200 Cadillacs

The Concept

Documentary with Music Videos

Elvis Presley was often generous with family, friends, associates, and even total strangers. The King’s gift of choice was a shiny new Cadillac. Elvis’ generosity went beyond luxury automobiles to include among others, gifts of houses, horses, boats, motorcycles and rings. The production team of Dan Griffin, Rex Fowler and Susan Rod Graham sought out recipients of gifts and captured personal stories of those close to Presley from his early climb to stardom to his death a quarter century ago. 

The Film
Presley’s original band-mate, DJ Fontana, longtime live-in girlfriend Linda Thompson, Gordon Stoker of the Jordanaires, Myrna Smith of the Sweet Inspirations, personal nurse Marian Cocke, hairdresser Larry Geller, Karate instructor Kang Rhee, Cadillac salesmen, Mrs. Ed parker, and a few surprise participants recount the stories behind the gifts and personal recollections of King of Rock & Roll. Many never before seen personal photographs of Presley are interspersed with the interviews for the film. 

The CD
The film's soundtrack features five original songs written especially for the documentary by Rex Fowler of Aztec Two-Step. The CD also includes an unreleased version of John Hiatt's "Memphis In the Meantime" recorded by Elvis' Sun Records label-mate, Carl Perkins, plus Big Mama Thornton's classic version of "Hound Dog" recorded by Levon Helm & Mavis Staples. Others adding their songwriting talents to the project include Jesse Winchester, Jon Pousette-Dart, Heather Eatman, Syd Straw, Tom Dean of Devonsquare and The Cucumbers.

Click here to view the clip.

Very soon Andylon Lensen will conduct an exclusive interview with the Producer from 200 cadillacs
Susan Rod Graham.

2002/10/28 200 Cadillacs / Susan Rod Graham / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com

Hi Ep.Gold Readers,

I would like to thank the ElvisNews website for placing my exclusive interview I did with Ernst Jorgensen on this topic that you all read and made yourself clear on your opinions. (read the original interview / statement on our site the date October 23rd.)

Ernst Jorgensen and I  had a serious conversation on these four topics and we decided to bring this Worldwide breaking news exclusive on this site Collectors Gold (www.epgold.com)

Although the topic is originally called Ernst Jorgensen Hotline ( since Ernst Jorgensen is a exclusive columnist on Ep.Gold. ) and my publication on my interview / statement is changed in: Ernst Jorgensen update & slightly modified on my interview on their site ElvisNews.Com

The reactions on their site are from negative to positive and some are even emotional or angry concerning this topic on RCA / BMG/ FTD-Label.
I also have gotten many reactions through my site on this interview that I conducted on these four topics and it's obvious that ElvisFans readers still have many questions or are not satisfied with this statement of Ernst Jorgensen.

That's why we decided to have a follow up on this topic FTD DVD's , Cd's, etcetera , legal matters, contracts, paperwork.... that the conclusion makes RCA / BMG decide that it has made them impossible to plan new projects on the FTD label.

Like for example the last CD release Dinner At Eight and the misunderstaning that coincide this release with Kathy Westmoreland with the song "My heavenly Father".

Very soon another exclusive interview / statement with Ernst will be published on our site.
so , Elvisfans will ( hopefully) understand more of the complications there is on releasing new projects done by RCA / BMG / FTD-label

If you have any new, questions you are able to e-mail me on my Elvis Website www.epgold.com click on the menu Webmaster or e-mail me at steamroller@wanadoo.nl

Sincerely yours,

Andylon Lensen.

Ernst Jorgensen

SWISS ELVIS TEAM PRESENTS ELVIS CHRISTMAS PARTY.

My dear friend from The Swiss Elvis Team ( conducted by Mischa Meyer, President of the official Fanclub }
Presents a Xmas Party in Key North in Zurich, Sunday December 15th, 2002. Starting at 11-20 hours.

Gospel Brunch - Live Show ( Elvis impersonators ) - Elvis film theater - Elvis-shop- Original Elvis Food from the restaurant Key North.

2002/1027 Mischa Meyer / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com.

KEITH ALVERSON.

OUR COLUMNIST KEITH ALVERSON HAS SOME GREAT NEW PHOTO'S IN HIS GALLERY.


