News Updated

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(Many items will be added in the following weeks)

We have received emails from dissapointed fans who waited the whole weekend for the next part of the "Making of" to appear online. Even on messageboards like TCB-World.com there were postings that were asking about the 3rd part, but it did not happen, of course.

Because of the article in the magazine of the Elvismatters fanclub we decided to give you a little preview by showing the pages with photos from the upcoming book about Lake Tahoe. So today, we have now for you the update with the third part. We hope you enjoy what you are about to see.

Author Sue McCasland who came to Germany to make final changes before the book print starts will reveal new details about the upcoming release. There is also a telephone conference with author Sandi Pichon ("Elvis On Tour '75") where both fans talk about their memories with Elvis.

In the next few days the 4th part of the "Making Of" will be available on this website. You will be surprised by that one.

Because a person - who formerly worked for Elvis Presley - will visit Sue McCasland in the office of Praytome Publishing. So stay tuned!

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When in Sandi Pichon's book "Elvis on Tour '75" the Tahoe-project was mentioned for the very first time, the fans went wild because a book like that has never been done before and was highly anticipated.

Of course, the Praytome Publishing team had done a lot of research before they announced the project. But not only research was done, they tracked down many people and fans who witnessed the shows during the engagements from 1971-1976.

The book contains not only great never before published pictures of Elvis during the engagements from 1971-76 but also has lots of stories from eye-witnesses and lots of memorabila for display.

The latest opus by Praytome Publishing, author Sue McCasland and co-author Joe A. Krein: "The World's Best Kept Secret - Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe". The comprehensive research work for this project began lots of months ago but one thing is quite sure: like Adrenaline 71 - this new Tahoe project will rub out another black hole in the world of Elvis' history.

Order Now: Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe - World's Best Kept Secret.

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FTD News.

Here’s the first information on the October 2008 releases:

1) Untitled - 2 CD of soundboards from August 1974, including the opening show

2) 2 CD version of ELVIS COUNTRY

3) 2 CD version of IN PERSON

More information top follow as work progresses.

Fifty years after G.I Presley set foot on German soil RCA and SONY release a double CD set entitled "Elvis In Deutschland".

The CD is due to hit the street September 25, 2008 and contains all Top 20 hits from "Are You Lonesome Tonight" to "In The Ghetto" and songs linked to Germany like "Wooden Heart (Muss I Denn)" and an Elvis interpretation of the James Last composition "Fool".

To complete the album it features a medley of recordings recorded during Elvis days in the service in Bad Nauheim.

LITTLE MORE ACTION ON ELVIS.

Wagerworks latest again salutes the king of rock 'n roll - IGT online gambling software provider subsidiary Wagerworks has released another slot themed on the king of rock, Elvis Presley, timed to resonate with the annual Elvis Week, when fans from all over the world celebrate the life and work of the deceased American artiste.

Branded 'Elvis - a little more action', the game features 50 pay-lines, stacked Wilds for combination wins and an Action Free Spins Bonus. This 5-reel, 5-credits-per-line game offers players a variety of opportunities, with each reel providing four or more stacked wild symbols that can trigger useful wins. Enhancing the presentation are colourful and relevant graphics and typical Presley hit music.

Ernie Lafky, Executive Producer of WagerWorks/IGT comments: “We take a great deal of time and pride in producing top quality imagery and sounds for our games. Peter Valsamis, audio designer, went to incredible lengths to make the music in our new Elvis game as authentic as possible. Great care was taken in using vintage instruments, microphones, studio gear and recording techniques true to the period of the original recording. The amazing soundtrack, combined with retro imagery, truly evokes 1960’s Las Vegas.”

The multi-denomination, multi-currency game offers a top award of up to 250 000 credits. Three bonus symbols appearing on the middle reels trigger the Action Free Spins Bonus, and players are awarded five free spins. The bonus reels are more lucrative than standard reels, with extra stacked wilds and extra bonus symbols. The free spins are recursive, meaning that players can potentially retrigger the Action Free Spins Bonus multiple times up to a maximum of 255 free spins.

2008/07/31 www.online-Casinos.com / www.epgold.com

The “Viva Las Vegas!” Elvis Presley Fan Club is happy to announce that the fund raising goal has been met for its “A Star for Elvis” Campaign – to install a star honoring Elvis Presley on the “Las Vegas Walk of Stars”. How appropriate an announcement for the 39th anniversary of the day Elvis returned to the stage at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.

Since February 28, in only 5 months, donations have been collected totaling over $15,000. The $15,000 total has been verified by Mr Robert Alexander, the President of the LVWOS. Any overage will be donated to the club’s designated charity, St Jude’s Ranch for Abused Children, in Boulder City NV. (This is no relation to the hospital in Memphis.)

The star will be unveiled during a ceremony on Friday, Sept 26. The invitee list is limited to donors and VIPs. The star itself will be installed a few days later, in front of the Riviera, next to Liberace’s star. The Riviera is the closest casino on Las Vegas Blvd to the Hilton, concert home to Elvis Presley.

We thank all the friends, fans, and tribute artists who have donated their funds, energy, and time to this endeavor. These fans should certainly feel proud of themselves! We also would like to specifically acknowledge the following Elvis friends for their donations and support: Sonny West, Kathy Westmoreland, Sandi Miller, Jon Patino, and Darlene Tompkins. We appreciate every dollar that has been given.

The campaign would not have been as wonderful and successful without the following: We give special thanks to Sandi Pichon for spreading the word to her many friends and contacts in the Elvis world, to Sue McCasland for providing the Star pins for donors, and to Artie Dadyan for providing Elvis-style sunglasses as a donor incentive. Immense gratitude goes out to local Elvis Tribute Artist Peter Vallee and his staff, and his manager Lucille Star, for promoting and representing the Elvis Star Campaign.

All the funds donated were by fans and friends of Elvis Presley. There was no assistance by any corporation. Once again, Elvis fans have demonstrated their love and support for “The King of Rock and Roll.”

Personally, I have many to thank. Once again I want to state my appreciation for the inspiration of the Bobby Darin Star Fund Project and his fans.

I thank my star advisors, the club board of directors, and the members of the Viva Las Vegas Club for their incredible and unwavering support. And, I dedicate my effort to the memory of Janelle McComb and her work to build the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel in Tupelo. Her spirit was a great influence and encouragement to me during this campaign.

Elvis is our 'Flaming Star' !

Dear Andylon,

First off, thank you so very much for taking time out of your very busy day to call me. I also want to take this opportunity to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all your input and kindness concerning your involvement with our documentary "Fit for a King".

This documentary represents a journey--not just any type of journey, but a journey into many aspects such as the love for one's wife and family, the love of friends that has developed from the sheer enjoyment of being an Elvis fan, as well as the deep seated, heart-warming feeling that comes from doing something that truly fulfills one and lends a guiding light through the darkness of the world.

The journey of this documentary started when a gentleman named John Paget made a documentary called "Almost Elvis". It was quite apparent to many fans of Tribute Artists that it was a wonderful piece of work. However, the fans started purchasing this documentary as well, and it was they who started writing us, as well as a number of the ETA's, telling us how much they enjoyed our segment and that they would like to know more about us. To tell you the truth, I never really thought that we were doing anything that would be fascinating for other people to know about. Kim and I are just two people who were childhood sweethearts and married, started a family, and a unique business was born from our love of the artwork that was on Elvis' clothes, and especially our love of Elvis.

A number of years ago, Andy Dumas, who directed this documentary, contacted me with a desire to come for a visit. The rest of his part of the story has already been outlined. I must say, Andy and his beautiful wife, Jamie, have become very dear friends, as well as extended family members. It was Andy's encouragement and desire to tell a human interest story, that brought us down the pathway of this documentary.

Kim and I have never been the type of people who talk a lot about ourselves. So, it took some finessing on Andy's part to get us out of our shells. That was probably one of the hardest things that Andy was faced with. The second part was for him to articulate his vision to us concerning how he was going to put this together. With us not being film makers, sometimes it was difficult for Andy to make us understand the process, as we did not want to come across as being arrogant, or bragging on the things that we have done over the years. Thank God that Andy has a wonderful eye and talent! He has put the true essence of our story in balance.

I feel that he has done the same with the telling of the many other pieces of the puzzle regarding our professional and personal lives, and our involvement with Bill Belew and Gene Doucette. Andy was very careful with making sure the story flowed properly, and with providing the viewer an inside look at the lives of people who love and care for each other above all.

It is our hope that when the viewer sees this documentary, they will see a piece of work that tells a story of more than just some people that make Elvis costumes. Kim and I started out as two kids from small-town Indiana, who grew up with very little. We had much love from our parents, and encouragement from them as well, to walk down the precious tracks of life in their footsteps, being handed the gift of knowledge from them. As all parents would want for their children, they wished for us more from life than they had had as children growing up during difficult times. In this case, Andy has put together a documentary that has made our parents very proud, and it is our high hopes that Elvis fans, Tribute Artists, and people with an interest in seeing every day folks such as ourselves strive to do what's right in this morally bankrupt world will take away a sense of fulfillment in a world where boundaries are rarely respected.

We were very blessed with the friendships and guidance from two very talented men who, like our parents, shaped a great portion of our lives over the past 25 plus years. It is our hope that people will understand that our business started out as a dream to acquire something (one of Elvis' original jumpsuits), and ended up leading into a completely different direction, and turning into what is now our costuming business. We now live the dream of doing something we completely and full-heartedly love doing, with people that have meant a great deal to us, that are now our extended family. It has also given our parents a great deal of pride, knowing that their children have succeeded.

One of the very important elements of this story is how this all started as a complete fluke, and ended up being a way for us to pay tribute, in our own little way, not only to Elvis Presley himself, but also to the creators of the artwork that adorned Elvis' costumes and gave him the stage presence that was a part of who Elvis was as an entertainer--Bill Belew and Gene Doucette.

Our desire was also to make a documentary to make people understand that it is possible to fulfill a dream by doing something you love and that you've acquired some bit of success doing. Even though this documentary touches upon the elements of Elvis' garments, this is more of a very positive documentary about the people involved with love and respect for each other. This, however, is not a historical documentary on Elvis' full line of street and stage apparel.

Near Future other Dvd documentary from B&K Enterprises.

This is something that we will be doing in the near future. Even though others have tried to pursue this task, we will only do it when it's done right. It will be done in a manner that will make the fans very proud of our work, because at the end of the day, we, the Elvis fans, deserve nothing less than the best product on the market. So, anything we do in the future concerning other documentaries dealing with Elvis, will not be done for the love of money, but will be done for the love of Elvis Presley and the many fans who have pursued us for many years to produce this type of product.

It should be noted that Kim and I are very humbled by this documentary that Andy Dumas, his wife Jamie, and Daniella Rodrigues have produced. We hope, in the final analysis, that we have produced something that will provide a good feeling for those who see it, and to know that the human touch and love for each other is truly what life is about, moreso than the financial returns that one receives.

Which brings me to my final comments concerning the documentary. In life, the greatest blessing one can give is giving back to the world of Karma. In 1999 when Kim was diagnosed with Breast Cancer, which is touched upon in the documentary, I felt that it was the end of the world. To date, Kim and I have had a loving and very close relationship for 30 years. When she was diagnosed with breast cancer, it was devastating to me. Even more devastating was the fact that we saw people dying from various cancers who could not afford treatment for these dreaded diseases. If you want to see the real heros in life, go to a cancer ward and watch people fighting for God's greatest gift!

Kim's Oncologist, Dr. Renato LaRocca, heads a research group with the Kentuckiana Cancer Research Foundation, in association with the James Graham Brown Cancer Center in Louisville, KY. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this documentary will go to the Center. Fifty percent of the money at the Center is used in part to find new tools to fight and beat cancer. The other 50% of the money goes into a fund to treat people with up-to-date treatments that otherwise could not afford them. We all benefit from this, no matter where in the world you live, because all of our scientists and oncologists share information. It is our heartfelt desire and dream that, more than us being well known for making costumes, in some small part, it's in the back of people's minds that we are trying to help find a cure so others will not ever have to go thru the devastating news from their doctor "You've got cancer." The progress that has been made today has provided a new outcome for many people that would have been considered hopeless as little as 10 years ago. By you, the Elvis fan, purchasing this documentary, you in a sense, will be helping in this cause as well.

It is our hope that those who purchase the documentary will enjoy it and take from it the knowledge that there is always a nitch out there for people to create their own path to joy and love. All it takes is keeping faith and doing the right thing.

May God Bless each of you.

Butch Polston, President
B & K Enterprises Costume Co., Inc.

EPGOLD Exclusive.

We' were proud to give EPGOLD exclusive the first chance to show not only the two 'trailers' created for the documentary, but also some short clips as well this month of July.

The Ali Robe

Clip # 2 - Bush Rush

The story behind George Bush, and the Prime Minister of Japan’s visit to Graceland. A lot of people don’t know that Elvis Presley Enterprises asked B&K Enterprises to make up two Aloha replica capes and Belts to give to the two Leaders. Normally it would take around 80 man hours to complete these items. Well, they got the call about a week before the visit, and they had to scramble, to say the least, to get the capes and Belts to Graceland in time.

There is a great section on some of the best tribute artist. Even people who don’t like the tribute artist will enjoy this part of the story. Features: Doug Church, Shawn Klush, Martin Fontaine, and Tim Welch.

Clip # 4 - Bill Belew

Bill talks about the 'early' jumpsuits and how they evolved. Gene Doucette also talks about his involvement with those "simple outfits".

Four New Video-Clips From “Fit for a King” The Story of B&K Enterprises.

There is much more to this documentary!

Other segments include complete access to the new Jumpsuit display, and we were allowed to film inside Graceland. – We have great untold stories behind the suits. Rare Sketches of Jumpsuits that were never made! We have great interviews with George Klein, one of Elvis best friends.

We also talk about the many movies that B&K has made costumes for. And of course there is lots of Elvis! Remember, this is the first time Bill Belew and Gene Doucette have gone into this much detail about their years with Elvis, so this is truly a unique documentary, with wonderful stories.

As we say on the poster...It’s truly a story about "Fame, Fashion and Friendship" .

Andy Dumas Producer "Fit For A King"

For more detailed information and dealers for wholesale email: bkjumpsuit@aol.com

Pre-Order Now: Dvd Fit for a King

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2008/07/30 Butch Polston -B & K Enterprises Costume Co., Inc. / Andy Dumas - Andylon Lensen / www.epgold.com

Coming late August or early September. Surprise Records proudly presents ... … a new CD full with great Elvis songs taken directly from the Joan Deary Tapes!

24 great Elvis tracks with a total playing time over 77 minutes - in stunning never-before heard sound quality.

The late Joan Deary (Elvis' RCA record producer) worked on these tracks for a possible future release on the "Greatest Hits" series, but after Volume 1 was released back then in 1981 (?) a Volume 2 never followed. So these professionally remixed tapes were put into the archives.

For years a CD-R was circulating with these great tracks, but now for the first time they will be made available on a professional silver pressed disc!

This CD comes along with a beautiful full color booklet containing all necessary information about every track along with great pictures of Elvis. Also the lyrics to each song will be included - exactly transcribed word for word as Elvis did sing them!

Tracklist:

01. Hey Jude 02. Help Me Make It Through The Night 03. Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear To Trade) 04. I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen 05. When I’m Over You 06. Always On My Mind 07. It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) 08. I’m Leavin’ 09. Where Do I Go From Here 10. Until It’s Time For You To Go 11. If I Were You 12. Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of It 13. Fool 14. This Is Our Dance 15. Cindy, Cindy 16. Separate Ways 17. (That’s What You Get) For Lovin’ Me 18. Life 19. Love Letters 20. I’ll Never Know 21. We Can Make The Morning 22. Early Morning Rain 23. Sylvia 24. The Sound Of Your Cry

Surprise Records will also include a special bonus feature … Look out for this great release that will be the first in a series of great future releases …

New Import Cd from the Label: Las Vegas Archives 080572

August 5, 1972 Dinner Show Hilton Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada

Songs:

2001 Theme See See Rider Proud Mary Never Been To Spain You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling Polk Salad Annie What Now My Love Fever Carry Me Back To Old Virginia (excerpt)/Love Me Little Sister/Get Back A Big Hunk Of Love The Wonder Of You Hound Dog Blue Suede Shoes My Way Suspicious Minds Band Introductions American Trilogy Can’t Help Falling In Love/Closing Vamp

Bonus songs:

(August 5, 1972 Midnight Show Hilton Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada)
Proud Mary Never Been To Spain The Wonder Of You For The Good Times My Way Johnny B. Good

The SR label announced their new release: recordings of Elvis' December 4, 1970 Dinner Show and September 7, 1970 Closing Show, both recorded live in Las Vegas.

The press-release:

The forthcoming release from the "SR" label scheduled for the beginning of September is titled "September Nights" and will feature two unreleased shows from Las Vegas September 04, 1970 Dinner Show (part only) + the complete show from September 07, 1970 Closing Night.

As everybody knows SR concentrates on the early 70's live period of Elvis' activity, trying to provide unreleased shows with Elvis at the top of his ability. In this our ninth release, we are proud to present two very rare shows, one complete and part of the second to give you a more complete view of the last part of Elvis’ August 1970 season. Despite being the end of the season, Elvis' love of singing is clear in these tapes and we are glad to give you the opportunity to listen to them.

The Dinner show from September 4th, as presented on this CD is almost complete, missing the last two tracks only. If we look closely at the late Vegas act of September 1970 we can see that Elvis although tired is still able to concentrate on the music to produce great shows. Elvis sings straight to the audience with pauses and jokes, but the performance is still solid and rough; the basic track listing is presented superbly. Songs like I got a Woman, You’ve Lost that Loving Feeling or Polk Salad Annie sound great; he presents the best of his repertoire from the season. The best song from this dinner show is without doubt the oldie “One Night” here performed in a very rough and concentrated way surely the best version of the season.

The Closing Show of a memorable season maybe the best one, although shorter with respect to the early shows and not of comparable intensity but still valuable. Elvis performs the show in essence as his greatest hits of the season and he performs it as only he can at that moment. Songs like I Just Can’t Help Believing’, You’ve Lost Than Loving Feeling’ and Polk Salad Annie sound solid and well performed overall with feeling, the same feeling the we find at the end with Bridge Over Troubled Water, the best song of the show.

These recordings come from an early generation copy of the master tape; the sound quality is very good considering the early season. The sound was restored in a studio to achieve the best possible results. We have spent hours in the studio over the digital restoration of the sound, to achieve the best possible results and to give you the chance to listen with pleasure.

For the Third time from this label, this new CD will come in a deluxe DIGIPACK, containing a collection of live unreleased photographs of the August season, with a wide spectrum of jumpsuits included.

Tracks:

01. Opening Vamp 0.38
02. That's All Right Mama 1.37
03. I Got A Woman 2.31
04. I Walk The Line (exc) 0.11
05. Monologue/Love Me Tender 6.53
06. I’ve Lost You 2.29
07. You’ve Lost Than Loving Feelin’ 4.09
08. Polk Salad Annie 4.12
09. Band Intro 2.34
10. Hound Dog (exc) 0.05
11. Johnny B.Goode 1.37
12. Band Intro 1.49
13. The Wonder Of You 3.07
14. One Night 1.37

Time 33.32

15. Opening Vamp 0.31
16. That's All Right Mama 2.20
17. I Got A Woman 2.36
18. I Walk The Line (exc)1.54
19. Monologue 3.07
20. I’ve Lost You 2.33
21. I Just Can’t Help Believin’ 4.37
22. You’ve Lost Than Loving Feelin’ 4.44
23. Polk Salad Annie 4.46
24. Introductions 8.05
25. Blue Suede Shoes 1.50
26. All Shook Up (inc.) 1.21
27. Hound Dog 2.01
28. Bridge Over Troubled Water 4.59
29. Can't Help Falling In Love 1.55
30. Closing Vamp. (inc.) 0.14

Time 45.46

Queen musical We Will Rock You and Elvis.

I went to see the Queen musical We Will Rock You in London at the weekend and Our man was mentioned several times ..Infact as the lights went down the first thing that flashes on thebig screen was ...In 1956 Elvis Presley releses Heartbreak Hotel.

The Show is about the future of music being cloned all songs are made with computers all singers etc are clones. Amongst all this are the rebels searching for the lost treasures left by Queen in the past these being real instuments and the legend of real music which started in the Heartbreak Hotel when people made music with guitars and drums and wrote lyrics etc.

Obviously the show is based around all of Queens songs but Elvis and Heartbreak Hotel are mentioned throughout the show. The show itself is fantastic if you get chance to see it do so.

The King's 1965 Shelby Cobra 425 Roadster going to auction: A range of the most luxurious and collectable European sports, American muscle, Hot rods and custom automobile will cross the block this August as part of Russo and Steele’s Monterey auction event. The quality of Russo and Steele Monterey’s collectable automobiles has never been better.

To be held August 14th -16th at Marriott Hotel in historic downtown Monterey, this visceral auction event has a range of collector automobiles sure to satisfy any collectors taste.

As one of the finest Shelby American automobiles, the ex-Lothar Motschenbacher 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Full Competition offered here is an absolutely beautiful example is one of only 22 full competition models to leave the factory. Motschenbacher successfully campaigned this car in the '65 USRRC Championships against Ken Miles in the factory 427 and Jim Hall's legendary Chaparrals.

A year later, Elvis Presley and CSX 3012 co-starred in the hit movie "Spinout." From the fame this added to both Shelby and the music legend, CSX 3012 was to be known as The King’s race car for all time. This Cobra includes complete ownership history and thorough documentation. Further, it features a concours-quality restoration and continues to achieve significant awards on both the show-field as well as the track.

Also on offer at the Monterey auction event are a range from the highly elusive, legendary, and the highest quality of collector automobiles that Russo and Steele has become known to provide at its auction events. Please visit www.russoandsteele.com to view a variety of featured consignments.

For additional information or images please contact Stephanie Quinn at Stephanie@russoandsteele.com

2008/07/30 www.russoandsteele.com - www.elvisinfonet.com / www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Tourism partners, the Memphis Convention and Visitors Bureau along with the Tourism Division of the Mississippi Development Authority have recently launched a one month

moving promotional campaign involving the famous black cabs one sees in London, England. The campaign consists of 120 taxis with 90 in London and 15 each in Manchester and Glasgow.

The cities selected were determined by their transatlantic air service along with population.

Each taxi carries tip seats panels in the interior of the taxi which communicate to a captive

audience in the back of the taxi normally on a one-to-one basis for an average of 16 minutes.

Craig Ray, director Tourism Development, Mississippi Development Authority said, “We are excited about this different approach to traditional advertising and promotion. This is literally a moving billboard that constantly is delivering a message to a huge international audience.

International visitors from the United Kingdom constitute the third largest number of travelers to Mississippi. United Kingdom visitors represent 15.8% of the Top Ten registrants at the highway Welcome Centers.

In exactly 2 weeks from now, the Celebration Book '5 Years ElvisMatters' will be presented at the Castle of Alden Biesen, in the presence of the TCB Band.

