a president. “They liked each other very much.” And Nixon returned the favor when Elvis fell ill. “Nixon was a defender of Elvis,” Krogh tells us.

It is with such great and abiding sadness that I am telling you that Bill passed away peacefully today at Baptist Hospital at 10:10 am, surrounded by his 3 children -- Gary, Jennifer, Randy -- and me. (10:10am on Thursday 24th April Memphis Time)

He had irreversable brain damage from cardiac arrest suffered Monday afternoon, and it was his living will that he not be kept alive artificially in a situation like that.

It is terribly painful for those of us left behind, who will miss him so dearly, but Bill is now in a much better place.

Services will be at Memphis Funeral Home, Poplar Avenue. Visitation on Sunday, April 27, 3-6 pm. Service Monday, April 28, 1 pm. Burial at West Tennessee Veterans Cemetery at a later date next week.

We ask that any memorials be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org, in Bill's name.

Thank you for all your prayers and support throughout Bill's illness. We both truly appreciated it!

Connie

Elvis and Graceland are featured in this month's Tennessee Treasures magazine. (Issue 4) The magazine's article features photos by Elvis Australia's Scott Jenkins

Tennessee Treasures Magazine is distributed to advertisers who have locations for visitors, by subscription, Welcome Center's, bookstores - Barnes & Noble, David Kidd, Borders in Memphis, Bookstar in Memphis, and Books-A-Million throughout the state. They also go to Senators and Representatives of the state.

2008/04/25 www.elvis.com.au - Various / www.epgold.com

Daniel Lombardy and Joe Esposito have recently released an audio recording
revealing the truth about the Elvis UK visit in 1958 with Tommy Steele.

Listen to the audio recording here: http://www.tcbjoe.com/TruthaboutUKvisit.mp3

Another snippet of news regarding Elvis' supposed trip to London in 1958 has suggested that he flew into the American Airbase at RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk.

By doing this Elvis could avoid the paparazzi at the major airports and gad off to London with his new-found chum.

An RAF Mildenhall spokesman could not confirm these new details adding that 'I cannot speculate whether he came because it is not in our records.' However, with clearance from superiors, a record of this landing may not have been made.
It gets more like a James Bond movie every day!

Tommy Steele is still refusing to give any more details on the meeting, except to say he was sworn to secrecy by Elvis and he honors that agreement.

But would Elvis?

His entourage always maintain that Elvis was terrible at keeping a secret.
'If you didn't want everyone to know your private business,' they often quote. 'You certainly never told Elvis.'

Everyone is talking about Elvis’ secret visit to London in 1958? Is it true?
Did the King really meet up with Tommy Steele or, as the UK Rockers hit suggests, is this Little White Bull?

The press and media are hotly covering the story as fans debate this new enigma, while spokespeople from Prestwick Airport are insisting they see photographic evidence before they hand back their title as the only place in the UK that Elvis ever visited.

This morning I was interviewed on BBC Breakfast for the story, along with Elvis tribute artist Ian Coulson, none of us were convinced by the tale, but like all Elvis fans, deep down we really would love this to be true.

As much as I love to remain optimistic, you have to be cynical when you hear that Bill Kenwright, who revealed this story on Radio 2, also happens to be managing Tommy Steele.

So come’ on Tommy… it’s time to tell all!

According to the story, Elvis flew over for a one-day sightseeing trip in 1958, when he was stationed in Germany. However, Elvis did not arrive in Germany until October that year and was put straight into winter manoeuvres.

He did make a trip to see Bill Haley and the Comets in Frankfurt and later again in Stuttgart. He visited Paris twice, once in 1959 and again in 1960 and his only other break was a hospital trip in Frankfurt for tonsillitis…. Or was he really in hospital?

Another point is that Elvis travelled everywhere with his entourage. He even took his Dad and Nan to Germany with him!

When we were in Germany a few weeks ago, we visited a lake in Gedern, where Elvis had stayed for a while in a hotel on the grounds. The owners were convinced that this was all a secret and no one knew of Elvis’ hideaway, but then we came home and found a page full of pictures in that fantastic book A Date With Elvis. Nothing in Elvis' life remains a secret.

Also in this book is a snapshot of Elvis in disguise. Head to toe in Arabian gear he looks like…. Well, just like Elvis Presley in an Arabian costume. There is no fooling anyone.

In the ‘70s when Elvis was in the midst of his adventures as a wannabe policeman, he travelled in disguise with the Memphis police on their night patrols - wearing a bright orange oversized ski mask!

‘You have the right to remain silent…’ he was famous for saying
‘And all that other S***.’

Somehow, I think he would have been easily spotted in London.

Julie Yeardye

2008/04/24 www.elvis.co.uk / www.epgold.com

LONDON - Elvis Presley was only in England once, says a spokesman for the King's estate, who has denied claims by a theatre producer that the singer made an earlier secret visit to London in 1958 to see the sights.

"Sgt. Elvis Presley made his only appearance in the U.K. when he stepped off a U.S. Air Force plane at the Prestwick Airport in March of 1960," Kevin Kern of Elvis Presley Enterprises in Memphis, Tenn., said in a statement. "The aircraft made a brief stop to refuel."

For decades Elvis Presley's English fans have accepted that the King of Rock and Roll's only known visit to Britain was that quick stop at Glasgow's Prestwick Airport in Scotland. An Elvis lounge and a plaque commemorates his 1960 stopover there.

But theatre producer Bill Kenwright has challenged that.

He says Presley made another trip with the help of popular British rocker Tommy Steele, and he promised never to reveal that they had gone to famous landmarks together.

Kenwright told a BBC radio show that Steele had told him that Presley flew in for a day after calling out of the blue to say he liked the British rocker's music.

Steele, now 71, has basically confirmed the claim in a written note to London's Daily Mail that he wished the secret had never come out.

"I can only hope he can forgive me," he said of Presley, who died in 1977 at the age of 42. "It was an event shared by two young men sharing the same love of their music and the same thrill of achieving something unimaginable."

The alleged visit was apparently kept secret at the time so that Presley wouldn't be mobbed by fans, but it was not clear why Steele would want to keep it secret now.

The call to Steele came while Presley was stationed at a U.S. Army base in Germany, Kenwright said.

Presley had been known to visit Paris while stationed in Germany, attracting hundreds of fans, and went to some well known Parisian nightspots. But there have been no prior reports of him touring England, where he never performed.

The news was not welcomed at Scotland's Glasgow Prestwick Airport, where officials are proud of their Elvis connection.

The bartender at the Elvis-themed lounge hung up the phone Tuesday when asked about the King's visit to London, and airport Chief Executive Mark Rodwell told the British Broadcasting Corp. that he wants photographic proof that Presley was actually in London.

"As far as we are concerned, until it is proved otherwise Prestwick Airport remains the only place in the United Kingdom that Elvis Presley ever set foot," he said.

2008/04/24 By The Associated Press / www.epgold.com

Elvis Slot Machines Now Online.

Based on the Elvis slot machines in Las Vegas, an online version of the Elvis slots is now available. This is a non-download game featuring Elvis’ voice and song lyrics, with features such as the 2 x and 4 x multistrike, Fan-o-Meter, Pick a TV and Photo Memories.

www.paddypowercasino.com

This casino game is licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises and is available across the internet.

2008/04/24 Various / www.epgold.com

In the new James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace", featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond, one of his opponent's (Mathieu Amalric as Dominic Greene) partners is named "Elvis" (Anatole Taubman).

2008/04/24 www.elvis-infos.de - www.elvisnews.com / www.epglod.com

This is him: "Eco Elvis" from Kansas City an environmentally friendly Elvis impersonator. His job is to educate people and get them to take action for the environment.

I do this by singing recycled versions of the King's songs and speaking to diverse audiences. Song titles include Burnin' Globe (Burning Love), Can't Help Recycling It All (Can't Help Falling In Love), etc.

"The oceans could start rising,
Floods and droughts could come our way,
People, plants and animals could start dying
From a burnin' globe" - Burnin' Globe

http://www.ecoelvis.com/Home_Page.html

Even today after more than 40 years Livio Monari continues to be as a reference point for many Elvis' fans from different generations. It is thanks to him that the first italian fan club was born in 1962, living until 1986.

Livio is one of those rare people who always looked at Elvis with intelligence, love and respect. We from www.onenightwithelvis.it have known Livio for more than 20 years and we are honored announcing that he accepted to write interesting topics for us.

In 1962 I founded the first Elvis Presley Fan Club in Italy. Obviously my greatest wish at the time was to see Elvis in person and this happened in August 1972. In the 70’s it was not very common for a young Italian to make a trip to America, but together with Nicla, a personal friend and member of my Fan Club, we started following that dream.

With our personal money we bought a special gift for Elvis: a very nice award made as a silver cup, with a plate at the bottom that read “TO ELVIS FROM HIS ITALIAN FANS”. This cup is actually at Graceland in the awards room to this day....

Winston Churchill is the historical figure people would most like to travel back in time to meet, a poll suggests.
Elvis Presley is second behind Britain's World War II leader.

Physicist Albert Einstein is the third favourite, the poll for the magazine Doctor Who Adventures found. Screen legend Marilyn Monroe is fourth.

The poll of 1,000 people also finds the Swinging Sixties, the era of The Beatles and the sexual revolution, is the period people most want to visit.

Indian independence leader Mahatma Gandhi came sixth in the list, followed by the late Princess Diana.

Former South African president and human rights activist Nelson Mandela takes eighth place - despite still being alive.

Isaac Newton, the British scientist who first formulated the laws of gravity, is joint ninth with Elizabeth I and Beatle John Lennon.

The year 2006 was the second-most popular period people wanted to experience, with the Victorian era third and 1966, the year of England's victory at the World Cup, fourth.

MOST POPULAR FIGURES.

1 Winston Churchill
2 Elvis Presley
3 Albert Einstein
4 Marilyn Monroe
5 Martin Luther King

A new part of the A Legendary Peformer series - "Talking And More I". The release of this cd with 18 tracks will be next week.

1. Elvis At NBC (Steve binder, Alan Blye and Chris Beard talking with Elvis about the live segment for the NBC TV Special) 2. Elvis As The One Called Charro! (radio movie spots) 3. Elvis In Texas (interview, Odessa, Texas, 1960) 4. Back On Stage (Las Vegas show excerpts, 1969) 5. The Sweet Inspirations (show excerpts, 1974-1977) 6. Strung Out - Remix (remix of Elvis telling the audience that he is absolutely pissed of by the head-lines and stories from the tabloid press) 7. The Elvis Hour Ed Parker (radio program) 8. 'The Exorcist' Girl (recorded on tour) 9. High School Interview (1956) 10. To Whom It May Concern (radio program with Lisa Marie Presley - Lisa talks about her debut album) 11. A Billboard Presentation (1956) 12. Jingle All The Way (recorded in Las Vegas) 13. With Elvis On Stage - The Story ('After season' interview with John Wilkinson) 14. The Show Taht Never Was (radio spot for the Elvis show, August 20,. 1977) 15. New Years Eve 1975 (Elvis speaks about the show) 16. Germany, March 1959 (Dick Clark calls Elvis) 17. Germany, August 1959 (Dick Clark calls Elvis) 18. Happy Birthday Elvis! January 8, 1960 (Dick Clark calls Elvis)

I sent a e-mail to tommys website and heres what they sent back.

Hi, Jeanette. It seems that Elvis and Tommy made a pact to keep the visit out of the public eye. They did not want to be mobbed and ruin the visit.

Tommy has now admitted that the visit did indeed occur, but he is sorry that it has been made public at this late date. Of course, there are no pictures. Alas and alack!

Lots of information regarding Tommy on the fan club site. Many well-informed members ready to share.

Collectors, attention. Following Wanda Jackson's tribute album "I Remember Elvis", there's a limited 7" release on white vinyl.

The A side is her version of "There's Good Rockin' Tonight", while the flip site has a remix of the same song, as recorded by Elvis in the Sun Studio.

This release is limited to 300 copies worldwide, so...Happy Hunting! A hint: the label is Goldenlane Records CLP-2012

A new poll of people under 25 conducted by Sky.com found that the singer was rated above Princess Diana in the top heroine category.

Babyshambles singer/guitarist Pete Doherty was voted the second most popular male hero, behind footballer Stephen Gerrard.

Psychologist Donna Dawson told PA that Winehouse may have topped the poll because she "seems to portray a certain sense of vulnerability or having had to fight against some adversity in their lives".

Among the general population, with categories not restricted by gender or age, Winston Churchill was voted top hero figure. Elvis Presley came second.

Since the 1st Edition was completely sold out - Within the next few days (on many request by ElvisFans) a second edition of the import Cd YOULL NEVER WALK ALONE, containing a different coverphoto will be out .

01 – You’ll Never Walk Alone [Takes 1,2,3,4,5,6] – 12:32 02 – We Call On Him [Takes 1,2,3] – 05:47 03 – Run On [Takes 1,2,3,4,5,6] – 10:08 04 – Stand By Me [Takes 8,9,10] – 05:39 05 – Where No one Stands Alone [Takes 1,2] – 05:53 06 – Where No One Stands Alone – workpart [Takes 1,2,3] – 03:42 07 – So High [Takes 2,3] – 02:21 08 – Farther Along ]Takes 1,2] – 04:05 09 – By And By [Takes 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9] – 10:30 10 – Somebody Bigger Than You And I [Takes 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10] – 07:51 11 – If The Lord Wasn’t Walking By My Side [Takes 3,4,5] – 04:04 12 – Statement Ray Walker – 01:05 13 – Statement Joe Moscheo – 01:08 14 – You’ll Never Walk Alone (live July 19, 1975) – 02:21

Janie Steele hugs Elvis Presley in this 1960s photo. Steele has retired after nearly 30 years at the Hilton, where she worked in photography and bookkeeping.

Janie Steele’s theme song should be “Thanks for the Memories.”

The 67-year-old photographer-turned-bookkeeper retired Friday from the Las Vegas Hilton, where she hobnobbed with Elvis Presley and other celebrities during her almost 30 years at the venue.

“When I feel sorry for myself about not having done anything, I think that for somebody who thought they would never leave their small town, I’ve seen and done quite a lot,” says Steele, a native of Westminster, S.C., population 2,763.

As Steele thought of retirement, she began turning back her pages:

She saw Ike & Tina Turner, Redd Foxx and Frankie Laine at the Hilton lounges and such memorable entertainers as Barbra Streisand, Bill Cosby, Juliet Prowse and Maurice Chevalier with the Kim Sisters at showrooms around town.

And of course, Elvis.

Steele went to work at the Hilton — then the International Hotel — as a photographer in 1970. Streisand was the headliner at the International when it opened in 1969, but then it was Elvis.

“He would do two shows a night, seven nights a week, for four weeks,” Steele says. “I don’t know how he did it, but that’s how all the entertainers used to do here. They never had a day off.”

She lost track of how many times she saw Elvis. She would attend his shows even if she had to pay for them. She often joined members of the public who were invited to his suite.

“It was the only way he could meet normal people,” Steele says. “They would just invite people up to his rooms. Music would be playing. He’d sometimes demonstrate his karate kicks. He’d chitchat with everyone, mingle with the little groups of people who were all around the suite. He was such a gentleman to me. It breaks my heart that things happened the way they did.”

It wasn’t unusual for her to bump into Priscilla Presley and their daughter, Lisa Marie. “The last time I saw Lisa Marie was in the showroom. She was about 6 years old. A gorgeous child.”

When Steele arrived from South Carolina in 1964, she worked in data processing at the Nevada Test Site. “A bus would pick up employees in the morning and take us home in the evening. It was 180 miles round-trip, an hour and a half each way.”

She lived in the Naked City neighborhood near South Las Vegas Boulevard and Sahara Avenue. In those days it was a trendy part of town where showgirls lived and sunbathed by the pools, hence its nickname. “I never saw anyone naked, but they did have awfully tiny little bikinis.”

She married Charlie Steele, music teacher by day and drummer in relief bands in the casinos by night, and they moved to different parts of town. “I loved Las Vegas back then. You could go anywhere in 15 or 20 minutes.”

After her job at the test site ended, she went to work taking pictures in the Hilton’s showroom and lounges. “I was really shy. I had the hardest time walking up to people and asking them if they wanted their picture taken.”

She moved back to South Carolina for four years but returned to Las Vegas and worked at Saks Fifth Avenue when the Fashion Show Mall opened in 1981. She returned to the Hilton to work in the accounting department. “When I left, Siegfried & Roy were a small part of ‘The Lido’ show at the Stardust. When I came back, they had a show of their own.”

Her fondest memory of Old Vegas?

“I always wanted to live where people wore long gowns and gloves and fixed their hair,” she says. “When I first moved here, that’s what you did. You dressed up.”

Revealed . . . Elvis's secret visit to London (with a little help from rock rival Tommy Steele)

Elvis the same year: He is said to have rung Steele to ask, 'Are you as good as me?'

Showbusiness impressario Bill Kenwright, made a startling revelation on national radio yesterday. He told BBC Radio 2 host Ken Bruce that Elvis Presley made a secret visit to England in 1958 and was shown the sights of the capital by UK rocker Tommy Steele.

But in 1958, an American boy with a sneering smile and perfect Southern manners was shown around town.

His guide was a cheeky Cockney lad with a mop of blond hair.

But the day a young Tommy Steele showed Elvis Presley the sights of London has remained a rock 'n' roll secret for 50 years.

Until one of Steele's friends blurted it out on the radio yesterday.

Had the pair been spotted together in Britain at the time there would almost certainly have been a riot.

Presley, then 23, needed military guards to control crowds whenever he appeared in public in the U.S. while 21-year-old Steele was widely, if briefly, being billed as his British equivalent.

The story of Elvis and Tommy's trip around the city was told in a pre-recorded Radio 2 interview yesterday with showbusiness impresario Bill Kenwright, who has known Steele for decades.

He let listeners to Ken Bruce's show, Tracks of My Years, know how Steele had told him about the visit. Unfortunately he hadn't realised the singer had guarded the secret for so long.

Yesterday he told the Daily Mail: "I'm absolutely steeped in 50s rock 'n' roll. I love it.

"So when I get together with Tommy Steele I just say, 'Tell me about Buddy Holly...tell me about Guy Mitchell, and that sort of thing'. He's a great storyteller and he can just reel them off.

"I remember him telling me about when Elvis came to England very quietly.

"Evidently Tommy got home one night and the phone rings. A voice says, 'They tell me you're good'.