2002/10/20 Keith Alverson / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com.

UPDATE THE JORDANAIRES, RAY WALKER.

Andylon,

Howdy from Nashville. The Jordanaires just returned from Hammond, Louisiana, doing a show for the Performing Arts Center. We opened and then worked with a young fella who became World Champion not long ago, Brndon Bennett. Great young guy. We go to Panama City, Florida on Saturday, back home on Sunday and then on to Hawaii to the Waikiki Shell for a "Three Faces of Elvis" show produced by Ron Kurtz from L.A.

Headed for Isle of Capri in Bittendorf, Iowa, first of November, then home for a while. I've just recorded a new EP on the Jords which is in the process of being released, we hope for the VFW here.

God bless all and I'll try to keep up a little better.

Ray Walker.


2002/10/20 Ray Walker / Ep.Gold.com

ELVIS PLANE CHANGES OWNERS.

A bird flew out of an open engine compartment of a Lockheed Jetstar yesterday, but inside the plane, once owned by Elvis Presley, the red velvet seats were plush and the golden bathroom faucets gleamed. 

The 10-passenger jet hadn’t been flown in a few years and probably won’t be again — it’s missing four engines — but that didn’t stop Mark Kuykendall from purchasing the rock ’n’ roll icon’s former personal jet. 

After Presley’s death in 1977, Elvis’ father, Vernon Presley, sold it to an aircraft company and it eventually landed in the hands of Roswell resident Roy McKay, according to Kuykendall. McKay said he sold the plane in 2000 to a Polish man, who removed the engines and installed them into a different plane. Since then, the plane has been grounded at the Roswell Industrial Air Center. 

Kuykendall, of Sevierville, Tenn., said he’d add the plane to his other collectables, including Presley’s 1960 Lincoln Continental limousine and a 1958 Cadillac El Dorado that Joe DiMaggio gave to Marilyn Monroe.

He said he plans to disassemble the jet and ship it to Tennessee via tractor-trailer. He said he’s not sure where he’s going to store it, but he said the plane needs a few repairs on the outside. “It doesn’t need a lot of restoring inside. I just need to put the covers on the outside” over the engine compartments, he said. 

Kuykendall declined to disclose how much he paid for the plane, but McKay said that he sold it to the man from Poland for more than he paid for it. “It looks like a time capsule,” Kuykendall said. “It looks like it’s brand new.” 
Toward the back of the jet were cup holders, a bar and a small kitchen. The ladder to climb inside wobbled slightly, but a local locksmith was on hand to repair it. 
“I’d rather not let it sit here,” Kuykendall said. “I just like to preserve history. That’s what I like to do.” 

(By Lillian Kafka - Roswell Daily Record)


2002/10/19 Elvis From Poland / Ep.Gold.Com

DAVID BENDETH CANADIAN PRODUCER OF ELV1S 30 # 1 HITS.

Native Torontonian David Bendeth is the man who made Elvis Presley's classic No. 1 songs sound even better on the current top-selling CD.

Bendeth is credited with mixing 17 songs on the Elvis: 30 #1 Hits CD, and is also the compilation producer. The disc topped the charts this week in Canada, the U.S., U.K., Australia, Brazil, Chile and the United Arab Emirates.

"The plan was to make it as good as we could possibly make it sound, so it would be able to be played on stereos and computers and (in) cars all over the world," says Bendeth, who received the original master tapes in mouldy boxes stored all these years at media storage facility Iron Mountain in Pennsylvania.

Born and raised in Toronto, Bendeth has been interviewed about his work on the disc all over the world, including the U.K., Australia, Finland, India and Taiwan. This was his first Canadian interview.

'EXPERIMENT'

Bendeth and engineer Ray Bardani began working on the recordings at The Hit Factory in New York City in February, without the knowledge of Presley's estate.

"I just took it upon myself as an experiment," he says.

The tracks they completed and delivered to the estate for its approval were Burning Love, Suspicious Minds, Return To Sender and Hound Dog.

"At that point, the story goes that RCA and the estate loved what I had done, and they asked me to mix the whole album," he says. "So I took everything that wasn't mono, which are tracks 14 through 30, and started to mix Elvis Presley, from the beginning on up.