This book brings back the fondest memories of the past 5 years, with backstage and frontstage concertpictures, news paper clippings and inside stories.

We have a few tickets left for the TCB Show on Saturday August 16th (including book presentation, Ed Bonja expo and TCB-reception), so don't hesitate and order now.

Today we have for you the complete cover artwork for the new Sue McCasland / Joseph A. Krein book "Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe - World's Best kept Secret" for you.

Like the previous products from "Praytome Publishing" e.g. "Behind The Image 2" by Bud Glass or "Elvis On Tour '75" by Sandi Pichon this new book will be hardcover as well and in the same size like the previous mentioned titles.

You will soon find the third part of the "Making Of" on this website.

Check the official website or our recommend Newswebsite EPGold.com for updates.

The auction site R&R Enterprises has a unique piece of Elvis history in his auction catalogue. A handwritten letter by Elvis, mailed out from the Army to his girlfriend Frances Forbes, shortly after his mother passed away.

From the auction site:

Outstanding and very rare ALS signed “Love ya kids, Elvis Presley,” one lightly lined page, 8 x 10, no date [envelope postmarked November 14, 1958]. Elvis writes from Friedberg, Germany, to Frances Forbes in Memphis, heading the letter “Frances, Heidi, Gloria, Diane, Earl, Dottie, and the rest of the gang.” In full:

“Well I don’t know what ever made me write a letter but I guess it’s because I am so homesick and lonely. I just want to tell you that I miss and love you all very much, and I am just counting the hours until I can return and we will all be together again. I can hardly wait till I am back singing and making movies and above all seeing the old gang again. I guess I miss mother more over here than anything because I am just now realizing that she won’t ever be here anymore.

I remember the last few wonderful days at Ft. Hood. Someday we will all look back and talk about it. Tell George, Allen, Lewis, Bobby, and little Billy I said hello and that I miss them very much. Also Uncle Travis and Loraine, and everybody at Graceland hello. If you see Uncle Vester and aunt [illegible] tell them I miss them. Tell Patsy I love her very, very much and to be a good little girl till I get home. Well I will go for now just wanted you all to know that I was thinking of you. All my love Frances.”

Elvis writes a few additional lines on the reverse:

“Have a merry Christmas kids, I wish I was with you, we’d have a ball, but maybe next Christmas. ‘Eri Vian Ditchi.’

Quote from ‘Hay Ears’ [“Memphis Mafia” member Alan Fortas, nephew of Supreme Court Justice Abe Fortas]—‘I’d kill to go to Germany.’” Elvis was inducted into the Army on March 24, 1958, months before his mother’s death on August 14. After completing basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, he was posted to Friedberg, Germany with the Third Armored Division.

Presley served with the division from October 1, 1958, until March 2, 1960; three days later, he was discharged from active duty with the rank of sergeant. The letter is accompanied by the original mailing envelope, addressed in Presley’s hand to Forbes, including his return address and signature, “Elvis Presley, Friedberg, Germany.” Also included is a copy of a snapshot of Elvis and Forbes embracing as they say goodbye in September 1958, before Presley shipped out, as well as a 2007 letter from Forbes, stating in part, “I received this letter in the late fall of 1958 and I have held on to it for 49 years....

The day I received the letter I didn’t believe it was real until I opened it and read it.... I immediately called George Klein & Alan Fortas ... they were as excited as I. We all knew we had something special because Elvis didn’t write letters. I was 15 years old and head over heels in love when Elvis left for Germany. I thought my life had ended until I received his letter.”

In very good condition, with intersecting folds, scattered light toning and staining, and some light creasing and handling wear. Letters by Elvis are of the greatest scarcity, as evidenced by the virtual absence of genuine examples on the market; Elvis’s cousin, Billy Smith, once remarked that if Elvis wrote ten letters in his lifetime, it would be a lot.

The present example, so intimately documenting the personal side of Elvis’s military service and his fabled love for his mother, is, with his songs, among the most remarkable documents ever to come from the King’s pen.

COA Roger Epperson/REAL and R&R COA.

The German Elvis Presley Club MV will have their 2nd ‘Rostock Elvis Festival’ from October 2 untill October 4 2008.

The festivities will be launched at October 2 with a ‘Come Together’-party, welcoming all Elvis-fans. The right setting will be created by an Elvis-DJ.

Friday October 3th will have a large Las Vegas Show with Oliver Steinhoff. Special guest is Dick Grob. He was a Memphis Maffia member from 1969-1977. Dick Grob was associated with Elvis Presley for over ten years, served as his personal bodyguard and Chief of Security on every tour, trip and almost everywhere else.

After Elvis' death, he remained with the estate for a time as Director of Security, working directly for Elvis' father, Vernon Presley. Grob, an Air Force officer, served over ten years in law enforcement. Presently, he operates his own successful consulting business. During his career in law enforcement he received specialized training from the FBI and worked security details in personal and dignitary protection.

He also, on occasion, worked with the CIA. His credentials were well established when he took over protection for his friend, Elvis. During the after show party, Grob will take the time to share his memories with fans and answer their questions. Als 2nd special guest, Helmut Radermacher will be at the event. Helmut is known for his radio show and Elvis magazine ‘Golden Boy Elvis’. Visitors of the show also have access to a special temporary Elvis museum with some original clothing of the King.

Fans of the Rock and Roll era are welcome on Saturday October 4, during the ‘Rock and Roll Party – 50 years later’ that kicks off at 20h. Two live bands are playing all original 50s and 60s songs.

The festivities are based on two locations in Rostock (200km East of Hamburg), in ‘Schallmauer’ and ‘Theater des Friedens’.

Program and Tickets

Thursday october 2nd 2008 – SCHALLMAUER

20h00

COME TOGETHER for Elvis-fans = free entrance.

Friday october 3 2008 – THEATER DES FRIEDENS

17h30

LAS VEGAS SHOW – incl. After-Show-Party and Elvis-museum = 22,33 Euro

info website: www.remember-elvis.de

19h30

AFTER SHOW PARTY – for those who don’t want to see the Las Vegas show = 18,88 Euro

info website: www.remember-elvis.de

Saturday october 4 2008 – SCHALLMAUER

20h00

Rock and Roll Party – 50 Jahre nach der Ankunft = 15,00 Euro

info website: www.remember-elvis.de

2008/07/29 www.remember-elvis.de - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Here it is....... the 4th volume in the one and only Alternate Album series!

And what a masterpiece it is.........

- 2 BLACK COLORED DISC SET ( front and bottom )

- 4 PAGE STUNNING BOOKLET

- BOOKBOX CASE ( see pic)

- THE BEST STUDIO OUTTAKES ON DISC 1

- A BRAND NEW FANTASTIC REMIXED FULL 1969 CONCERT ON DISC 2 ( no silence between each track, this is a professional remixed concert with the best ´69 Vegas tracks)

- STICKER ON FRONT CASE ( ´limited edition only of 300 copies´)

- BEAUTIFUL NUMBERED CARD INSIDE EACH BOOKBOX ( see pic)

- All tracks are professionally edited for optimal listening pleasure

Grap it while you can, once they are sold out, the´re gone....KEEP YOUR COLLECTION COMPLETE ! Many thanks for your support!

DISC 1:

poor mans gold-suspicious minds ( take 6 ) / Inherit the wind ( NA take 1 ) / this is the story ( take 2 ) / stranger in my own hometown (undubbed master) / little bit of green ( take 1 ) / and the grass won´t pay no mind ( alternate vocal) / do you know who i am ( take 4 ) / from a jack to a king (take 3 ) / the fair´s moving on ( alternate mix) / you´ll think of me ( take 14 ) - Without love ( take 4 ) / hey Jude ( spliced take 1/5) / dont cry daddy ( undubbed acetate) / mama liked the roses ( undubbed acetate) / rubberneckin´( undubbed master) / who am I ? ( master).

DISC 2:

blue suede shoes (24-DS) / johnny b. goode ( 24-DS) / all shook up ( 24- DS ) / are you lonesome tonight ( 26-MS) / elvis talks ( 26-MS) / hound dog ( 26 -MS ) / I cant stop loving you ( 24- DS) / My Babe ( 22-MS) / yesterday- hey jude ( 21-MS) / mystery train-tiger man ( 26-MS) /words ( 24-MS) / in the ghetto ( exact date unknown) / suspicious minds ( 21-MS) / cant help falling in love ( 24-DS) / Inherit the wind ( 26-DS) / rubberneckin´ ( 26-MS) / funny how time slips away ( 22-MS) / what´d I say ( 23-MS) : all tracks recorded in August 1969 - MS: Midnight Show - DS: Dinner Show

All four volumes from the Alternate Album series are beautiful packaged Cd-R releases.

The new documentary ‘Elvis: Return To Tupelo’ will be released in the first half of August. Director Michael Rose and producer Carol King gave ElvisMatters an exclusive preview of the DVD and the bonus chapters.

In all documentary’s that handles Elvis’ life from ‘beginning to the end’, they don’t get to deep in to detail about Elvis’ childhood and teenager years, although they are very important for the rest of his life. We all know the most important facts for this period: his birth and his still born twin brother Jesse, Vernon who ends up in jail, Elvis discovers Gospel and Blues music, his first guitar, …

The docu starts with a newsreel of the triumphed return to his hometown in 1956. The clock turns back to 1935 and we follow the Presley family during the rural years of the depression, World War II and the tornado catastrophe in Tupelo. We travel to Memphis, when the 3 are searching for better times in the big city, where Elvis would become the greatest entertainer of all times.

Country legend is responsible for the professional narration of the DVD. We visit all the important places that had a key role in the life of little Elvis, told by experts and people who are there at the time. Lots of childhood friends are located and tell their memories.

Stories that are told before and never went in to detail are now explained with all details. It is well known that Vernon ended up in jail after he forged a check. He got a three year jail sentence – a hard time for Gladys to take care of her son. Elvis’ mother started a petition to try to get Vernon earlier out of the jail. All important people from Tupelo – from the police chef to the bank director – signed the petition. The most important letter came from O. S. Bean, the guy who wrote the original check to Vernon. His opinion was that Vernon punishment lasted long enough.

Archive footage shows an interview with Brother Frank Smith, who toughed Elvis the song ‘Old Shep’ and learned to play him his very first guitar chords. Ernest Bowen, WELO Station manager, recalls the times that Elvis was at his radio station to sing live on air.

The city of Memphis leads us to the Lauderdale Courts, Humes High and off course the Sun Studio’s where DJ Fontana, Gordon Stoker and George Klein share their memories.

The circle is round when de documentary ends back in 1956, Elvis’ hometown concert.

The DVD is filled with comments of lots of experts and people who where eye witnesses to the events, added with unique and historic footage from the difficult years in the Deep South. This movie is made by professional filmmaker and Elvis fan Michael Rose. It is obvious that this project is made with a heart for the subject.

We already knew the chapter titles, but now that we have seen the disc, we can tell you more about the content.

Elvis week / Elvis festival

Dedicated to us, the Elvis fans, with an overview of the yearly festivities that are held in Memphis and Tupelo.

The Alamo Girls

Seven girlfriends from Alamo, TN are out on an adventure when they travel to Tupelo in September 1956 to see Elvis perform during the fair. The seven teenagers can be seen on almost every footage and picture that is made during the concert. They are all standing on the front row and some of the girls are now telling about their special trip. We also see photos from their private album with pictures they made from the front row.

Sun Records Line up

A brief overview of the other artists that became famous due to Sun Records.

Elvis meets Bill Monroe

Bill Monroe, composer of ‘Blue Moon Of Kentucky’, met Elvis at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville. The audience was not overwhelmed by the way Elvis performed their favorite country waltz.

DJ Fontana: Elvis on TV

Elvis’ first drummer recollects some memories about the various TV-appearances at the Milton Bearle, Steve Allen and Ed Sullivan shows. He goes in to detail about why Elvis did not like Steve Allen

Elvis’ eerste drummer halt herinneringen op aan de verschillende TV-opnames bij Milton Berle, Steven Allen en Ed Sullivan. Hij gaat dieper in op de afkeer die Elvis van Steve Allen had.

Sneeking into the Fair

Elvis’ childhood friend tells the story about how they sneaked in to the fair because they could not afford a ticket.

Memories of the Colonel

A short portrait of Elvis’ ‘controversial’ manager.

George Klein remembers the Coach

Elvis was a for a short time a member of the Humes High Football team, but he quit because he did not like the coach. George Klein tells the story when Elvis and the coach met each other again when he was already a star.

June Juanico & Dixie Locke: first date

Two of Elvis’ first girlfriends share their stories about being Elvis’ date.

Magdalena Morgan's Christmas gift

During elementary school, Magdalena was Elvis’ little girlfriend. She tells about the Christmas gift she got from him.

Mike Freeman: owning Elvis' house

Mike Freeman bought the house on Audubon drive that once belonged to Elvis in 1988. He tells about how it was to live in Elvis’ home.

Debunking the myth that Elvis was a Racist

In the beginning of Elvis’ career, a rumor was spread that Elvis was a racist. This came from an article, published in the SEPIA magazine. The JET magazine wrote that the rumor was a lie.

Elvis enters the Army newsreel

Original news broadcast about Elvis entering the army.

Elvis leaves the Army newsreel

Original news broadcast about Elvis leaving the army.

Elvis gets married newsreel

Original news broadcast about Elvis’ marriage.

Tupelo tornado newsreel

Very rare footage about the Tupelo tornado disaster in the 40’s.

'Washington Merry-Go-Round' Elvis Controversy newsreel

The program ‘Washington Merry-Go-Round’ was all about important political news. This episode however was about the controverse around Elvis.

In this complete 12min show from 1956, Elvis life story untill then is told. The program concludes with a ‘prediction’ about Elvis’ carreer. He is compared with educated and decent artists as Rudolph Valentino and Frank Sinatra. Elvis is advised to get rid of all the vulgarity if he does not want his star to fall as fast as it came up..

To understand the person behind Elvis, his musical preferences and his choices, it is important to discover the roots of this all. For the first time ever, all these facts are portrayed in such a detailed and interesting way!

This one is already a winner. Tunzi releases one of his best books until now.

The mix of pictures, text and documents is perfect. The text is written by director/producer Steve Binder. The book is setup as a diary, beginning with the very first negotiations and ending with looking back at the whole production.

Binder documents his memories with lots of archive material. We’ll see his own handwritten notes from behind the control panel and we can read the first scenario’s, where the title ‘If I Can Dream’ was still blank and filled in with ‘Big Ballad’.

The pictures are page filling and from a never before seen quality. As if the book is not worth its money by itself, there is a picture of Steve and Elvis that was not published in the book.

No ordinary postcard, but a full glossy signed 23x21cm photo.

If all releases are going to be on this level, we fans are going to be spoiled!

Visiting Palm Springs next August? Here’s a suggestion: Elvis’s so-called Honeymoon Hideaway at 1350 Ladera Circle opens its doors to the public. A tour of the house costs you 25 $US, the Indoor Gospel Concert (4 – 7 pm) another 50 $US. More info at www.elvishoneymoon.com .

History: On September 16, 1966, Elvis leased the estate at 1350 Ladera Circle, Palm Springs, California for one year for $21,000. Colonel Tom Parker, Elvis's manager, lived in the neighborhood and he thought that it would be the perfect place for Elvis to relax, entertain his friends and escape from Hollywood.

However, Rona Barrett, the famous Hollywood gossip columnist, also lived around the corner. She became suspicious that Elvis and Priscilla were going to be married when Priscilla Beaulieu arrived on the weekend of April 29th 1967 with her entire family. Elvis' entourage also began to assemble (Joan and Joe Esposito, George Klein, Sandy and Jerry Schilling, Marty Lacker, Dee and Vernon Presley).

Apparently "Miss Rona" even had the estate's maid followed in order to find out when and where the wedding would take place. Then she announced on her nightly television broadcast that "the King and Priscilla are to be married in Palm Springs."Originally the plan was to have the wedding and reception take place around the pool at the estate but because of the onslaught of the press and media, Colonel Parker arranged for Elvis and Priscilla to be married in Las Vegas. Escorted by Joe Espositio, the best man, they slipped out of the house at 3:00 a.m. on Monday morning, May 1st, 1967, going out the back way, by the pool and across the fruit orchard to Rose Avenue where limos were waiting to drive them to the airport.

They flew to Las Vegas in Frank Sinatra's Lear jet, the "Christina", and by 4:00 a.m. the marriage license was obtained at the court house. At 9:40 a.m. the wedding ceremony took place at the Aladdin Hotel, in owner Milton Prell's suite. The ceremony was followed by a breakfast reception for approximately 100 guests. On the same day, May 1, 1967, at 2:50 p.m., Elvis and Priscilla flew back to Palm Springs to begin their honeymoon.

Elvis carried Priscilla over the threshold and up the stairs of the Honeymoon Hideaway singing "The Hawaiian Wedding Song". Lisa Marie was born on February 1, 1968, exactly 9 months from the date of the honeymoon. The next day Elvis went to United Artists in L.A. to finish "Clambake" and then hurried back to Palm Springs the same evening. It is believed that the "1968 Comeback Special" was planned during the many months he spent at the estate. After this concert Elvis made numerous personal and concert appearances which led to him becoming the "Entertainer of the Century".

Elvis loved Palm Springs! Elvis' favorite time of the year was the summer, even thought he wasn't too fond of the heat. He resolved this problem by installing hotel-style air-conditioning units throughout the estate and he would keep the thermostat constantly low. His friends constantly commented that the house was like "a meat locker". Elvis often sang gospel music in the living room until dawn. Elvis at times would ride his Harley-Davidson to downtown Palm Springs for ice cream and at other times he would go to a bookstore called Bookland. Occasionally he would visit Colonel Tom Parker, his manager, who resided around the corner.

One day Elvis saw Robert Goulet on TV and he jokingly shot a gun at the TV screen. Later that evening he went to an appliance store in Indian Canyon and bought 10 TVs. Elvis had fun racing go-carts in Palm Springs at Camelot Park on E. Palm Canyon Drive. At the Indio Casino, Elvis played blackjack. He liked the game so much, that when he was in Vegas he had a blackjack table put in his Hilton suit.

Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe - World's Best Kept Secret.

While the latest "Making Of" (the 2nd one) for Sue McCasland / Joseph A. Krein book "Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe - World's Best Kept Secret" was a little teaching lesson about Sahara Tahoe memorabilia, the book of course is not focused on the memorabilia but on Elvis and his five engagements at the Sahara Tahoe, of course.

We will soon give you an idea of the great shots by the author and she will share some stories with you.

Elvis Matters
Magazine No. 21

In the meantime, the Belgian Fanclub 'Elvismatters' has published a Tahoe Special in the latest magazine No. 21. Some months ago, Peter Verbruggen and David Hamal from Elvismatters contacted the Praytome Publishing for complemetary illustrations because during their research they learnt that there are only a handful of pictures available.

So they get in touch with the Praytome Publishing team, who was very happy to contribute pictures to the article for the fanmagazine.

So the pictures in the article you see below are a little preview of what you can expect in the soon to be released book.

The book contains not only great never before published pictures of Elvis during the engagements from 1971-76 but also has lots of stories from eye-witnesses and lots of memorabila for display.

Order Now: Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe - World's Best Kept Secret.

Click on the banner to enter the shop

On THURSDAY JULY 31st, you are all invited to come to Caddy's Diner in Purmerend, close to Amsterdam, a place well suited for an Elvis Party: http://www.caddysdiner.com / DOORS WILL OPEN AT 19:00 HOURS!

'The Reno Brothers' will perform an electrifying '60 Elvis Set that will leave you Rock 'n' Rolling in your socks! check out: www.renobros.nl

All the fans will be able to buy the Boxset exclusively that night, before it will be available the next day in the recordshops. National TV, Radio & newspapers will be present at this party.

National dutch television station SBS6 will be shooting that night for their new documentary on Elvis: 'The King Is Still Alive' and they would like to interview as many fans as possible!

PLUS: every fan who will buy the Boxset that night will get a special made SONY/BMG 7" vinyl promo with 2 tracks from the '68 Special! SONY/BMG Holland will press these singles only for that night in very limited quantity so it will become a true collectors item! We expect the cover art to be ready in the coming days.

More surprises might be added along the way... (Supposedly somebody is being seen digging in the vaults of SONY/BMG Holland for collector's items to give to fans in a special lottery that night but this rumour is not confirmed as of yet...)

But write July 31st, Caddy's Diner, Purmerend, 19:00 hours in your agenda's! It's Elvis Time will be there with a big stand as well!

Pre-Order Now: The '68 Comeback Special Boxsets

Click on the banner to enter the shop

Jerry Walker, a longtime editor of Editor & Publisher, and later senior editor at O'Dwyer's p.r. Report and Jack O'Dwyer's Newsletter, died July 19 at his home from a heart attack. He was 72.

Walker had retired from O'Dwyer's in 2005 after 18 years and moved from his long-time home in New Jersey to Bluffton, NC.

A 19-year veteran of Editor & Publisher, Walker started out as a reporter and ultimately became managing editor. He was a second-generation editor at E&P; his father, Jerry Walker Sr., had been an editor for many years.

Walker served four years in the Army, where he reached the rank of lieutenant. During a stint in Germany, one of his chauffeurs was Elvis Presley.

His first job after leaving the serv ice was with the New Rochelle Standard Star.

"He had a keen eye for unusual an gles on a story and an instinct of going for the jugular," said Jack O'Dwyer. "Journalism lost one of it most enthusiastic practitioners when he retired."

From Einstein to Elvis: This new book is due out this month in the US in both hardcover and softcover formats.

Published by AuthorHouse, it features 90 plus interviews with celebrities including Elvis, Bill Cosby, Frank Sinatra, Jack Lemmon, Johnny Carson and Lucille Ball.

A tree fall at Graceland yesterday. One side of it hit Vernons office and luckly caused no damange.

The other side fell on the carport side near the vip area. Look at the picture close: there is a golf cart sitting under it that a supervisor had just gotten off of. The fence was not damaged at all.

More information on the footage appearing on the forthcoming Elvis, Linda And Me DVD...

Clips will including some stunning never-before-seen film of Graceland, the gates and pool area in near TV quality.

Fans will also witness brand new 8mm footage of Elvis’ Vegas engagements of August / September 1974, which was transferred in January this year for the first time.

The team at Essential Elvis actually transferred this stunning footage from the original 8mm reels for the first time, so we can guarantee that nobody has seen this material before.

Although the quality is stunning and the colours are bright, the footage is about to undergo an extra restoration process that will slightly enhance the otherwise terrific quality of the film. Each frame has been digitally transferred to DVD.

The footage of Graceland is from August 1973. Anyone who bought the great Caught In A Trap book will recall seeing photos of the Dutch and British fans on the steps of Graceland.

The final artwork Dvd cover for "Fit For A King" on top is the original Dvd cover.

Several Elvis websites are saying that this (below) is the cover of 'Fit for King'.

I don't know who starts these rumors, but I have to set the record straight!