"Tommy says, 'Who's this?' 'Elvis,' says the voice. 'Get outta here,' says Tommy. 'Are you as good as me?' says Elvis...and they sort of started this mock rivalry.

"It all came from that. It's quite something, isn't it - the thought of them wandering around London together?

"But the impression I got was that they never got out of the car. It was more like, "There's Buckingham Palace ...there's the Houses of Parliament".

"Tommy is a very private person who doesn't go into the past. It's only me who makes him talk about it. As soon as I started talking about it on the radio I wondered if I'd done the right thing.

"I remember saying, 'Bloody hell - I hope that was all right'. I'm sure Tommy will want to kill me when he finds out."

Mr Kenwright said the date of the Presley visit was some time in 1958 - the year Pele's magic won the World Cup for Brazil.

That timing raised the possibility that Presley, who joined the U.S. Army in March that year and saw service in Germany, might have been in uniform, his slicked back quiff shaved into a military short back and sides.

Everywhere he performed, his female fans were swept into the kind of hysteria that would not be seen on this side of the Atlantic until the advent of Beatlemania.

Yet Britain - already jiving to Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock - never got to see an Elvis show.

He returned two years later for the briefest of stopovers, not getting any farther south than Ayrshire. At the time he was returning to the U.S. after serving in the Army in Germany in March 1960.

He stopped off at Prestwick airport when the military DC-7 touched down to refuel.

Archive pictures show him there in his sergeant's uniform, signing autographs and phoning his teenage sweetheart Priscilla, soon to become his bride.

That night he told the crowds gathered to see him: "This is quite a country. I must see more of it."

But he never did. And the belief that the airport stopover was his sole visit was set in stone. So why didn't Tommy Steele simply set the record straight?

Last night the 71-year-old entertainer-performing in Dr Dolittle in Woking, Surrey, retained his discretion.

In a note to the Daily Mail he wrote: "What actually happened many years ago is something secret and memorable.

"It was an event shared by two young men sharing the same love of their music and the same thrill of achieving something unimaginable.

"I swore never to divulge publicly what took place and I regret that it has found some way of 'getting into the light'."

"I can only hope he can forgive me."

Kenwright says, "Elvis flew in for a day and Tommy showed him round London. He showed him the Houses of Parliament and spent the day with him."

A spokesman for Elvis' Graceland estate says, "To the best of our knowledge there was only one stopover at Scotland.

There is an interesting posting regarding the Elvis book Donnie Sumner is writing. In one of the chapters, Donnie tells the story about how he (and 'Voice') got their contract with Elvis - see excerpt below. However, Donnie also states that it was actually him hitting the high notes for Elvis. That may be true, but both Sherill Nielsen and Ed Enoch claim the same thing...

"What a voice that man's got!"

I know that's what everyone was thinking when Elvis came to the close of songs like, "My Way," "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," "American Trilogy," "How Great Thou Art" and other "big production" type songs. Elvis would get into his "one of a kind" stance, eight or more carbon arch spotlights would go to full white on him, the orchestra would crescendo to their loudest peak and twelve back-up vocalists would open their mouths so wide, sometimes you could almost see their socks. Together they would attack the last note and the audience would rise to their feet with admiration at Elvis' rendering of his climatic last note.

Surprise! Usually, it wasn't him. It was ME! It wasn't that Elvis couldn't hit hi notes, because his vocal range was phenomenal and most of the time he did sing the last note, but more than frequently he would point to me and I would hit it for him due to the fact that he wanted to do something else. If you notice our show videos real closely, you will see that very often after Elvis attacks his last note, it appears he is still singing but he is either kissing someone or involved in a martial arts kata of some sort.

This, along with arranging the backup vocal parts, was my main contribution to the Elvis show during the time I was with the Stamps Quartet and before I organized Voice Inc. It was this ability that prompted a phone call to my home shortly after I resigned from the Stamps Quartet.

After leaving the Stamps, I, along with two other gentlemen, Sean Nielsen and Tim Baty, organized a group known at the time as The Rangers. Elvis would later change our name to Voice Inc.

As the Rangers, we had become a part of the Grand Ole Opry doing background vocals along with a well know female back-up vocalist, Ms. Carol Lee Cooper. Arriving home on a Saturday night after a performance at the "Opry," I received a phone call. Charlie Hodge was on the other end and he said, "Hey, man! This is Charlie. What's happening?"

After we "howdied" for a minute he said, "I'm calling for Elvis. He heard you had a new group and he wants you to do him a favor." “Of course,” I said, "What is it?"

Charlie went on to explain why he had called. "Tom Jones is working at Caesar's Palace and the desert air is getting to his throat and Elvis wants to hire you to come out and do his high notes for him."

Quickly considering the venue from which I had just returned and the offer to go be with Tom Jones and Elvis in Vegas, I swiftly replied, “Far out! When does he want me?” When Elvis wanted something, he usually wanted it ASAP or quicker. In about three hours, I had made the necessary arrangements to cover our absence from the Opry and Sean, Tim and myself were at Big Brother Aircraft in Nashville preparing to board Elvis' private jet, soon to be en route to Las Vegas.

For the next seven days, three "Opry Hillbillies" got to play "star" courtesy of my friend, Elvis. The following Saturday night, Elvis closed out at the Hilton, Tom Jones finished at Caesar's Palace and several lounge acts were concluded that starred such celebrities as Red Fox, Marty Allen, Bobbie Gentry and Jack Lord.

With all his friends closing their schedule on the same night, Elvis decided to throw a big party after everyone's second show and consequently all the above mentioned artists along with the afore mentioned "Tennessee Redneck's" all found ourselves in Elvis' suite on the twenty eighth floor of the Las Vegas Hilton having a most enjoyable evening. After several hours of loud and boisterous activities, the time eventually came that I was to come to know as Elvis' favorite time of the evening. Unaware of it at the time, I was about to embark upon my "first," "Private Gospel Music Concert for Elvis."

From across the room someone hollered, "Hey Donnie!" It was Elvis and I responded to his beckoning that night, just like I would eventually do countless times in the future. I said, "Yes, Sir!" Elvis called me over to where he and Linda were seated between Tom Jones and Mr. and Mrs. Jack Lord and said to me, "You remember that song you sang with The Stamps that I like so much?' I knew exactly what song he was referring to and I answered him, "Yes, Sir!" Elvis smiled at me and said "How 'bout singing it for me." When Elvis smiles at you and ask you for a favor, how can you refuse! I said, "OK" and called for Sean and Tim to join me.

After going to the piano against one wall in the suite we began to sing an extremely old gospel hymn called, "In The Sweet Bye and Bye".

As we sang, the room got quieter and quieter. When we came to the end of the song, the room was totally silent. Tom Jones spoke first and said, "Nice! That's one of the prettiest ballads I've ever heard. Did you write that, Donnie?" "Heaven's no!" I replied. "Do you like Gospel Music?" I asked him. Tom Jones said, "I don't know too many church songs but I know 'The Old Rugged Cross’. Can you sing that?"

At Mr. Jones' request we sang a verse and chorus of "The Old Rugged Cross." When we had finished, I noticed that Elvis had disappeared and I became fearful that I had offended him by doing a song that perhaps he didn't want to hear. So, I quietly settled into a big chair and began to mind my own business.

In a short while I noticed Elvis coming thru the bedroom door that opened up into the living room and he was walking straight toward me. "O Lord!" I thought, "Here it comes!" As he walked up to me, I noticed he had a folded piece of bathroom tissue in his hand and I wondered to myself, "What in the world is he gonna do?" He stopped in front of my chair and reaching out to hand me the paper in his hand, he said, "Check this out and tell me what you think!" I took the folded tissue and noticed it had writing on it. I unfolded it and began to read.

"I, Elvis Aaron Pressley, agree to pay to Donnie Sumner, Sean Nielsen and Tim Baty, over the next twelve months, the sum total of XX dollars for their full time service to sing at my request.

Once my eyes uncrossed, I said, "Are you kidding me!" Elvis said, "No man! You wanna come back and work for me personally!" I thought for a split second about my former memories with Elvis as part of the Stamps and us being "only back-up vocalists" and now I’m being offered the opportunity to be with Elvis "all the time!"

Without any further delay, I said, "I'd love to!" Have you ever tried to write on bathroom tissue with a ballpoint pen? It’s practically impossible, especially if you are excited. Never the less, the three of us finally got the document signed and after we handed it back to Elvis, he walked over to his dad, Mr. Vernon Presley, and said, “Daddy, I finally got in a quartet!”

Mr. Presley later transcribed the impromptu contract into a legal agreement and once again the three of us were asked to sign it. From the looks of the signatures on that document, still in the possession of Sean Nielsen, we were all in much better states of mind and body at that point than we were at the original initiation.

Never in my wildest thoughts could I have ever suspected that a contract opening the door to my highest dream would have been penned in Elvis' restroom on a piece of bathroom tissue. Starting that night and every night thereafter until September of 1976, at some point during the early morning hours, we found ourselves around the piano singing old, slow gospel tunes for Elvis, as he would request them. Often included among the songs was, "In The Sweet Bye and Bye."

You would think that at some point, one would become wearied with a particular musical selection. Not so with Elvis! I recall one night when we sang, "In The Sweet Bye and Bye," eighteen times, back to back … all four verses. I inwardly declared numerous times during the next few years that unless Elvis wanted to hear it, I would never sing, "In The Sweet Bye and Bye" again. Surprisingly enough, on the first recording I made after entering the ministry in 1982, you will find a song entitled, "In The Sweet Bye and Bye!" Never say "never!"

2008/04/22 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

The 40th anniversary of the '68 Special' will deliver a large amount of new souvenirs in the coming months.

The British company 'Copyright Promotions' (CPLG) recently signed a contract with EPE. They received all the rights to use and promote images of the 68 Special. The company will not design souvenirs, but will sell the material to license holders to use on their products.

CPLG now represents brand like Sesame Street, Dora The Explorer, Star Trek, The Simpsons and Marvel.

German Release Elvis Presley Vs. SPANKOX "Baby Let´s Play House" RE: Version.

German release of the "Re: Version" by the Italian DJ Spankox of the Elvis' classic "Baby let's Play House" by the EMM (EMI) records label on May 16, 2008.

Excellent news! Elvis Presley's photographer, ED BONJA, has agreed to do an EXPO at the gorgeous castle of Alden Biesen in Belgium during the TCB HOUSE PARTY.

That day - August 16th 2008 - fans from all over Europe will have a unique opportunity to come to the castle ("Fit for a King") and experience the Elvis Vibe 2008.

Among the (many) activities that day are a GOSPEL CELEBRATION in honor of Elvis (at the church of the Castle), a CADILLAC PARADE, the presentation of a new book (5 YEARS ELVISMATTERS with lots of pictures), a DVD screening of the new That's The Way It Is, a WALKING DINNER, a very special TCB BAND LIVE SHOW, a reception with some, er, 'unusual guests' and so much more.

There are still tickets available for the Evening show + reception (75 euro, all in). Don't wait too long, as they're selling fast! Info: peter@elvismatters.com

The Elvis Presley Film Society Presents Its 50th FILM EVENT!!

NEW VENUE!! O’NEILL’S IN MERCHANT CITY GLASGOW

Venue: O’Neill’s Bar, 71 Albion Street, (Merchant City), Glasgow.
Sunday, 27th April 2008 - 2pm to 8.30pm

Celebrating 50 Years since Elvis’s Army Induction in March 1958.

Programme:

G.I. Blues Feature Film from 1960 (Elvis’s 1st post-army movie) – Elvis: The Army Years Documentary on Elvis’s military service – From the Army to Hollywood: An insightful look at Elvis’s life from 1958-1960 compiled by Harry Carrigan covering the following events:

Press Conf. at Brooklyn, NY, Sept. ’58 / Journey back to Memphis March ’60 / Graceland Press Conf. March ’60 / On train to Miami March ’60 / Frank Sinatra’s Welcome Home Elvis TV Show, May ’60 / Meeting visiting dignitaries on the G.I. Blues movie set

Elvis: Up Close and Personal Documentary featuring Elvis associates + Musicians, Producers & Journalists

Elvis on Stage in May 1977 Fan-filmed concert footage from Elvis’s penultimate Concert Tour (essentially a complete show)

At our last event in November 2007 we screened the documentary‘200 CADILLACS’ . This proved of great interest to many in attendance and so we are pleased to announce that we will have DVD copies available for sale at this event, along with other choices of discs.

ELVIS MATERIALS FOR SALE - SHORT DISCUSSION

DISPLAY OF RELEVANT & OTHER ELVIS PRESLEY IMAGERY
(This will include photographs & details of Elvis’s visit to Prestwick, Scotland in March 1960)

BAR FOOD AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT THE DAY

COME ALONG AND SUPPORT THE ELVIS PRESLEY FILM SOCIETY

TICKETS ARE £5 EACH (Available at desk on the day)

Elvis Presley's official stage photographer Ed Bonja was going thru his thousands of prints this week, and discovered SEVENTY (70!) shots of Elvis that have never been seen or printed before.

"It was truly amazing", Ed told us on the phone. "I hadn't seen that part of my archive in years, and all of a sudden - there they were." It's unclear yet as to how Ed will share the prints with the fans.

(Note: the picture is added for illustration purposes only, it's not one of the undiscovered gems)

Although the book "68 at 40" about Elvis's spectacular Comeback TV-show won't be available until mid-August, still author and producer Joe Tunzi created a special website for it.

The hardcover book is limited to 2.000 copies worldwide and comes with some exclusive never before seen color photos from the private collection of Timothy Mulrenan and Robert Brower.

Click the link below for Tunzi's website.

The Universe limited edition vinyl release for May 12, 2008, entitled "Loving You".

Several Elvis websites claim that the April FTD releases are postponed due to problems in the productions, and the FTDs will not be shipped before may 16th.

Andylon Lensen just talked personally to Ernst Jorgensen today, late in the afternoon and confirmed Andylon that the next FTD releases 'That's The Way It Is' and 'That's The Way It Was' will be shipped this coming Monday and Tuesday (April 21 & 22) to all the dealers.

And a few days later the customers will have it in their mailbox.

This is the new Sony/BMG Canada issue of Discover Elvis Presley, which came out last year in the USA.

The CD features 5 tracks ( listed above on the back cover ), and also contains a PIN number for a free download of the song Viva Las Vegas.

This is aimed to the people who doesn't know much of Elvis and his music, and specifically for the younger generations.

George Twamley, producer of the very successful stage musical My Boy Elvis The Musical.

"After the success of "My Boy Elvis" The Musical in Dublin where it received a standing ovation the show moves to The INEC centre, Killarney, Co. Kerry on Saturday 28th. June.

For ticket and accomodation enquires phone 06471555 from the UK 003536471555.

Item No. 901529001 - The Hamilton Collection

The Hamilton Collection in the USA has released the first in its Elvis Disney collection:

Join Mickey in a magical jumpsuit salute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll®, Elvis Presley®! In a first from The Hamilton Collection, this exciting Disney Mickey Mouse collectible figurine showcases Mickey in his version of the glitzy American Eagle jumpsuit Elvis® wore on his Aloha From Hawaii special.

This Disney Mickey Mouse collectible figurine is licensed by Disney and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., and is specially designed by The Hamilton Collection.

This limited edition is superbly handcrafted and hand-painted, and, in addition to all the other show-stopping details, Mickey takes center-stage on a self-standing base complete with a fan-tossed red rose and even more sparkling rhinestones.

Strong demand is expected for this unique Mickey and Elvis gift, so order now!
Price: $19.95 US s&s: $ 6.99 US

Mr. Glen D. Hardin, the piano player in Elvis' original TCB band is celebrating his 69th birthday in Randers, Denmark today.

Glen D. Hardin was born on April 18, 1939 in Hollis, Oklahoma.

Glen is in Denmark at the moment to play three shows with the other TCB band members and three Danish artists. The first show will take place tomorrow in Randers, Denmark.

Happy birthday Glen!

2008/04/18 www.elvisunlimited.com / www.epgold.com

The King of Rock & Roll - Memories sometimes fade…but a diamond last forever!

You are bidding on the ONLY .5 ct Blue, Round Cut, Cultured Diamond that will be created from the actual hair containing the mitochondrial DNA of Elvis “The King” Presley. The hair samples being used are a combination of two separately authenticated samples acquired from two different reputable sources as a way to ensure authenticity. Each diamond will come with numerous documents and certifications of authenticity.

The hair sample will be reduced to it's basic element…carbon and a real diamond will be created using the HPHT process (high pressure high temp.). Cultured Diamond are real diamonds exhibiting the same identical properties of naturally mined diamonds. The Elvis Diamond will be laser engraved along the girdle with an identity number and Elvis “The King” Presley.

This is the ONLY ½ ct Blue Elvis Diamond that will ever be created and will be done by the exact same process as the .56 ct Beethoven Diamond which sold on EBay for $202,700 in Sept 2007. The ½ ct Blue Elvis Diamond is expected to sell for over $300,000 with a low opening bid of $50,000. This auction is being done without any media or advertising promotion which makes this an unbelievable opportunity for someone to own a truely one-of-a-kind gem.

Diamonds of Hope-Historical Diamonds

Three individual diamonds will be created from the Elvis hair sample: The ONLY .5 ct is being presold here to fund and promote the “Diamonds of Hope” celebrity auction where we will be auctioning off diamonds created from the hair of celebrity donors to benefit their charity. To help fund and promote the “Diamonds of Hope” charity event, every month beginning in the summer of 2008, New Life Diamonds & Gems, LLC will be auctioning off up to three diamonds of various sizes created from an authenticated and certified hair samples from 18 different historical figures including:

Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, J.F.K., John Lennon, Mickey Mantel, Babe Ruth, George Washington, Napoleon, Mother Theresa, Geronimo, Robert E. Lee, Richard Nixon, Queen Victoria, Lyndon Baines Johnson, Jefferson Davis, Eisenhower, Ron Reagan, Andrew Jackson, Alexander Hamilton, Ted Williams, Jacque Kennedy Onassis and Henry Ford.

Click Here:

JAT Productions is sold out on their new book Portraits, and therefore not possible to order a copy directly from them.

Please refer to your favorite dealer for a copy. Thank you all for your continued support as it makes it worthwhile.

Rock ‘n’ Roll gone? Not in a million years.

Proof again of how very alive the music is, is a Double Feature concert on Novemver 19th of this year at the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam (The Netherlands).

Top of the bill are Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry, both “last men standing” in their genre. Tickets and more info: see the link below.

CD: Elvis 30 #1 Hits is #1 on the Top Country Catalog Charts for the 3rd week in 2008.