"Some people said it was like working on the Sistine Chapel, just dusting off what was already there. It was recorded really, really well. It just had never been mixed, because back then because they didn't have the equipment that they have today."

Bendeth was a solo musician in the late 1970s when he was signed to CBS in Canada, and then RCA in the States. He then was hired by CBS in Canada (now Sony) as an A&R representative. He took the same position at BMG in 1988, where he signed Cowboy Junkies, Crash Test Dummies, Charlie Major, Prairie Oyster and treble charger, and was promoted to vice-president.

In 1995, he moved to New York to work at RCA, where he has signed Vertical Horizon and SR-71, and produced the latest Bruce Hornsby album. He is now a senior vice-president of A&R and staff producer at RCA.

"It was really freaky and scary," Bendeth says of remixing the Presley songs. "First of all, some of these tapes holding the original tracks of In The Ghetto or Suspicious Minds have never been touched in 40 years. And then starting to work on it, we felt like, 'We're going to get killed for this.' And then, we started on a roll."

But that roll was sometimes slowed by marvellous finds, or age-sensitive obstacles.

Way Down, one of the newer tapes, had to be baked in the oven because the oxide kept falling off. And the three-track tape machines, of which there are only a few in the world still operable, would often over-heat before the digital transfer could be completed.

But what really stopped the process were outtakes of Presley laughing, joking, or messing up lyrics.

"It was like we were walking around a museum," Bendeth says.

"We couldn't believe it when we first heard some of the stuff because it had never been heard before.

MORE 'BURIED'

"So we started listening really carefully, but it was really, really low, and we raised it up. Like on Suspicious Minds in the bridge, he sings the bridge and he's singing the background track with himself and he says, 'Sing the song, man, sing the song.' "

While none of these special moments can be readily heard on Elvis: 30 #1 Hits, Bendeth reveals that "actually, there are some buried -- but I'm not telling anyone where."


2002/10/15 Karen Bliss / Ep.Gold. Com.

The 3 track single CD "Burning Love"will only be released in the U.S. next week.

BMG UK Charley Stanford, senior marketing manager, confirmed us today by the hotline that the CD 3 track "Burning Love" will not be released in the UK. That means that only the US will release this single next week.
The reason is: they are not convinced that this project is a following-up of the world-wide-hit remix CD "A little less conversation". And the reason also is that they want to focus on the album CD "Elvis 30 #1 Hits".
At this moment Charley Stanford confirms that they still not have found a great new remix of Elvis to be released this year.
Charley also stated that there are 300.000 copies sold, only in the UK, as a pre-order of this album CD "Elvis 30 #1 Hits".

2002/09/17 Charley Stanford / H.C. de Vries / Andylon Lensen / EP.Gold.com

A GREAT TRINI LOPEZ / ELVIS PRESLEY STORY TOLD TO ME STRAIGHT FROM TRINI.


Trini and Elvis would see each others' Las Vegas shows, and they had a  mutual admiration society. At one of Elvis' private parties for his  friends, Trini brought his mother. She had characteristics of Elvis' mom, such as dark hair and other things. When Elvis first spotted her,  he ran over and hugged her for the longest time, saying to her, over and over, "Mama, mama.." Of course, he knew it was Trini's mom, he was just making her feel so loved, and he really connected to her.
This was an evening to remember, and it reinforces Elvis' love for moms. After their meeting, not a Christmas would pass without Elvis sending Trini's mom, Mrs. Lopez, a special Christmas greeting from Elvis.

The new Trini Lopez album, TRINI LOPEZ LEGACY: MY TEXAS ROOTS, is now available at   www.artgreenhaw.com (MERCHANDISE)

Songs: 
Baby Baby Baby Rock On; The Builder's Song; Always Hear The Melody; I'm Walkin'; In My Dreams; Chantilly Lace; My September; Let's Think About Living; I Am A Man Of Constant Sorrow; Looking Through A Stained Glass Darkly; Real Love In A Spinout World; The High Road; I Know You Know You Do; It's No Sin To Rock; Interview with Trini by Art

visit www.artgreenhaw.com and 
www.trinilopez.com 
More Elvis / Trini stories exclusively for Andylon and www.epgold.com ...to come!!!