Full details for the new upcoming Dvd Documentary "Fit for a King" scroll down below on this Hot E-news page July 18.

It seems plaussible that the announcement " Due for release July 2008 from the Czech Memory Records is the DVD Elvis - The Jumpsuitology Vol. 1 - 1969 - 1972 Dedicated to Bill Belew may be the new designed Dvd cover since the 1st Dvd cover was a drawing.

Since the source was mentioned on the 2nd cover on other websites: Elvis Corner, we contacted the owner of the shop Elvis Corner, Johan and he confirmed " I just made this frontcover as a joke " since he thought there was no front cover yet and wanted to show this for pre-orders.

On the question why he didn't inform the other sites this was just a mock - up Dvd cover and this has upset the Producer for the confusion, Johan answered " why should I - I can't be bothered with this", I have to hang up now and by the way I have close contact with B&K Enterprises!

Then Sings My Soul.

(Rainbow Records, Release date: August 16th, 2008)

Elvis Presley was probably most relaxed on stage when doing one of his legendary „Tahoe“-shows. No matter if the year was 1971, 73, 74 or 1976 – he was always „ready“ when the crowd was in wanting to celebrate an unforgettable evening with their „King“.

May 7th, 1976 was such a date and Elvis delivered a very fine performance. Well, in fact he did two shows that day.

Rainbow Records managed to obtain very early generation tapes of audience recordings from both shows Elvis did that day.

On their brandnew release called „Then Sings My Soul“, the Midnight Show will be presented with a great variety of classic Elvis tunes while many highlights from the dinner show (such as „The Wonder Of You“ and It´s Midnight“) will be on this 2 cd set as well.

There will be even more to „discover“ for the fans ears when listening to the new RR release – more information on this will follow soon.

„Then Sings My Soul“ contains a 20 (!!) page-booklet with all necessary information regarding Elvis´ final Lake Tahoe engagement.

We hope you´ll like the new RAINBOW RECORDS release! Tracklist and artwork will follow soon!

There seems to be no stopping to the August book releases.

Expected in 2 to 3 weeks time is "The Man Who Made Elvis laugh" by comedian Sammy Shore. Sammy was chosen by Colonel Parker to open for Elvis from 1969-1972 in Las Vegas.

Sammy also opened the Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip and is the father of famous comedian Pauly Shore.

A comedian by trade, Sammy has also appeared in many television shows, including Coach, The Munsters and Sanford and Son.

The team at Essential Elvis in the UK would like to thank Andylon Lensen and EPGold for all their help and support in promoting the hugely successful event, A Rockin' Good Night, this past weekend.

I'm pleased to report that the venue was completely full and every seat was taken. Everyone really enjoyed the show, which included live performances by John Leyton, Graig Douglas, The Flames, The Tornados and the almost legendary Shayne Driscoll.

The highlight for most was the chance to meet the very beautiful Jeanne LeMay, who flew in from the USA exclusively.

Through her close friendship with Linda Thompson, Jeanne was able to tour with Elvis, see him perform in Vegas and work at Graceland as a secretary. She spoke on stage for over an hour, telling fans of the time Elvis presented her with a sports car and a huge diamond ring.

One of the most wanted DVD's is the concert movie 'On Tour'.

Unfortunately, we have to give a negative answer if we are offering this DVD. The ultimate tour documentary is still not released officially on DVD.

The copyrights are in possession of Warner Bros and although rumors popped up last year that a release was possible in 2008, the reality is something else.

Jacqueline Allen, customer relations manager for Warner Bros replied this week to the question for a possible release that ‘We have no plans to release anything further at present’.

There are strong rumors that more material of the outtake footages from "On Tour" will be leaked out on the market.

Here's the covert art of next Madison release A Greensboro Revolution! - Standing Room Only Tapes, Volume One. It will be released soon and Volume Two should follow 3-4 weeks after.

This sparkling performance, recorded in Greensboro, NC on Friday, April 14, 1972, in the presence of MGM's documentary cameras, has been issued many times in the past, but never in such GREAT SOUND QUALITY. For the very first time, hear the show mixed down from MGM multi-track tapes into superb STEREO.

The April 1972 tour was Presley's first of the year. And he was ready. Three outstanding performances from this gig made the final cut of "Elvis On Tour" -- "Bridge Over Troubled Water," "An American Trilogy" and "Funny How Time Slips Away." In 1992, "The Lost Performances" gave fans a fourth visual, with the inclusion of "Release Me." All are here, and the entire evening is a delight.

Track listing :

01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra 1:04 ; 02. C.C. Rider 3:09 ; 03. Proud Mary 2:43 ; 04. Never Been To Spain 3:36 ; 05. You Gave Me A Mountain 3:13 ; 06. Until It's Time For You To Go 2:36 ; 07. Polk Salad Annie 3:14 ; 08. Love Me 1:35 ; 09. All Shook Up 1:00 ; 10. Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel 2:26 ; 11. Hound Dog 1:30 ; 12. Heartbreak Hotel 1:49 ; 13. A Big Hunk O' Love 2:00 ; 14. Bridge Over Troubled Water 4:13 ; 15. Suspicious Minds 4:48 ; 16. Love Me Tender 1:34 ; 17. Introduction of Vocalists, Musicians, Orchestra 1:21 ; 18. For The Good Times 3:08 ; 19. An American Trilogy 4:42 ; 20. Burning Love 2:44 ; 21. Release Me 3:03 ; 22. Funny How Time Slips Away 2:49 ; 23. Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp 2:15

Bonus Tracks: 24. Backstage, Saturday, April 15, 1972, Macon, GA 0:59 ; 25. Bridge Over Troubled Water (unrepaired) 3:43

Total Time = 65:39

For what it’s worth: Liverpool, European Capital of Culture 2008, is hosting a Beatles Week Festival from 20 to 26 August featuring... Elvis! Bands from more than 20 countries and fans from more than 40 will be travelling to the city for live concerts, art exhibitions, record fairs, guest speakers, video shows, tours, a fleamarket and a Convention.

Highlight of the Festival is (on 21 August) the show ‘Elvis meets The Beatles’ at the Cavern Club. Liverpool is Europe's Cultural Capital this year.

2008/07/23 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Recorded live in Las Vegas, Hilton Hotel, August 08, 1973, Opening night.

The forthcoming "Memory Records" label CD release is entitled "RAISED ON VEGAS". Between July 21-24, 1973 Elvis recorded 10 tracks at the legendary Stax Studios in Memphis, Tennessee - but only one of these made it into his live act: "Raised On Rock". Just a few weeks after these sessions, on August 6th, Elvis opened another "Las Vegas Summer Festival" with the rather unique concert presented on this CD.

During this unusual show, Elvis performed "Trouble" from "King Creole" (1958) and segued straight into the recent "Raised On Rock". This is the only known live performance of the latter song. Later in the show Elvis surprised his audience with another live rarity: "Memphis Tennessee". Elvis also introduced a contemporary favorite of his, "My Boy", a rather hesitantly performed version that predates his studio-version by four months.

1973 was a very busy year for Elvis. The triumph of the "Aloha" show was followed by two Las Vegas seasons, two long tours, July, September and December recording sessions, hospitalization for detoxification as well as the October divorce. Elvis was truly caught in a trap, both professionally and personally. By now, he was just as fed up with the glitter and artificiality of Vegas as he’d been of the “Travelogue” movies just a few years earlier. Nevertheless, his opening and closing concerts in Vegas were always special events and this one is no exception!

This recording was taken from an early generation copy of the original master tape as recorded by a member of the audience. The tape source is independent and of much better quality, than the first 1st release of this show ("FIRE IN VEGAS" - 1993). All tracks were digitally restored for your best possible listening pleasure, and the speed was corrected. All accompanying photographs were taken between April and August 1973.

Tracks:

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. Trouble (1st live version) - 04. Raised On Rock (only live version) - - 05. Love Me - 06. Steamroller Blues - 07. What Now My Love - 08. Blue Suede Shoes - 09. Memphis Tennessee - 10. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Can't Dance/Flip, Flop And Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (medley) - 11. Love Me Tender - 12. Hound Dog - 13. Fever - 14. My Boy (1st live version) - 15. Suspicious Minds - 16. Band Introductions - 17. Celebrity Introductions (Petula Clark, Guy March, Phillis McGuire, Liza Minelli) - 18. I Can't Stop Loving You - 19. An American Trilogy - 20. Bridge Over Troubled Water - 21. How Great Thou Art - 22. A Big Hunk O' Love - 23. Help Me Make It Through The Night - 24. Can't Help Falling In Love - 25. Closing Vamp.

Approximate running time: 63:12

Postal Activist Says There Is A 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' With Campaign 2008

In less than 2 weeks, a five year anniversary will dawn upon us. On July 30, 2003 the man hailed as the Father of Rock n' Roll passed away. Sam Phillips was 80 years old.

Phillips was the front man who launched the careers of Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and a host of other legendary Rock, Rhythm and Blues greats at a small store front studio called Memphis Recording Service. Phillips, whose motto was 'We Record Anything, Anywhere, Anytime,' began his business just making records with some of the legendary unrefined black artists such as Howlin' Wolf, James Cotton, Willie Nix, Rosco Gordon and Rufus Thomas. Phillips' ambition was to bring out of all of his artists, what they didn't really know that they had in themselves.

"Sam Phillips made his ‘stamp' on society when change was not of the essence in the segregated South of 1950's America," said Liz Scott, who is a postal activist and the woman who is coordinating the Sam Phillips U.S. Commemorative Postage Stamp Campaign. "Sam was not interested in doing the same things that had already been done in music. What Sam set out to do was to give the young people of the era something that they could call their own," said Scott. "Sam's gut instinct was to blend various kinds of music; Country, Gospel, Rhythm and Blues. This blend gave birth to Rock n' Roll, something that allowed the young people of the day to experience a freedom of their own true expression."

According to the USPS, commemorative postage stamps honoring a notable and famous American subject will usually be issued on or in conjunction with the individual or subject's birth or a significant anniversary. No stamp will be issued sooner than 5 years after an individual's death. So far, 9,078 people from around the world have hand signed a petition Scott has been passing around at several music themed events. That total does not include the 966 signatures currently on a web site petition portal called www.gopetition.com.

"Sam was an American original and a genuine music pioneer," said David Johnson, executive director of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. "He's certainly one of Alabama's most significant contributors to the world of music. It's impossible to imagine popular music over the past 50 years without the tremendous impact of Sam Phillips and Sun Records. It's an honor for us to call him one of our own and to keep celebrating his incredible legacy."

Phillips' oldest son, Knox Phillips said of his father, "His idea was to work with people whose principles and values mirrored his own. You could boil it down to the principles he had learned from the Phillips family, which is integrity and individuality to the extreme," said Phillips. "He wasn't interested in working with polished musicians and he wasn't interested in taking someone who was already a star and trying to refine his art. What he was committed to was the same thing his mother and father taught him from childhood; a search for the truth."

On Scott's website, she states that she will continue the campaign for one more year to allow more people the opportunity to voice their support and as a way for the world to say ‘thank you,' to Phillips for his extraordinary role as the catalyst who crafted this timeless music at his Memphis Recording Studio 50 years ago.

If you would like more information about the Sam Phillips U.S. Postage Stamp Campaign, or to schedule an interview with Liz Scott, please call her at (256) 766-2913 or email Liz at samphillipsstampusa@live.com. You can also visit her MySpace site at: www.myspace.com/samphillipsstampusa.

One of the most surprising DVDs of this year could be ‘Elvis: Return to Tupelo’. Without a big campaign in the media, this professional made documentary has a very interesting content, with a duration of 150min.

The actual docu, following Elvis from his birth until his first years in Memphis, will take 90mins.

Not less than 60min are extras and bonus footage with the following content:

- Elvis week / Elvis festival

- Alamo Girls

- Sun Records Line up

- Elvis meets Bill Monroe

- DJ Fontana: Elvis on TV

- Sneeking into the Fair

- Memories of the Colonel

- George Klein remembers the Coach

- June Juanico: first date

- Magdalena Morgan's Christmas gift

- Mike Freeman: owning Elvis' house

- Debunking the myth that Elvis was a Racist

- Elvis enters the Army newsreel

- Elvis leaves the Army newsreel

- Elvis gets married newsreel

- Tupelo tornado newsreel

- 'Washington Merry-Go-Round' Elvis Controversy newsreel

-This DVD will be region free, so it can be played worldwide!

Pre - Order Now Dvd "Elvis: Return to Tupelo".

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2008/07/22 Michael Rose - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

´The best one so far...´ ELVIS- FROM MEMPHIS TO VEGAS THE ALTERNATE ALBUM.

Grap it while you can, once they are sold out, the´re gone....KEEP YOUR COLLECTION COMPLETE ! Many thanks for your support!

DISC 1:

All four volumes from the Alternate Album series are beautiful packaged Cd-R releases.

Apparently the 'Christmas 'Duets' Album will come to fruition for December 2008.

It may be that different artists are used in different countries. In the UK a single release from the album is currently being considered also.

The original arrangements have been kept and the album produced mainly in Nashville.

The Christmas 'Duets' album should prove to be a winner, especially in the UK. As we all know Sony BMG usually release albums around the time of Elvis Anniversaries e.g. January and August but these are times of low sales.

Christmas time is the highest period for sales and should be good for The King (and Sony BMG).

This 'Duets' album is not to be confused with the other 'Duets' album.

That will be more radical as far as backings and arrangements are concerned. That is tentatively scheduled for 2009.

Brian

I wanted to let you know that we are finalizing the DVD now. In addition to the 90 minute program, we are adding 60 minutes of bonus material that we’re sure you’ll appreciate.

However, the addition of that material has caused a delay in our production. We’ll be shipping on August 8, 2008.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.

We apologize for the inconvenience but we’re sure it’ll be worth the wait.

Sincerely,
Carol L. King
Managing Director
Michael Rose Productions, Inc.
13470 Washington Blvd., Ste. 202
Marina del Rey, CA 90292-5689
(310) 821-0800 Phone
(310) 821-0013 Fax

Pre - Order Now Dvd "Elvis: Return to Tupelo".

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Country star HANK COCHRAN is recovering in a Nashville, Tennessee hospital following surgery to remove cancerous tumours from his pancreas.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member, 72, is expected to remain hospitalised for several weeks, but he's expected to make a full recovery.

He says, "I feel so blessed. The diagnosis was made very early."

The songwriter penned Eddy Arnold's Make the World Go Away hit, Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me for Ronnie Milsap and Patsy Cline's I Fall to Pieces.

His songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley and Linda Ronstadt, among others.

Note EpGold:

An alphabetical listing of just a few of the artists who've recorded Hank Cochran's tunes reads like a musician's encyclopedia:

Lynn Anderson, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Junior Brown, Jimmy Buffett, Tracy Byrd, Johnny Cash, Elvis Costello, Bing Crosby, Don Gibson, Vern Gosdin, Ty Herndon, Merle Haggard, Emmylou Harris, Joe Henry, Harry James, Waylon Jennings, Tom Jones, Loretta Lynn, Dean Martin, Reba McEntire, Wayne Newton, Buck Owens, Elvis Presley, LeAnn Rimes, Linda Ronstadt, Nancy Sinatra, George Strait, Carla Thomas, Ernest Tubb, Lee Ann Womack and Timi Yuro.

2008/07/22 www.contactmusic.com / www.epgold.com

Are you Roman tonight? Statue of 'Elvis' chiselled 1800 years before his birth goes under the hammer.

Classic Elvis: The statue bears an unmistakeable resemblance to the real King

With his dashing chiselled features, swept back hair and perky bouffant the resemblance is unmistakable.

But incredibly this carving of Elvis Presley was created around 1800 years before the King of Rock and Roll first warbled his first note.

The amazing likeness has come to light as part of a sale of ancient antiques by the auction house Bonhams.

The Roman Elvis is in fact a genuine marble acroterion - a kind of architectural ornament often found for decoration on the corners of a sarcophagus, a stone tomb or burial chamber.

It forms part of a collection owned by Melbourne-based Graham Geddes - one of the world's most foremost collectors - which is estimated to sell for more than £1m when it goes on sale in October.

Even the Geddes himself has nicknamed the astounding lookalike ‘Elvis’.

Antiquities specialist Georgiana Aitken added: 'It bears an uncanny likeness to Elvis Presley. It's the quiff that does it.

You do some weird and wacky things at the corners of sarcophagi.

'I don't know what purpose they served and the quiff was not a hairstyle of the day as far as I know.'

The 'Elvis’ sculpture is 2nd Century AD and is estimated to make £25,000 to £30,000.

A spokesman for Bonhams said: "It is perhaps the strangest item in the sale, certainly to modern eyes.

"Fans of the King of Rock 'n Roll, seeing this face from the distant past will be forgiven for thinking that their idol may well have lived a previous life in Rome!

"Looking at this face with its Elvis-like quiff, strong jaw and nose, one is inevitably led to the thought that the human face for all is diversity and subtlety has after all an ability to repeat itself."

2008/07/22 By Niall Firth - www.dailymail.co.uk / www.epgold.com

The British Lordsvale factory, producers of all kinds of amusement games, has received the rights from EPE to manufacture Elvis themed pool tables.

There will be a snooker table, UK model and a pool table, USA model. When and for how much these tables will become available is not known at this moment.

'68 Comeback Boxset Release Party! - UPDATE.

Dutch Elvis fans are in for a treat as SONY/BMG Holland is again making an effort to do something special for the Dutch fans around a new release: The '68 Comeback Special Boxset.

'The Reno Brothers' will perform an electrifying '60 Elvis Set that will leave you Rock 'n' Rolling in your socks! check out: www.renobros.nl

All the fans will be able to buy the Boxset exclusively that night, before it will be available the next day in the recordshops. National TV, Radio & newspapers will be present at this party.

National dutch television station SBS6 will be shooting that night for their new documentary on Elvis: 'The King Is Still Alive' and they would like to interview as many fans as possible!

PLUS: every fan who will buy the Boxset that night will get a special made SONY/BMG 7" vinyl promo with 2 tracks from the '68 Special! SONY/BMG Holland will press these singles only for that night in very limited quantity so it will become a true collectors item! We expect the cover art to be ready in the coming days.

More surprises might be added along the way... (Supposedly somebody is being seen digging in the vaults of SONY/BMG Holland for collector's items to give to fans in a special lottery that night but this rumour is not confirmed as of yet...)

But write July 31st, Caddy's Diner, Purmerend, 19:00 hours in your agenda's! It's Elvis Time will be there with a big stand as well!

Rogier van Luyken

(It's Elvis Time - SONY/BMG Holland)

2008/07/21 Rogier van Luyken - www.itselvistime.nl / www.epgold.com

Fans with a large filled piggy bank can spend their money in an online auction, starting today – ending August 6.

About 16 unique personal and Elvis related items are up for sale. The eye catcher is the Peacock jumpsuit with a start price of $250,000, est. sale price $325,000.

Other clothing from the movies ‘Clambake’, ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ and ‘Blue Hawaii’ is also available. A ring that Elvis wore on stage has to cost $9,500 , while the catalogue also offers ‘cheaper’ items as acetates and autographs.

We do have questions when it comes to the Grammy award for ‘He Touched Me’. The three Grammy’s that Elvis received are all on display in Graceland. It is not clear from who, where and when the Grammy in this auction is offered.

In the latest latest magazine, nr 21 - ElvisMatters, you could see an exclusive view in to the Elvis Suite in the Sahara Tahoe Hotel.

EM took these pictures in March 2008. At that time, the hotel was not very interested in Elvis and his history in the hotel.

Only 6 months later, they changed their minds completely. Soon, a pre-selection contest for the official EPE impersonators contest will be held in the resort, since this month, a fake-Elvis can get you married and the Elvis suite is completely redecorated to give guests the feeling and look as if they were in Graceland.

2008/07/20 Tahoe Daily Tribune - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

Wow! When we put online the the first part of the "Making Of" for the new Praytome Publishing book by Sue McCasland / Joseph A. Krein, we didn't expect that many reactions by the fans.

The first part gave you a little insight view into the techniques of creating the layout and restoring pictures it also documented that author Sue McCasland came over to Germany to join the Praytome Publishing Team to have a final look at the pages and make last-minute changes.

The book contains not only great never before published pictures of Elvis during the engagements from 1971-76 but also has lots of stories from eye-witnesses and lots of memorabila for display. Co-Author and memorabilia collector Joseph A. Krein and other collectors have contributed never before seen gems.

The second part of the "Making Of" pays tribute to the memorabilia collectors worldwide.

With Ebay and its auctions there are a lot of faked items out there. Sue McCasland explains what the memorabilia is all about and if you pay attention to this "teaching lesson" you won't get fooled in upcoming auctions whenever you want to buy Sahara Tahoe memorabilia.

The 2nd part of the "Making Of" is a teaching lesson by author Sue McCasland about the memorabilia of Sahara Tahoe.

Please click the play button to start the video. You need to have flash player installed to be able to see the content .

Jailhouse rock FTD In October?

According to Luuk who has written the following statement on a messageboard:

Just got a phonecall that the October FTD releases include Jailhouse rock with previously unreleased takes.

Ernst Jorgensen confirmed this is not true - soon the three new FTD releases for October will be announced!

2008/07/19 Luuk - Ernst Jorgensen / www.epgold.com

Teenagers in the 1950s and ‘60s turned Elvis Presley into an icon as his shaking hips and snarling lips sent rock ‘n’ roll shockwaves around the world. His emergence on the scene represented a seismic shift in the culture wars over race, sex and class. The story of Elvis lies at the heart of a struggle that gives birth to a new form of music, rock ‘n’ roll, and an America that is forever changed.

Understanding the Elvis phenomenon, and his impact on the world, requires going back to his origins in rural Tupelo, Mississippi where he grew up as one of the poorest boys in town. What happened here set the stage for him to become the star that still shines brightly today.

Our story traces the Elvis saga from his birth during the depths of the Depression, to his move to Memphis, to his formative high school years, through his early struggles to launch a music career and wraps up with his triumphant homecoming concert in 1956, on the same stage where he’d lost a talent contest eleven years earlier. It’s a little known story that while inextricably linked to an era and a place still resonates today.

Narrated by Kris Kristofferson.

DVD includes bonus features, extra interviews, newsreels and more.

About the Filmmakers

Michael Rose heads up his own boutique production company that specializes in programming for television. He has directed, written, and or produced over two hundred shows that have aired around the world.

He discovered the story about Elvis’s early years while shooting a program on the Natchez Trace that took him through Tupelo. He immediately felt that, however improbable, this was an Elvis story that hadn’t been told and that this was the key to really understanding his character, influence and staying power.

Rose’s work has won numerous awards over the years including an Emmy, two Cine Golden Eagles, several educational film awards and he’s had his films screened at international film festivals.

He holds a master's degree in motion picture and film production from the UCLA Film School and a bachelor's degree in history, also from UCLA.

Pre - Order Now Dvd "Elvis: Return to Tupelo".