At the same time the album is number 12 on the Top Pop Catalog charts (last week number 15) and on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums list, #122 (last week # 140).

None Elvis dvd's did chart this week.

This may very well be the way the ‘New Overton Park Shell’ will look like, when it’s finished in 2009.

The architectural firm working on the renovated design made this image and shared it with other fans through Scotty Moore’s website. It was here – at the Shell – where Elvis gave his very first live performance, on July 30th 1954.

The renovation costs about 1 million dollar & includes – among others – huge video walls. A great web page on the history of the Shell is available here:

These great CDs are very rare. Many UK fans were virtually raised on these LPs, and now you can obtain them on three great CDs. The CDs are very impressive - in black vinyl. They look exactly like the original records, only in CD form. The CDs even have grooves! These are the real deal, not CD-Rs. The packaging is also just like the original. High quality in thick, laminated card.

These CDs are only sold as a set (as seen) and NOT individually. Remember, you are buying all three titles

CD 1 - THE ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE (1981): Introductory Fanfare (2001) / See See Rider / Blue Suede Shoes / Johnny B. Goode / Are You Lonesome Tonight? / Never Been To Spain / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / The Impossible Dream / Band Introductions / An American Trilogy / In The Ghetto / Suspicious Minds / Love Me / Burning Love / Words / Polk Salad Annie / I Can't Stop Loving You / Can't Help Falling In Love.

CD 2 - LOVE SONGS (1979): It's Now Or Never / She's Not You / Love Letters / Anything That's Part Of You / Surrender / Kentucky Rain / Suspicious Minds / You Don't Have To Say You Love Me / I Just Can't Help Believing / The Wonder Of You / Can't Help Falling In Love / Always On My Mind / Love Me Tender / Loving You / I Want, You, I Need You, I Love You / Wooden Heart / Are You Lonesome Tonight? / Just Pretend / Until It's Time For You To Go / Memories.

CD 3 - INSPIRATIONS (1980): Crying In The Chapel / It's No Secret (What God Can Do) / A Thing Called Love / Bosom Of Abraham / In My Father's House / An Evening Prayer / Amazing Grace / How Great Thou Art / Lead Me, Guide Me / The Impossible Dream / (There'll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) / I'm Gonna Walk Dem Golden Stairs / I Believe In The Man In The Sky / Mansion Over The Hilltop / Padre / Where Could I Go But To The Lord? / He Is My Everything / Somebody Bigger Than You And I / He Touched Me / Known Only To Him.

DJ Spankox, probably best known for his remix of 'Baby Let's Play House', just got back from the States, where he began promoting the single. In Europe, where the single was made available as early as January, the single did not chart in official lists, though the sales numbers are huge.

One of the reasons is the 'greay copyright area' that the single created. The song (1954) is public domain, but what about a remix of that original recording? The law doesn't refer to remixes at all, which indicates that it is not forbidden. But that's a different stort all together. And be that as it may, it seems that things have only just begun for Spankox.

The remix single got its first official spin on Sirius Elvis Radio this week. Although that may not sound spectacular at first sight, it is for the peopble behind the single.

If you consider that Sirius broadcasts 24/7 - directly from the Graceland Plaza - and is endorsed by EPE, this means that EPE now supports the single and recognizes it as an official release.

So, who knows what the American buyers will do - this may very well be another hit recording for Elvis!

Elvis fans can now look forward to adding one more rare piece of this legendary’s star’s memorabilia with his 24-carat gold piano soon to be put on the market for the very first time. This IS the piano that has been on public display at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

The piano has been owned by Andrew Marsh for the past ten years but since 1991 has been displayed in the museum with the permission of its current owner. Manufactured by Piano & Organ Company in 1928, the grand piano was originally white and was referred to as the “world's largest grand”. Its first owner was the Memphis Auditorium but it later got sold to the O.K. Houck Company, which owned it until 1955.

That's when Elvis bought it for his mother. The gold leaf plating came when Priscilla secretly removed the piano from storage and hired European professionals to refinish it in 24kt. gold in 1968, their first anniversary.

The piano stayed at Graceland until Elvis decided, in the early 70s, to give it to his aunt to use it in her church. But because of its size, the aunt traded it for a smaller one. From then on, the piano has known several owners. The unique Elvis piano is causing quite a stir among Elvis collectors.

This heritage piano is not being offered through auction but is only being offered for sale privately through Andrew Marsh. If you have a lot of spare cash, the contact number is (310) 490-8814 USA.

City of Tupelo workers begin tearing down the old city pool behind the Elvis Presley birthplace in East Tupelo last Monday.

The pool will be filled in and landscaped. To make up for the loss of the pool, the city is putting a water park in nearby Veterans Park later this year.

2008/04/17 www.elvisinfonet.com - Gansky / www.epgold.com

Cattle arrive at Cow Palace for the 63rd annual Grand National Rodeo, Horse & Stock Show, which ended Saturday. Chronicle photo by Paul Chinn

Sacramento - -- The landmark Cow Palace got a new lease on life Tuesday when state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, dropped efforts to put the aging arena in Daly City up for sale. Instead, he settled for a compromise plan that will allow only an adjoining parking lot to be sold.

The state Senate's Agriculture Committee, meeting in Sacramento, voted 4-1 to approve the revised measure.

The bill, SB1527, would allow the state to begin negotiating the sale of the 13-acre overflow parking lot along Geneva Avenue to Daly City, which wants to use the land as an anchor for a larger development that would include a supermarket, businesses and housing.

"The senator feels this is a good compromise," said Adam Keigwin, a spokesman for Yee. "It allows negotiations to take place."

Yee's original bill would have allowed the entire 68-acre Cow Palace site to be declared surplus, which could have spelled the end for the state-owned, 67-year-old arena. But opponents of the measure packed a committee hearing in Sacramento April 1, forcing Yee to pull the measure from the agenda and look at rewriting it.

"This is a dramatic step in the right direction," said Kevin Patterson, executive director of the Great Dickens Christmas Fair and a leading opponent of the bill. "This was a totally unnecessary bill, since the Cow Palace directors already were negotiating with Daly City over the parking lot."

Daly City leaders had complained that long-running discussions with the Cow Palace had gone nowhere because the facility's directors wanted too much for the parking lot. The city argued that Yee's bill was needed to let the city buy the land at a fair price.

The revised bill takes the Cow Palace directors out of the negotiations and calls for the state Department of Food and Agriculture, which oversees state fair facilities like the Cow Palace, to set a fair price for the parking lot and begin negotiating a sale to Daly City.

Yee has argued that the Cow Palace is a beaten-up, out-of-date relic of the past and that the land would be better used to improve the surrounding Bayshore and Visitacion Valley neighborhoods.

The revised bill "allows the Cow Palace to continue to operate, in hopes that the dilapidated structure can be rehabilitated, while also allowing Daly City to revitalize the Bayshore community," he said in a statement.

There are still plenty of concerns that will have to be dealt with before Yee's bill makes it to the governor's desk. While the money from the sale of the overflow parking lot will go to the state fair system, presumably for use in upgrading and refurbishing the Cow Palace, the facility's supporters still would prefer a long-term lease with Daly City.

A lease would provide the arena with a steady stream of revenue, rather than the one-time windfall from a sale made when California's real estate market is spiraling downward.

"When the bill goes to the (Senate) Governmental Operations Committee, we're hopeful we can convince them of the wisdom in leasing the state property instead of selling it outright," Patterson said.

State Sen. Abel Maldonado, R-Santa Maria, echoed those concerns when he voted against Yee's bill Tuesday, saying that this is not the right time to sell state property.

If approved by the Governmental Organization Committee, the bill still has to be passed by both the full Senate and the Assembly before it takes effect. No date has been set for the next hearing.

"This has made all of us realize how many thousands of people use the Cow Palace and want to see it revitalized," Patterson said. "It's an incredibly flexible facility that couldn't be built again."

2008/04/17 John Wildermuth - www.sfgate.com / www.epgold.com

By special request we've some extra VIP tickets available. If you haven't bought tickets yet for this event and you want to have the best places and receive our VIP package (including limited edition Elvis cd - programmbook - photo and more) go to our website:

ENGLISH WEBSITE: ELVIS THE KING - HITS IN CONCERT

Within a week we will add a big surprise act for this event with already.....

-Elvis Presley's drummer D.J. FONTANA

-Mr. and Mrs. Roll René Shuman & Angel-Eye

-R&R band

-Joseph Pirzada from the Memphis Recording Service label.

Priscilla Presley rolled into this week's performance after practicing a bit with partner Louis van Amstel on roller skates. However, Presley couldn't match the heat of last week's tango, and the pair earned a disappointing 22 for their Viennese waltz.

Presley booted from `Dancing With the Stars'; judge says performance was 'too careful'.

Despite committing to the cause and calming her nerves each week with yoga and candles, Priscilla Presley became the latest celebrity casualty Tuesday on "Dancing With the Stars."

The 62-year-old actress, who came into the results show in last place, failed to capture enough viewer votes to overcome her low score. Judges said her rumba was dull and technically imprecise, awarding her just 21 out of 30 points.

"It lacked spontaneity for me," said head judge Len Goodman. "It was too careful. I was disappointed with the performance."

Still, Presley was gracious, telling the judges, "I applaud you. You did a great job," as she left the ballroom.

"This has been an incredible experience," she said. "It is life-changing. ... I learned so much about myself and all the things I can do."

Photographer: Ron Rutten

After the Virtual Duet between Elvis and the Canadian superstar Celine Dion, American Idol gets ready for another world class entertainer.

Neil Diamond has agreed to a guest performance in American Idol, accompanied by Elvis's drummer Ronnie Tutt. Date nor song title are known at this moment. The show is viewed by over 30 million people in the States each year.

2008/04/16 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Tony Stewart Live’ will broadcast live from Elvis Presley’s Graceland in Memphis, TN.

April 15, 2008 - Two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart will host a special broadcast of his weekly SIRIUS NASCAR Radio show Tony Stewart Live from Graceland, the Memphis home of Elvis Presley.

Tony Stewart Live from Graceland will air Monday, May 12 (8:00-10:00 pm ET/7:00-9:00 pm CT) exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, channel 128. Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum will host the show in front of a live audience, giving SIRIUS listeners from coast to coast a glimpse into the personal life of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Before going on his SIRIUS NASCAR Radio show, Stewart will also perform as a guest DJ live on SIRIUS’ Elvis Radio, where he will play a selection of his favorite Elvis songs. Elvis Radio, channel 13, is the world’s first and only officially authorized, commercial-free, Elvis all-the-time radio station. Elvis Radio broadcasts live from Graceland, airing music from the early years, the classics, the comebacks, rarities, live tracks and basically everything Elvis ever recorded -- exclusively on SIRIUS.

Elvis fans and NASCAR enthusiasts from around the world will have the opportunity to visit Graceland and hear Stewart host his show live. As part of the show, Stewart, who shares Elvis’ love of cars, will talk extensively about the one-of-a-kind collection in the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, which showcases more than 33 vehicles owned by Elvis including his famous Pink Cadillac, Harley Davidson motorcycles, the red MG he drove in the movie Blue Hawaii and more.

“I can’t sing and I can’t act, but I do like Elvis’ music and I can collect cars,” said Stewart, who has more than 40 vehicles in his own collection. “Racing has afforded me opportunities to do a lot of things, one of which is having my own radio show on SIRIUS. And it just so happens that my radio show gets me behind the velvet ropes at Graceland, where I’ll also get the chance to spin some records on Elvis Radio. All in all, it’s a pretty good deal.”

Stewart is a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion (2002, 2005), one of only 15 drivers in the history of NASCAR to win multiple Cup Series titles. In addition to his achievements on the NASCAR circuit, Stewart is the first and only driver to have won championships in stock cars, Indy cars and in USAC’s Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown divisions. Currently, Stewart has 32 Sprint Cup wins, 10 poles, 122 top-fives and 196 top-10s in 328 career starts.

Tony Stewart Live debuted in January, 2007 and airs weekly throughout the year exclusively on SIRIUS NASCAR Radio, channel 128. The weekly, two-hour show features Stewart and Yocum taking calls from listeners, talking with prominent guests and covering the spectrum of motorsports - from NASCAR to open-wheel racing and beyond.

SIRIUS NASCAR Radio airs year ‘round, giving listeners every race and everything in between, with live race calls, pre and post-race coverage, and a lineup of exclusive daily talk shows providing up-to-the-minute news, expert analysis and exclusive interviews with NASCAR insiders.

For more information on this event, visit www.sirius.com/nascar. For more information on planning your Tony Stewart Live experience at Graceland, click here.

For re-release in Japan are the DVD's "Classic Album" (May 21, 2008), "Elvis '56" (May 25, 2008) and "The Great Performances, Vol.1: Center Stage" (June 18, 2008).

2008/04/15 www.biwa.ne.jp - Various / www.epgold.com

Once again the major European fanclubs have joined forces for another "Tour de Force". Next October, the new Elvis 2008 Live Tour conquers Europe, with stops in Norway (Oslo and Trondheim), France (Paris), Italy (Milan), Belgium (Turnhout) and The Netherlands (Eindhoven).

The Original Cast on stage includes Joe Guercio and his Orchestra (featuring his original musicians Ron Feuer and Walt Johnson), The TCB Band, The Imperials, The Sweet Inspirations and lead vocalist Terry Mike Jeffrey.

Tickets for the spectacular shows in The Netherlands and Belgium go on sale next April 21st (exclusively for ElvisMatters Members) and on May 13th (for non-members).

INFO HOLLAND AND BELGIUM:

October 14: Frits Philips Music Hall, Eindhoven, The Netherlands (8.15 pm)

October 19: Cultural Center De Warande, Turnhout (5 minutes from the ElvisMatters Shop), Belgium (8.15 pm)

TICKET PRICES

Due to the smaller venues for this year's tour, tickets prices have gone up for the first time in 2 years:

40 euro: balcony II

50 euro: balcony I

60 euro: VIP tickets ("star seats")

75 euro: Golden Circle (front stage seats with a free Elvis 2008 CD)

WEBSITE

If you'd like to check out the other shows on the 2008 Tour, here's the place to go: www.elvis-2008.com

Tickets for members on sale on April 21st.

As soon the new European Tour with the original Elvis Cast was announced today, the phone started ringing, and mails started coming in. However, tickets for ElvisMatters Members won't go on sale until April 21st.

The reason for that is: all members will get a letter, with detailed information about the October shows. That way, all members get a fair chance, including the members without internet.

Tickets for the general public go on sale on May 13th. Thank you for your understanding!

Priscilla's dance of the week: the rumba. Last week, the judges were not so happy because she did a 'forbidden' lift-up during the vienese waltz.

How can she know if her teacher tells her to do this...This was the reason that she went from the second place to the second-last place. This weeks songs was 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face', but not in Elvis' version. Again, the jury was not satisfied by the performance.

They think her teacher is learning her to difficult techniques to perform. The result is 21/30, again less more than last week. It's up to the audience to give their points. It's not known at this time if she will go to week 6.

Question & Answer Session with Priscilla Presley & Dance Partner Louis Van Amstel / Tune In & Vote Alert.

Question: I tell you what, you really look great on the show! Priscilla, we were dying the other night! I could not believe it! I was ready to break my television set. What happened?

Priscilla: You sound like my parents! (laughter) My parents were sitting in the audience, with my son, and their mouths flew open, and I look over and I'm going, “I'm in the bottom!” And I was panicked, and I looked at my partner and squeezed his hand said “We’re in trouble!” But it was something else, I have to say. It is so much fun, and such a great experience for me. We are back in our dancing shoes and were trying to work harder.

Question: How does it make you feel when the judges offer that kind of personal criticism?

Priscilla: Well, you know, you give everything, I mean, I have been rehearsing every day, all of us, five or six hours a day, and we are not performers, we are not dancers. And that’s the thing, you would think they would give you a little slack because of that but as each week goes on, they get tougher and tougher. So, it really is a reality check, and if you want to stay on you have to be as good as you possibly can. I think the thing that is a bit upsetting for me is that they forgave Jason Taylor for messing up on his step and there was Maria that did a lift and she messed up and they didn’t catch her. So its kind of unpredictable where they are going with it.

Question: The judges, especially from a viewer’s perspective, they add a lot of comic relief to the program. Are they fun guys?

Priscilla: They’re great. Everyone is great. I have to say, I have had a really nice experience. The competitors this year, oh gosh, what you see is really very real, and everyone has bonded and everyone cares for each other so its very sad to see someone go, but again, it is what it is and it’s a competition, but there is a lot of love there.

Question: Tell me this; this week’s show featured Sheryl Crow as a performer, so do the dancers have a chance to meet with the musical performer before or after the show, and how did that sound from your perspective?

Priscilla: Well, I know Sheryl personally so I went up to talk with her after the show. She is wonderful, and she is a very giving person and always very friendly. We are all in the back getting ready for the performance, so there is not a whole lot of time to chit chat; time is of essence on that performance day and we are all over the place; hair, makeup, fitting, and they are taking care of us right down to the minute that we go on to make sure we are camera ready.

Question: For next week, what do you have on tap for what you and Louis will be performing?

Priscilla: We are doing the Rumba. Now that’s a Latin dance, and for what I understand, it’s the Viennese Waltz to the ballroom the Rumba is to Latin dance. It’s a very passionate dance; another slow song, “First Time I Ever Saw Your Face.” I only have four and a half days to perfect this. So we are trying to cram years and years of training into only a small amount of days.

Question: Before we let you go, let me ask you one question: When you see yourself performing on DWTS, how does it remind you of what Elvis went through when he did the 68 Special?

Priscilla: Let me just say, I certainly know that fear factor, I know what people mean when they say they have stage fright. Just standing there before your name is called you have no idea what is going through your mind. You just have to do it. Elvis was always nervous before he went on stage to perform, even in Vegas, and he had is own way to deal with it. He didn’t like a lot of people coming to his dressing room before he performed because he was in his own world trying to prepare to walk out on that stage. Its overwhelming, and its truly a mind trip.

HOW TO VOTE ON DANCING WITH THE STARS

SOURCE: abc.com

ONLINE VOTES FOR Priscilla Presley & Louis Van Amstel

Click here to learn how to vote online for Priscilla and Louis on the ABC.com Dancing with the Stars page.

**The online vote begins after the show ends and continues through Noon Eastern the next day.

Cover art of the DJ Spankox "Re: Versions" remix CD. Release date May 21, 2008.