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In 1981 I had the opportunity and privilege to interview Orion and Shelby Singleton.
Shelby Singleton, after being asked, talks about the Million Dollar Quartet and the fact 33 minutes of a 2 1/2 hours recording was bootlegged.

Here are the links for anybody interested in hearing these interviews.

Mono versions are doing the rounds in fan circles, but these are the binaural recordings directly from the original tape, which just today I transferred to CD.

The last interview is in Dutch with the promotor of the Rockhouse concert/recordfair.

Sir Cliff Richard's first hits are due to go out of copyright on 1 January 2009 -Charlie McCreevy EC Single Market Commissioner.

A 95-year term would bridge the income gap that performers face when they turn 70, just as their early performances recorded in their 20s would lose protection.

Ageing rock stars and session musicians will keep receiving royalties for their old recordings for the rest of their lives under a European Union plan.

Performers currently lose the rights to their recordings after 50 years.

Veteran artists like Sir Cliff Richard and Roger Daltrey are among those who have campaigned for it to be extended

The EU has now announced a scheme for copyright on recordings to last for 95 years. EU governments and the European Parliament still need to give approval.

Under the current regime, the first rock 'n' roll recordings will go out of copyright in the coming years.

That means performers, producers and record labels would no longer get paid for sales or airplay, and the songs could be released cheaply by any record label.

Sir Cliff's first hits will go out of copyright on 1 January next year, while The Beatles' catalogue will start to enter the public domain in 2013.

Sir Paul McCartney and U2 have also spoken out in favour of extending the copyright.

But the EU plan is potentially more important for the thousands of lesser-known band members, session musicians and producers who may be in greater need of an income during their retirement.

The proposals were unveiled by European Commission Single Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy.

"A 95-year term would bridge the income gap that performers face when they turn 70, just as their early performances recorded in their 20s would lose protection," his scheme said.

'Invisible' musicians

Former Undertones singer Feargal Sharkey, now chief executive of British Music Rights, welcomed the move.

He said: "I am especially pleased that the announcement focuses on the 'invisible' members of our industry - the musicians, engineers and session players whose names are hidden away in the liner notes and credits.

"It is they, and not just 'featured' artists and record labels, who could derive real benefits from this move - and at a time in life when their earning power would be severely diminished."

The BPI, which respresents British record labels, said the change would "ensure that our performers and labels are no longer treated as the second class citizens in the copyright world".

'Higher prices'

But the UK government, which rejected its own extension to the copyright term last year, said it was "not convinced" that there was an economic case for the move.

When it looked into the matter, the government said most artists would not benefit from an extension because of their record contracts.

Most musicians had contracts requiring them to pass royalties back to their record labels, the government said.

It also concluded that an extension would lead to increased costs for consumers, who would be forced to pay for royalties for longer.

And Anthony Baldwin, a musician and sound engineer who restores old recordings, told The Times: "If the legislation gets through, you can say goodbye to independent European vintage CD reissues."

Separate royalties are paid for songwriting. Those payments will continue for 70 years after the death of the writer.

2008/07/19 http://news.bbc.co.uk / www.epgold.com

If your Elvis Week plans include one of the Gospel Breakfast events, you'll be excited to see the gift everyone attending will receive.

The limited-edition mug was designed exclusively for this event using the art from the new inspirational music tin from Madacy. And what Elvis mug would be complete without Elvis coffee? All guests will also go home with a sample bag of the only brew fit for a king.

There are only a few tickets to these events remaining so if you are planning to attend, please reserve your tickets today.

Elvis Gospel Breakfast

Sunday, August 10 & Sunday, August 17
8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza.

Enjoy brunch in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while listening to Elvis Gospel music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen.

Tickets are $33.00 per person and are now on sale through Graceland Reservations. Click here to purchase your tickets online or call 800-238-2000.

Elvis Presley "Classic Series" Martini and Wine Glasses available at Elvis Expo during Elvis Week!

Hour Glass Studio Ltd. is pleased to introduce their Elvis Presley ‘Classic Series’ martini and wine glasses. These collectible glasses feature four different images of Elvis as he progressed through his amazing career.

Choose glasses containing imagery from the ‘50’s, ‘60’s and the ’68 Comeback Special or the ‘70’s themed glass which also has a Swarovski crystal highlighting one of Elvis’ famous rings. Elvis’ signature is etched across the base of each glass, making this a must have collectible. The ‘Classic Set of 4’ is available for those who simply can’t decide.

These individually handcrafted, permanently etched glasses will be showcased at the Hour Glass Studio Booth #8 at the Elvis Expo at the Memphis Cook Convention Center during Elvis Week in August.

Available exclusively on line through www.HourGlassStudio.com, or by calling direct at 604-308-9481 or toll free 1-888-601-1926.

2008/07/19 EPE / www.epgold.com

Hi Andylon,

Back in 2004, I was doing a story for Country Music Television (CMT Canada). We wanted to do something on Elvis’s wardrobe. I ended up finding B&K Enterprises website, and Butch Polston and I started to communicate by email. We set up a date to come visit their workshop in Indiana.

We drove from Toronto and arrived in Indiana about 9 hours later. We met Butch and Kim Polston for the first time and they showed us around their amazing costume workshop. Right off the bat, I knew we would be friends. Butch asked me if we could shoot some footage for Don Coscarelli, the director of the movie ‘Bubba-Ho-Tep’. The movie was about to be released on DVD by MGM and they wanted to do a DVD extra on the costumes.

I shot the footage I needed for my story and then asked the questions that were sent to me by Don. We spent several days hanging out with Butch and Kim. We also met Gene Doucette for the first time as he was visiting Butch and Kim for Thanks Giving.

Butch mentioned that several independent film directors had approached him about doing a documentary on their costume business and their friendship with Bill Belew and Gene Doucette. Well, a friendship developed between us, and I said I’d like to do the documentary. Butch seemed to like the footage I shot for the Bubba-Ho-Tep DVD extra, so we decided to work together on it.

That started a great friendship and an incredible journey. We traveled all over the United States and Canada to get the footage we needed. We shot in Las Vegas, LA, Memphis, Quebec City, Louisville, Indiana…We had full access at Graceland.

They were incredibly helpful, and accommodating, and we owe everyone at EPE a big ‘Thank You’! You have to remember, this was the first time I was at Graceland, I was like big kid, but I had to keep my cool, because I had to conduct interviews and shoot footage.

Because of this documentary I had the honour to meet Muhammad Ali. I was able to hang out with him all day at the Ali Center. (I was also there to shoot Muhammad’s 65th Birthday party for the Center) Spending time with Bill Belew, Gene Doucette, George Klein, Butch and Kim Polston, and all the amazing characters along the way….was such a wild ride.

Quite a few years before I was born, my mother saw Elvis live at Toronto’s Maple Leaf Gardens in April 1957. She had front row tickets, and he was so close she said she could see the ‘little gold flecks’ from his gold suit on the black stage floor.

Maybe this is why I’m such a huge Elvis fan. I always wanted to do a documentary that involved Elvis in some way. I hope I did Elvis, Bill, Gene, Butch and Kim Justice!

Andy Dumas

We' were proud to give EPGOLD exclusive the first chance to show not only the two 'trailers' created for the documentary, but also some short clips as well this month of July, so stay tuned on EpGold.

For more detailed information and dealers for wholesale email: bkjumpsuit@aol.com

EpGold Shop - The Netherlands.

OPEN: Saturday & Sunday July 19 & 20 , 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.

EpGold Shop

Sionstraat 12,

1947 JT - Beverwijk

The Netherlands

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

E-Mail: elvisinternational@casema.nl

The Dutch TV station will host an Elvis Presley evening on august 16.

Because of the 40th anniversary of the 68 Comeback Special, the main part will go about this show.

After the ‘Special’, there is the docu ‘Elvis ’08 Comeback Special’ with interviews with Dutch Elvis-fans.

The evening ends with ‘That’s The Way It Is’ en ‘ This Is Elvis’.

2007/08/18 Veronica - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

We welcome you to The New Ep Gold Web-Shop.com.

You can now take part in the various services we have to offer you and create a free account.

Some of these services include:

Permanent Cart - Any products added to your online cart remain there until you remove them, or check them out.

Address Book - We can now deliver your products to another address other than yours!

This is perfect to send birthday gifts direct to the birthday-person themselves.

Order History - View your history of purchases that you have made with us.

Products Reviews - Share your opinions on products with our other customers.

And free subscribed Newsletter for update on any new Elvis items.

For help with any of our online services, please email the store-owner: elvisinternational@casema.nl

EpGold WebShop

Click on the banner to enter the shop

2008/07/18 EpGold.

Meet Darlene Tompkins.

Having an Aunt in show business, Darlene started acting at a young age in commercials, before landing her first role in television in Beyond the Time Barrier. Shortly after, she was chosen for her first film role, as Patsy Simon in Blue Hawaii with Elvis. Two years later, she was cast in another Elvis film, Fun in Acapulco. After a break, she jumped back into acting as Cheryl Ladd’s stunt double on Charlie’s Angels.

Darlene will be the special guest at the Blue Hawaii Breakfast at Graceland with Darlene Tompkins on Friday, August 15, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM. Guests can enjoy a catered breakfast while watching video clips on the drive-in theatre screen, as well as a meet and greet with Darlene, who will also be signing autographs. Darlene will also be a guest at the Elvis Insiders Conference on August 14, where she will talk about her time with Elvis during the filming of Blue Hawaii and Fun in Acapulco.

Darlene is just one of many incredible conference guests who knew or worked with Elvis that will be there to share their stories with the audience. Guests will also receive a door prize and an extensive welcome kit, loaded with cool giveaways and exclusive collectibles.

Blue Hawaii Breakfast at Graceland with Darlene Tompkins
Friday, August 15, 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza
A limited number of tickets are still available, so reserve yours today.

Elvis Insiders Conference
Wednesday, August 13 and Thursday, August 14, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
Reserve your tickets today.

The Elvis Insiders Conference is two days of special guests and programming, including on-stage interviews with people who knew Elvis, personally and/or professionally. Other special guests for the conference include:

Robert F.X. Sillerman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CKX Inc., parent company of Elvis Presley Enterprises; Susan Henning, appeared in Live A Little, Love A Little and the '68 Special; Joe Guercio, Elvis's musical director and conductor for concerts from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977; Jerry Schilling, one of Elvis's closest friends; Steve Binder, producer of Elvis’s '68 Special; Dixie Locke Emmons, who dated Elvis early in his career; Mike Stoller, part of the Leiber/Stoller song writing team who wrote "Jailhouse Rock", "King Creole", "Hound Dog", "Treat Me Nice", "Love Me" and many more; Sammy Shore, comedian who opened for Elvis from 1969-1972 in Las Vegas; Celeste Yarnall, Elvis's co-star in Live A Little, Love A Little; Francine York, Elvis's co-star in Tickle Me; Edward Faulkner, Elvis's co-star in GI Blues and Tickle Me.

This is the cover art of the upcoming Czech Memory Record release "Raised On Vegas" featuring Elvis' performance from August 6, 1973 as recorded from the audience in Las Vegas.

This show was previously released as "Fire In Vegas" on the Peaf label in 1993. This re-issue should be from a first generation copy which should mean better sound.

Tracklisting:

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C. C. Rider
03. Trouble (1st live version)
04. Raised On Rock (only live version)
05. Love Me
06. Steamroller Blues
07. What Now My Love
08. Blue Suede Shoes
09. Memphis Tennessee
10. Long Tall Sally/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On/Mama Can't Dance/Flip, Flop And
Fly/Jailhouse Rock/Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On (medley)
11. Love Me Tender
12. Hound Dog
13. Fever
14. My Boy (1st live version)
15. Suspicious Minds
16. Band Introductions
17. Celebrity Introductions (Petula Clark, Guy March, Phillis McGuire, Liza Minelli)
18. I Can't Stop Loving You
19. An American Trilogy
20. Bridge Over Troubled Water
21. How Great Thou Art
22. A Big Hunk O' Love
23. Help Me Make It Through The Night
24. Can't Help Falling In Love
25. Closing Vamp

Continuing the theme of 'Elvis is Everywhere' - the new 'Dark Knight' Batman movie features Elvis as a possible suspect for the true identity of Batman!

As Commissioner Gordon says while looking at a photo of Elvis, "We have checked out all likely suspects and we still don't know Batman's real identity!" Elvis would love it!

2008/07/17 www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com

One of Elvis’ Cadillacs, a custom made Cadillac Devile Sedan – tuned to a station wagon – has just been sold on Ebay.

There were only 2 of these cars made, one for Elvis and one for Dean Martin. Elvis received the keys in 1972 and used it in Palm Springs and Las Vegas. It was a gift for Colonel Parker, but Elvis used the car more than Parker did, so he did not want to keep the car anymore.

The car stayed in Vegas until 1976 before it moved to Graceland where it stayed until 1981 to end up in a museum. The ‘buy it now’ price was $59.995, but the seller ended the auction because the car was sold outside of Ebay.

There's now just a few days to go to the big Summer event - this Saturday July 19th - staged by Essential Elvis in the UK.

There are some tickets left, so if you'd like to enjoy a great show, with several famous guests, then please book online (www.essentialelvis.com) or by calling 01903 525917.

The event, with Jeanne LeMay, is on July 19th in Hove (near Brighton).

5 Years ElvisMatters couldn't go by unnoticed. From the very first staff meeting in 2003 to the European 11 City Tour in 2007: it's all here, in this brand new hard cover full color book "5 Years ElvisMatters".

Written in Dutch with over 200 inside/backstage pictures, this book is a must for your collection.

The official presentation takes place one month from today, August 16th 2008, in the presence of the TCB Band and photographer Ed Bonja.

The book presentation is followed by a TCB Live show and a very, VERY special reception for everybody there.

We still have 30 tickets left for the book presentation / Ed Bonja Expo / Live Show / Reception (75 euro): click the link to order tickets.

The book is now available in pre-order. O, the preface (in English) is by John Wilkinson.

Too little, too late! Many, many Elvis fans have purchased both the single and the album either from European fan clubs or from Elvis organisations in the UK that imported these titles after Sony BMG UK expressed no interest in releasing them.

Sadly, because of a slow business decision by Elvis' record company, we feel that what could've been a #1 hit in the UK, may now be another flop.

Will the thousands of Elvis fans in the UK who've already bought the single buy it again to help Elvis gain another chart hit?

Under today's financial climate, we doubt it.

ELVIS PRESLEY'S FIRST REMIX ALBUM
ELVIS VS SPANKOX
RE:VERSIONS
ALBUM OUT: SEPTEMBER 8 2008

Recognised worldwide as one of the most influential figures in music and pop culture, Elvis Presley is today on the verge of another milestone.

30 years after his death, Presley's classic 'Baby Let's Play House' remixed by progressive DJ/Producer Spankox, will receive it's September 1 2008 debut as the first Vinyl Disc single to be released in the UK.

The 'Baby Let's Play House' Spankox remix release on Vinyl Disc is a special compact disc (CD) playable on a normal CD player, and on a traditional 33rpm turntable too. This brand new media boasts one A side (vinyl) and one B side (CD), and in the tradition of the recent Elvis single releases, the packaging of this original Elvis Presley Vinyl Disc will also resemble that of a 12" vinyl. It will include a radio edit version, an extended version and the original Presley song, plus as a bonus, the Spankox Re:Version ringtone will also be included.

Following hot on the heels of the September 1 single release of 'Baby Let's Play House' comes yet another milestone, the historic release of the first Elvis Presley remix album. Elvis vs Spankox 'Re:Versions' will debut in the UK on September 8 2008, released by SonyBMG Music Entertainment.

The Elvis vs Spankox 'Re:Versions' album is much more than a remix album. All the songs have been carefully reworked and rearranged using the latest technology but keeping intact the original feel of Elvis' music. The result is an unprecedented approach to the music of The King of Rock 'n' Roll, it's Elvis as you've never heard him before.

September 8 2008 sees the release of a special limited edition of the album, featuring 11 tracks, plus a bonus videoclip of the single 'Baby Let's Play House' (Spankox Re:Version) accompanied by a 24 page booklet and housed in a specially printed PVC case.

Following on from the success of the chart topping Elvis remixes of JXL's 'A LIttle Less Conversion' and Paul Oakenfold's 'Rubberneckin', the Elvis Vs Spankox Re:Versions album will deliver Elvis to a new generation of music fans.

Here's a collector's treat - the Virgin Records Vietnam release, through BMG, of the Elvis By the Presleys CD.

If EPE/BMG want this to become a major success how odd that the CD single is "only available via Graceland." It features the same tracks as on the original European Public Domain release.

HOLLYWOOD '72 - RCA'S STUDIO C & '60 - '61 SESSIONS - FTD: THE MISSING BITS & PIECES

2 NEW CD RELEASES NOW AVAILABLE.

ELVIS HOLLYWOOD '72

Elvis Hollywood '72 contains the undubbed and alternate recordings from RCA's Studio C recorded in March 1972 + 2 bonus cuts. It's a great collection of songs like Burning Love, Always On My Mind, Where Do I Go From Here, Fool and others. Also including the original overdubbed masters from Always On My Mind, For The Good Times, It's A Matter Of Time and Separate Ways.

SONGS:

1. Burning Love (alternate take 4) 2. Always On My Mind (unedited alternate take 2) 3. Separate Ways (movie version, take 2) 4. Where Do I Go From Here (alternate take 5) 5. It's A Matter Of Time (undubbed master) 6. Fool (undubbed master) 7. Separate Ways (alternate take 25) 8. You Gave Me A Mountain (rehearsal***) 9. Always On My Mind (original overdubbed master) 10. For The Good Times (original overdubbed master) 11. It's A Matter Of Time (original overdubbed master) 12. Seperate Ways (original overdubbed master) 13. Always On My Mind (unedited alternate take 3) 14. Separate Ways (alternate take 1) 15. Burning Love (undubbed master) 16. Always On My Mind (undubbed master) 17. I Can't Stop Loving You (rehearsal***) 18. For The Good Times (undubbed master) 19. Separate Ways (undubbed master) 20. Always On My Mind (newly remastered version) 21. Separate Ways (newly remastered version) 22. Burning Love (newly remastered version)

***bonus cut

'60 - '61 SESSIONS.

A great collection of alternate recordings not used for the FTD Collectors label.

A total of 33 tracks recorded in 1960 and 1961 in great soundquality!!!

SONGS INCLUDED:

Fame And Fortune (take 3), Surrender (take 3 & 4), He Knows Just What I Need (take 9), Starting Today (complete master), Summer Kisses Winter Tears (take 24), There's Always Me (take 3 & 4), Fame And Fortune (take 11), Sentimental Me (complete master), Summer Kisses Winter Tears (take 26), Put The Blame On Me (take 3, 4 + complete master), and many others.

Also including the complete sessions of Britches, Milky White Way and Wooden Heart.

Just released on the Memphis Flash label is a new Cd titled "Colonel Parker's Boy"

The Cd contain many never before released versions of Elvis recordings from the 1960's and 70's.

For the first time ever on Cd do we also get the new duet version of Edge Of Reality plus two never before heard interviews with Elvis' manager Colonel Tom Parker from 1987. The last two tracks are worth the whole Cd.

The sound quality is very good on all the tracks.

Tracklist:

Green Green Grass Of Home (Alternate mix)
Fairytale (Undubbed)
It's A Matter Of Time (Alternate mix with strings)
Pieces Of My Life (Alternate mix)
And I Love you So (Alternate mix)
US Male (Alternate mix)
All That I Am (Alternate mix)
I'm Leavin' (Alternate mix)
Slowly But Surely (Alternate mix)
Almost Always True (Remix)
Help Me Make It Through The Night (Long version)
That's What you Get For Lovin' Me (Long version)
Early Morning Rain (Long version)
Edge Of Reality (Unreleased duet version)
Colonel Parker Interview # 1
Colonel Parker Interview # 2

2008/07/15 E-Mail - www.elvisunlimited.com / www.epgold.com

According to a posting ofa messageboard the Czech Memory Records label will re-issue Elvis' opening show as recorded on August 6, 1973 in Las Vegas.

This show was previously released as "Fire In Vegas" on the Peaf label in 1993.

This re-issue should be from a first generation copy which should mean better sound.

More information when available.

2008/07/15 www.elvisnews.com / www.epgold.com

Press-release:

- After 38 years, Elvis's voice remains impressive on each track!
- It easily could have been recorded yesterday.
- You'll discover more and more after playing it back.
- The songs I know, sound better and more complete on this CD.

(A few of the first general reactions during a playback session of the master with various Elvis fans)

These are the first 22 amazing tracks collected from private collections of which many for the first time in this shape on CD. These are the acetates which Elvis took home to play-back and agreed to be released!

All tracks have been digitally restored and re-mastered. These acetates often sounded better & different than what we know and made it to the final release!

Some tracks which appear to be known, are now for the first time in their more complete form.
This includes studio talk, count in, left & right channels, longer fade outs or even different lyrics or simply differently sung. Most are in stereo. As happened in the past, some releases only used one channel (This was an easy way to reduce the distortion, but so much got lost!).

The audio difference between tracks is purely the source and the transfer. Some have been transferred on to DAT, others on to regular cassette tapes in the past. Keep in mind that the original acetates are various in playability. Original acetates can only be played a few times (after that the quality gets less.) We chose for maximum sound quality per track instead of making them similar to each other! In this way you always get the best sound out of very recording.

The basic synopsis for this release:

The first masters without dubbing, repairs in their complete form. Unfortunately we don't have every master on acetate of the June and September sessions. So we added some first takes to cover all songs. Also a few tracks of work in progress, a rare chance to hear, a song still being built up to a complete dubbed master. Guide-strings, -horns, -backing vocals, the talking, it's all there!

Something which will strike everybody is, that Elvis's voice remains impressive on each track.

Background information;

It's a public known fact that Elvis regularly disagreed with the released version of the songs.
Unluckily, he hardly made his point towards the ones responsible, knowing there were times he was wrong and the song became a hit (In the ghetto, Suspicious minds, Burning love & others)
This cd contains the versions how Elvis liked it!

All together a really new kind of release which will make many Elvis fan's happy to hear these rare acetates available in their best possible form. The purist will be happy since no effects have been used to enhance the sound. There are no further copies of acetates available in better sound, only a very few copies were made of each song and most are gone or badly damaged. The acetate lacquer wears out very fast, so every track is really unique.

Note:

None of the used versions are included on the recent FTD release of "That's the way it is" or the forthcoming "Love letters from Elvis". Only parts of the acetates, which you can enjoy in full version on this cd are used in the documentary; Elvis "That's way it is". The CD contains 22 songs with a 20 pages full color booklet having extensive liner notes to guide you through the songs, background info about Elvis' 1970 and explains in detail what an acetate really is. Also why and how it's made.

This is a limited release so we will be able to continue to release in chronologic order, containing the original acetates in best possible condition. 1970 will be a Volume 1 & 2 which will be release a little later this year.

"You Know, It Don't Have To BE Strictly Country Vol. 1" is set for release this month! Don't miss your opportunity to get the Ultimate acetate collection.

Tracklisting:

01. Twenty days and twenty nights (Take 9 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
02. I've lost you (Take 7 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
03. I was born about 10.000 years ago (Take 1 – Master , undubbed –unedited)
04. The sound of your cry (Take 11 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
05. The fool (Take 1 – try out)
06. Little cabin on the hill (Take 2) – Master, undubbed
07. Cindy ,Cindy (take 1) unedited
08. Bridge over troubled water (Take 8 – Master , undubbed - unedited, unrepaired)
09. Got my mojo working /Keep your hands off it (Take 1 – Master , dubbed brass & horns –unedited)
10. How the web was woven (take 3 – Master, back-up vocals, no additional overdubbing ) (previous unreleased)
11. It's your baby, you rock it (Take 5 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
12. Stranger in the crowd (take 9 - Master, Guide strings & backing vocals ) (previously unreleased)
13. I'll never know (Take 7 – Master, undubbed –unedited) Acetate
14. Mary in the morning (Take 5 – Master, undubbed, unedited) Acetate
15. Ain't no big thing (Take 9) (dubbed strings) (previously unreleased)
16. You don't have to say you love me (take 3– Alternate Master, dubbed strings – no backing vocals) (previously unreleased)
17. Just pretend (Take 3 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
18. This is our dance (Take 11 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
19. Life (Take 20 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate
20. Heart of Rome (Take 3 – Used for composite Master , undubbed –unedited) Stereo (previously unreleased)
21. Bridge over troubled water - V.O July 2 3 (Acetate) stereo (previously unreleased)
22. There goes my everything (Take 3 – Master , undubbed –unedited) Acetate

Total running time over 76+ minutes

2008/07/15 E-Mail / www.epgold.com

The Memphis Horns (Wayne Jackson, picture, and Andrew Love) are among the 2008 inductees of the Musicians Hall of Fame, on October 28th. The Horns have made their mark on the history of rock & roll with a heavy dose of soul for 42 years. During this time, they performed with 32 members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and lent their signature sound to 14 Grammy-winning songs, 52 Number Ones and 113 Top Tens. Together and apart they’ve played on 83 Gold and Platinum records (well over 40 million albums sold!).

The Memphis Horns are the quintessential Memphis music combination - Andrew Love, tall, black and as mellow as one of his tenor sax solos; Wayne Jackson, short, white and as intense as one of his trumpet blasts. Together they were reared in all that Memphis music had to offer. Wayne got his start in West Memphis strumming guitar and singing "Ghost Riders in the Sky," in childhood talent shows. Andrew began his career playing "Amazing Grace" in Memphis' Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, where his father, Roy, was pastor. Wayne took up trumpet and trombone in school bands and from there the two future partners' lives moved along parallel lines. Both learned to "follow the dots" during the day, but learned to play music at night, sitting in with bands at dozens of Mid-South nightspots in the 50's.

By the beginning of the 60's, Wayne was playing with a group called the Royal Spades, which quickly changed its name to the Mar-Keys, in honor of the theater marquee outside the converted movie house that was home to the band's record company, Stax. A hit instrumental, "Last Night," landed the Mar-Keys at No. 1, and Wayne toured the country in a group that included such future Memphis legends as Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn, Don Nix and Charlie Freeman.

Meanwhile, Andrew was doing sessions at Hi Records. At Al Jackson's (drummer for Booker T. & the MG's) suggestion, he brought his sax to Stax. Along with a musical home for the rest of the decade, he found a partner for life. Andrew remembers first playing with Wayne: "I loved how our tones blended and so did Wayne. We have a unique sound. We've been together ever since."

Had the duo never played another note after their time at Stax, their place in music history would have been just as secure as Elvis' would have been had he never recorded after leaving Sun. They appeared on virtually every great Stax single, backing Otis Redding, Sam & Dave, Carla & Rufas Thomas and a host of others - a Who's Who of Southern Soul.

In 1967, they toured Europe with the Stax-Volt Revue and helped Redding steal the Monterey Pop Festival from the likes of The Who, Jimi Hendrix and other rock acts of the day. For Wayne and Andrew, it was a turning point.

They incorporated in 1969 as The Memphis Horns, offering their services to anyone whose music needed a serious shot of Memphis soul, and the lines began forming. Stephen Stills, Rod Stewart, The Doobie Brothers and hundreds of others have since worked with the men who made up the R&B horn section that provided the model for all others to follow.

"For about ten years, we were making number one records daily," says Wayne. "It would be King Curtis one day, Tony Joe White the next day, Dionne Warwick the next and then Elvis."

And today, internationally known superstars like Sting, U2, Joe Cocker, Lenny Kravitz and the rest fly them to Paris, London or Capri for sessions. If you could copyright a sound, Wayne and Andrew would have closed down the market.

Add to the list: Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Albert King, B.B. King, Jimmy Buffett. Peter Gabriel, Steve Winwood, U2, Al Green, Willie Nelson, Collective Soul, Primal Scream, Isaac Hayes, Beyonce' Knowles, You Am I... However, to Elvis Fans, they will always be remembered as trumpet musicians at the Suspicious Minds sessions of Januari 1969.

2008/07/15 The Memphis Horns Blog - www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

So Elvis really is everywhere! Hazel Phibbs, 90, shows the cake her daughter bought her 30 years ago. Phibbs kept the cake in the freezer since 1978. Elvis is in cold storage at a home just east of downtown Dayton.

Well, to be more specific, the image of Elvis is captured in icing on a frozen birthday cake that has been lovingly coveted away in a freezer there for 30 years. Hazel Phibbs, who celebrated her 90th birthday on June 12, vows to keep her Elvis cake until the day she dies. "I love that cake," she said on Thursday, July 10. "It is a treasure to me and I never want anyone to cut it. It's my Elvis cake."

"She has Elvis photos of the wall with spotlights focused on them," said Tracy Beck, Hazel's 35-year-old granddaughter. "She has a plastic Elvis guitar that was once filled with popcorn.

She has an Elvis lamp and rare old Elvis 45 rpm records" She added, "But that cake has taken on hallowed status for my grandmother." Hazel even has a backup plan in the event her electric power is interrupted and her freezer stops working.

"I'll find a relative with a freezer and have them rescue the cake as soon as possible," she said. "To me Elvis was the greatest star, and this cake just means the world to me." Did EPE also license this?

2008/07/15 www.elvisinfonet.com / www.epgold.com

Chips Moman: the missing man of Memphis music.

This is not a sob story or a tale of woe, or a plea for pity or praise. But for Lincoln "Chips" Moman it's about respect -- respect earned, but not given.

In music, few men could claim more or finer achievements. A gifted rockabilly guitarist and band leader in the 1950s, Moman went on to become one of the architects of Stax Records and author of some of the most enduring songs in the history of rhythm-and-blues and country music -- from "Dark End of the Street" to "Luckenbach Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)." Besides Sam Phillips, he was the only man to effectively produce Elvis Presley -- helping midwife The King's creative rebirth in 1969. And it was Moman who helped build and shape American Sound Studios and its house band -- generating the most prolific run of chart hits ever.

Yet, for the last two decades, Chips Moman has been a cipher, a ghost, the missing man of Memphis music. Much of that is his own doing, of course. Sensitive and highly strung, Moman left Memphis twice -- once in the '70s and again in the '80s -- under acrimonious circumstances.

Still, for a town that values its musical history, Moman has been curiously consigned to footnote status. You'll find little mention of him or the American Studios band in the Rock 'N' Soul Museum or the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and their names were all but absent from the city-sponsored year-long musical celebrations of 2004 and 2007.

The 71-year-old Moman has been back living in LaGrange, Ga., where he was born, for the past decade. Though semi-retired, he still makes his way to Nashville for the odd session or to get together with friends. But one place he doesn't visit is Memphis. "I've stayed away," says Moman, in an easy drawl. "I have no desire to ever be back there. I don't know, man. It's really kind of hard to talk about, 'cause a lot of things that went on there hurt me tremendously."

Moman couldn't possibly have anticipated either the triumph or the trials he would face when he first hitchhiked from LaGrange to Memphis as a 14-year-old back in 1951. "I never knew I'd be in the music business," he says. "I never gave it any thought. But I'd been playing guitar since I was a child."

His eventual "discovery" seems like a story lifted from an old Hollywood script. Sitting in a local drugstore, strumming away on a six-string, he was spotted by Sun rockabilly star

Warren Smith. "He asked me if I wanted a job," says Moman, who played his first gig backing Smith at an Arkansas club on a bill that included Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison. "That's how I went into the business."

Moman quickly became a hotshot local guitarist, and joined up with brothers Johnny and Dorsey Burnette. He traveled with them for sessions in California at the famed Gold Star Recording Studios. Moman watched and studied noted engineer Stan Ross behind the board. "And from what I'd learned in California, I decided to take that experience and put it to work in Memphis," he says.

His chance came when he was called to do a session at a tiny garage studio in Brunswick, Tenn., owned by Jim Stewart. Moman and Stewart hit it off, and decided to join forces to start what would become Satellite, and eventually, Stax Records.

"I found that old theater (on McLemore), and the rent was only $50 a month. Went back and told Jim Stewart that and we rented it and built it out. That was the start of Stax. The rest is what happened."

What happened has been the subject of some controversy and debate over the years. Certainly, Moman played a pivotal role in Stax's development. He was the one who recorded the label's initial hits by Carla Thomas, Rufus Thomas and William Bell; helped develop "Last Night," the song that would become The Mar-Keys' smash; and was the one who was musically predisposed to turning Stax from a white country music company into a black R&B label in the first place.

But a rancorous split with Stewart and his sister and co-owner, Estelle Axton, in 1962 brought all that to an abrupt end. As music historians Rob Bowman and Peter Guralnick have detailed, recriminations flew: Moman said he'd been cheated out of profits and ownership, while Axton and Stewart suggested Moman was seeking credits and money he didn't deserve.

More than four decades later, anger about his ouster at Stax still lingers in Moman's voice.

"Sometimes you can get hurt bad enough that you don't forget it," he says. "What happened to me at Stax caused me to lose my house. I lost everything that I had. I remember that year ... for Thanksgiving, my wife and child, all we had was a box of corn flakes and some milk. You don't forget those kinds of things."

Eventually, Moman threatened to sue Stax and negotiated a few thousand dollars in settlement. It was enough -- along with the help of a couple of partners -- to start up a new place at 827 Thomas called American Sound Studios.

For a couple of years, Moman struggled, producing the odd track, but mostly made his living playing guitar on sessions down in Muscle Shoals (for the likes of Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, among others) and co-writing songs -- often with Dan Penn -- like the immortal "Dark End of the Street" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man."

In 1965, things got rolling at American, with the arrival of local teen garage band The Gentrys, who cut a million-selling smash called "Keep on Dancing."

"They were just kids, and I wasn't much more" says Moman. "But that got me started to the point where I could afford to hire a secretary."

The secretary Moman hired, Sandy Posey, would be his next protégé, and she would go on to record the Top 20 Grammy-nominated hit "Born A Woman." "After that, people started calling me to produce records," says Moman.

The studio hit its stride when Moman wooed members of the staff bands at Hi Records and Phillips to form the American Studios group: guitarist Reggie Young, drummer Gene Chrisman, pianist Bobby Wood, organist Bobby Emmons and bassists Mike Leech and Tommy Cogbill. That unit, mostly with Moman at the helm, would help sire a succession of hits for artists like the Box Tops ("The Letter"), Dusty Springfield ("Son of a Preacher Man"), Neil Diamond ("Sweet Caroline), B.J. Thomas ("Hooked on a Feeling"), Bobby Womack ("Fly Me To The Moon") and, most famously, Elvis Presley ("Suspicious Minds").

"We were working night and day," Bobby Wood recalls of the period. "Sometimes we'd be doing Elvis at night and somebody like Neil Diamond during the day. I remember B.J. Thomas was in for his second album after 'Hooked on a Feeling,' and I didn't know he'd already had a No. 1 record. That's how hard we were working -- we didn't even listen to the radio."

Between 1967 and 1972, American would cut 122 chart records -- a still unmatched achievement. And yet, despite those gaudy numbers, few people seemed to give Moman or the band its due. He was particularly irked after the band was completely passed over for some local music awards in the early-'70s.

"The thing is, Chips wasn't one to come out and say, 'Well I need my recognition.' He wouldn't do that," says his friend and longtime Memphis music industry vet Herb O'Mell. "Those guys were not self promoters in any way and never tried to be. Whereas -- and I'm not saying anything bad -- the Stax people, they promoted themselves. The American people wrote their songs, made their records and went on to the next thing."

But Moman was particularly sensitive to slights, both real and perceived, after his experience with Stax. A lack of recognition within Memphis -- from the press, from fellow musicians, from the city fathers -- for what he and American had contributed musically and economically almost overshadowed his success.

"I've heard him say that many times," says Reggie Young. "And really, if you looked at it, here we were, and we've cut a hundred-something chart records, but yet there would be a mediocre Hi record or a Stax record that would get the press. In our little circle we'd come up with all kind of scenarios as to why we're not in the paper on Sunday or whatever. I guess they had better PR than we did."

The lack of attention -- and a gradual downturn in session work -- was enough of an issue that Moman was thinking of leaving town. "I figured if Memphis don't think no more of us than that, we can do what we do anywhere," says Moman.

Although Moman says City Council members pleaded with him to stay -- he was putting money into the city coffers, after all -- in 1972 he closed up shop in Memphis and headed to Atlanta to start a new studio, taking most of the American band with him.

His tenure in Atlanta was short-lived, however. After encountering problems with the new record label he'd set up, Moman decided to get out of the music business entirely.

"I was planning to go to Australia and become a bush pilot. But I decided to visit some friends in Nashville before I left," says Moman. "While I was there, I wrote a hit song for B.J. Thomas ("[Hey Won't You Play] Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song") that became record of the year. So I stayed."

Moman would spend the next dozen years in Nashville, where he would dominate the country field -- writing hits and producing albums by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Tammy Wynette and Ronnie Millsap.

Despite his success in Music City, in 1985, Moman was lured back to Memphis. Then-Mayor Dick Hackett and First Tennessee bank chairman Ron Terry, eager to re-energize a Memphis music industry that had been stagnant since the demise of Stax in 1975, offered Moman a studio site and financial incentives to return to town.

"I had a lot of people telling me not to do it," Moman says. "But it was kind of an honor to have them ask me to come back. And so I did. But things didn't go well."

At first, Moman was hailed as a potential savior of the city's music. He quickly recorded the high-profile Class of '55 album featuring Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Roy Orbison.

But then an album with Ringo Starr, in particular, was plagued by problems. After The Commercial Appeal ran a column mildly disparaging Starr (saying the "aging Beatle is yesterday's news"), Moman staged a bizarre protest in front of the newspaper's offices. Despite doing some recording, Starr eventually abandoned the project and sued Moman to stop the album's release.

In the end, Moman decided, "Fixing the music business in town wasn't going to happen overnight, like everyone wanted it to," and he returned to Nashville, where he resumed his success for another decade before heading off to semi-retirement in Georgia.

Moman's reclusive nature and lingering bitterness about Memphis have come with a price: His achievements, and those of the American band, have been marginalized in the city's musical history.

In the last two decades, Moman and the American band have repeatedly been passed over for industry awards and honors -- in fact, their only institutional recognition came last year in Nashville, where the band was among the inaugural inductees to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.

Like the original Stax studio, the building housing American was demolished in 1990; today, in its place is a parking lot. There's no plaque or marker to note what was once there.

Herb O'Mell says part of the problem is that no one has served as custodian of American's legacy. "The people from Stax and Sun, they remained here, and they became the officers and took over the (Grammys) and all the award things, and they just kinda left Chips and American out," says O'Mell. "There's nobody here saying 'American, American, American,' the way Deanie Parker has done for Stax or Knox Phillips has done for Sun. That is, unless you talk to someone like Marty Lacker."

Lacker, a longtime music industry veteran, Elvis confidante -- he helped bring Presley to American in 1969 -- and friend of Moman's, has, for the past year, been campaigning privately with both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and The Recording Academy, the group that governs the Grammys, to get Moman and the American band some long-overdue recognition.

It's a task made more difficult by the fact that Moman and American weren't identified with a single label or style, as were other house bands that have been honored, such as Stax's Booker T. & the MGs or Motown's Funk Brothers.

"Chips says he doesn't give a damn now if they do anything. But I know deep down inside he does," Lacker says. "Especially, with the local Grammy chapter -- it's nothing but politics there. Most of the (American band) guys are from here. They don't have anything against Memphis. It's just that nobody has said, 'Y'all did good.'"

Memphis Grammy chapter executive director Jon Hornyak says Moman and the American band have been on the list for the chapter's bi-annual Recording Academy Honors the past two times. Other sources confirm that their names have previously been submitted to the national Grammy body for consideration for Trustee's and Lifetime Achievement awards -- but, so far, nothing has happened.

"There are a lot of great people out there, and some get more attention than others, and it's not always clear why," says Hornyak. "I don't think a lot of people are aware of the things Chips had accomplished and all the things that he had his fingers in."

Whether anyone ever recognizes it, Moman says his greatest joy comes from what he and the American band achieved. "We still get together and play once a year. And every once in a while we'll book a session and everyone comes, and we're like we always were," says Moman. "They're like my family. We've stayed together 40 years. That's my proudest accomplishment."

As for the fate of his and the American band's legacy, Moman says he doesn't really expect anything to change.

"And I got no hard feelings about it. ... Well, I can't say that," he admits. "Obviously, I do. I don't know what it is with us and Memphis, or why it's turned out this way. But if you happen to find the answer, I'd appreciate you letting me know."

2008/07/14 www.commercialappeal.com - www.elvisunlimited.com / www.epgold.com

AN INVESTIGATOR CALLED "PRESLEY" IS THE MAIN CHARACTER OF AN ITALIAN THRILLER STORY PUBLISHED BY COMICS MAGAZINE "NATHAN NEVER"

Updated - Elvis Expo 2008 Offers Music, Merchandise, Celebrities, Archives Exhibits and More.

The ultimate Elvis tradeshow with more than 65 booths and 35,000 square feet of Elvis that includes all the latest Elvis music, movies, merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, authors, artists and photographers, and lots of Elvis freebies and samples.

August 13 & 14: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
South Hall, Memphis Cook Convention Center, 255 North Main Street, downtown Memphis.

Admission: Admission is $15.00 per day. Tickets are now on sale through Graceland Reservations. Click here to purchase your tickets online or call 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322. Elvis Insiders Conference attendees are admitted free by showing their conference badge.

Currently scheduled to make an appearance in the Elvis Expo:

Steve Binder - Producer of Elvis '68 Special. In addition, he also has directed such classics as the Nick at Nite Holiday Special, Diana Ross Live!, The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, episodes of Gilligan's Island, The New Steve Allen Show and many others.

Joanne Cash - Singer. Sister of Johnny Cash. Joanne has twenty-seven historic recordings, an acclaimed autobiography My Fears are Gone, and continuous concert appearances. Her latest album is entitled Gospel, which is a 15 song collection with 3 previously unreleased songs where she shares the microphone with her brother Johnny.

Edward Faulkner - Elvis's co-star in GI Blues and Tickle Me. He also starred in many John Wayne movies plus TV shows like Lassie, Rawhide, The Fugitive, Marcus Welby MD and more.

DJ Fontana - Elvis’s original drummer, who worked with him from 1955-1968. In addition to recording with Elvis, DJ has also played with other great artists such as Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Paul McCartney, Carl Perkins, Chris Isaak, among others.

Joe Guercio - Elvis' musical director and conductor for concerts from 1970-1977.

Susan Henning - Co-starred with Elvis in Live a Little Love, Love A Little and the '68 Special. Some of Susan's other credits include the on-camera photo double for Hayley Mills in The Parent Trap. She also had a successful modeling career and appeared on the first "Got Milk" billboards across the country.

The Imperials - Gospel group and backup vocals for Elvis in Vegas.

Mike Stoller - part of the Leiber/Stoller song writing team who wrote "Jailhouse Rock", "King Creole", "Hound Dog", "Treat Me Nice", "Love Me" and many more

Tanya Lemani George - Dancer; Appeared in Elvis's 1968 television special.

Dixie Locke Emmons - dated Elvis early in his career.

Sandi Pichon - an Elvis fan who became a REAL Elvis Insider by getting to know and socialize with Elvis and his inner circle of friends.

Nancy Rooks - Elvis's maid and Author of Inside Graceland: Elvis' Maid Remembers

Jerry Schilling - one of Elvis's closest friends.

Sammy Shore - comedian who opened for Elvis from 1969-1972.

Darlene Tompkins - Actress; appeared with Elvis in the movies Blue Hawaii and Fun in Acapulco. Darlene also has performed as an actress and stunt woman in television shows like Charlie's Angels.

Wanda Jackson - Singer. Some of Wanda's biggest hits include "Let's Have A Party," "In the Middle of A Heartache" and "Right or Wrong."

Celeste Yarnall - Elvis co-star in Live A Little, Love a Little. Celeste has also starred in A New Kind of Love with Paul Newman, Under the Yum Yum Tree with Jack Lemmon, The Nutty Professor with Jerry Lewis, and such television shows as Mannix, Star Trek, Bonanza, Bewitched and more.

Francine York - Elvis's co-star in Tickle Me. She also has starred in many television shows such as Bewitched, Batman, My Favorite Martian, Matlock, Beverly Hills 90210, Lois & Clark among others. Her movie credits include The Nutty Professor, Curse of the Swamp Creature, School for Bachelors, The Doll Squad and more.

Joe Petruccio - Artist. Joe also designed the 2008 Elvis Insiders Conference logo.

Chris Noel - Elvis' co-star in Girl Happy

Agostino Carollo (Spankox): Italian DJ who's remix of "Baby, Let's Play House" has topped sales charts in Italy, Sweden and Spain

Some of the celebrities may charge a fee for their autograph or photo.

2008/07/14 EPE / www.epgold.com

August 16th 2008 will be a day that goes down in history as the very first TCB House Party in Belgium. That evening - August 16th! - Elvis Presley's TCB Band personally invites you to their House Party Evening show + reception.

Special guest is Elvis photographer Ed Bonja, who will bring his best work with him.

There are still 40 tickets remaining for the Saturday evening show + reception (75 euro).

If you're interested, mail us at peter@elvismatters.com

FREE entry to Elvis Extravaganza Events (ETAs) - With ALL of the talk about the HIGH PRICES during ELVIS Week (not to mention the high price of fuel to get there - whether by car or by plane) - admission to this event is FREE.

There are a handful of VIP seats available right at the stage and this package includes a good bag.

You can get VIP SEATS here: http://www.elviselvis.com/elvisweek

Millions of Us LLC, an agency specializing in virtual worlds and large online communities, today announced that it has launched a new company, “Virtual Greats,” to take advantage of the rapidly growing market for virtual goods. In connection with today’s launch announcement, Millions of Us also announced that Virtual Greats will have distribution rights for virtual goods associated with the legendary icon Elvis Presley and superstar Justin Timberlake. In addition, Virtual Greats will feature Tila Tequila, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, Raven Symone and Marvel's The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk, across multiple media platforms.