It features remixes of the tracks Baby Let's Play House, Don't Be Cruel, Teddy Bear, Jailhouse Rock, All Shook Up, Blue Moon Of Kentucky, Heartbreak Hotel, Too Much, Just Because, You're A Heartbreaker
and That's All Right.

+ Bonus part of December 02, 1975 Opening Night

The MxF label import label will soon release its Forth CD titled ''American Glory!'' featuring the complete show from Las Vegas, Hilton Hotel December 06, 1975 MS and part of the opening night of the same Season. The concert is previously unreleased, here you have the opportunity to listen to a slice of the December ‘75 season without doubt one of the best moments of Elvis in 1975, the use of two great tapes make the rest. We are not talking of original tapes but due to the very good quality we are talking of two tapes came from an early generation copy of the master tapes. The audio-quality of the recording is really good, well balanced with not too heavy an audience intrusion and with the right feeling of an Elvis’ concert.

Elvis' performance in both the shows is superb; Elvis in spite of being overweight is still at the top of his musical ability, very intense and active on the stage. We are talking about one of his best seasons and very successful in terms of audience numbers considering that Las Vegas in December is a dead city, but not for Elvis. Both shows do not really have any low points as Elvis sings with intensity and delivers a solid repertoire, not too much space for the classic oldies but a more mature repertoire for the original rock singer with pop songs performed for the majority.

Among the highlights are powerful performances of "Polk Salad Annie", "America The Beautiful", "Burning Love", "Just Pretend" , while on Opening Night we have "It’s Midnight,” performed with absolute show-stopping brilliance and the rare version of “You’ve Lost the Love Feeling” and “ My Boy”.

The packaging will come with a 12 page booklet professionally edited, picture disc, relevant liner notes, original memorabilia and more than 15 photographs covering practically all of the seasons jumpsuits. These are two great shows... the package, the 79,52 minutes of superb music give us definitely something unique We Hope The Definitive one in reference to Elvis’ December 1975 Vegas Season.
Don’t miss it!!!!

CD Total Time 79.52 min.

Tracklist:

01.2001 Theme; 1.08 02.C. C Rider; 3.25 03.I Got A Woman/Amen; 7.02
04. Love Me; 3.45 05. Fairytale; 4.41 06. And I Love You So; 4.09 07.All Shook Up; 1.00
08. Teddy Bear/Don't Be Cruel; 2.15
09. Hound Dog; 2.07 10. Happy Birthday; 0.37 11.Polk Salad Annie; 4.44 12. Introductions; 1.08
13.Johannu B. Good; 0.56 14.Drums Solo; 1.27 15.Bass Solo; 1.14 16. Piano Solo; 1.41
17. Hail, Hail Rock 'n' Roll; 1.02 18. Just Pretend; 3.57 19.How Great Thou Art; 3.02
20. Burning Love; 2.44 21.Softly As I Leave You; 2.44 22. America the Beautiful; 2.26
23. It's Now or Never; 3.07 24.Can't Help Falling in Love; 1.57

TIME 62.30

December 02, 1975 OP Show

25. Big Boss Man; 2.52 26.It's Midnight; 3.23
27. Early Morning Rain; 2.52 28.You've Lost the Loving Feeling; 4.17
29: My Boy; 3.56

Note to Mariah Carey devotees: Stop the boasting.

The news of Carey surpassing the King in No. 1 pop singles broke early this month, when the diva's "Touch My Body" became her 18th chart-topper, giving her one more than Elvis Presley.

Everybody needs to take a deep breath, because even the ubiquitous Carey - whose new CD, "E=MC²," hits stores Tuesday - seems to put it all in healthy perspective.

"I really can never put myself in the category of people who have not only revolutionized music but also changed the world," she told The Associated Press. "That's a completely different era and time."

At least she sounds levelheaded and philosophical. But let's keep three points in mind aimed at helping us understand what is really the not-so-monumental scope of the news:

1. Elvis is dead. His chances of increasing his No. 1 singles count are, well, pretty much zilch. So this isn't a race, folks. One of the competitors can't run anymore.

2. Digital downloads make it much easier to score No. 1 chart singles. In the age of the iPod, a time when singles are the rage much more so than full albums, it's no longer difficult to reach the summit.

Billboard magazine, the industry bible, tabulates digital download points to help send a song up the charts. So any artist with a lofty track record still hot in the 21st century has a shot at racking up the chart-toppers. Whitney Houston, who already has 11 No. 1 pop hits, could surpass Carey if her much-touted upcoming CD proves to be a comeback.

Madonna has 12 of them. If she ever returned to the good graces of radio and the young iPod generation, she could also prove a threat for Carey.

3. This is about popular music, people. It's not about lasting artistic impact.

None of the aforementioned singers, with the remote possible exception of the trend-setting Madonna, will surpass Elvis in sheer creative influence. That man changed the landscape of music. His sound ushered in the rock 'n' roll movement. His image spawned an army of copycats - from swiveling hips to sneering mouths - and impersonators who don the elaborate Elvis regalia in glittering tribute.

There's a reason his music continues to reach a new generation of listeners. Ditto for the Beatles, who have the top spot with 20 No. 1 pop hits. Carey will surely pass them, too. But she can't compete with them artistically, either.

Carey has a great voice. She arrived in 1990, and her success immediately influenced future R&B-pop divas with big pipes. But she didn't create anything new that altered the music pantheon.

2008/04/14 By Mario Tarradell - www.jsonline.com / www.epgold.com

Released April 7, 2008 the CD "Elvis Presley: 4 Original 45 EP´s - Volume 1"

More information soon.

2008/04/14 Various / www.epgold.com

Celebrities will be dishing out vehicle security advice to motorists on the country's first talking ticket machines at car parks.

Little Britain's Vicky Pollard (Matt Lucas), former boxer Frank Bruno, actor Michael Caine and even Elvis Presley will be among those telling drivers to lock their motors and take valuables with them.

The scheme starts in Tunbridge Wells. Kent, today. A council spokesman said: "It's quirky but we hope it will help cut crime."

The Belgian radio station ‘Radio One’ needs your help. On May 1st, they’ll present the 50 most remarkable voices in the history of radio.

They have selected 200 artists already, of course including Elvis. Check the website below, and look for ELVIS in the alphabetical list under “E”. Who knows you may end up with a free city trip, or a box full of CD’s?

So, in short: be sure to vote for our man! O, the poll ends on April 25th.

Enjoy a sophisticated and fun celebration of Elvis music with Leah Hocking, from the Broadway cast of All Shook Up, and Austin Miller, television and Broadway star. The show will also star Elvis Presley, via video, accompanied by live music on stage during some special segments of the show.

All will be accompanied by the Memphis Symphony Orchestra. Included in the exciting show will be Elvis fan favorites The Dempseys and lots of surprises.
Shawn Klush is also featured (winner of the 2007 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest)

There will be two shows on August 16, 2008 at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. The matinee will begin at 2:00 p.m. and the evening show will begin at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets to the matinee event are $70.00, $50.00 and $30.00. Tickets to the evening show are $125.00, $85.00, $65.00 and $45.00.

A special Elvis: From Broadway to Memphis package will be offered during the evening show for $125.00. The package includes access to the rehearsal of the Elvis: From Broadway to Memphis concert on August 15, a seat in the orchestra pit section, a reception during intermission of the show with light hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar, a complimentary Elvis Insiders membership or renewal, a special collectible lanyard from the event and two Elvis champagne flutes.

Tickets are now on sale through Ticketmaster. Click here to purchase your tickets online or call 901-525-1515.

Celebrating the Life of Todd Morgan.

One month to the day that we lost beloved Graceland employee, Todd Morgan, his family, friends and co-workers gathered at the University of Memphis Rose Theater to remember the very special person that touched many lives in and outside the Elvis world

The rundown of speakers included Jack Soden, Jerry Schilling, Joe Guercio, Gary Hovey with a video condolence message from Priscilla Presley and written message from Lisa Marie Presley. Elvis classics and gospel tunes were more than memorable with performances by The Imperials, Terry Mike Jeffery and Ruby Wilson.

While not everyone could be there, devoted Elvis fan Susan Graham traveled to Memphis to witness the touching memorial service and was able to blog about the event from rehearsal through the emotional ending, her blog can be found by clicking on this link.

A tribute page created by Todd’s brother, Justin, has been added as a “friend” to our Elvis MySpace page and can be found by visiting this link: www.myspace.com/toddmorgantribute.

2008/04/12 EPE / www.epgold.com

Elvis International Shop - The Netherlands.

OPEN: Saturday & Sunday April 12 & 13, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.

E-Mail: elvisinternational@casema.nl

The Netherlands : 0251 - 821240
Other Country's Dial : 00 - 31 - 251 - 821240

2008/04/12 ElvisInternational / www.epgold.com

Ernst Jorgensen confirmed that the new FTD cd's "That's the Way It Is" and "That's the Way It Was" are in the pipeline and will be shipped by the end of next week (april 18th).

2008/04/11 Ernst Jorgensen - Hubert Vindevogel -www.ueps.be / www.epgold.com

JAT Productions has their latest book Portraits is in stock, and all the orders will be shipped out during the next few days.

There aren't much copies available and everything should be sold out within a week.

JAT Productions would like to thank everyone for their support and making this new book a huge success.

Last copies can be ordered directly from JAT Productions or from your favorite dealer.

An preview of four photos from the JAT Productions book, Elvis - Portraits for release today!

Announcing the new book release of "Elvis - Portraits" on Youtube from JAT Production.

Elvis Presley is flanked by Dallas radio station employees, including Julie Muhlstein's future father-in-law (right), in a photo from the late-'50s.

Rare. Never-before-seen. Wow!

That's how a newly discovered photo of Elvis Presley was described in Thursday's Herald. Reading the Associated Press article over breakfast, and seeing the 1972 image of a caped King of Rock 'n' Roll at Madison Square Garden in New York, I had to laugh.

Then I had to go check. Yep, Elvis was still in the house.

Before leaving for work, I managed to find my prized Presley picture. It was tucked in an envelope of photos of my late father-in-law, David Muhlstein.

In the late 1950s, David Muhlstein was news director for a Dallas radio station, KLIF. There's a mention of him in a book called "Gordon McLendon: The Maverick of Radio." McLendon owned KLIF, and in the early '50s had pioneered the top-40 music format at the Texas station.

All I know about my Presley photograph is second-hand information, stories from my late husband and his mom. Apparently the young Elvis dropped by the radio station one day to promote a new single -- I don't know which one. Found in boxes of my husband's stuff were several Presley 45 rpm records from the 1950s and early '60s. They're marked "not for sale," so they likely came from the radio station.

The picture has no date on it, but I know my father-in-law worked at KLIF in 1958 and 1959, when Presley would have been 23 or 24. Perhaps a publicity shot, the photo shows a dreamy Presley, with the slightest hint of a lip curl, in all his "Hound Dog" glory.

My father-in-law is on the right in the picture, and looks to be waiting for the star to sign an autograph. I don't know who the two men are on the left; both appear to be thrilled by the encounter. All the men are wearing the era's white shirts, skinny ties and big-shouldered jackets.

Whenever I look at it, I wish that photo could come to life. I'd love to hear the banter between the King and the man who died before I met his son.

The wire story touting the newly found 1972 pictures reported they were taken by George Kalinsky, Madison Square Garden's official photographer. He recently found more shots of a Presley performance than he knew he had.

With permission from Elvis Presley Enterprises, part of Presley's estate, one of the photos is now on a billboard in New York's Times Square.

Kalinsky's photos will be displayed at Graceland, the Presley mansion in Memphis, Tenn., over Memorial Day weekend.

Although never seen at Graceland, my photo was displayed for years in a hallway in my late mother-in-law's house in Arcadia, Calif., near Pasadena. It was hung, framed, alongside all the family graduation, wedding and baby pictures. I remember a few heated talks between my husband and his siblings about who'd end up with the Elvis picture. Finally, one sister had copies made for all of them.

When I went to find the picture Thursday, I was half surprised I still had it. Knowing that my 21-year-old musician son has a few kitschy Elvis items, I thought maybe the photo had become part of his collection. Ah, but it's still mine.

Reading about never-before-seen Presley pictures, I wondered if they're really all that rare. If I have Elvis in an envelope, how many others do?

1963's "It Happened at the World's Fair" was set in Seattle. Anybody out there have a Kodak Brownie snapshot of Presley being kicked in the shin by 10-year-old Kurt Russell?

There must be hundreds, even thousands of never-before-seen Presley pictures. The New York discovery is just the thing to flush them out. Seeing that young, cool Elvis, I couldn't resist. I'll go first.

Elvis photos?

Do you have a snapshot of Elvis Presley? To share it with Herald readers, contact Julie Muhlstein at 425-339-3460 or muhlstein@heraldnet.com

2008/04/11 By Julie Muhlstein, Herald Columnist / www.epgold.com

CD: Elvis 30 #1 Hits is #1 on the Top Country Catalog Charts for the 2nd week in 2008.

At the same time the album is number 15 on the Top Pop Catalog charts (last week number 18) and on the Billboard Comprehensive Albums list, #140 (last week # 137).

DVD: Aloha From Hawaii (#36 - last week 29)

DVD: Elvis #1 Hit Performances (#39 - last week 38))

Elvis Lives fell of the charts from last week # 30.

-Great new collectible release!

-26 Christmas tracks!

-Including 1967 Elvis radio show! (original tape printed on cd)

-Including original cover artwork from New Zealand

-Very limited edition

1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town* 2. White Christmas* 3. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane) 4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas* 5. Blue Christmas 6. Santa Bring My Baby Back To Me 7. Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem* 8. Silent Night 9. (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) 10. I Believe 11. Take My Hand, Precious Lord 12. It Is No Secret (What God Can Do) *alternate recordings

BONUS TRACKS:

13. (There’ll Be) Peace In The Valley (For Me) (live version) 14. Elvis In Concert Christmas Souvenir Announcement

ELVIS’ SPECIAL CHRISTMAS PROGRAM SUNDAY, DEC. 3, 1967

Track 14-26 Including announcements, Elvis songs, Picture release announcement, Special message from Elvis -“I’ll Be Home For Christmas”

2008/04/10 www.elvismagazine.nl / www.epgold.com

A new label by the name of Inspiration has now released their first Elvis Cd. It’s a double Cd titled Elvis sings… It contain a nice collection of theme songs recorded by Elvis.

Elvis sings… Beatles songs, Hawaiian songs and even Beethoven…??? Surprised?

Besides recording songs that were written for him Elvis’ during his career covered many songs that originally were written and recorded by some of the biggest names in the entertainment field and at the same time some of the best songwriters in the world.

Among them are names from different music genres like Arthur Crudup, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison from The Beatles, Kris Kristofferson and of course some of Little Richard’s songs. Little Richard didn’t write the songs himself, but he influenced the writer and made the songs his own. Just listen to the four Little Richard songs Elvis covered and you won’t be in any doubt who Elvis is trying to sound like.

Elvis also recorded quite a few songs that were built on old European or Hawaiian melodies and/or songs. Some even became classics like It’s Now Or Never, Wooden Heart, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Surrender and My Way.

Inspiration have decided to include studio, live, rehearsal and even home recordings to make this compilation as complete as possible.

The first Cd contains the cover songs. The second Cd starts with the only known recording of Elvis singing bass in a trio to the tune of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. An informal home recording that wouldn’t make sense to release to the wide public, but a charming pearl for music lovers.

What follows are the four musical songs that Elvis sang during his career. Only two of them were released during his lifetime. The first two are home recordings of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s If I Loved You from the musical Carousel and Make Believe from the musical Showboat. Then follows You’ll Never Walk Alone from the musical Carousel also by Rodgers and Hammerstein and the last one in the musical genre is a live recording of The Impossible Dream from The Man Of La Mancha.

The rest of Cd 2 contains all the French, Italian, Spanish, German, Hawaiian and English songs that Elvis recorded. Some of them he sings like they originally were written and some were rewritten with English lyrics. In the situations were the lyrics were changed we have mentioned the original title right after the English title.

Elvis Sings… brings you for the first time ever a collection of all these recordings by Elvis Presley. We hope that you will enjoy Elvis Sings…!

Cd 2:

Beethoven Composition [01] Moonlight Sonata (For piano, C-sharp-minor, opus 27 no. 2) (Home recording)

Musical songs [02] If I Loved You (From Carousel) (Home recording)[03] Make Believe (From Showboat) (Home recording)[04] You’ll Never Walk Alone (From Carousel)[05] The Impossible Dream (From The Man Of La Mancha) (Live)

French songs [06] Almost Always True (Alouette)[07] Can’t Help Falling In Love (Plaisir d’Amour)[08] Let It Be Me (Je T’Appartiens) (Live)[09] My Way (Comme d’ Habitude) (Live)[10] My Boy (Parce Que Je T’Aime Mon Enfant)[11] What Now My Love (Et Maintenent) (Live)

Italian songs [12] Surrender (Torna A Sorrento)[13] No More (La Poloma)[14] Ask Me (Io)[15] Santa Lucia[16] O Solo Mio (Live)[17] It’s Now Or Never (O Solo Mio)

Spanish songs [18] Guadalajara[19] Alla’ en el Rancho Grande[20] It’s Impossible (Somos Novios) (Live)

German songs [21] Wooden Heart (Muss I denn)[22] Tonight Is So Right For Love (Barcarolle)[23] Tonight Is All Right For Love (Geschichten Aus den Weinerwald)[24] Five Sleepy Heads (Wiegendlied)

Hawaiian songs [25] Aloha Oe[26] Drums Of The Island (Bula Lai) [27] Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au) English songs [28] Old McDonald[29] Stay Away (Greensleeves)

2008/04/10 Email / www.epgold.com

"Elvis didn't like to dance." That's what "one of his boys," Lamar Fike told me on the phone from his home in Arlington, Texas, recalling the early-halcyon-final days with Elvis.. "I got tired of Memphis. I got 'music'd out!" he admitted.

Lamar was one of two of "the boys" whose number expanded to "12 or 13." When he first worked for him--'57-'60, Lamar says there was no salary -- "not a dollar" -- just whatever money he needed: "a few dollars -- a thousand." It eventually became $365 a week.

"I introduced Priscilla to him in Weisbaden," when Elvis was in the Army in Germany, Lamar says. "She was 14 -- she was beautiful. And I had to face her mother and father when I brought her home from a date with Elvis!" Their association continued post-WWII when Presley bought a Beverly Hills Home next to Danny Thomas'.

"Priscilla took dancing lessons," recalls Lamar who has watched her on "Dancing With The Stars" and thinks she is terrific -- as she goes into the final nine competition. He, too, is concerned with the plastic surgery she is enduring -- and correcting. Lamar reminds that Ann-Margret, Elvis' favorite costar, was/is a great dancer. "He was in love with her."

"One of the Boys: 57-60" is the title of the screenplay Lamar has written. He's also completing his book, "Fike: An Uncommon Journey on Elvis Presley Boulevard" with author Mark Bego. The film's part of his Drawbridge Production with partner Taylor G. Atha.

He reminisced about early days when Elvis and his "Memphis Mafia" stayed in Suite 850, the Presidential suite, of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, and visits to the MGM lot with Yul Brynner, Clark Gable, Robert Taylor.

He drops names like Natalie Wood, Rita Moreno, Mickey Cohen, Frances and Abe Lastfogel, Mike Romanoff. When he met Elizabeth Taylor, he recalls, "I went blank when she asked me my name!" He and I both set-sided at Paramount with Elvis's then boss Hal Walllis.

He recalls a Halloween party at Nat King Cole's house in Hancock Park where guests included Sammy Davis, Jr. Bob Mitchum. Lamar was so impressed by the star parade, he says "I stayed in shock half of the time." But he retains memories of it all. These stories will all be in the book and movie script. And maybe a new chapter about a dancing star -- Priscilla Presley?

The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum opened to the public June 9, 2006. The purpose of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum is to recognize great musicians for their achievements whether they are unknown to the general public or have a following of millions. As visitors tour the museum, not only do they see and hear the instruments, but they learn about the musicians who played them.

Since the opening of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, the Hall of Fame has sent ballots to professional musicians, producers, engineers, and music historians across the country requesting their nominations for inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame. From this pool of nominees, the Musicians Hall of Fame Advisory Board chose the inaugural class for the 2007 inductees.

The Musicians Hall of Fame’s inaugural class includes The Blue Moon Boys, The Funk Brothers, The Memphis Boys, The Nashville A-Team, The Tennessee Two, and The Wrecking Crew.

Watch the Highlights of the Musicians Hall of fame awards show:

http://www.musicianshalloffame.com/awardshow

Bill Burk update.

Good news! Bill was moved out of ICU and to the Restorative Care Hospital at Baptist yesterday. Now begins a lengthy period of treatment to get him active again, so he can get back to sending you these updates himself.

Again, thank you for all your cards, thoughts and prayers! They have all worked!! And, unlike in the ICU, your cards are now able to stay in the room with Bill, where I have placed them all in a basket for him to read when he gets a little stronger and is able to sit in a chair at a table.

I can tell you that Physical and Occupational Therapy were very impressed with his arm and leg strength when they saw him for the first time today, so it may not be too long before he is moving around again...after almost 4 weeks in a bed!

Connie

Bill E. Burk
Publisher, Elvis World Magazine

A major event to mark the 40th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s now legendary ’68 Comeback Special will take place this May bank holiday weekend at the Red Cow Complex in Dublin, Ireland.

The ‘If I Can Dream’ show stars Ireland’s foremost Elvis performer Kevin Doyle along with his regular backing group the Way It Was orchestra and the Graceland Gospel Choir, these two shows on Friday 2nd and Sunday 4th May will feature many of the King’s best-loved songs.

Making the connection with the King even stronger is the addition
of two extra-special guests who are coming all the way from the USA for the event: Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and Elvis’ longtime friend Jerry Schilling.

There will be special meet and greet sessions with the guests. Both nights promise to be a unique experience for all Elvis fans, with each show being different in format and content. Two great nights are guaranteed!

The event is organised by the Elvis Social Club, which is the Irish branch of the Elvis Presley Fan Club of Great Britain, a non-profit organisation run by dedicated Elvis fans. This is the latest in a line of charity club events that has given fans the opportunity to meet many of Elvis friends and entourage over the years including the TCB Band, Charlie Hodge, Red West and the Jordanaires.

Both concerts will benefit Cinemagic (www.cinemagic.org.uk), a charity which aims to educate, motivate and inspire young people through moving image. Cinemagic operates on a cross border and cross-community basis engaging with many disadvantaged young people. The Coca-Cola Cinemagic Film & Television Festival in association with Spencer Dock runs from 23 April - 1 May.

Tickets for the concerts are available from the Red Cow Complex for €30, (Tel: +353 (0)1 4593650).

Featuring original chart toppers from the 50's & 60's paying tribute to Elvis.

Nearly 36 years after Elvis Presley rocked Madison Square Garden, George Kalinsky raided his files, hunting for pictures he'd taken of the concert and never printed. He dug out nearly 100 never-before-seen shots, including some Graceland officials consider the most iconic ever taken.

"Lost" pictures of The King have left a New York cameraman all shook up.

Nearly 36 years after Elvis Presley rocked Madison Square Garden, George Kalinsky raided his files, hunting for pictures he'd taken of the concert and never printed.

He dug out nearly 100 never-before-seen shots, including some Graceland officials consider the most iconic ever taken.

"I thought I had eight or 10 good photos, but I found four rolls of film," said Kalinsky, the Garden's official photographer for 40 years.

"It was mind-boggling. I'd totally forgotten that I'd taken that many."

The collection is headed to Graceland for an exhibit.

one picture showing a white jumpsuited Elvis, his cape billowing behind him - stands 36 feet tall on a Times Square billboard, part of a display honoring the world-famous snapper.

"That is the one Graceland said was the most iconic," said Kalinsky, who met Elvis backstage after the show and described him as "very humble."

Kalinsky, 64, has taken pictures of every major Madison Square Garden event - including Muhammad Ali's fight with Joe Frazier, a Jimi Hendrix show and the Pope's 1979 visit.

He found the films after being invited to take part in a Times Square display celebrating "Great Moments in New York."

He had asked Graceland for permission to use another of his shots, and they asked if he'd search to see if he had any he'd never published.

"This is an incredible and rare find," said Kevin Kern, spokesman for Elvis Presley Enterprises.

"It is as if George found a treasure chest of never before seen Elvis photos."

2008/04/09 Adam Nichols - www.nydailynews.com - AP / www.epgold.com

A spectacular auction of over 400 lots featuring rare, never before seen memorabilia including handwritten lyrics and letters, stage worn costumes, personal clothing, rare concert posters and photographs, and so much more from the icons of rock and pop: The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Bob Dylan, Led Zeppelin, Britney Spears, Johnny Cash, The Grateful Dead, Buddy Holly and more, is scheduled for next Summer at www.Gottahaveit.com

Two auction highlights are Elvis’s 1967 Clambake Millionaire suit, and the King’s favorite jumpsuit, the famous ‘Peacock’.

With "Touch My Body" topping Billboard's Hot 100 as of Wednesday, Mariah Carey's career total of No. 1 singles has hit 18, one more than Elvis Presley. You'd think Western civilization had collapsed overnight.

My advice? Get over it. I grew up loving Presley's music. I was born the same year he first set foot in Sam Phillips' Sun studio in Memphis, Tenn., and my first memory of music is that of a teenage neighbor belting out "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog!" in 1956, when I was 3.

But this brouhaha? We haven't heard this much racket over who's No. 2 since Florida in 2000. It's only numbers. Besides, Carey isn't even No. 1 on the all-time list. She's still behind the Beatles, who scored 20 No. 1 pop hits from 1963 to 1970.

It took Presley from 1956 to 1969, almost twice as long as the Beatles, to rack up all his chart-toppers, although 16 of those came in just the six years from 1956 to 1962. His final No. 1, "Suspicious Minds," came straggling in in 1969.

Carey, on the other hand, has taken 18 years to reach the top of the heap 18 times. A No. 1 single per year, on average, is no easy feat, and she clearly deserves credit for maintaining such a lengthy hold on pop audiences' affections.

Those who wish to cling desperately to numerical supremacy can take comfort in the fact that Presley still holds a comfortable lead on the list of Top 500 artists for albums and singles, as compiled by researcher Joel Whitburn. On his sliding scale, in which musicians get points for each recording that reaches No. 1, 2, etc., Presley tops both.

In the most recent editions of his Record Research books from Billboard's charts, Presley has 9,406 points on the singles list. Carey is No. 5 with 4,295 points. On the album ranking, Presley racked up 17,309 points, ahead of Frank Sinatra (13,313), the Beatles (13,231) and all others. Carey was No. 91, behind the Lettermen, Billy Vaughn and Journey.

Still, it's only numbers. Carey's latest accomplishment doesn't change the seismic impact Presley had, and continues to have, on pop culture. Sure the number of times he sold more records or got more radio airplay than any other act during his lifetime is impressive. But the real measure of the man is how many other musicians since have seductively swayed their hips, playfully sneered an upper lip or refused to be bound within the confines of rock, blues, country, R&B or any single musical genre. That number is incalculable.

Gary Bryan, the morning DJ at a Los Angeles oldies station, says that, "while Mariah is a terrific singer, and this is a great accomplishment, you can't quantify someone's place in music history by chart statistics. "Some people reflect their time, and some define their times. Mariah is a reflection of her time. ... Elvis, on the other hand, defined his time, much as the Beatles later did. Mariah doesn't have that kind of iconic stature."

Need proof? Ever seen a velvet Carey painting? Me neither. Are couples racing to Vegas chapels to be wed by Carey impersonators? I thought not. And I guarantee that 40 years from now, no singer will ever quip "Thank you, thank you very much" after a song and make people think of Carey.

So, Presley fans, worry not. The King's place in history is secure, even if Carey manages to score another 18 No. 1 hits. If that happens, she'd have overtaken the Beatles, in which case, forget everything I just said.

2008/04/09 By Randy Lewis - www.baltimoresun.com / www.epgold.com

The debut of Captain Marvel and his protégé -- Elvis' hero, Captain Marvel Jr. -- had struck the comic book world like a thunderbolt -- and now it was Elvis' turn to do the same for the music business, and the world.

370 pages book "Elvis: Frame By Frame" by Bill Bram. The book will only be available through the author's website.

Release date April 12, 2008.

About the book:

Hundreds of books have been published since Elvis Presley’s death yet none have seriously documented the making of his films. Elvis spent more than half of his career making films, yet this critical time period has been essentially ignored by most biographers.

This book investigates the making of nine of his films, in the words of those that worked on and co-starred in them. The author spared no expense to locate and interview hundreds of people who worked on Elvis's films, including co-stars, movie crew members, dancers, extras and stuntmen. Anecdotes and fascinating behind the scene accounts will be the central focus.

A large portion of the book will consist of direct quotations from the interviewees, edited to create an interesting narrative of each film. It is a running commentary on Elvis’s films. In addition the book will contain information obtained directly from the movie files. Decades old questions regarding particular scenes and songs, believed to have been filmed, will be addressed and answered.

Readers will find chapters on King Creole, Kid Galahad, Roustabout, Double Trouble, and Live A Little, Love A Little among others. The book concludes with a fascinating chapter on the Elvis movie that should have been: A Star Is Born.

Rare behind the scene movie photographs will be interspersed through out the book, never published, and obtained by the author. In addition, the author scouted and found dozens of locations, in and around Los Angeles, used in Elvis’s films.

Elvis: Frame By Frame will be the first book to present a detailed account into the making of Elvis’s films. Most importantly, the book offers a new perspective and understanding of the most fascinating entertainer of our time.

About the author

The author, Bill Bram, has spent the last thirty years watching and reading everything available on the subject of Elvis’s films. His interest in Elvis movies began in 1975 when he would rush home from Junior High School, to catch “Elvis Movie Week” on the 4:30 P.M. movie. Like millions of others, he learned about Elvis through his films.

In 1986 he researched and prepared an article on the film Follow That Dream. He located the primary movie locations utilized in the film, located people in Florida who participated in the movie project and ran ads in local Florida papers to find more people. His dream for a book on the making of Elvis’s films was born at this time.

He has contributed to such books as: Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley by Peter Guralnick, Elvis: His Life from A to Z by Fred Worth and Steve Tamerius and All Shook Up by Lee Cotton. In addition he has contributed to such Elvis publications as Elvis: The Man & His Music.

With words of encouragement from authors like Peter Guralnick, Larry Geller, Phil Gelormine/Elvis World, Ken Sharp and his best friend, Colt Daniel, he was determined to do a complete and as thorough a job as possible on his dream project, Elvis: Frame By Frame.

HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) — A service for Hollywood executive Guy McElwaine, who passed away on April 2 after a 2 month illness, was held on Saturday in Westwood.

McElwaine wore many hats which included being a publicist at MGM, the head of ICM’s film division, head of production for Ray Stark, Columbia and Morgan Creek. Born in Southern California, McElwaine aspired to become a professional baseball player, but had to give up that quest when he hurt his arm. McElwaine’s brilliant business sense, and his charming character were his stock and trade, and he utilized those skills to a successful 50 year career.

His family, which included his daughters Dawn and Alexandra, were at his bedside when he passed away. McElwaine had lived life in a large way. He had been married at least nine times. He became one of the guards of the old Hollywood, having been associated with people such as Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and as Steven Spielberg’s first agent. Guy McElwaine was 71.

2008/04/08 By Jeffrey Jolson - www.hollywoodtoday.net / www.epgold.com

This week Priscilla Presley dancing the Vienese Waltz with Louis Van Amstel - 22/30 points.

The gospelquartet The Imperials will start a mini tour in Germany this week. Host is Dr. Klaus Kohlpaintner. On saturday april 12, there is a gospelshow in Burghausen.

On sunday they perform with Shaky Everett in Dortmund and on monday and tuesday they are back in Burghausen. All shows are completely sold out.

The Imperials are thrilled that they are loved by the fans in Germany. They performed a lot in the country over the past months.

The James Burton International Guitar Festival was created to help raise funds for the James Burton Foundation. The Foundation is dedicated to raising money to provide technical training, music lessons and free guitars to young musicians.

James was fortunate that his parents sacrificed to purchase his first Fender guitar. Through his humble beginnings, James learned that a quality instrument is very important. It's been James' dream to give back to the community by helping young musicians realize their potential.

Over the years, James and his wife Louise have donated countless guitars to kids in need of an instrument. Yesterday, another 1400 brand new guitars were delivered at the office of the James Burton Foundation. 1400 more children will get a guitar and learn to play... That's the man James really is.

James Burton & his Live Band in Concert: May 17th in The Netherlands, and May 18th in Belgium.

Scotty Moore and DJ Fontana ,will have videos up today showing you how to play five of the King's classics including "Jailhouse Rock", "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Hound Dog" on the iVideosongs website.

Press Release

iVideosongs (www.ivideosongs.com) announced today the addition of five Elvis Presley songs to its growing catalog of high-def music instruction videos. The new songs, "Don't Be Cruel," "Heartbreak Hotel," "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock" and "That's Alright," feature Elvis' original band mates, guitarist Scotty Moore and drummer D.J. Fontana.

iVideosongs is the new service that shows aspiring musicians everywhere how to play their favorite songs completely and accurately, with the instruction provided by the original artists who wrote, performed and produced them, and also from expert instructors.

"Playing these songs is a reminder of the raw power of Elvis' early music, when he was a young rocker and before he became the cultural icon," said Tim Huffman, CEO of iVideosongs. "Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana were a big part of the Elvis sound. On these iVideosongs titles, Scotty and D.J. show how to play these great songs and they bring them to life with stories about the king and his music."

iVideosongs has licensed full rights to its songs from BMG Music Publishing, EMI Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner/Chappell Music and also many secondary and tertiary publishers. This allows the company to provide complete and accurate instructional titles, presented exactly as they were originally written and performed. The iVideosongs titles are primarily for electric and acoustic guitarists, but titles for bass, keyboards and drums are also included in the catalog.

iVideosongs offers three kinds of music instruction content. Tutorials designed to improve basic to advanced skills are available free of charge. Complete and accurate songs, instructed by professional music teachers cost $4.99. Complete and accurate songs, taught by the original artists who wrote, performed and/or produced them, cost $9.99.

iVideosongs customers can choose a skill level and genre, and then download the high- def titles to their personal computer, iPod or other device. Each song title is presented in chapter format, so aspiring musicians learn the introduction, verse, chorus, bridge, outro and other elements in bite-size pieces and at their own pace. Each title also includes a master performance so customers can compare their progress against the song, and tablature notation to aid in learning. Titles featuring artists also include an interview segment, where they reveal the inspiration and influences that went into the creation of the song.
iVideosongs launched the beta of its service this past January 29, 2008.

About iVideosongs

iVideosongs is the pioneering music instruction service that enables aspiring musicians of all skills levels to learn how to accurately play complete songs from the original artists who wrote and performed them, and also from legendary sidemen and a staff of exceptional instructors. iVideosongs on-demand, high-def video titles live on customer'' computers, iPods and other devices, and are accessible to them whenever and wherever they like.

A vinyl re-issue of Elvis' "Golden Records" has been released in Poland.

Side A

1. Hound Dog
2. Loving You
3. All Shook Up
4. Heartbreak Hotel
5. Jailhouse Rock
6. Love Me
7. Too Much

Side B

1. Don't Be Cruel
2. That's When Your Heartaches Begin
3. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear
4. Love Me Tender
5. Treat Me Nice
6. Any Way You Want Me (That's How I Will Be)
7. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You

2008/04/07 Various / www.epgold.com

Soon to be released is the Import Cd from Rainbow Records "The Final Farewell" the definitive 2 CD set containing the complete 26-6-77 show including the pre-programm in a better sound than we had before.

Includes a 20 page booklet plus an extra DIN A3 poster.

More details later.

Joseph Pirzada, the man behind the Memphis Recording Service (MRS) organisation

In July 2007 EIN published part 1 of his interview with EIN what turned out to be one of our most controversial interviews ever...with Joseph Pirzada, the man behind the Memphis Recording Service (MRS) organisation.

In the past few years MRS has released some of the best ever audio-visual and photo journal Elvis releases including MRS Volumes 1 & 2; Tupelo's Own Elvis Presley; and The Complete New York Sessions.

FINALLY...here is the concluding part to Joseph's controversial interview.

In part 1 of his interview with EIN Joseph took aim at a number of Elvis world identities and really stirred things up with his comments on a number of issues. To say the response from readers was very polarised is an understatement! While many fans applauded the quality releases from MRS a number of other fans found fault with how they perceived MRS had obtained parts of its material for the releases.

In the concluding part to his interview Joseph again does not hold back, and also answers his critics from part 1 of the interview.