“The inspiration for Virtual Greats came when I realized that this was a $1.5 billion market without any high-value copyrighted material,” said Reuben Steiger, CEO, Millions of Us. “Defining the market and acquiring these rights and distribution has been enormously rewarding.”

Susan Wu, an analyst at Charles River Ventures, estimated in mid-2007 that the virtual goods market was worth approximately $1.5 billion and growing rapidly. The number of consumers coming in contact with the goods traded through Virtual Greats is expected to rise rapidly, particularly in light of research firm Gartner Inc.’s prediction that 80% of active internet users will be members of at least one virtual world by 2012.

Discussions are also taking place with numerous other celebrities and rights-holders. Virtual Greats will sell likenesses, catchphrases, animations, clothing lines and other merchandise associated with aspirational characters and entertainment franchises. The new company will be headquartered in Los Angeles and led by Dan Jansen, former head of the Boston Consulting Group’s Media & Entertainment practice and an active investor and entrepreneur in the new media space.

Virtual Greats will be offering its wares across multiple virtual world and social media platforms. The company is entering its first major venture with the massively popular virtual world Gaia Online. Virtual Greats will connect Gaia’s more than 5 million dedicated users with the virtual goods of stars such as Justin Timberlake and Elvis Presley.

“This fast-growing, specialized and largely untapped market presents significant new business and creative opportunities for both talent and their distribution partners,” said Dan Jansen, founding CEO, Virtual Greats.

"There's a staggering amount of unrealized value at the intersection of traditional entertainment business models and fast-evolving online media," said Gary Stiffelman, Partner, Ziffren, Brittenham, Branca, Fischer, Gilbert-Lurie, Stiffelman, Cook, Johnson, Lande & Wolf LLP. "Teasing out and defining this new class of intellectual property has been a rewarding professional exercise, but more importantly, the IP definition has huge implications and upside for the entire entertainment industry - particularly artists."

"We're very excited about our partnership with Virtual Greats," said Craig Sherman, CEO of Gaia Online. "We're always looking for ways to create a deeper, more relevant engagement for our very active community. Partnering with Virtual Greats enables us to bring our users' favorite real-life celebrities in world for a unique virtual experience."

Virtual Greats, supported by Millions of Us’ partner Omnicom (NYSE: OMC), is developing a centralized digital sales and distribution system for virtual worlds and related online communities. These goods will eventually be available for distribution across more than 60 different online platforms, ensuring aesthetic and functional consistency for IP owners, along with rigorous piracy protection. The firm will act as both a financial and technical clearinghouse for trade in virtual goods.

July FTDs Delayed.

Roger Semon from the FTD label sent a communique stating the July FTD releases were being delayed.

'' Due to the larger than expected orders for the 3 new FTD releases, our manufacturer will be unable to deliver the complete finish stock to the warehouse until July 28.This means that the orders will ship on August 1st.

The Original Album: 1) Love Letters -2) When I’m Over You - 3) If I Were You - 4) Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of It - 5) Heart Of Rome -6) Only Believe - 7) This Is Our Dance - 8) Cindy, Cindy - 9) I’ll Never Know - 10) It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) - 11) Life

New Bonus Songs: 12) The Sound Of Your Cry - 13) Sylvia - 14) Rags To Riches - 15) Something

First takes: 16) The Sound Of Your Cry – takes 1, 2, 3 -17) Cindy, Cindy – take 1 - 18) I’ll Never Know – take 1 - 19) It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) – takes 1, 2 - 20) Life – take 1, 2 - 21) Heart Of Rome – take 1 - 22) If I Were You – take 1- 23) Rags To Riches – rehearsal, take 2

Disc 2

Session outtakes & undubbed masters: 01) Radio Commercial - 02) The Sound Of Your Cry – takes 4, 5, 6 - 03) Cindy, Cindy – takes 2, 3 (undubbed master) - 04) Got My Mojo Working / Keep Your Hands Off Of It – take 1(undubbed master) - 05) I’ll Never Know – takes 2, 3 - 06) It Ain’t No Big Thing (But It’s Growing) – takes 3, 4, 5, 6 - 07) This Is Our Dance – takes 6, 7, 9,11 (undubbed master) - 08) Life – take10 - 09) Heart of Rome – take 2 (undubbed master) - 10) Love Letters – takes 3, 1 - 11) If I were you - takes 2, 3, 4, 5 - 12) Only Believe - takes 1, 2, 3, 4 (undubbed master) - 13) Sylvia - takes 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 - Rags To Riches - take 3

THE ALBUM: 01 Witchcraft 2:24 - 02 Please Don't Drag That String Around 1:57 - 03 Love Me Tonight 2:03 - 04 Slowly But Surely 2:15 - 05 It Hurts Me 2:30 - 06 Echoes Of Love 2:42 - 07 (It’s A) Long Lonely Highway 2:23 - 08 (You’re The) Devil In Disguise 2:22 - 09 Never Ending 2:02 - 10 Ask Me 2:09 - 11 Memphis, Tennessee 2:11 - 12 Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers 1:53 - 13 Western Union 2:14 - 14 Blue River 2:11 - 15 What Now, What Next , Where To 2:01

REJECTED MASTERS: 16 Memphis, Tennessee 2:16 - 17 Ask Me 2:10

FIRST TAKES: 18 Witchcraft – take 1 2:40 - 19 Please Don’t Drag That String Around – take 1 2:09 - 20 Love Me Tonight – take 1 2:12 - 21 Slowly But Surely – take 1 2:32 - 22 It Hurts Me – take 1 2:41 - 23 Echoes Of Love – take 1 2:52 - 24 (It’s A) Long Lonely Highway - take 1 2:58 - 25 (You’re The) Devil In Disguise -take 3 2:39 - 26 Never Ending – take 1 2:06 - 27 Ask me – takes 1 & 2 2:40 - 28 Memphis Tennessee – take 1 2:47 - 29 Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers – take 1 2:05 - 30 Western Union – take 1 2:09 - 31 Ask Me (1963 version) – take 1 2:30

DISC 2

MAY 1963 SESSIONS: 01 Echoes Of Love – takes 2,4,5,3 5:51 - 02 Please Don’t Drag That String Around – take 2 2:10 - 03 Please Don’t Drag That String Around – takes 3,4,5 3:55 - 04 (You’re The) Devil In Disguise – takes 1,2,4,5,6(M) 5:07 - 05 Never Ending – take 2 & 3(M) 3:20 - 06 Witchcraft – take 2 2:33 - 07 Finder Keepers, Losers Weepers – takes 2 &3M 3:14 - 08 Love Me Tonight – takes 2,3,4 3:00 - 09 Love Me Tonight – takes 6 & 5 2:59 - 10 Memphis, Tennessee (‘63 version)– take 1 2:34 - 11 Western Union – takes 2 & 3 3:29 - 12 Slowly But Surely – takes 2,3,4 2:53 - 13 Blue River – takes 1 & 2 2:29 - 14 Ask Me – takes 3 & 4 3:25 - 15 Ask Me – takes 5 & 6 (alt. master) 3:43 - 16 Echoes Of Love – takes 6 & 7 2:01 - 17 Echoes Of Love – takes 9 & 8 (alt. master) 3:25

JANUARY 1964 SESSIONS: 18 Memphis, Tennessee – takes 2,3,4,5 4:28 - 19 Ask Me – take 3 2:29 - 20 Ask Me – takes 4,5,6,7 3:54 - 21 Ask Me – takes 8,10,9 2:53 - 22 It Hurts Me – takes 2,3,4,5(M) 4:14

America

The soundboard FTD CD "America" is featuring the complete show from April 22, 1976 recorded in Omaha, NB.

2001 Theme / See See Rider / I Got A Woman - Amen / Love Me / If You Love Me (Let Me Know) / You Gave Me A Mountain /Trying to get to You/ All Shook Up / Teddy Bear - Dont Be Cruel / Heartbreak Hotel / America The Beautiful / Polk Salad Annie / Introductions / Hurt / Hound Dog / Help Me / How Great Thou Art / Little Darlin'/Its Now Or Never/Funny How Time Slips Away / Can't Help Falling In Love / Closing Vamp.

Bonus songs: from Spokane, WA 27.4.76 : Burning Love/My Way.

Pre-Order Now: 3 New FTD releases.

Sue McCasland's "World Best Kept Secret - Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe"

But despite all the prophecies of doom and reactions like "Elvis in Lake Tahoe ? You can't do a book about it, there's nothing you can tell. And the plenty of pictures which are circulating do not justify to publish a book.

Of course, the Praytome Publishing team had done a lot of research before they announced the project.

But not only research was done, they tracked done many people and fans who witnessed the shows during the engagements from 1971-1976.

While the Making Of" for "Elvis on Tour ' 75" focused on the different steps of the production of a book, the "Making Of" for "World's Best Kept Secret" is done in a different way and sets a different spotlight on the production.

Watch The New Trailer Sue McCasland's "World Best Kept Secret - Elvis live at Del Webb's Sahara Tahoe"

Elvis' Christmas Album - Special Edition.

Maybe it's not really a Cd for this time of the year, but anyway it has just been released and we would like to inform you about it.

Elvis' Christmas Album - Special Edition is a nice Cd released of the old Lp, but what really makes this release interesting is the bonus section.

There has only been produced 500 copies, so no doubt it will be a rarity in a short time.

Tracklist:

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:

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

Elvis' Special Christmas Progrem Sunday, December 3, 1967:

Here Comes Santa Claus/Announcer/Here Comes Santa Claus/Announcer/Blue Christmas/Announcer/Oh Little Town Of Bethlehem/Announcer - Mr. Robertson/Announcer/Silent Night/I'll Be Home For Christmas/Announcer/I Believe/Announcer/Announcer/Announcer/I'll Be Home For Christmas/Special Message From Elvis/I'll Be Home For Christmas/Announcer

Out now from BMG EU (oddly enough the discs were made in Canada) are Elvis' set combining Elvis / Elvis Presley / Loving You / Elvis Is Back / G.I. Blues.

Outside the Tropicana Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, doorman Steve Wagner asks guests if they enjoyed their stay. Half complain, he says, citing everything from dirty rooms to insects.

``Boy, this place needs to go,'' said Wagner, 48, who has spent half his life at the once mob-linked property, which opened in 1957 and was hailed by the Saturday Evening Post as the ``Tiffany of the Strip.'' ``Nothing that exists in this hotel should probably stay.''

``The Trop,'' now in Chapter 11 bankruptcy along with eight other properties owned by Columbia Sussex Corp. founder William J. Yung III, is caught in a credit squeeze. A $2.5 billion plan to turn the Tropicana into the world's largest resort casino was canceled last year after tightened lending markets made it harder to raise funds. Now a lack of financing for potential buyers makes a sale infeasible, said Scott Butera, chief executive officer of Tropicana Entertainment LLC.

``Unfortunately, the Tropicana's hands are tied,'' said Daniel Y. Rubin, a lawyer at O'Melveny & Myers in New York who has represented MGM Mirage's controlling stakeholder, Kirk Kerkorian. ``Making an investment to build a new casino probably feels a lot like making an investment in subprime mortgages, in terms of speculation that isn't paying off.''

Yung's problems stem from his agreement to buy the Tropicana's former parent, Aztar Corp., at the top of the real estate market in 2006. Then, last December, he lost his license to operate his biggest gaming asset, the Tropicana Atlantic City, after New Jersey gaming officials found him lacking in ``business ability'' and ``integrity.''

The New Jersey finding is on appeal. Nevada's Gaming Control Board is conducting a separate investigation of the Trop, said gaming board member Randall Sayre.

Las Vegas `Hangover'

On June 6 Yung resigned as Tropicana Entertainment's CEO after lenders and bondholders demanded his ouster. The Kentucky businessman, 67, declined to comment about his resignation or anything related to Tropicana, said spokesman Hud Englehart. Yung, who was replaced by Butera, remains on the five-member board, which now has three outside directors. Next month a bankruptcy court will hold a three-day hearing to decide whether he should be removed from that position as well.

Falling real estate values and a drying up of credit for development projects are hurting business and consumer spending, leaving Las Vegas feeling like it has a ``hangover'' after being the fastest-growing major U.S. metropolitan area from 1986 to 2005, said Keith Schwer, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

It had the biggest house-price drop of any U.S. city during the first quarter, at 26 percent. Convention revenue fell 7.1 percent to $2.86 billion in the same period, and gaming revenue on the Strip slipped 3 percent to $1.67 billion.

Canceled Projects

More than $30 billion in new residential and gaming projects, including the Tropicana rebuilding plan and the Crown Las Vegas skyscraper, aren't going forward because companies can't get financing, said Las Vegas-based analyst William Lerner of Deutsche Bank AG.

Tight credit also is keeping older sites like the Imperial Palace and the Riviera Hotel and Casino from accessing capital they need to upgrade facilities and stay competitive, Lerner said.

``The problem is we've not yet seen the full impact of the credit crunch,'' he said. He declined to comment on Deutsche Bank's role in financing the $3.8 billion Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino, which fell into foreclosure during construction.

`Bad to Worse'

Yung, who turned Crestview Hills, Kentucky-based Columbia Sussex into the largest U.S. licensee of full-service Marriott hotels, agreed to buy Aztar for about $2 billion and the assumption of $676 million in debt. The deal was financed with $3.1 billion in credit facilities and notes arranged by Credit Suisse Group AG.

Yung planned to redevelop the 34-acre Las Vegas Tropicana by 2010, turning it into a sprawling complex with five towers, 10,000 rooms, and 900,000 square feet of casino, retail and convention space. The makeover was called off last year because of rising construction costs and difficult debt markets, Englehart said.

Tropicana Entertainment, the gaming affiliate of Columbia Sussex created to operate the resort, saw its debt leverage go ``from bad to worse'' in 2007 because of falling revenue and real estate values, and the inability to refinance or get capital, said Butera, who helped reorganize Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. out of bankruptcy.

Cutting Jobs

``The acquisition was completed at very frothy prices, and we'd gotten very favorable financing at the time,'' said Butera, who joined the company in March. Tropicana Entertainment ``was unable to support the significant debt leverage, and that's what led to the downfall of this company.''

Tropicana started cutting jobs to ``sustain the company's cash flow,'' he said.

New Jersey regulators concluded in December that Yung and Tropicana Entertainment, having cut the Atlantic City workforce by 20 percent, were unable to run a first-class casino. They appointed a former New Jersey judge to run the property, which had accounted for 43 percent of the company's cash flow, and seek a new owner.

The decision triggered defaults on obligations to some creditors. On May 5, Tropicana Entertainment filed for bankruptcy protection, listing $2.8 billion in assets and $2.4 billion in debts. It won subsequent court permission to borrow as much as $67 million to continue operating.

``The current plan is to invest in the asset and re-evaluate down the road,'' Butera said. Closing the Las Vegas hotel isn't an option, and ``everybody is of the strong opinion that it's a difficult time to buy or sell anything.''

Elvis and Ali

Financed in the 1950s by mobsters such as Frank Costello and featured in the Elvis Presley film ``Viva Las Vegas,'' the once world-famous Trop is now overshadowed by the nearby MGM Grand's roaring lion and the New York New York Hotel & Casino, with its roller coaster and Statue of Liberty replica. The red carpet and chandelier that used to greet celebrities like boxer Muhammad Ali and actress Sophia Loren are gone, replaced by decorative mermaids and clamshells.

As many as 46 percent of the Tropicana's food and beverage, housekeeping, bellhop and porter jobs have been eliminated since 2007, the most of any hotel on the Strip, said D. Taylor, secretary and treasurer of Local 226 of the Culinary Workers Union, which represents employees at the Tropicana.

Unattended Luggage

``The consensus view is that the owner cut expenses too much, and it hurt customer service,'' said Peggy Holloway, vice president and senior credit officer at Moody's Investors Service in New York. ``So it's suffering from under-management.''

Piles of guest luggage go unattended along a curb during peak hours, said Wagner, the doorman. Buckets are placed on the casino floor when it rains to catch water from a leaky roof, and restroom attendants bring their own plungers to relieve clogged toilets, he and other workers say.

The hotel continues to lure customers by offering some of the cheapest rooms in town, selling on the Internet for as little as $50 for three nights. Its occupancy rate is about 75 to 80 percent, said Mike Denicoli, who mans a time-share sales kiosk near the lobby.

``Everybody was so ecstatic about the bankruptcy filing, because there's a lot of animosity between the new ownership and employees,'' said Wagner, as he stood outside the Trop's front doors. ``We were hoping a new company would come in.''

2008/10/11 By Vivien Lou Chen - www.bloomberg.com / www.epgold.com

Elvis Unlimited Visits EP GOLD Friday.

Megan Murphy of Elvis Unlimited was only 14 when GRACELAND asked her to start a fan club for young Elvis fans which was the first ever. She also was the first youngest American fan club president. This year Megan can celebrate her 20th anniversary.

For 20 years, she has written 100s of articles on Elvis for magazines and newsletters. She has been featured through the years on various American news programs on CBS and ABC to name a few. She has done many radio interviews such as with George Klein at WHBQ in Memphis when she was 16, WCBS-FM in New York City and Sirius Satellite Radio which broadcasts across America.

She has been interviewed by The New York Times, The New York Post, and TV Guide among others. She has written 4 books Inside GI Blues, Inside Roustabout, Elvis Is Back and Inside Graceland. A new one is coming out shortly, Inside Love Me Tender.

Megan has travelled all over America to research and interview people regarding Elvis projects. She often worked as a consultant for Graceland on various projects. She put up shows in Memphis with TCB Band and the Memphis Boys together with Elvis Unlimited. She's now Editor on Elvis Unlimited Magazine and has a handful of new books under construction.

Read Megan's interview with Sherif Hanna everyone is talking about!

This Friday, you can meet her at Andylon's all Elvis store EpGold.

COMING SOON!

Andylon who has helped Megan and Elvis Unlimited with material for their products, is looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. You will get the chance to buy some of Megan's books and have them personally signed if you like.

Megan also will bring a few items from USA, that will be for sale among these a few personal owned items from Elvis.

See you Friday 11th, 2008. Between 17.00 and 20.00 at Andylon's EpGold Store in The Netherlands.

Yours sincerely,

Henrik Knudsen

EpGold Shop - The Netherlands.

OPEN: Friday July 11th, 2008. Between 17.00 and 20.00 Megan Murphy visits Andylon at the Epgold Store

Saturday & Sunday July 12 & 13 , 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.

EpGold Shop

Sionstraat 12,

1947 JT - Beverwijk

The Netherlands

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

E-Mail: elvisinternational@casema.nl

Worldwide Exclusive - ‘Duets’ and ‘Remix’ Albums.

The following news is reproduced from my article in the July/August Issue of 'Essential Elvis' magazine.

Sony BMG are committed to producing a ‘Duets’ Album and again I am very excited about this. This release, probably in 2009, should be a worldwide smash. It is anticipated that different countries will get different versions featuring their own superstars duetting in their native language with Elvis. We will need to start saving up to buy all the different releases.

In connection with such a project it is felt that a ‘switched on’ contemporary producer of the calibre say of Mark Ronson would be beneficial. Such a person would have access to all suitable artist databases whom he could contact at the touch of a button. I suspect many artists will be falling over themselves to get to duet with The King.

Sony BMG are also interested in producing a ‘Remix’ album but not of the ‘club type’ songs. It would appear they prefer to add new instrumentation to Elvis’ original vocals. The fifties tracks are favoured at this time. Chronologically, the ’Duets’ Album will be the main priority.

The above 'Duets' release has nothing to do with the rumoured 'Christmas Duets' as far as I am aware.

Brian

TV-tip: the Belgian national TV station 'Canvas' broadcasts the British rockumentary 'Walk on By: the Story of Popular Song' tonight, at 11.15 pm.

Today's show puts the focus on the early rock 'n' roll days, when Elvis changed the history of popular music forever.

Apart from Elvis, there are clips of 'Louis Blues' (Beesie Smith), 'Goodnight Irene'
Leadbelly), 'Waiting For A Train' (Jimmie Rodgers), 'Cold, Cold Heart' (Hank Williams) and 'Hoochie Coochie Man' (Muddy Waters).

This is a preview of the forthcoming release "Elvis Back With A Bang!" from the Audionics / Fort Baxter label.

This CD features the Las Vegas, March 22, 1975 Midnight show, taken directly from 1st generation DAT copy of original mono soundboard tape. This CD should be out early nest week.

From the original press-release:

This classic concert includes ultimate performances of "Fairytale", "Green Green Grass Of Home", "And I Love You So", "Promised Land" and the rare "You're The Reason I'm Living".

As you've come to expect from Audionics team, the sound was restored in a renowned studio to achieve the best possible results. And as usually, this new CD will come in a deluxe package with a 16-page booklet, containing a collection of live photographs from March and April, 1975 and informative liner notes. This CD is set for release in late June. Don't miss your opportunity to get an ultimate release of legendary March 22, 1975 Midnight show!

Tracklist:

01. Also Sprach Zarathustra - 02. C. C. Rider - 03. I Got A Woman / Amen (medley) - 04. Love Me - 05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know) - 06. And I Love You So - 07. Big Boss Man - 08. It's Midnight - 09. Promised Land - 10. Green Green Grass Of Home - 11. Fairytale - 12. Band Introductions - 13. What'd I Say - 14. Drum Solo (by Ronnie Tutt) - 15. Bass Solo (by Duke Bardwell) - 16. Piano Solo (by Glen D. Hardin) - 17. Electric Piano Solo (by David Briggs) - 18. Orchestra Solo - 19. My Boy - 20. I'll Remember You - 21. Let Me Be There (with reprise) - 22. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel (medley) - 23. Hound Dog (with reprise) - 24. I'll Be There (excerpt) / You're The Reason I'm Living (only live version) - 25. Can't Help Falling In Love - 26. Closing Vamp.

Tracks 01.-03. recorded in Las Vegas, March 20, 1975, Dinner show. Tracks 04. - 26. recorded live in Las Vegas, March 22, 1975, Midnight show.

Running time: 62:43

2008/07/10 E- mail / www.epgold.com

There's now just a few days to go to the big Summer event staged by Essential Elvis in the UK.

There are some tickets left, so if you'd like to enjoy a great show, with several famous guests, then please book online (www.essentialelvis.com) or by calling 01903 525917.

The event, with Jeanne LeMay, is on July 19th in Hove (near Brighton).

Elvis Christmas Duets Album.

Rumor has it that an Elvis duets album may be in the works with BMG. The original idea is said to have come from Joe Guercio but another producer took the idea to BMG. Which crushed Joe.

The concept is said to be Elvis singing primarily with female singers for a Christmas album.

Note: Read more exclusive and in depth information on this project soon in the next Elvis Unlimited magazine.

It was just before Christmas, 1962, as future Country music icon Charlie Daniels was driving from El Paso, Texas, to the East Coast, that he began forming the idea that would become this song. Not very long afterwards his long-time friend Bob Johnston invited him to Nashville to co-write some songs, and they finished this one together.