Joseph addresses:

claims he has "stolen" both audio and visual material for his releases

takes aim at (and exposes) Johnny Saulovich aka Dr John Carpenter (and EIN publishes the photo of the infamous and outspoken Saulovich which has been circulating in the Elvis world for some time)

the "politics" behind the book Inside Graceland and the MRS book which will overshadow that release

Listen to a recording of Radio Luxembourg doing an Elvis Presley Show in 1972.

Tony Prince interviews Elvis. Also features DJ Mark Wesley and a lot of ciggy adverts.

"Radio Luxemburg 1972 Elvis Special" - 43 Minutes.

A new import label by the name of Inspiration has now released their first Elvis Cd.

It’s a double Cd titled Elvis sings… It contain a nice collection of theme songs recorded by Elvis.

Elvis sings… Beatles songs, Hawaiian songs and even Beethoven…??? Surprised?

Among them are names from different music genres like Arthur Crudup, Bill Monroe, Hank Williams, Chuck Berry, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and George Harrison from The Beatles, Kris Kristofferson and of course some of Little Richard’s songs. Little Richard didn’t write the songs himself, but he influenced the writer and made the songs his own.

Just listen to the four Little Richard songs Elvis covered and you won’t be in any doubt who Elvis is trying to sound like.

Elvis also recorded quite a few songs that were built on old European or Hawaiian melodies and/or songs. Some even became classics like It’s Now Or Never, Wooden Heart, Can’t Help Falling In Love, Surrender and My Way.

Inspiration have decided to include studio, live, rehearsal and even home recordings to make this compilation as complete as possible.

The first Cd contains the cover songs. The second Cd starts with the only known recording of Elvis singing bass in a trio to the tune of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata. An informal home recording that wouldn’t make sense to release to the wide public, but a charming pearl for music lovers.

What follows are the four musical songs that Elvis sang during his career. Only two of them were released during his lifetime.

The first two are home recordings of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s If I Loved You from the musical Carousel and Make Believe from the musical Showboat. Then follows You’ll Never Walk Alone from the musical Carousel also by Rodgers and Hammerstein and the last one in the musical genre is a live recording of The Impossible Dream from The Man Of La Mancha.

The rest of Cd 2 contains all the French, Italian, Spanish, German, Hawaiian and English songs that Elvis recorded. Some of them he sings like they originally were written and some were rewritten with English lyrics. In the situations were the lyrics were changed we have mentioned the original title right after the English title.

Elvis Sings… brings you for the first time ever a collection of all these recordings by Elvis Presley. We hope that you will enjoy Elvis Sings…!

Cd 1:

Arthur Crudup songs

[01] That’s All Right

[02] My Baby Left Me

[03] So Glad You’re Mine

Bill Monroe songs

[04] Blue Moon Of Kentucky

[05] Little Cabin On The Hill (Million Dollar Quartet)

[06] Summertime Is Past And Gone (Million Dollar Quartet)

[07] I Hear A Sweet Voice Calling (Million Dollar Quartet)

[08] Sweetheart You Done Me Wrong (Million Dollar Quartet)

Hank Williams songs

[09] Your Cheatin’ Heart

[10] I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Home recording)

[11] I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (Live)

[12] Men With Broken Hearts (Live)

[13] Jambalaya (Live)

Little Richard songs

[14] Rip It Up

[15] Ready Teddy

[16] Long Tall Sally

[17] Tutti Frutti

Chuck Berry songs

[18] Maybellene (Live)

[19] Brown Eyed Handsome Man (Million Dollar Quartet)

[20] Memphis Tennessee

[21] Too Much Monkey Business

[22] Johnny B. Goode (Live)

[23] Promised Land

[24] School Days (Live)

Ray Charles songs

[25] I Got A Woman

[26] What’d I Say

Bob Dylan songs

[27] Blowing In The Wind (Home recording)

[28] Tomorrow Is A Long Time

[29] Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right

[30] I Shall Be Released

Beatles songs

[31] Something (Live)

[32] Hey Jude

[33] Get Back

[34] Yesterday (Live)

[35] Lady Madonna

Kris Kristofferson songs

[36] Help Me Make It Through The Night

[37] For The Good Times

[38] Why Me Lord (Live)

Cd 2:

Beethoven Composition

[01] Moonlight Sonata (For piano, C-sharp-minor, opus 27 no. 2) (Home recording)

Musical songs

[02] If I Loved You (From Carousel) (Home recording)

[03] Make Believe (From Showboat) (Home recording)

[04] You’ll Never Walk Alone (From Carousel)

[05] The Impossible Dream (From The Man Of La Mancha) (Live)

French songs

[06] Almost Always True (Alouette)

[07] Can’t Help Falling In Love (Plaisir d’Amour)

[08] Let It Be Me (Je T’Appartiens) (Live)

[09] My Way (Comme d’ Habitude) (Live)

[10] My Boy (Parce Que Je T’Aime Mon Enfant)

[11] What Now My Love (Et Maintenent) (Live)

Italian songs

[12] Surrender (Torna A Sorrento)

[13] No More (La Poloma)

[14] Ask Me (Io)

[15] Santa Lucia

[16] O Solo Mio (Live)

[17] It’s Now Or Never (O Solo Mio)

Spanish songs

[18] Guadalajara

[19] Alla’ en el Rancho Grande

[20] It’s Impossible (Somos Novios) (Live)

German songs

[21] Wooden Heart (Muss I denn)

[22] Tonight Is So Right For Love (Barcarolle)

[23] Tonight Is All Right For Love (Geschichten Aus den Weinerwald)

[24] Five Sleepy Heads (Wiegendlied)

Hawaiian songs

[25] Aloha Oe

[26] Drums Of The Island (Bula Lai)

[27] Hawaiian Wedding Song (Ke Kali Nei Au)

English songs

[28] Old McDonald

[29] Stay Away (Greensleeves)

A serialized on-line novel by Stefano Boscutti based on the crazed weekend Elvis Presley decided to visit President Richard Nixon in search of a Federal Drug Enforcement Agent badge.

This is a work of fiction. The incidents portrayed and the dialogue are all fictitious. All of the characters are either fictitious or used fictitiously.

New chapter posted every day. To read the story so far, check out the table of contents:

CHAPTER ONE: "YOU IS THE CHOSEN ONE"
CHAPTER TWO: "DON’T YOU 'ELVIS' ME!"
CHAPTER THREE: "SHIT!"
CHAPTER FOUR: "WHAT'D I DO WRONG?"
CHAPTER FIVE: "PICK ME UP AT LAX IN TWO HOURS"
CHAPTER SIX: "DISEMBARK MY ASS!"
CHAPTER SEVEN: "I PACKED LIGHT"
CHAPTER EIGHT: "I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"
CHAPTER NINE: "DEAR DICK . . . " (COMING TOMORROW)

Click Here: http://boscutti.com/elvis

The import Cd from Madison's Opening Night - January 1970 will be released soon. The soundboard recording of the January 26, 1970 opening show was overall of poor quality because of severe microphone overload. It ain't perfect but NOW, and for the FIRST TIME you will be able to enjoy this GREAT concert in its entirety. This excellent new source has been greatly improved into a surprisingly fuller, dynamic and warmer sound, and without any doubts the best-ever sound fidelity attained on this amazing opening show of January 1970.

This limited edition of Opening Show - January 1970 will come with a professionally designed 16-page booklet, liner notes, memorabilia and photographs from Elvis' second Las Vegas season. Don't miss out soon a remarkable concert and Closing Night - February 1970's perfect companion, Opening Night - January 1970.

Track list :

1- Opening /All Shook Up 2:22 ; 2- That's All Right 2:51 ; 3- Proud Mary 2:55 ; 4- Don't Cry Daddy 3:00 ; 5- Medley :Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:24 ; 6- Long Tall Sally 1:50 ; 7- Let It Be Me 3:53 ; 8- I Can't Stop Loving You 2:50 ; 9- Medley : Walk A Mile In My Shoes 2:56 / ; 10- In The Ghetto 3:23 ; 11- True Love Travels On A Gravel Road ( with false start ) 3:44 ; 12- Sweet Caroline 4:02 ; 13- Polk Salad Annie 5:27 ; 14- Introduction of vocalists, band, orchestra 2:16 ; 15- Kentucky Rain 3:18 ; 16- Suspicious Minds 6:27 ; 17- Can't Help Falling In Love 2:02

Track 17 is previously unreleased in full.

2008/04/07 Email / www.epgold.com

Here is the the artwork for the upcoming import Cd Straight Arrow release "Royal Gambit In Richfield".

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from "2001 A Space Odyssey") - 02. Opening Vamp / C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. Fairytale - 06. You Gave Me A Mountain - 07. Jailhouse Rock - 08. All Shook Up - 09. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 10. And I Love You So - 11. Little Darlin' (excerpt / intro only) - 12. Fever - 13. America The Beautiful - 14. Polk Salad Annie - 15. Band Introductions - 16. Early Mornin' Rain - 17. What'd I Say - 18. Johnny B. Goode - 19. Drum Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) - 20. Bass Solo (Blues - by Jerry Scheff) - 21. Piano Solo (by Tony Brown) - 22. Electric Piano Solo (by David Briggs) - 23. Love Letters - 24. School Day - 25. Hurt (with last part reprise) - 26. Hound Dog - 27. Danny Boy (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 28. Walk With Me (by Sherrill Nielsen) - 29. Heartbreak Hotel - 30. How Great Thou Art - 31. Mystery Train / Tiger Man (medley) - 32. Can't Help Falling In Love - 33. Closing Vamp & Announcements.

2008/04/06 Email / www.epgold.com

Photos of Elvis Presley dot the walls of the house he lived in with his parents when he was stationed at Fort Hood in 1958.

Elvis Presley lived in this house on Oakhill Drive when he was stationed at Fort Hood in 1958.(Herald/JOHN A. BOWERSMITH)

Fifty years ago this week, Elvis Presley and his parents came to Fort Hood, where the junior Presley trained with Alpha Company, 37th Armor Battalion, 2nd Armored Division, as a light truck driver in a tank crew.

On March 28, 1958, local attorney Chester Crawford and his wife rented a home on Oakhill Drive in Killeen to the Presleys, who lived there for 25 weeks, during which the music superstar underwent basic and advanced individual training to become a soldier.

Pvt. Presley was inducted into the Army at Fort Chaffee, Ark., four days before he arrived at Fort Hood. On Sept. 19, 1958, he and 1,360 other 3rd Armored Division replacements left Fort Hood for Friedburg, Germany.

Though the man that would be known as the King of Rock and Roll wasn't here long, his legacy lingers in memories and the occasional promotion.

Media frenzy

Gerald Skidmore was managing editor of the Killeen Daily Herald in 1958 and was at the news conference when Elvis arrived at Fort Hood. Skidmore remembers Elvis' arrival as chaotic. He was one of three reporters covering Elvis' departure the following September.

The news conference on March 28, 1958, was the only authorized press event with Elvis. Reporters were told they were not permitted to interfere with Elvis' training. Reporters from radio stations filled the back of a truck on which Elvis stood, "trying to get one word into their recorders," Skidmore said in an interview this week.

Reporters were later invited to interview Elvis at a mess hall while he ate a fish and fries dinner, Skidmore said. Elvis' departure was very different. It was quiet at the railhead, where Elvis boarded a train for California before heading to Germany, Skidmore said.

Elvis didn't talk to the media, and he appeared emotional, still affected by the recent death of his mother, Gladys, Skidmore said.

Despite the Army's request to allow Elvis to train just like any other soldier, the residence at 605 Oakhill Drive in Killeen, located off U.S. Highway 190, was a gathering place for many Elvis fans while he lived there.

Newspaper stories from that time suggest that fans regularly flocked to the home, and on some nights, if he was not too tired, Elvis would come out the front door and sign some autographs.

Many cars and fans crowded the street, lawn and porch of the home, sometimes as many as 100 per night, newspaper stories stated. "People were waiting for him every day," Skidmore said.

Elvis would get out of the car before getting to the house, climb a hill and sneak in through the back door. Presley's neighbors at the time often gave him permission to cross through their backyards in order to avoid the crowds, Skidmore said.

"He was nice and visited with everyone. He was a perfect gentleman and never unkind," Skidmore said.

Memories shared

Lois Ferrell, then Lois Griffin, now a second-grade aide working at Clark Elementary School in Killeen, remembers her encounter with Elvis.

Ferrell's mother was working as a telephone operator at a Fort Hood store when Lois came to pick her up one day. Elvis, who called his mother every day at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sundays, came out of the building, spotted Ferrell and her friend, Margaret Wildman, in the parked vehicle and struck up a conversation with the girls.

"I remember it was cold, we had the windows rolled up on the car. He sat in the car with us for 20 minutes and talked. He told us to come back that Sunday, and he would take us to a movie," Ferrell said.

That Sunday, Elvis drove the girls to a movie in a leased Cadillac convertible. Ferrell sat beside Elvis, and Wildman sat in the window seat.

"A couple of his Army buddies were at the movie, but they didn't come with us," said Ferrell, who couldn't remember the name of the movie.

"He (Elvis) was nice and generous. He bought all the Girl Scout cookies on sale and passed them out to everyone in line at the theater," Ferrell said.

"I remember he said that he wished he could go off post (he was restricted to post at the time, before moving off post) and visit with us in our homes. I had a piano in my house and offered to host a jam session, but he said that it would attract too much of a crowd and make everyone miserable," Ferrell said.

"Overall, it was a wonderful experience for a 17-year-old," Ferrell said.

Close encounters in Killeen

Tommy Joe Mills, of Modern TV and Appliance, located at 315 E. Avenue C, recalls his brief interaction with Elvis.

In the spring of 1958, Elvis and Sgt. Maj. Bill Norwood came into the store to buy a television set. Elvis was buying the TV for the soldiers in his company.

Mills sold him a 21-inch, black-and-white General Electric television set; Elvis wrote a check and signed it, "E.A. Presley." Mills' daughter, Gwen Stewart, then 8 years old, told her father to keep the check. Mills didn't keep it because he needed the money.

"I wish I had kept it," he says now. "It would be worth quite a bit."

Eric Carlile, a next-door neighbor, was 6 years old in 1958. He remembers Elvis climbing up the hill behind his home and sneaking in. He also remembers that on Sundays, women, wearing their Sunday best, formed a line stretching from Elvis' home down the street. They would wait to meet him, get a kiss and have their photo taken with him, Carlile said.

Return to sender

In August 1958, just before Elvis' departure from Fort Hood, his fans petitioned the Killeen City Council to change the name of Oakhill Drive to Presley Drive, bringing nationwide publicity to the area.

In 2006, the 2,400-square-foot house on Oakhill Drive made history again when its owner, Myka Allen-Johnson, put it up for sale on eBay because she could not afford to convert it into a historical landmark. The house is currently for sale for $170,000.

Now, 50 years after his stay in Killeen, local businesses are running Elvis specials.

Hooters in Killeen is offering an "Elvis sauce," which is available upon request. The hot sauce is not on the menu because, "Elvis has left the building," said general manager Wayne Young.

In honor of Elvis' stay in the city, Shilo Inn & Suites is offering a Heartbreak Hotel package for guests, said Sherry Hoffpauir, director of sales.

The package includes a reservation in the "King" junior suite; a snack of jelly doughnuts, a personal favorite of Elvis; an Elvis Presley greatest hits CD; and an "Elvis Slept Here, You Can Too" T-shirt.

Chart Upate #2: REMIX OF "BABY LET'S PLAY HOUSE" NEW ENTRY IN SWEDISH CHART AT # 48.

Better than Mariah Carey, new entry at 51: Having received the blessing by Elvis Presley Enterprises and Sony BMG US, the Elvis Presley's new remixed song "Baby Let's Play House" by contemporary DJ/producer Spankox enters this week the Swedish chart at n.48, beating Mariah Carey's Touch My Body that follows at position 51.

Elvis enters the chart chasing Flo-Rida feat. T-Pain Low that this week is at position 47 and before Leona Lewis's Bleeding Love, at number 49. Elvis' new remix has already been sitting at the Italian Official Nielsen Charts for 7 weeks, setting the new chart record.

Now the help of Swedish Elvis fans is needed to support this release and push the King to the top. The record is available as special limited edition VinylDISC (CD + Vinyl in one: a CD that plays also on a turntable) and is also available as digital download from iTunes and other online stores.

More info and videoclip:

http://www.babyletsplayhouse.com

luca@everness.com

2008/04/06 Luca De Bertolis - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com

James Burton is a god among guitar players. Born in Dubberly, La., in 1939, he grew up in Shreveport and by his early teens had already appeared on seminal Southern radio broadcast the Louisiana Hayride. At 15, he wrote the guitar lick for and recorded "Susie-Q" with Dale Hawkins and became a regular with Ricky Nelson's band on television not long after that.

In a career that stretches over more than a half-century, Burton's licks have marched through popular music, gracing the work of everyone from Elvis Presley (most famously) to Elvis Costello, Gram Parsons to Jim Lauderdale, Frank Sinatra to John Denver, the Monkees to Merle Haggard. His influence and the innovations he's brought to the art of the guitar are undeniable and incredibly far-reaching. When inducting Burton into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2001, Keith Richards claimed, "I never bought a Ricky Nelson album; I bought a James Burton album."

Burton makes a rare Austin appearance this weekend at the Lonestar Rod & Kustom Round Up with shows on Saturday at the Travis County Expo Center and the Continental Club, where he'll be joined by locals who Casper Rawls has rounded up. We caught up with the guitarist by phone in his home base of Shreveport to talk about the past, present, and future.

Austin Chronicle: What first prompted you to pick up the guitar?

James Burton: My mother tells me that ever since I was a little, itty-bitty kid, I loved music. I loved to listen to the radio and play the phonograph. She would catch me going around the house beating on a broomstick like it was a guitar and singing. She said she knew I had the music in me. I actually started playing on an acoustic guitar when I was 11 or 12. When I was 13, I got an electric, and that's when I really jumped into playing licks and stuff.

AC: How many guitars do you own?

JB: I haven't counted them. I know it's probably in the hundreds. I can't keep up with it. I've been with Fender for so long. I've been involved with their signature series. It's worked out great. I was able to give Brad Paisley, Eric Johnson, and everyone that came to play my show one of my guitars. It was just wonderful.

AC: It wasn't long after you began playing that you got involved in the Louisiana Hayride, which broadcast out of Shreveport.

JB: Yeah, I went professional when I was 14. That's when I played on the Hayride with George Jones and the staff band with Floyd Cramer, the piano player, and Jimmy Day, the steel guitarist. It was around that time that I came up with the guitar lick for "Susie-Q."

AC: Do you get tired of being asked about Elvis Presley?

JB: No, not really. That was a beautiful part of my career.