Daniels remembers, "We just went on, and we finished it up, and Bob did a demo on it, and the company that he was writing for at the time - Hill And Range was the parent company that handled Elvis Presley Music and Gladys Music, which were Elvis Presley's 2 companies."

"Elvis came to town. He picked it up and held it for almost a year in what was called his portfolio. You know, they'd pick songs out for Elvis and when he'd go in to record, he'd review them, and if he liked it, he'd do it. So anyway, he recorded it, and it was by far," says Daniels, "the biggest thing that had ever happened to me in my life."

Although he never had the opportunity to shake Presley's hand, Daniels did get a chance to meet the King's daughter, Lisa Marie, at an event in Memphis. "I just got to tell her, I said, 'You know your dad picked one of my songs. I was a big fan,'" says Daniels.

With her sunglasses on, she resembles her famous father so much that it's "spooky," says Daniels with a laugh. "She looks like a miniature Elvis with, of course, feminine features."

Bob Johnston, who wrote this with Daniels, was writing under the name "Joe Byers" at the time. Daniels was credited as "Charles E. Daniels."

Charlie said the song had no autobiographical reference to anything happening in his life at the time. It just was an idea that popped into his head during that drive. And then he and Byers finished the song together.
This song was relegated to the B-side of "Kissin' Cousins," and appears on over 25 subsequent Elvis Presley albums and compilations.

Was Elvis really the king of the gipsies?

In an attempt to boost "the inclusion of Gypsy, Roma and traveller children and young people", Lord Adonis, the schools minister, has approved the distribution in classrooms of 23,000 copies of a magazine which claims that Elvis was a gipsy, along with Charlie Chaplin and Rita Hayworth.

Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month Magazine, which is part of an event funded by £70,000 of taxpayers' money, claims that the late singer's ancestors were Sinti, German gipsies who emigrated to America in the early 18th century.

It points out that his mother Gladys's maiden name was Smith, a surname used by many British Romanies.

Elvis, Chaplin and Hayworth are not the only famous figures to be claimed by the "travelling community". The magazine also suggests that Sir Henry Cooper was not the first man to floor Muhammad Ali when he was still Cassius Clay, but that Ali was also knocked down by a gipsy, John Frankham.

Actually, Ali never fought Frankham in the ring but hammed it up with him for a photograph in 1969, published in a gipsy newsletter four years later. Hence a legend was born.

"We can challenge myths, tackle prejudice and be in a position to offer a balanced debate about the issues," says Andrew Adonis, in support of the wider campaign to promote gipsy self-esteem, but David Altheer, the progenitor of the 2006 London International Gypsy Film Festival, considers "the promiscuous relabelling of various stars as gipsies rather ridiculous", pointing out that Elvis never claimed to be one,

He said Chaplin's boast of gipsy forebears was a spurious bid for exotic status, and Hayworth's parents were not Spanish gipsies, but Jews.

The U.K government has been heavily criticised for wasting tax-payers' money on a magazine which claimed that Elvis Presley was a gypsy. Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month magazine also suggests that Presley's ancestors were Sinti - German gypsies who emigrated to America in the 18th century. The publication - for school pupils - also claims that film legends Charlie Chaplin and Rita Hayworth came from gypsy backgrounds.

The magazine was given a $140,000 (£70,000) grant by the British government . But Schools Minister Lord Adonis has been criticised over the "politically correct" initiative. Member of Parliament Philip Davies says, "This is a grotesque abuse of taxpayers' money.

When families are struggling to pay their bills, for the Government to fund this magazine which speaks garbage is just another kick in the teeth." The Department of Children, Schools and Families said the magazine was designed to increase understanding of travellers' cultural heritage. A spokesman said: "It is not true that Andrew Adonis has approved or endorsed the distribution to schools of Gypsy Roma Traveller History Month magazine.

"The department provided £70,000 of funding to the gypsy, Roma and traveller community. The aim was to produce material and events across the country to celebrate the culture of the gypsy, Roma and traveller community."

An American bluegrass-country singer and fiddle player Alison Krauss toured Graceland on July 8th, 2008.

She has thus far released more than ten albums, appeared on numerous soundtracks, and has helped usher in a new interest in bluegrass music in the United States.

Her soundtrack performances have led to further popularity, including the Grammy-winning O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, an album also credited with raising American interest in bluegrass, and the Cold Mountain soundtrack, which led to her performance at the 2004 Academy Awards.

During her career she has won 21 Grammy Awards—more than any other female artist and tied for seventh-most among all artists—along with numerous other awards.

2008/07/09 EPE / www.epgold.com

Next JAT Productions project after '68 At 40 : Retrospective will be Elvis Concerts and due out in December 2008.

Clubhouse Pass, Inc. Signs Licensing Agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

ClubHouse Pass, Inc. is proud to announce a new licensing agreement with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. ClubHouse Pass is the creator of the newest collectible that has taken the concept of a backstage pass and turned it into a must have for any music fan and serious collector.

“We couldn’t ask for a better situation to be able to create collector passes for Elvis Presley,” says ClubHouse Pass President Michael Speakman. “It’s a perfect opportunity for us, to be able to produce the new collectible for fans of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll.”

ClubHouse Pass will release its’ first set of limited edition products from “The Elvis ClubHouse Pass Collection” in July 2008.

This special Elvis collection will consist of four different series: the Platinum Pass depicts Elvis’ top selling album;, All Access Pass covers his most important live concerts; Backstage Pass covers his career in the movie industry; and the VIP Pass highlights his milestones in life.

Cary Grant has beaten more modern pretenders to the throne to be named the most stylish man ever.

The North by Northwest star was named ahead of David Beckham, Johnny Depp and Steve McQueen in a poll of 4,000 British men.

Grant, real name Archie Leach, was once told by an interviewer: "Everybody would like to be Cary Grant," only to reply: "So would I."

Other celebrities named in the top ten of the poll carried out by top tie and scarf maker Peckham Rye included Sean Connery, Brad Pitt and Elvis Presley.

But according to Matt Start of Peckham Rye, Grant - who died 22 years ago - is a worthy winner.

"His film North by Northwest shows a stunning scene when he is walking along the side of a train in a light blue suit, white shirt and tie as he puts his sunglasses on," he said.

"That look, even though it was first seen back in 1959, spawned so many copycat looks and fashion wise is still an iconic movie scene."

He added that David Beckham should be pleased to have finished second while the "exceptionally cool" Depp deserved third.

The top 50 male style icons are:

1. Cary Grant
2. David Beckham
3. Johnny Depp
4. Steve McQueen
5. Sean Connery
6. Brad Pitt
7. James Dean
8. Frank Sinatra
9. Elvis Presley
10. Justin Timberlake

In 1956, when Elvis records started to be a prominent presence even in record shops of the conservative Italy, the 33rpm LP was, for many people, just an article to look at in the shop windows, due to the high cost and to the low standard of living of most part of Italian people.

For this reason, I was only able to buy my first album(which was “For LP Fans Only”) in 1959.

It was only much later that I started to be interested in different editions, being fascinated by the album covers released by RCA in various Countries.

I can say, as an anecdote, that one day in the early 60’s glancing through an Italian magazine, I saw a feature on Little Tony (An Italian Elvis sound-a-like). Well, on the background of one of the pictures of the singer , I noticed the cover of an Elvis LP that was unknown to me.

It was really impossible from the picture to decode the title of the album, so for a long time I remained convinced of the existence of a mysterious LP. Only a few years later I realized it was the UK pressing of the Elvis Christmas Album, with a completely different cover from the one I had known until then!

Years later, thanks to various contacts around the world ( between which I like to recall

the good friends Paul Dowling from USA, Wayne Hawthorne from Australia, Norton De Almeida Coll from Brazil, H.T.Long from Malaysia, Jean Marc Gargiulo from France….,)

I was able to include in my collection some foreign pressings.

It was exciting to discover , just for an example, that the soundtrack of “Jailhouse Rock” had been released on an LP in South Africa, with the same cover of the well known EP! And also exciting was to “fight” to find it!!

At the times , the various RCA branches around the world were not free to decide to release an Elvis album especially made for their Countries, and this was due to a veto of Colonel Parker.

The LP “Elvis Golden boy” released by RCA Germany for the magazine Hor Zu, had to be immediately withdrawn from sale because made without the authorization of Mr. Tom Parker .All this makes the album one of the most sought after by collectors.

It’s a luck that the “veto” of Tom Parker seemed to have no effect in some Countries :South Africa, Chile,Brazil and most of all Japan ….which gifted us with some of the most exciting Elvis releases from the graphic point of view !

With this work of mine, I tried to put in evidence the worldwide LP releases which, in my opinion, are the most interesting in the years, not only for their effective rarity but, sometimes, just only for some odd particularity.

Obiouvsly I have volountarly negletted most of the countless compilations released after 1977, because they are all well known and with no great collecting appeal.

Also very limited is the section dedicated to USA releases because all of them are well known thanks to various specific books .

For what Japan is concerned I tried to include all the most interesting albums, and the same is for Italy which is already covered by the authoritative complete discography made by Augusto Morini.

Working on this project I ‘ve found myself going back in time ,reliving in my mind the emotion I felt when I was able to obtain one of these gems for my collection. And, working on this project, was also pure fun for me as I hope it will be for you who are going to read it,as well as an indicative guide to collecting Elvis worldwide releases.

I wish to thank for their precious help my friends JULES YOUNG and ROBERTO ZANETTI, without the help of which , many doubts and problems arised on the making of this volume, would have been without a solution.

I will be thankfull to anyone who has a correction to any unintentional errors in this book.

Livio Monari

Progressive Pictures, Elvis Presley, and Oakland.

Progressive Pictures was an Oakland film production company in Oakland in the 1940s and 1950s that made traffic safety films, among other things.

tomorrowpictures.tv alerts us to this 1948 bike safety film that purports to star a young Elvis demonstrating the do’s and don’ts of bike riding.

The film was shot in Oakland and Berkeley. See if you can spot landmarks or familiar streets.

Watch the video:

“This will be the definitive book on the making of the 1968 ELVIS PRESLEY television special.”

JAT publishing is proud to present their latest book, ‘68 at 40: Retrospective, the definitive story on the making of the 1968 Elvis Presley TV Special, written by its director and producer Steve Binder.

At more than 125 pages, ‘68 at 40 will feature approximately 100 never before seen photos from the private collection of Timothy Mulrenan and Robert Brower along with rare documents and artifacts from Binder’s personal collection.

With its informative text and magnificent photo selection and reproduction, ’68 at 40 captures in great detail the essence and magic of ELVIS.

‘68 at 40 is due out on August 6th and will be limited to 1968 hard-cover copies and will include an 8"x 10" photo not used in the book and signed by Binder.

With of the 40th Anniversary of the 1968 special approaching, Binder felt it was time to pen his own book, having read so much on the special that didn’t feel right with its director. And when it came time to find a publisher, JAT was Binder’s only choice.

Steve explained, "Knowing Joe Tunzi personally and his JAT publishing company makes me very comfortable that I'm in good hands. I have found Joe to be a man of integrity and passion in keeping the Elvis legend alive."

Publisher Joe Tunzi offered these comments, “Being able to publish a book by Steve Binder about the legendary 1968 ELVIS T.V. Special was a dream come true.”

Tunzi continued, “This is guaranteed to be one of the greatest books in our vast catalog. Steve is without question brilliant in every sense of the word and one of the most talented and creative minds I ever had the good fortune to work with. Not to mention a true gentleman.”

Binder will kick-off the promotional tour for the book with a special appearance in Memphis during Elvis Week 2008.

For additional information visit www.elvis68book.com and media inquiries contact: jeff@jonaspr.com

This exciting new preloaded Elvis Presley media player from Zvue will be available on August 12 only at Wal-Mart and on Walmart.com.

It comes preloaded with 10 classic videos of Elvis performances plus two bonus clips.

It also includes an FM radio, voice recorder, photo viewer, and text reader. Once you purchase, you can begin downloading other videos, photos and audio files as well. It come with 1 GB of memory and is expandable up to 5 GB.

You'll find all the details, a complete list of the content and more photos of the player here.

For sale on eBay is an original cape, made by Bill Belkew/Gene Doucette for Elvis. However, although it is believed that Elvis wore this cape on stage, no pictures of him wearing the cape have actually surfaced.

From the description on eBay: “This cape is absolutely unique among the King's capes. Lavishly jeweled with amber stones and brass studs, lined in bold faux tiger skin, it is very heavy and surely one of the most elaborate capes ever worn by Elvis.

Elvis wore this cape during the January/February 1973 Las Vegas season and/or at the May 1973 Lake Tahoe season. There is a blood stain at the hand level, where he held the open cape, probably caused by a fan pulling on his rings and cutting his finger.

There are also sweat stains at the collar. The cape has never been cleaned after Elvis wore it. Bill Belew stated to us that he did make this cape for Elvis. Further, he remembered this particular suit and cape were special because he usually designed the outfits and submitted them to Elvis for his approval.

This time, Elvis himself came up with the design and brought it to him. Elvis' karate name was "Tiger" and therefore, in this suit and cape he would be "Tigerman".”

Highest bid so far (with 4 days to go) is 18.700 dollar, but the reserve price is not yet met.

Madame Tussauds wax museum opened and eight location in Berlin, Germany earlier this week. One of the most popular statues is that of Elvis.

After London (68 Special), Las Vegas (68 Special en Vegas Elvis), Amsterdam (50s Elvis) and Hong Kong (50s Elvis), there now is a portrait of a Elvis during his army years.

No better place for this premiere than in this museum in Germany! The looks and realism of this statue is one of the best in Tussauds collection.

In the spring of 2009, a ninth location will open in Hollywood. No doubt that they will also have an Elvis version, it’s going to be a surprise what version that is going to be!

Note: On July 5, 2008 opened another wax statue museum in Berlin in Germany.

This museum features a new statue of Elvis as a G.I.., nur wenige Meter entfernt vom Brandenburger Tor.

Madame Tussauds, Unter den Linden 74, 10117 Berlin

Megan Murphy visits Andylon at the Epgold Store - The Netherlands , come join be a guest, your invited too.

Megan Murphy was only 14 when GRACELAND asked her to start a fan club for young Elvis fans which was the first ever. She also was the first youngest American fan club president. This year Megan can celebrate her 20th anniversary.

For 20 years, she has written 100s of articles on Elvis for magazines and newsletters. She has been featured through the years on various American news programs on CBS and ABC to name a few. She has done many radio interviews such as with George Klein at WHBQ in Memphis when she was 16, WCBS-FM in New York City and Sirius Satellite Radio which broadcasts across America.

She has been interviewed by The New York Times, The New York Post, and TV Guide among others. She has written 4 books Inside GI Blues, Inside Roustabout, Elvis Is Back and Inside Graceland. A new one is coming out shortly, Inside Love Me Tender.

Megan has travelled all over America to research and interview people regarding Elvis projects. She often worked as a consultant for Graceland on various projects. She put up shows in Memphis with TCB Band and the Memphis Boys together with Elvis Unlimited. She’s now Editor on Elvis Unlimited Magazine and has a handful of new books under construction.

This Friday, you can meet her at Andylon’s all Elvis store EpGold.

Andylon who has helped Megan and Elvis Unlimited with material for their products, is looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible. You will get the chance to buy some of Megan’s books and have them personally signed if you like.

Megan also will bring a few items from USA, that will be for sale among these a few personal owned items from Elvis.

See you Friday 11th, 2008. Between 17.00 and 20.00 at Andylon's EpGold Store in The Netherlands.

Yours sincerely,

Henrik Knudsen

EpGold Shop - The Netherlands.

OPEN: Friday July 11th, 2008. Between 17.00 and 20.00 Megan Murphy visits Andylon at the Epgold Store

The Netherlands

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

This is a flyer - Not the artwork for this upcoming import Cd release "You know it don't have to be strictly county Vol. 1

Some have talked and announeced about it too early on the internet, but now its real!

This month "You know it don't have to be strictly county Vol. 1 "will be available.

Dutch Elvis fans are in for a treat as SONY/BMG Holland is again making an effort to do something special for the Dutch fans around a new release: The '68 Comeback Special Boxset.

On THURSDAY JULY 31st, you are all invited to come to Caddy's Diner in Purmerend, close to Amsterdam, a place well suited for an Elvis Party: http://www.caddysdiner.com

There will be a special live act (music) and all the fans will be able to buy the Boxset exclusively that night, before it will be available the next day in the recordshops. National TV, Radio & newspapers will be present at this party!

PLUS: every fan who will buy the Boxset that night will get a speciale made SONY/BMG 7" vinyl promo with 2 tracks from the '68 Special! SONY/BMG Holland will press these singles only for that night in very limited quantity so it will become a true collectors item!

More surprises might be added along the way. Starting time, special live act & further details will come in the following days.

But write July 31st, Caddy's Diner, Purmerend, in your agenda's!

MEMPHIS, TN – Police say the parents of an Arkansas family were taking in the sights of Graceland when a crook stole their car with their three children still inside of the SUV. According to investigators the crook dropped the children off just a few blocks down the street before driving away.

Investigators say the family just stopped by the gates of Graceland. The man and woman got out of the car with the keys in the ignition and the children in the backseat. But when they turned around, their three kids and the 2000 GMC Yukon were gone. The children were found just a few blocks away, but the search continues for the car and the thief.

Hundreds of families visit Graceland every day. The Durrett family came all the way from Midland, Texas. "We wanted to see Elvis' home, so we got out of the car and took a look." And just like the Arkansas family, they didn't tour Graceland. They just stopped by to take pictures and sign the wall, while leaving the keys to their SUV in the ignition. Ed Durrett says it's not a problem in his small Texas town.

But some say in Memphis, there are two kings - Elvis and crime. Graceland is in the 38116 zip code - where 41 cars have been stolen in the last 30 days, according to the Memphis Police Department’s records. That latest car theft happened around three in the morning, leaving the family from Arkansas "All Shook Up."

The Durrett's say next time they're in the Bluff City, the keys to their car will only be in the ignition if someone is in the drivers seat.

Police are on the lookout for a tan 2000 GMC Yukon with an Arkansas license plate (504 MSE).

Despite big plans of recreating the Train Ride that GI Presley took when he first set foot on European ground, the train has now been cancelled.

The initial idea was to do the historical train ride over between Bremerhaven and Friedberg, with local (German)celebrities.

Bremerhaven is the city where Elvis arrived on October 1st 1958 on the USS Randall, and Friedberg is where the Ray Barracks are located, also the last stop for the train.

On a brighter note: the Caprico Club will be opened for visitors late August, September and October.

You'll recognize Francine York, who will be making her first-ever Elvis Week appearance this year, not only from her role in Tickle Me, but also from her many other television and movie credits.

Francine is from a small mining town in Minnesota. She was modeling and working in commercials in San Francisco and Holywood when Jerry Lewis got her a part in his film, It's Only Money in 1962. She eventually made appearances in six of his films, including The Nutty Professor.

As part of her appearance in Tickle Me, Elvis gives her a few tips in the sport of archery. You may remember her classic response, "...like this?"

Francine is also well known for her roles on the series Batman where she played the role of Lydia Limpet, with Bob Hope and Eva Marie Saint in School for Bachelors, as Venus De Milo on Bewitched, as the agricultural student all the men fell in love with on Green Acres, and literally hundreds of others.

She continues to work in both movies and television and recently appeared on the hit televison series King of Queens.

You can click here to read more about Francine and see lots of great photos from her career on her Web site.

Francine will be appearing on stage at day one of the Elvis Insiders Conference and will also be at both days of The Elvis Expo.

The Elvis Insiders Conference
August 13 & 14 | 10:00 am
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

The Elvis Expo
August 13 & 14 | 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts

“Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” Special to Launch This August on DVD and Blu-ray, for Sale Exclusively at Wal-Mart and Airing on CMT

Includes Rarely Seen Footage of Elvis Performing in Las Vegas, Revealing Interviews with Those Closest to Him, and Special Performances from Some of Today’s Top Recording Stars Singing Elvis’ Vegas Classics

MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In just a few weeks, the groundbreaking television event that tells the story of how Elvis Presley, the King of Rock-and-Roll, reinvented Las Vegas -- and how it reinvented him - will take the nation by storm. Thirty-one years after Elvis Presley’s passing, the special release of “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas,” with never before seen bonus material, will be made available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club, beginning August 12, 2008 on both DVD and hi-definition Blu-ray for $10. Purchases also will be available online through Walmart.com and Samsclub.com. Fans who want to be among the first to own their own copy can pre-order the DVD through Walmart.com starting today.

Hosted by Emmy award winning broadcast journalist Elizabeth Vargas, the DVD special, produced in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., will incorporate rarely seen footage of Elvis performing in Las Vegas, revealing interviews with those closest to him, and special performances from some of today’s top recording stars singing Elvis’ Vegas classics.

"Elvis: Viva Las Vegas" features performances or interviews with:

50 Cent Faith Hill Miranda Lambert Lisa Marie Presley Beyonce Chris Isaak The Little Willies Priscilla Presley

Brandi Carlile Dwayne Johnson David Lynch Jerry Schilling Mark Cohn Tom Jones Paul McCartney Patti Scialfa Chris Daughtry Toby Keith Willie Nelson, Nancy Sinatra Celine Dion with Joe Perry Jon Bon Jovi and Rob Thomas Joe Esposito George Klein Richie Sambora Three 6 Mafia

In this stunning music documentary packed full of music performances, fans can see Elvis’ triumphs in Las Vegas and his artistic legacy that continues to live on through contemporary artists of today. Among the legendary performers that pay tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in this DVD are Toby Keith and Joe Perry performing “Mystery Train;” Faith Hill with the gospel classic “Peace in the Valley;” Chris Isaak and Brandi Carlile combine with “Love Me Tender,” Three 6 Mafia with “In the Ghetto,” Chris Daughtry singing “Suspicious Minds;” and Celine Dion delivering “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” The DVD also contains never before seen bonus material not included in the original television special.

To celebrate this DVD event, an exclusive launch party for “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” will take place on the grounds of Graceland on the evening of August 11, 2008 during “Elvis Week” in Memphis, Tennessee. The kick off party will feature previews of “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” in addition to appearances by Jerry Schilling and George Klein who were members of Elvis’ entourage known as the Memphis Mafia and who appear in the special as interview guests.

CMT will premiere the two hour television event, “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas,” on Monday, August 11th at 8PM ET. CMT viewers can also enter an online sweepstakes at CMT.com through July 27th, 2008 for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Memphis during Elvis Week for a once in a lifetime tour of Graceland mansion, backstage access during the “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” launch party and a special meet and greet with George Klein and Jerry Schilling along with CMT’s Lance Smith.

For more information about “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” and to see photos or a preview trailer for the DVD, visit www.elvis.com /viva.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com . EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol CKXE.

About Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT)

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Wal-Mart serves more than 176 million customers weekly in 14 markets. The company’s securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.