AC: Do you remember the first time you met Elvis?

JB: The first time, he called me, and we talked on the phone for about 3½ hours. He called me in '68 to be on his Comeback Special, but I didn't actually speak to him because I wasn't available. I was doing an album with Frank Sinatra. In 1969, he called me, and we talked on the phone. That's when he asked me if I'd be interested in putting a band together for him for the opening of the International Hotel in Las Vegas. That turned into nine years of working together. He named us the TCB Band.

AC: He gave you lots of leeway, didn't he?

JB: Absolutely. He'd say: "Let's do this song. Kick it off." [Chuckles.] Basically, it was a real fun gig. No problems musically. Of course, he was such a great singer, and he loved the power and energy of the band.

AC: His musical range was amazing.

JB: When he came out of the Army, he wanted to change. There was a change he was looking for when he called me. When we had our first rehearsal, I could tell where he was going. He didn't feel limited with what he could do. He wanted to sing "My Way" and all these Beatles tunes, and he wanted that kind of band. So when we went to Vegas, with a full orchestra, it was incredible – the excitement. The energy was there.

AC: After Elvis died, you played with John Denver.

JB: I did a TV show with John a couple of months before Elvis passed away. John had asked me when we did that show if I would be interested in doing some live shows with him and cutting an album with him. I said sure, but it all depends on Elvis' schedule. When I came back home after Elvis' funeral in Memphis, I had about 25 calls from John and all the people that worked for him asking me to come to the studio and record with him.

AC: Was it culture shock to go from working with Elvis Presley to John Denver?

JB: Not really, because my career is working with a lot of different artists. Elvis was one of a kind, and so was John Denver, and so was Jerry Lee Lewis and Roy Orbison and Johnny Rivers, all those people. Everybody is so different, and I guess that's what makes our music world so good. We have such a good variety. It's so interesting to go from a Nat King Cole session to a Frank Sinatra session to a Beach Boys session, then to Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, Wanda Jackson. You know, it's just amazing. It's wonderful to be able to say that.

AC: In 1969, you recorded with Townes Van Zandt on his Our Mother the Mountain album. How did that come about?

JB: The producer at the time – I can't recall who it was – wanted my style, and I just happened to be there. I was doing all kinds of studio work at the time.

AC: What keeps you busy these days?

JB: I travel a lot. I still do a bit of studio work in Nashville and Los Angeles. There's still lots of amazing things going on. I'm working with a lot of great artists.

AC: I saw you on The Tonight Show with Jim Lauderdale a week or so ago.

JB: I've done a couple of albums with Jim. He's a good friend of mine. We also did Conan O'Brien about a month ago. I get to play with Al Perkins on steel guitar, and Jim calls us the Dream Players. It's amazing. I got a phone call from Elvis Costello awhile ago. He's got a bunch of stuff he's asked me to do, and he flipped out. He said: "Man, I was watching Jay Leno the other night, and who comes on but you and Jim Lauderdale. That blew me away."

AC: One of your big projects this year is the James Burton International Guitar Festival in Shreveport. What will that be like?

JB: I don't have my list laid out yet, but I'm doing a trade show as well. My son Jeff is working on it with me and my wife. I've been out of town quite a bit lately, so they've been doing most of the work. I've always wanted to do my own show, so I put a show together in 2005. That's when I formed my foundation. I wanted to give something back to the kids, so it benefits the kids. It raises money to buy guitars. We were very fortunate to get music back in schools, teaching guitar. We also went to St. Jude [Children's Research Hospital] in Memphis and gave 25 guitars to the kids there and started a music program. We work with the Shriners here in Shreveport. It's just amazing. The kids go nuts. They love it so much, and they all want to play guitar. It's just a blessing from God. Some of the kids were out-of-hand; they couldn't control them, and now that we're doing the music program, they can't wait to get to school and are making straight A's. The festival this year is three days in August, around my birthday, and we have a lot of people coming from Memphis, because it's around the Elvis memorial [of his death].

AC: Ever thought of retiring?

JB: [Laughs.] I don't even know how to spell that word

Note EpGold: James Burton also had a fantastic rockabilly career in the 1950s, playing with Dale Hawkins, Bob Luman, David Houston, Bobby Lee Trammell and Ricky Nelson.

2008/04/06 By Jim Caligiuri - www.austinchronicle.com / davepenny / www.epgold.com

2008 is the 40th anniversary of the first airing of Elvis’s 1968 television special. This extravagant entertainment special features Elvis in some of his greatest and best-loved moments captured on video. Elvis in black leather and the giant red “Elvis” letters are just a couple of iconic images that come from this program.

Celebrate the '68 Special online at Elvis.com with a mini-site that features '68 Special fun facts, videos, photo gallery, trivia game, special e-card and wallpaper and more.

Based on the Elvis slot machines in Las Vegas, an online version of the Elvis slots is now available. This is a non-download game featuring Elvis’ voice and song lyrics, with features such as the 2 x and 4 x multistrike, Fan-o-Meter, Pick a TV and Photo Memories.

This casino game is licensed by Elvis Presley Enterprises and is available across the internet.

He's alive, its...Elvis. Launching the best 60 payline slot game online, with some real visual clips of the 'King of Rock and Roll' in all bonus rounds. See him for yourself here at Paddy Power Casino

Play Me >>

The Legendary Sun Studio in Memphis Tennessee is announcing the launch of SUN STUDIO SESSIONS, a web video series featuring today’s rising stars in the music world, performing live in the historic studio where Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many other greats recorded their first hits.

New artists and songs will be introduced every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, beginning Monday, March 31, and continuing throughout the year.

Sun Studio Sessions are produced by music blogger Jeff Davidson
(of Earvolution/BlogCritics) who says: “This is just so different and … well, cool! The artists coming here get goosebumps from all the history in this room , and you can feel the juice in their performances. And it’s the same raw and pure sound Sun Studio made epic in the 1950’s.”

Davidson said the show was considering different partnership opportunities: “We want to be careful selecting partners, in terms of sponsorship and distribution, given all the history here, but we have created a show with a high level of consistency and a quality that’s perfect for web advertisers – particularly those looking for targeted placements.”

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals will kick off the first Session, with performances scheduled in the coming days and weeks by Amber Rubarth, Sara Borges and The Broken Singles, Amy LaVere, David Ford, Five Times August, and Backyard Tire Fire. You can view Sun Studio Sessions on www.SunStudioSessions.com with new webisodes every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

About Sun Studio

Founded in 1950 by Rock N Roll Hall of Famer Sam Philips, Sun Studio is literally the Birthplace of Rock N Roll. Its original artists, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf and Jerry Lee Lewis have been followed by hundreds of artists including the Beatles Ringo Starr and John Lennon, Bono and U2, and, now most recently… Grace Potter and the Nocturnals.

Welcoming more than a million fans of their Rock N Roll heroes by day, who tour the Studio, when the night falls, Sun Studio comes alive with exciting new artists and sounds – now captured for all to see and hear in Sun Studio Sessions.

One of the most popular places to visit in Belgium, is the magnificent Open Air Museum of Bokrijk, dedicated to Flemish rural architecture of the 18th and 19th century and the Flemish country life. Throughout the year you can step into the past, literally and figuratively, in the Open Air Museum.

More than 100 historic buildings, rebuilt in their original condition, await you. Even the furniture, the farming tools and the household goods are authentic... however, the Open Air Museum lives. In Bokrijk, life takes its course; it follows nature’s rhythm. The morning sun pierces through the lush green foliage and conjures up a colourful light show on the Kempen square.

The church bells ring and the windmill starts up slowly. The priest gets ready for a fire-and-brimstone sermon. And while the farmer and his wife warm themselves at the fire, the village constable patrols the village with a vigilant expression.
The delicious scent of freshly baked bread at the local bakery delays the children on the way to school. The very last name we would expect to hear there, is Elvis.

And yet, to guarantee a safe future for Bokrijk (“Old Flanders”), the local government decided to add “The Fifties” to the open air museum. An Expo ’58 café and a fifties cinema is already in the making, a fifties warehouse will soon follow.
“In that perspective, it won’t be unusual to hear or see Elvis in the open air museum”, says political responsible Sylvain Sleypen in the Belgian news paper ‘Het Laatste Nieuws”.

2008/04/05 Het Laatste Nieuws - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Elvis Presley rolled over in his grave this week when Mariah Carey claimed to pass him in the list of must number one hit singles.

The Presley estate has corrected the Mariah press release by stating that Elvis had 18 number one hits, not 17 as claimed this week by Mariah's peeps.

In a statement at the official Presley website, it says, "Elvis Aaron Presley had 149 songs to appear on Billboard's Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one. He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts, and only in America. He was also a leading artist in the American country, R&B, and gospel fields, and his chart success in other countries was substantial".

"It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more certifications expected as research into his past record sales continues and as current sales go on. Research is also underway to document his record sales achievements in other countries. It is estimated that 40% of Elvis' total record sales have been outside the United States".

Elvis's number one songs were:

Heartbreak Hotel (1956)
I Want You I Need You I Love You (1956)
Don't Be Cruel (1956)
Hound Dog (1956)
Love Me Tender (1956)
Too Much (1957)
All Shook Up (1957)
(Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear (1957)
Jailhouse Rock (1957)
Don't (1957)
Hard Headed Woman (1958)
A Big Hunk O' Love (1959)
Stuck On You (1960)
It's Now Or Never (1960)
Are You Lonesome Tonight (1960)
Surrender (1961)
Good Luck Charm (1962)
Suspicious Minds (1969)

Mariah Carey's number one songs were:

'Vision Of Love' (1990)
'Love Takes Time (1990)
'Someday' (1991)
'I Don't Wanna Cry' (1991)
'Emotions (1991)
'I'll Be There' (1992)
'Dreamlover' (1993)
'Hero' (1994)
'Fantasy' (1995)
'One Sweet Day' (1996)
'Always Be My Baby' (1996)
'Honey' (1997)
'My All' (1998)
'Heartbreaker' (1999)
'Thank God I Found You' (2000)
'We Belong Together' (2005)
'Don't Forget About Us' (2006)
'Touch My Body' (2008)

2008/04/05 by Paul Cashmere - http://undercover.com.au / www.epgold.com

MERCURY COMMUNICATIONS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Andrew Marsh
Tel: 310/490-8814
Email: ABMercury@gmail.com

.......ELVIS PRESLEY'S 24-carat gold piano for sale.......

Upcoming sale of hidden treasure is about to

" Shake, Rattle and Roll" the world of high-end Rock n' Roll memorabilia.

Dear Editor:

A rare piece of Rock n' Roll memorabilia is now on the market for the very first time. The buzz around this unique offering has set the international memorabilia world into a tailspin, as collectors are lining up to make their competitive bids. So far the decision has been made to offer the Elvis piano privately, yet all the famous auction houses are foaming at the bit to have a chance to administer the sale.

Please have a look at the attached pictures. We hope you agree that a story about this one-of-a-kind piece of American Rock n' Roll history will be of interest to your readers.

For more information and details, or if you plan to write about the piano, please feel free to contact us at Mercury Communications.

Smithsonian Channel to Debut Wanda Jackson Documentary.

The Smithsonian Channel will debut a new documentary on rockabilly and country pioneer Wanda Jackson. The Sweet Lady With the Nasty Voice will premiere on May 18 (with repeats on May 19 and 31).

The film screened at the SXSW festival and will show at the Nashville Film Festival taking place April 17-24.

The documentary crew followed Jackson for two years. It includes interviews with Elvis Costello, Bruce Springsteen and Patti Sciafa, among others. It also includes historic clips of Jackson performing with Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.

Note EpGold: The documentary only shows a number of pictures of Elvis & Wanda Jackson together.

Mariah Carey performing at an after-party for the premiere of 'The Hills' at Gotham Hall last week. When her new album is released, she may overtake The Beatles in the No. 1 spot.

Elvis fans may find themselves 'All Shook Up' about The King getting nudged out of the number 2 spot.

"Poll Mariah vs. Elvis - Whose music do you like better?

Mariah Carey
Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley Record Chart Statistics Clarification.

Elvis Aaron Presley had 149 songs to appear on Billboard’s Hot 100 Pop Chart in America. Of these, 114 were in the top forty, 40 were in the top ten, and 18 went to number one. His number one singles spent a total of 80 weeks at number one.

He has also had over 90 charted albums with ten of them reaching number one. These figures are only for the pop charts, and only in America. He was also a leading artist in the American country, R&B, and gospel fields, and his chart success in other countries was substantial.

It is estimated that Elvis Presley has sold over one billion record units worldwide, more than anyone in record industry history. In America alone, Elvis has had 150 different albums and singles that have been certified gold, platinum or multi-platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), with more certifications expected as research into his past record sales continues and as current sales go on.

Research is also underway to document his record sales achievements in other countries. It is estimated that 40% of Elvis' total record sales have been outside the United States.

Elvis Presley Billboard Chart Statistics

Song Title Pop Chart Year Released

Song Title Pop Chart Year Released

1. Heartbreak Hotel 1 1956

2. I Want You, I Need You, I Love You 1 1956

3. Don’t Be Cruel 1 1956

4. Hound Dog 1 1956

5. Love Me Tender 1 1956

6. Too Much 1 1957

7. All Shook Up 1 1957

8. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear 1 1957

9. Jailhouse Rock 1 1957

10. Don’t 1 1957

11. Hard Headed Woman 1 1958

12. A Big Hunk O’ Love 1 1959

13. Stuck On You 1 1960

14. It’s Now or Never 1 1960

15. Are You Lonesome Tonight? 1 1960

16. Surrender 1 1961

17. Good Luck Charm 1 1962

18. Suspicious Minds 1 1969

Elvis release part of upcoming Sony BMG Greatest Hits "The Steel Box" series.

Title "Elvis Greatest Hits....Price: budget....Release date: July 2008....Number of tracks: 20.

Other artists in the 20 artist series are Frank Sinatra; Lou Reed; Toto; Cyndi Lauper; John Denver; Meat Loaf; Bonnie Tyler; Bangles; Alice Cooper; Deep Purple; Sweet; Johnny Cash; Smokie; Santana; Judas Priest; Blue Oyster Cult; REO Speedwagon; Aerosmith and Janis Joplin.

Dutch Armed Forces preacher and ElvisMatters member Fred Omvlee, known for his Elvis Gospel Celebrations in the Netherlands, is stationed in the inhospitable terrain of Northern Afghanistan. He is not only an ordained minister in the Dutch Protestant Church but also a huge Elvis-fan. Chaplain Omvlee carries the religious appreciation of Elvis' life & music with him wherever he is working, and has even discussed Elvis with the local Afghan mullah. This week, April 3rd, both the International Herald Tribune and the New York Times published an article about the jungle training in Suriname. Needless to say that the reporter couldn’t resist of mentioning this very special Elvis fan and preacher. Here’s the full story. O, Fred is on top right, on this picture.

The Netherlands may have relinquished control of this South American country in 1975, but one day last month it seemed as if it had never left as Sergeant Major Bart Cobussen expounded on killing techniques in the Surinamese jungle for two Dutch platoons at their camp here.

“To begin with, you must be dirty, stinking and sleeping in a very uncomfortable place,” said Sgt. Maj. Cobussen, 47, who directs the jungle warfare course of the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps. “Suriname is the perfect place to achieve these conditions, getting us into nice activities like patrolling, ambushing and six days of live firing.”

Such activities may sound nice to Dutch marines, but in Suriname they still arouse suspicions about the intentions of the former colonial power. After a visit this year by Eimert van Middlekoop, the Dutch defense minister, newspapers in the capital, Paramaribo, speculated, erroneously, that the Netherlands was planning to establish a military base in the country.

In an effort to dispel such talk, the Dutch marines organized what they called a V.I.P. day, inviting high-ranking officials in the Surinamese military, some foreign ambassadors and even a few journalists to learn about their jungle warfare course.

“We have absolutely no secret agenda whatsoever going on in Suriname,” Tanya van Gool, the Dutch ambassador, told the invitees on the trip to meet the marines. “Some people think we are putting up an illegal base. We most definitely are not.”

The V.I.P.’s (and not so V.I.P.’s), who included the ambassadors of China, France and Indonesia, got the point, all nodding in unison.

Still, some murmured questions to one another as their bus barreled over a potholed road from Paramaribo toward Pikin Saron. Why are the seemingly peace-loving Dutch so concerned about jungle warfare? Why in Suriname, one of South America’s least-known countries? And what is the course like, anyway?

The answers, when they arrived from Sergeant Major Cobussen and other Dutch military officials, were a window into Dutch relations with Suriname and the sometimes arduous path faced by the Netherlands in trying to emerge as a culturally sensitive postcolonial nation.

Striving for the utmost transparency, the marine instructors had their grunts build an outdoor classroom from old lumber in a cleared area of rain forest. From a modest lectern, they engaged the visitors in a lively discussion about what brought them here.

“Some 70 percent of the world’s conflicts in the last 30 years have occurred in jungle areas,” said Maj. Eric Piwek, 34, who brought the 31st Infantry Company of the Dutch Marines here from its base in the Netherlands Antilles. “Thus, we must be prepared to go into these unfortunate places to help sort things out.”

Toughening up the Dutch military for missions abroad became a priority after Dutch troops serving with the United Nations in Srebrenica were widely vilified for failing to prevent Serbs from massacring about 8,000 Bosnian Muslims in 1995.

The Dutch government has since sent troops to Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Liberia. In May, the Netherlands is expected to send about 60 service members to eastern Chad and the Central African Republic as part of a European Union mission to provide security for camps of Sudanese refugees.

But the ambassadors trekking through the jungle on a recent Tuesday morning were focused on less lofty matters. After hearing that wild animals like monkeys, boar and capybaras are eaten by indigenous tribes near Pikin Saron, Su Ge, the Chinese ambassador, had a question.

“Do you do any hunting during the course?” asked Mr. Su, whose country is building a sprawling embassy on the outskirts of Paramaribo. With a blush of embarrassment, a Dutch officer answered in the affirmative, explaining that hunting was allowed, but only during the course’s brief focus on survival.

The Dutch are not the only Europeans honing their fighting techniques in this part of South America. In French Guiana, where France once banished its worst convicts, the Foreign Legion runs its own jungle warfare school. Until starting their course a few years ago, the Dutch sent some of its soldiers there.

But training with the Legionnaires was different, with instruction in French and salutes to the French flag. “The French did things their own way, drinking their wine and eating their bread in the jungle,” said Sergeant Major Cobussen, the course instructor, cracking the slightest of smiles. “We prefer it here.”

In Suriname, where the Netherlands remains among the top aid donors, the troops encounter the rare ease of speaking in their own tongue, still the official language here. The Netherlands pays Suriname’s government in equipment like trucks and tarps (no weapons, please, the Dutch emphasize) for the right to send 60 troops here twice a year for periods of about a month.

In a measure of the course’s challenges, about 10 percent drop out. But “Full Metal Jacket” this is not.

For those who persevere, the officers lighten things up by bringing in a navy chaplain, the Rev. Fred Omvlee, whose services revolve around Elvis Presley’s gospel repertory. Before finishing, the troops also get a 48-hour break, put up in style at the Torarica, one of Paramaribo’s best hotels.

Surinamese military officials seemed amused by their visit to the course, a day that culminated when the ambassadors were allowed to shoot M-16 assault rifles at targets in the jungle. The Surinamese spent much of the day chatting in Portuguese with Brazil’s military attaché, their fluency a result of officer-level courses in neighboring Brazil.

Indeed, military ties with the Netherlands seemed like a distraction compared with the training in Brazil, aid and equipment provided to Suriname’s military by China and a recent agreement with the United States to test American-made military vehicles in Suriname.

Between puffs on a cigarette, Maj. R. J. Martopawiro of the Surinamese Army mused upon the jungle warfare course as something of an odd legacy of the strong ties Suriname once had with the Netherlands.

“When it comes down to it,” Major Martopawiro said, “we really don’t pay a great deal of attention to the Dutch anymore.”

President Bush puts his arm around French President Nicolas Sarkozy during a press availability after their meeting at Mount Vernon in Virginia, November 7, 2007.

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - It's "Love me tender" between the United States and France after President George W. Bush compared French President Nicolas Sarkozy with rock'n'roll singer Elvis Presley.

Bush told NATO leaders at a Bucharest summit on Thursday that when Sarkozy visited the United States recently, he was seen as "the latest incarnation of Elvis".

Such an example of "Burning love" marks a sea change from the "Suspicious minds" that clouded Franco-American relations under Sarkozy's predecessor, Jacques Chirac, who often seemed to see Washington as "The devil in disguise".

Bush has made clear the diminutive French leader, who recently married another singer, Carla Bruni, is now his "Good luck charm" and "My little friend".

Sarkozy has shown he is "All shook up" by heaping praise on Bush as the first U.S. leader to understand the need for a strong European defense.

This coming weekend Saturday and Sunday April 5 and 6 is there again Jaarbeurs (Mega Record & CD Fair) in Utrecht, Holland. The 15.000 m2 fair will like always be packed with dealers of all kind of music.

The Mega Record & CD Fair is open Saturday April 5 from 9 a.m. till 6 p.m. and Sunday April 6 from 10 a.m. till 5 p.m.

Read more about the Mega Record & CD Fair at www.recordplanet.nl

Address:

Jaarbeurs Utrecht
Jaarbeursplein 6
3521 AL Utrecht
Holland

Entrance fee:

Adults: 11,- Euro
Pass-partout (Two-day-ticket) 19 Euro
Children up to 10 years old can enter the fair for free

Note: Special for this time Elvis Unlimited (stand no. 257) will bring every single vinyl single, EP, 10” and album that they have with Elvis. We have more than 8000 records....

This is the greatest Elvis impersonation of all time on Johnny Cash special.

Andy Kaufman doing his interpretation of Elvis Presley on the 1979 Johnny Cash Christmas Special.

P.S.- Elvis said himself that Andy was the best impersonator of himself that he ever saw!!!!!

This Saturday see's BBC Radio 2's 'Icon's Revisited' featuring Elvis.

Documentary

Icons Revisited

Saturdays 29 March - 31 May 2004 - 2100

Johnnie Walker hosts a special season of programmes featuring some of Radio 2's finest music profiles.

The series begins with a selection of five American icons.

In the coming weeks there's the opportunity to hear Amanda Ghost get up close and personal with renowned singer-songwriter, Joni Mitchell.

Mica Paris explores the enigma that is the artist known simply as Prince, and Kate Thornton remembers 1968, the year of Elvis Presley's television comeback.

Ambassador James P. Cain has been biking from Hinnerup to Randers, where he meet up with local representatives. He then biked through Randers and ending his tour for to day at Elvis Unlimited.

At Elvis Unlimited the Ambassador James P. Cain reviled Elvis Unlimiteds new website: www.elvisunlimited.com

I’m here at the sound check for Todd’s service. I was hoping to blog live but since I didn’t make arrangements in advance I can’t get connected. It’s really too bad.

They are singing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” and the tears are already welling up in my eyes. The Imperials are here, Joe Guercio.

Terry Mike Jeffrey is rehearsing now. I’ll do the blow by blow when I blog the actual performance.

I’m sitting in the back of the auditorium now. By myself, near the sound board where I can plug in my laptop.

There are a couple of people in the first 2 rows that appear to be family members. I see Jerry Schilling and Gary Hovey chatting.

Scott Williams just came in. This is tough. Big hug, repeating what we’ve already said – wish it could be seeing each other under happier circumstances.

The Service begins

“Peace in the Valley” accompanies lots of pictures of Todd growing up. What a hoot!

More pictures of Todd, voiced over by Bill Rock with the story of his life. There is video of Todd throughout the years with EPE. Background music is “Bridge Over Troubled Waters”. Video of Todd at last year’s 30th Anny concert. Video of Todd with Matt Lauer. Pictures of Todd and his charities. Pictures, many pictures, of Todd and friends. His favorite song now under the voiceover: "My Way".

The Imperials come on stage. Sing “Peace in the Valley”. My throat is tightening again.

Jack Soden – Todd deserved credit for far more than anything you’ve seen him get credit for. From the beginning fans knew they had a kindred soul in Todd. He fought their battles and showed them wisdom when he thought patience was the better path.

Jack’s voice is cracking. He talks about the all-nighters. He talks about rewriting scripts for the next day. Todd would ask about Lisa – would she ever appreciate what we do? Reads statement from Lisa. His heart soul and dedication will never be replaced. I hope he knows how much I appreciated how much he did. Words can hardly describe what we have felt in this time (since Todd's death).

Sound Fuzion plays “A Little Less Conversation”. Awesome! Making me cry just thinking about Todd watching them.

Kevin Kern – Todd was his boss, but more of a friend than a coworker. Todd was the voice of Graceland, Now the voices of Graceland workers. (He quotes a number of them but I hope they post these because I cannot type fast enough. "Nobody did Steel Magnolias better than you." "Quiet kindesses."

Video clips of Todd on camera. Todd with a beard talking about the Graceland wall. Todd in the car museum, Todd with Matt Lauer. Larry King’s tribute.

Jerry Schilling – March 3rd – I needed to call Todd about the end-all documentary he’s been interested in. I couldn’t believe it when Gary Hovey called me later that day to tell me that Todd was gone. Normally on at a time like this (the service) I would show Todd what I was going to say. We’ll all never be as eloquent without Todd. (His voice is cracking). Todd knew I had a book before I knew it. I thank him for his time, his expertise, and most of all for his friendship. Col. Beaulieu said “what I loved the most about coming to Graceland was to come to hear Todd speak”. I can’t imagine Elvis week without Todd. But as someone said, the show must go on. But because of all the work he did over the years we will always feel his presence. Priscilla called, too and I’ve never heard her so devastated.

Video from Priscilla - Priscilla’s videotaped message was wonderful. You could hear her voice cracking as she mentioned that Todd was supposed to have come out to cheer her on in Dancing With the Stars. She said had he been there he would have said “Love your hair. Hope you win”. It was an ongoing thing they had. We’ll miss him, she said.

Gary Hovey – Todd and I worked together. He was the creative guy and I was the one when I tried to make it work. (Voice cracking). I met Todd in 1990. No one cared about Elvis more than Todd. One day he called and said “Can you get Elvis’ voice track out of a video”? Well, why not? … led to the Symphony, then on to the Elvis the Concert. Stig Egren, the producer, says working with Todd was the most fun he’d ever had. Todd was a perfectionist for all things, big or small. It was a working relationship between us, but also a friendship.
Todd always took the time to explain to the fans why something they wanted couldn’t happen, not just that EPE couldn’t do it. Todd named me Dr. No for all the things I had to say no to. At the end of last year Todd had been moved into my department. We had lots of projects we were going to work on together. We will miss his caring, his Candlelight talks. Nobody will replace Todd. In 2003 we got to do something we had been dreaming about – remastering the ’68 Special. During the edit, we had an hour left in the editing room. That’s when we put together what is now known as the “black and white” If I Can Dream.

Video - If I Can Dream – black and white version.

Justin Morgan, Todd's brother – he never said "love your hair hope you win to me". Thanks to EPE for the immense support. Growing up Todd was such a support to me and our brother Trevor. A guide, a champion, a refuge for me through my best times, my worst times. Funny cards, a great listener. Great memories. For my 11th birthday Todd was still a tour guide and he arranged for a tour of Graceland for me. It was a huge treat for me, including the special treatment he arranged. At the end of the tour Todd gave me a on the life and times of EP. All the guides, including Billy Smith signed it, including Rising Sun (!). Later in life, the big tribute concert at the Pyramid, with all the musicians who were heroes of mine. At the end of the show Todd put a VIP pass around my neck. We went upstairs, there was Joe E. Firs tperson in the room is James Burton. I met them all – the Sweets, Ronnie Tutt. I was overwhelmed by the whole thing. I’m usually talkative but I was speechless that night. Todd was not only my brother but my friend. Words cannot describe how much my family misses him right now. We all shared a passion for music and we used to sing all the time. But we couldn’t get him to sing much. But one of the songs we did sing together was “Lead Me”. Todd and I would often sing this together in the car. Being on the stage with some of the people who worked with Elvis at such an event (Todd’s memorial) was not what he had in mind, but this is for Todd.

Justin sings “Lead Me” a cappela. He has a beautiful voice and this is so, so sad.

Terry Mike Jeffrey – I’ve known Todd for 22 years. We used to compete unofficially in Elvis trivia. One of Todd’s favorite Elvis songs was “Wonder of You”. He sings this with the Imperials. Asking the Imperials was impromptu, as they didn’t do it this way in rehearsal.

Joe Mosheo – I haven’t been appointed spokesman for the vocal groups Elvis sang with. But I think I can speak for all of them when I say we’re going to miss Todd. He was our best friend. He had a way of making you think everything was ok. He was someone you trusted. It’s difficult these days to have someone you can trust. He was sympathetic to our cause, which was gospel music. When we were planning the “He Touched Me” DVD he was so instrumental in helping us with details. His life was too brief. We will miss him.

The Imperials: “He Touched Me”. This is so hard.

Larry Edwards – friend of Todd. I direct Sound Fuzion. That’s how I met Todd. Todd had a way of making everyone feel good about themselves. He had the ability to make everyone feel important. Todd refurbished a 2 bedroom 1 bath house in Memphis. He knew what he wanted and was looking for another one. He found one and on closing day he invited some of his friends went with him to see it. He told us “I found the ugliest ranch house in Memphis”. And he did! We were at this house after he died and we were sitting around talking about this house. There wasn’t any “ugly duckling” that he didn’t think was beautiful and he made everyone feel good.

Joe Guercio. Joe told several stories about working with Todd but I couldn't get them all.... "After I did something with the Pope he called me “Pontiff”. When he did something particularly great I “promoted” him to “Cardinal” and that’s the way he signed his emails from then on. "

First time he walked into my condo in Nashville he saw a picture I had of Judy Garland. He was a huge Garland fan. So in honor of his love of Judy, Ruby Wilson sings “Over the Rainbow”.

Imperials – Sweet, Sweet Spirit. Surprise for me! I didn’t hear this at the sound check. I love this song.
Oh my. How beautiful. Makes my heart ache. I requested this song on Bill Rock’s show in memory of Todd, but because Elvis never recorded it, he had to pick my second choice, “He Touched Me”.
“How Great Thou Art” Joe says "the night we finished mixing this I called Todd and we played this version for him over the phone. This is for you, Todd. " Ruby sings with the Imperials and Joe is conducting.

Last vision: Joe Petruccio’s portrait of Joe!

It was a beautiful service. We got the chance to chat a little with everyone afterward. It's clear to me how much the "bigwigs" are missing Todd. Jack said he bets there isn't a soul on earth who didn't have a high opinion of Todd. Jerry is still reeling from not having Todd to bounce ideas off of. Scott tells me they still start many sentences at Graceland with "Todd did.." or "Ask Todd..." etc. Life goes on there, but it's still very surreal that Todd isn't there.
Others who were there, please feel free to add comments and pictures.

Thanks, EPE, for doing so right by Todd.

2008/04/02 Susan Graham / www.epgold.com

In the series of the Secret Records Label it releases on April 25,2008 a 2CD set "Elvis Inspiration" Volume 2, with songs that inspired Elvis.

Tracklist:

CD 1:

Shake Rattle & Roll (Big Joe Turner) - My Happiness - (Ella Fitzgerald With The Song Spinners) - Baby Lets Play House (Arthur Gunter) - Harbor Lights (Sammy Kaye & his orchestra feat. Tony Alamo & The Kaydets) - Hearts Of Stone (The Jewels) - I´ll Never Stand In Your Way (Joni James) - Shake A Hand (Faye Adams) - Love Me (Jimmie Rodgers Snow & His Tennessee Playboys) - Sentimental Me (The Ames Brothers) - Im Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye (Hank Snow) - Pledging My Love (Johnny Ace & The Johnny Otis Orchestra) - How Do You Think I Feel (Red Sovine) - Im Gonna Sit Right Down And Cry (Roy Hamilton) - I Really Dont Want To Know (Eddy Arnold) - Reconsider Baby (Lowell Fulson) - I`ll Never Let You Go (Little Darlin) (Gene Autry) - Tomorrow Night (LaVern Baker And The Gliders) - Tomorrow Never Comes (Ernest Tubb) - Are You Lonesome Tonight (Don Cornell With Hugo Winterhalter Orchestra) - White Christmas (The Drifters)

CD 2:

Good Rockin Tonight (Roy Brown with Bob Ogden’s Orchestra) - Aura Lee (The Shelton Brothers) - I Feel So Bad (Chuck Willis) - Hows The World Treating You (Eddy Arnold) - Tweedle Dee (LaVern Baker And The Gliders) - Theres No Tomorrow (Tony Martin) - Love Me (Willy & Ruth) - Have I Told You Lately That I Love (Red Foley with Roy Ross & His Ramblers
) - Tryin To Get To You (The Eagles) - Little Cabin Home On The Hill (Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys) - Im 10000 Years Old (Brownie McGhee & His Jook Block Busters) - Beyond The Reef (Jimmy Wakeley & Margaret Whiting) - When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano (Billy Ward & His Dominoes) - When My Blue Moon Turns To Gold Again (Wiley Walker & Gene Sullivan) - Love My Baby (Little Junior’s Blue Flames - Junior Parker) - Hurt (Roy Hamilton) - Are You Lonesome Tonight (The Red Caps) - Hound Dog (Freddie Bell & The Bellboys) - Its A Sin To Tell A Lie (The Ink Spots) - Here Comes Santa Clause (Gene Autrey)

2008/04/02 www.elvisclubberlin.de / www.epgold.com

Sony/BMG USA re-released on April 1st the three Gospel CDs.

They all come with bonus tracks and a sticker on the packaging mentions : Original Album with Bonus Tracks - Mastered from the original analog masters for optimum sound quality .

Graceland to Host 2nd Annual "Elvis® Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life" Benefiting the American Diabetes Association.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) today announced the second annual Elvis Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life benefiting the American Diabetes Association. The Ride will begin and end at Elvis Presley's Graceland, the legendary superstar's home in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 20, 2008. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $100,000 for the ADA. It was attended by more than 300 riders from 22 states and three countries. They rode nearly 100 miles through four north Mississippi counties, returning to Graceland for a post-ride celebration. In addition to the ride, there are numerous optional events for the weekend of April 17-20. This event for motorcycle enthusiasts serves as a fitting homage to Presley's passion for motorcycles and to his lifetime of generosity to individuals and charitable causes.

This year there are three levels of participation ranging from $50 to $500, allowing riders and their passengers to choose from a variety of experiences for the weekend’s events. VIP level participants are asked to contribute or raise $500 per motorcycle. Participation from the steps of Graceland is limited to 200 motorcycles. . The VIP level package includes tickets to the “Kiss A Pig” Gala and Street Party on Thursday, April 17th honoring Jack Soden, CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, as well as Lisa Rossmeyer Wade and Bruce Rossmeyer of Bruce Rossmeyer’s Southern Thunder Harley Davidson.

The Memphis Ride on Saturday, April 19, includes a turn on the NASCAR oval at the Memphis Motorsports Park and free admission to Stax Museum, Sun Studios, Saint Blues Guitars and the O'Reilly Super Chevy Show. A VIP party will be held that evening at Graceland’s Elvis Presley’s Automobile Museum. Joyce Cobb will be performing along with Route South. There will be a live auction where bidders can bid on once in a lifetime items which include a trip to Milwaukee for the Harley Anniversary Party and participate in the parade, limited edition Saint Blues Guitars and a collectible Elvis Presley Smith and Wesson revolver.

There are more than 21 million Americans who suffer from diabetes, about 1 in 10. For children born after the year 2000, one in three will develop diabetes, if trends continue.
It is the American Diabetes Association's goal to transform the lives of all people with diabetes, their families and care givers, but working to find cures, improving access to health care, increasing information/education, and protecting individual's rights.

Interested individuals can get detailed information and sign up for the ride by going to www.elvis.com/ride or by calling call 1-901-682-8232 or 1-888-DIABETES extension 3121. To receive Elvis.com e-newsletters and alerts and updates about the Ride, visit http://www.elvis.com/newsletters

ElvisMatters couldn't resist April Fool's Day. The news item about Priscilla coming to the ElvisMatters shop... was not true.

Sorry to the many people who called us, emailed us or sent us text messages - but hey, that's what April Fool's Day is all about, right?

JOE ESPOSITO certainly wasn't feeling lonesome on Friday night.

Elvis Presley's best mate, road manager and godfather to Lisa-Marie Presley was spotted at Aqua Dining, Milsons Point, with an eclectic mix of entertainers. Joining the King's bestie were former Yellow Wiggle Greg Page and Fat Pizza's Rob Shehadie and Tahir Bilgic and a few other guests.

No word on what Los Angeles limousine fleet owner Esposito was doing in town but we did hear the group of diners had one with the lot and cold spaghetti, cold spaghetti.