About CMT

CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE:VIA) and(NYSE:VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, www.CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.

This is a series produce by Music Ages in Spain and features 4 EPs on one CD and the one for Elvis states vol.1 on the back cover.

3 ORIGINAL BOOTLEG VINYL RELEASES ON CD OUT NOW!

SHOCK, RATTLE AND ROLL - FROM THE WAIST UP - THE DORSEY SHOWS

-each cd contains the original album tracks
-each package contains the original album artwork
-original record labels are used for the cd's
-Shock, Rattle And Roll contains a 12-page booklet

These historic bootleg albums are now for the first time available on cd. Including all Elvis performances on the Milton Berle Shows, Ed Sullivan Shows, Steve Allen Shows and Dorsey Shows***.

Also including some performances that were not officially released on cd.

***All original tracklistings except for From The Waist Up! - including some bonus tracks!

Most recordings are now for the first time released on a single cd!

Ofcourse limited editions only!!!

208/07/06 www.elvismagazine.nl / www.epgold.com

The ship M/S Prince Bernardh that was used in the movie GI Blues, is up for a total make over, with four resturants several bars and a nightclub.

The ship was built in 1938 as a riverboat and was later used as a touristboat in Germany.

Today it is owned by a company in southern Sweden (where I live) and the owner hopes to be ready this fall and start using the boat for tourist, company events,resturant and nightclubguests.

John Wilkinson, the rhythm guitarist in Elvis's TCB Band, has celebrated a very special 63rd birthday yesterday.

After six months of having to go thru chemo treatments, the doctors gave John his very last treatment.

That means: no more hospitals for our dear friend. The doctors are very optimistic about John's health, and John is on his way to a full recovery!

2008/07/06 www.elvismatters.be / www.epgold.com

One part of An American Trilogy is "Battle Hymn of the Republic". Its origin is interesting:

Julia Ward Howe, the wife of a Boston abolitionist, wrote this hymn during the Civil War after visiting the Union army encamped on the Potomac near Washington, D.C. The hymn first appeared in the Atlantic Monthly in 1862 and went on to become the rallying anthem of Union soldiers.

It later inspired American soldiers in World War II as well as civil rights activists in the 1960s. "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is the source of the title for John Steinbeck's book "Grapes of Wrath" and is considered to be the unofficial anthem of the Republican Party.

Good things come to those who wait.

No, we have not forgotten to do it.. yeah, you know what we are talking about... the trailer for Sandi Pichon's "Elvis On Tour '75" book.

Dozens of emails and request of people who were asking for the trailer and with all the feedback we received during the book presentation at the Elvis Week 2007 during the 30th anniversary we had a good reason to continue with these well accepted clips.

Be sure to step by at the Expo this year during Elvis Week 2008. Sandi Pichon and team members of the Praytome Publishing will present Sandi's latest project.

Trailer for Sandi Pichon's book "Elvis On Tour '75" by Praytome Publishing. Memories and pictures by Sandi Pichon + additional photographs by Sue McCasland and Keith Alverson.

To start the video, you need to have flash player installed to be able to see the content.

EpGold Shop - The Netherlands.

OPEN: Saturday & Sunday July 5 & 6, 2008 - 1300. PM - 1800 PM.

E-Mail: elvisinternational@casema.nl

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

2008/07/05 EpGold.Com

Here is a pre-view of some pages from the upcoming Elvis Unlimited Production book Inside Love Me Tender.

The book will be on 152 pages filled with rare pictures, information and lots of memorabilia. All connected to Elvis’ first movie from 1956 “Love Me Tender”

Inside Love Me Tender should be ready in the middle of July.

This deluxe box-set will like the previous "inside" box-sets include a book, dvd, vinyl single and a certificate that proves that you're one of the only 2000 people who have this box-set.

The book will be a 152 page full colour book featuring a lot of unknown stories about Elvis' first movie, many rare and unpublished pictures of Elvis during the filming, at the photo sessions, in the recording studio, at various meetings that was held during the filming etc.

The Inside Love Me Tender book will also contain a lot of beautiful memorabilia from all over the word. The very informative texts about the movie that you will find in the Inside Love Me Tender book has been written by Megan Murphy.

The foreword is written by the legendary Elvis book expert Ger Rijff, who years ago worked on a book about Love Me Tender. That book never happened and Ger has worked with Elvis Unlimited to produce the best possible book about this historical movie.

The DVD will contain some interesting footage from the movie set, premiers and of course the original trailer.

The special 45 rpm. vinyl single will be a replica of the original The Truth About Me single, that was recorded at the Love Me Tender set.

The Inside Love Me Tender deluxe box set gives an in depth look behind the scenes of the making off the movie.

The package contains:

• a full color book
• Certificate (limited edition 2000 pcs)
• 45rpm replica single with original The Truth About Me recording
• DVD with unreleased behind the scenes footage

When ordering the Book Inside Love Me Tender EpGold Web Shop will include a free My Baby Left Me CD.

An exclusive joint venture with MRS and HMV UK release a 30th Anniversary Enhanced CD Single and 10” Vinyl Limited Edition Special using original 1956 HMV artwork inner labels and sleeves. All units are individually numbered.

‘My Baby Left Me’, a classic rock anthem is released as an A side for the first time backed with ‘One-Sided Love Affair’ on August 20th 2007. The CD will also include a live video of Elvis performing ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ in Tupelo Mississippi.

The CD single is packaged with a completely black CD (both sides) and will have the original HMV standard label GOLD PRINT ON PURPLE in a vinyl effect record. This is then housed in a smart HMV 45 wallet replicated from the original 1956 sleeve which in turn is then placed into the picture CD cover.

The stickers will be on the shrink wrap not on the artwork. Only 15,000 copies are made of these and all are individually numbered.

THE CD SINGLE IS ENHANCED CD (to play on computers) CONTAINING THE VIDEO CLIP, PHOTOGRAPHS AND MORE FOOTAGE

We just got the confirmation personally from Ernst Jorgensen that the three FTD releases (America, Love Letters, Memphis Tennessee) will be available during the third week of July, 2008.

2008/07/04 Ernst Jorgensen - The United Elvis Presley Society / www.epgold.com

Various artists from todays music scene performed in august 2007 in Las Vegas to honor Elvis. This unique concert was added with interviews with the artists where they explain the admiration for Elvis. This dvd is distributed by Wal-Mart in the USA.

The Dvd has the following tracks and content:

Faith Hill - "Peace in the Valley"

Paul McCartney - "Heartbreak Hotel"

Miranda Lambert - "Jailhouse Rock"

Chris Isaak & Brandi Carlile - "Love Me Tender" and "Don't Be Cruel"

Three Six Mafia- "In the Ghetto"

Daughtry - "Suspicious Minds"

Toby Keith with Joe Perry - "Mystery Train"

The Little Willies featuring Lee Alexander, James Campilongo, Norah Jones, Richard Julian, and Dan Rieser - "Love Me"

Patti Sciafia with Nils Lofgren, Steve Jordan, Willie Weeks, and Bruce Springsteen - "Looking for Elvis"

Celine Dion - "Can't Help Falling in Love"

Bonus Footage: with Willie Nelson, Jon Bon Jovi & Richie Sambora - "Always On My Mind"

Interviews with: 50 Cent, Beyonce, Brandi Carlile, Chris Daughtry, Joe Esposito, Faith Hill, Chris Isaak, Dwyane "The Rock" Johnson, Tom Jones, Toby Keith, Joe Perry, George Klein, Miranda Lambert, David Lynch, Willie Nelson, Priscilla Presley, Jerry Schilling, Patti Scialfa, Nancy Sinatra, Rob Tomas and Three 6 Mafia.

Expected in August, 2008

Format: Region 1

Language: English

Subtitles: None

Discs: 1

It is a striking likeness. But beware. Just one stray spark and Elvis becomes a hunk-a-hunk of burning love.

Going up in flames is an occupational hazard when you are made of 50,000 matches. The image of Elvis Presley, along with others including Marilyn Monroe, Mao Tse Tung, Muhammad Ali and Buddha are the work of Scottish artist David Mach.

It took him more than 500 hours and 1,000 boxes of coloured-tip matches imported from Japan to complete the 2ft Presley sculpture. Each match was glued on to a glass fibre mould.

Using the same technique, Mr Mach, 52, has created a series of other pieces including a gorilla, ram, stag and rhino at his London studio.

He also made four smaller Elvis heads, each using around 15,000 coloured matches.

The big Elvis piece has been sold for £18,000. 'I try to use common things like matchsticks because people know exactly what they are,' Mr Mach said.

'These items are in everyone's lives but they are almost invisible.'

According to the Memphis Mafia's LAMAR FIKE, in his forthcoming memoir, AN UNCOMMON JOURNEY:

ON ELVIS PRESLEY BOULEVARD (co-written with celebrity-bio man MARK BEGO), "In 1976, David's then-wife Angela, visited us all at the now-defunct International in Las Vegas, and she brought with her a song David had written especially for Elvis, 'The Prettiest Star'.

She was a bit under the weather so she didn't get to stay for the show, but gave me the song to give to Elvis. We were terrifically excited to get something from one of the new emerging acts on the music scene. Elvis was always very much aware of the next thing, and, at that point it was Bowie."

Fike has also written a film treatment to accompany the book entitled '57-60: One of the Boys.' "The screenplay is out to a several film companies in N. Y. and L. A. I expect we'll be able to announce a deal in 90 days."

When celebrated deejay Junkie XL remixed a lesser Elvis Presley hit into a 2002 smash, it returned the long-dead king of rock 'n' roll to the spotlight of mainstream pop music. "A Little Less Conversation" was the first relevant blockbuster splash featuring Presley since before his untimely, unseemly death in 1977.

And despite an attempt by bona fide deejay royalty Paul Oakenfold to copy Junkie XL's success with a laudable yet forgettable remix of "Rubberneckin'" the following year, Presley hasn't had a new original hit since. (At press time, a remix of the Elvis classic "Baby Let's Play House" by Italian DJ Spankox was released digitally by Sony BMG Music Entertainment.)

But give the guy a break — he's been dead more than 30 years.

This August marks the 31st anniversary of Presley's passing, and since the JXL remix, the biggest U.S. headlines involving the King included Presley losing his top spot in 2006 on Forbes' morbid richest dead celebrities list to iconic grunge rocker Kurt Cobain (though he regained it the following year) and a flurry of announcements in the financial pages, beginning with the sale of his estate by daughter and sole heir Lisa Marie Presley to billionaire Wall Street wunderkind Robert F X Sillerman in 2004.

Sillerman's acquisition took the cherished "family" business public, and since then he has released several statements relating to the expansion of the Elvis brand—be it in the form of casinos and cruises or hotels and touring shows—and plans for major financial stake in the economic development of the dilapidated Whitehaven neighborhood that surrounds Graceland. With the possible exception of some of the locals who live near Graceland, most believe the brand has been under-commercialized. Lisa Marie Presley said as much when she sold the stagnating company. Sillerman, renowned for building billion-dollar media companies, can mine capital for fuel, but ultimately, it's still the world's first rock star who will power the ship, which begs the question: How long can Elvis float in the famously fickle pool of pop culture?

Fame, Fortune & the Future

Since Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) went public, there has been little action, despite a lot of talk (or rather, a lot of announcements), and the corporate culture around Graceland has become much less interactive with the press. (Not unexpectedly, EPE declined to participate in this story.) According to analysts, the long wait should have been anticipated. "One thing I didn't fully appreciate is the time it takes to develop the sort of large-scale projects they have planned," says Mark Argento, senior research analyst at Craig-Hallum Capital Group.

"Developing anything that can drive big revenue and big profits will take a while," he continues, pointing out that the deal Sillerman's company, CKX, is hammering out with French Canadian circus troupe Cirque du Soleil has taken more than a year. "The planning that goes into it—the lead time is significant. They expect very little increase in revenue in 2008 and 2009, with it really kicking in in 2010 and 2011."

The original deal CKX made with Lisa Marie was announced in December 2004. CKX paid $114 million for an 85% interest in Elvis Presley Enterprises. Lisa Marie, who retained the remaining 15%, was paid $50 million in cash plus $26 million in CKX common and preferred stock. CKX also paid $25 million in EPE debt. Sillerman got a 90-year lease on Graceland, rights to Elvis' name, likeness, image and trademark, publishing rights to 650 songs and royalty rights to the few songs Elvis recorded after 1973, as well as to two dozen Presley movies.

Sillerman also paid $6.5 million to Elvis' ex-wife, Priscilla Presley. Fortune reported that CKX didn't have to pay Priscilla anything, but that doing so would make her more agreeable to appearing at grand openings and the like. It seems just that Priscilla would share in the sale, given that she was among the brain trust that turned the floundering, bankrupt estate into a trailblazing company—and Graceland into the most-visited private residence in the world. Barry Ward, former general counsel to the Elvis estate, was also in that management group, which included long-time family accountant Joseph Hanks; Jim Roscoe, trust officer at the National Bank of Commerce in Memphis; and Jack Soden, hired to head EPE. Ward helped appeal a court decision that denied Presley's estate rights to the rock star's name, likeness and image. This paved the way for the creation of the Elvis Law, the groundbreaking precedent that awarded celebrity estates control of intellectual property and trademarks after death.

"From where I sit, the Sillerman acquisition helped immensely, giving the estate the capital to ratchet up to a new level," Ward says, echoing a common refrain about the deal. When announced, Lisa Marie admitted that EPE could only grow so much and that it needed a bigger player to monetize future interest in Elvis.

"That's the amazing thing about the Elvis estate: just how many things they haven't done over the past 30 years," says longtime rock critic Stan Soocher, an entertainment attorney and associate professor of music and entertainment industry studies at the University of Colorado-Denver.

Elvis is one of the few examples in pop music of a star whose fame hasn't flagged, says Soocher, who is currently finishing his book, They Fought the Law: Rock Music Goes to Court, containing coverage of Elvis Presley's estate. (The book will be published in early 2009.)

"The CKX buyout is the most important financial development in the structure of the estate since it was founded," he says.

"Elvis Presley didn't do any international tours," he continues, "and because he's been so popular in England, it seems there is a pent-up demand to exploit." Soocher has a point: Presley's re-mastered No. 1 singles, which EPE released one at a time over the last couple years, tore up the British charts, which leads Soocher to think an international virtual, multimedia tour would likely reap large revenues.

But there's much more to the Elvis brand than music.

"Rockabilly may resurge, but it's never going to be mainstream rock again," Soocher says. "This whole other level [of enterprise] is so important to maintaining the Elvis brand."

He points to the proposed casino as one aspect of enterprise, as well as Elvis-themed destination venues around the world, à la Hard Rock Café.

"Domestically, there's a ton to do" says Argento, "but internationally, the opportunity to take the Elvis brand into a foreign market could dwarf the opportunities in the U.S.

"Put a casino in Macau or Dubai, put a replica of Graceland in Tokyo—the opportunities are huge. It would be epic for the Elvis brand."

The Mansion that Elvis Built

No kidding. Presley's estate has already earned far more than Presley did while he was alive, but Graceland in Tokyo? What would that do to local commercial and tax revenue streams? Most, including EPE and CKX, believe expanding the brand in such a way will increase interest and revenues in Memphis. According to Fortune, Sillerman's stake in the Presley estate exceeds its worth. Yet the company has announced a commitment to developing Graceland and its 120-acre campus. Plans include building one or more hotels and developing the surrounding neighborhood to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars—not that many checks have been written yet.

"I believe they are still gathering information on the project building specifications," says Harold B. Collins, the city councilman for Whitehaven. Collins says funds have been appropriated for improved cityscape to assist the development of a mile-plus stretch along the Brooks Road corridor, which will coincide with Memphis International Airport's ambitious "Aerotropolis" redevelopment plan.

"We're excited that they are getting ready to move on it," he says, adding that he hopes to see ground broken before the end of the year. "I think Mr. Sillerman knows how important this is to our city and is as eager to get it off the ground as we are." Well, maybe not as eager.

Last summer, news broke on a looming CKX buyout by 19X, a privately held company led by Sillerman and American Idol creator Simon Fuller (the "X" is a Sillerman signature). But in mid-May, the company lowered its buyout offer from $13.75 to $12 per CKX share. Sillerman said in a statement that the private company "remain[s] committed to completing the acquisition of CKX at a price that we believe reflects the continued outstanding performance of the company and which provides a substantial premium above the current price to the company's stockholders. [The price] also takes into account the seismic shift in the buyout world since the time we originally entered into this transaction."

The companies are reportedly working to close the deal by September.

"[The deal] should not have any effect on the economic development [in the area]," Argento says. "One of the reasons to take this private now is that it's a pretty attractive time, especially before the redevelopment gets underway. The bigger risk is the broader credit market—access to capital will probably be the bigger issue."

Most locals involved in the area's development are not giving too much thought to Graceland's goings-on; some view the Graceland makeover and build-out as only a piece of the overall vision.

"[Graceland's] development to come is part of the dynamic of building out what is currently the only fledgling Aerotropolis in the United States," says Arnold Perl, chairman of the Memphis-Shelby County Airport Authority. "When Elvis Presley Enterprises announces and develops the initiative they're working on, it will provide a significant boost to America's Aerotropolis.

There is no official word from Sillerman or local EPE officials on when Sillerman's real estate spin-off, FXRE, might commence the grand reawakening of the King. But Memphis isn't the only city laying claim to Elvis, and it isn't the only city in which Sillerman is spending money on Presley-related properties. In addition to dealings on Elvis Presley Boulevard, FXRE also has plans in the works involving several acres on Las Vegas Boulevard for a hotel and casino, as well as entertainment, retail, commercial and residential development. It would all feature Presley, perhaps in conjunction with Muhammad Ali. (Sillerman also owns 80% of Muhammad Ali Enterprises.)

Elvis: the Next Generation

But despite all the effort, there remains the question: How Long?

Elvis is undoubtedly the most parodied person in history—Google search "Elvis Tribute Artist" if you don't believe it—and his place in the record books still looms over contemporary stars. In April, at age 38, Mariah Carey finally surpassed Presley for second most No. 1 singles on Billboard with 18 (the Beatles lead with 20), and Madonna, who turns 50 in August, finally passed Presley for the most top-10 hits with 37.

But can Presley reach a new generation that has grown up with Elvis the image, not Elvis the man?

"I think the story is timeless," Ward contends. "America cast's its heroes away very begrudgingly."

For Sillerman, this likely is just the buildup before the big bonanza deal, given his modus operandi of buying media properties at low prices, maximizing the brand, packaging them and then unloading at a higher price. He did it in 1989 with radio stations, which he sold to what is now Viacom for $389 million, and again in 1997 to Hicks Muse for more than $2 billion. Three years later, he sold a bundle of concert venues to Clear Channel for $3 billion.

One can only wonder if/when he will sell EPE—and what it will look like when he does.

Soocher doesn't believe it will happen any time soon.

"You have to kind of figure out where's the sweet spot for the sale," he says. "With Ali and the Elvis estate, you would think Sillerman would want to build up the brands—and they haven't hit the ground running.

"I don't think, as an investor, you would think they would be much more valuable together than apart."

Soocher argues that a more modernizing match would be some entity from the current list of stars that appeals to the younger fan base—and that, essentially, means hip-hop. Coincidentally, Rap mogul and entrepreneur Jay-Z just signed a 360 deal with an SFX spin-off company—the concert venue company Sillerman founded before selling to Clear Channel. The deal essentially turns Jay-Z into a property for commoditization, which is what Sillerman is currently doing with Elvis Presley.

Says Soocher: "I think the younger music fans are used to seeing music come at them from all possible ways, so they don't look at that as a violation. Fans are much more accepting today."

Nevertheless, what's unique about the Presley situation is that despite being dead, he is still a towering performance figure in pop music. The Presley estate may have outgrown the man, but it can never seemingly outgrow the performer. Unlike other industry personalities whose businesses can theoretically run without his or her explicit presence—an Oprah Winfrey or even Jay-Z come to mind—can you imagine a Presley industry without Elvis in the spotlight?

The soundboard FTD CD "America" is featuring the complete show from April 22, 1976 recorded in Omaha, NB.

Bonus songs: from Spokane, WA 27.4.76 : Burning Love/My Way.

Pre-Order Now: 3 New FTD releases July, 2008

Hi Andylon,

I guess things happen for a reason. We had hoped to release our documentary 'Fit for a King' last year, but a number of delays prevented that. Plenty has happened in the last year. We lost Bill Belew and Todd Morgan. Todd was incredibly helpful with this documentary and his interview segments are wonderful. We also had the pleasure of doing several interviews with Bill at his home in Palm Springs. These turned out to be the last interviews that Bill ever gave.

One of the good things about releasing the documentary now instead of last year, is that it gave us time to produce some amazing bonus footage. So on one DVD, you not only get the documentary, which is approx 75min., but also some 'special feature' footage which is almost 65mins.

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about our documentary – As out press release stated “Fit for a King” tells the story of B&K Enterprises, a unique costume company famous for their extraordinary recreations of the stage-wear and personal wardrobe made famous by the late King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley. It is also the story of childhood sweethearts who followed their dreams from Indiana to Graceland and around the globe.

“Fit for a King” also showcases the close personal relationships B&K Enterprises shares with designer Bill Belew, Presley’s personal designer, and Gene Doucette, who later designed some of the most famous and recognizable stage outfits for Elvis, until his death in 1977.

Containing rare video footage and archival photographs of Elvis wearing his amazing outfits, “Fit for a King” also showcases the risk-taking costume styling and imagery that was part of Presley’s power as a Rock and Roll Icon.

We're proud to give EPGOLD exclusive the first chance to show not only the two 'trailers' created for the documentary, but also some short clips as well this month of July, so stay tuned on EpGold.

Clip # 1 - The Ali Robe

Behind the scenes story of the spectacular robe Elvis gave to boxing great Muhammad Ali, with new footage of Muhammad, at The Ali Center in Louisville Kentucky. Ali's former boxing trainer Angelo Dundee talks for first time, about meeting Elvis, and giving the robe to Muhammad.

Clip # 2 - Bush Rush

The story behind George Bush, and the Prime Minister of Japan’s visit to Graceland. A lot of people don’t know that Elvis Presley Enterprises asked B&K Enterprises to make up two Aloha replica capes and Belts to give to the two Leaders. Normally it would take around 80 man hours to complete these items. Well, they got the call about a week before the visit, and they had to scramble, to say the least, to get the capes and Belts to Graceland in time.

Clip # 3 - Becoming Elvis

For more detailed information and dealers for wholesale email: bkjumpsuit@aol.com

Neil Diamond performed at the Glastonbury 08 festival in the UK last sunday. His own band, with drummer Ronnie Tutt, was with him on stage.

The festival is worlds largest of his kind. Not less than 2000 (!!!) performers appear on 50 locations during three days. The Pyramid Stage is the place for the headliner on sunday afternoon.

This year, it was part of a stop of Neil Diamonds world tour. More than 155,000 people enjoyed the concert. Without a doubt, this must be the largest crowd Ronnie will perform for this year!