2002/09/17 Art Greenhaw / Trini Lopez / Ep.Gold.Com.

RUSS HOWE & TOM SALVA NEW BOOK RELEASED BY YEARS END.

Hi everybody!
Andylon has given me this opportunity to break some very exciting news to you.
The book that I've been working on with my partner, Tom Salva, will be released by year's end. The book will cover Elvis' engagement at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, in New York, in the Summer of 1973. It will be filled with many rare photos, most of which will be published for the very first time. Perhaps the best news of all is that we've arranged with JAT Publishing to keep the price very affordable for all of you. Needless to say, we're very excited about this project, and we'll keep you posted right here in this column as we get closer to the release date.

2002/09/14 Russ Howe / Ep.Gold.Com.

ELVIS PRESLEY / ROOTS REVOLUTION: THE LOUSIANA HAYRIDE RECORDINGS.

Elvis has Returned to the Building…

“The changes…are subtle and respectful, but the difference they make is thrilling. The songs ‘That’s All Right (Mama)’ and ‘Blue Moon of Kentucky’ burst with new energy and it’s Presley’s vocals unchanged that benefit most. On the final track…‘Hound Dog,’ the bass and drums drive home the sexual savagery Presley brought to the stage.” ─New York Times─
“…a barometer of his growing artistry and popularity…” ─The Washington Post─
“…ripping…with raw, innocent passion…” ─The New York Post─ 
“A collection of historic early Elvis Presley recordings…” ─Rolling Stone─
“…an almost magical sonic restoration…” ─The Desert Sun—
“…the recording has captured all that was good about Elvis.” ─Billings Gazette─
“All music fans should put this record in their collection...a scorcher.” ─Tucson Citizen─
“…state-of-the-art…” ─www.launch.com─ 
“…priceless stuff…(***1/2 out of four stars)” ─Philadelphia Inquirer─
“Elvis Presley’s legacy lives on…” ─Houston Chronicle─
“…seminal…” ─Courier Journal─
“…a glimpse into the birth of rock& roll and Presley’s personality...fascinating stuff.” ─3rd Coast Music Magazine─

ELVIS PRESLEY
ROOTS REVOLUTION: THE LOUISIANA HAYRIDE RECORDINGS
A DIGITALLY RESTORED CD EDITION OF THE GROUNDBREAKING
1950s RADIO BROADCASTS TO BE RELEASED 
AUGUST 13TH ON TOMATO RECORDS

New York, NY – On August 13th, Tomato Records will release Elvis Presley/Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings, a 16-track edition of the historic Elvis Presley “live” radio performances from 1954, 1955 and 1956 on the fabled KWKH radio program “The Louisiana Hayride.” Undergoing a complete sonic restoration using state of the art digital technology, the original recordings which previously suffered from inferior sound quality, have been brought back to life allowing the magic of a 19-year old Elvis Presley to shine through. Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Elvis’ death, Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings is a testament to the enduring impact Presley and his music have had on the world. 

“We’re still trying to catch up with Elvis Presley after 50 years. These recordings began the sea change that was to follow, the great moment when the flood gates were opened—the innocent, raw, profoundly unique Elvis Presley like we would never hear him again. Anyone who ever picked up a guitar after is still having a conversation with what Elvis started, whether they know it or not. This is as close as you get to the Genesis in terms of what was to follow in popular culture—musically, sexually and racially—for the rest of time,” states Tomato Records’ Kevin Eggers. 

Originally released in 1982 on Eggers’ The Music Works record label as two separate albums: Elvis: The First Live Recordings and The Hillbilly Cat, the releases were plagued by badly distorted fidelity due to the limited technology of live radio broadcast recordings in the mid-50s, as well as, tape degradation over the years to follow. While serving the purpose of documenting Presley’s performances at the Louisiana Hayride, the sound quality never allowed for the Hayride recordings to be more than collector’s items, satisfying fans curiosity as to how the “live” Elvis sounded at the beginning his career. For Roots Revolution, however, Eggers and Tomato have gone to great lengths to digitally restore the performances for the best possible repeated listening experience. Eggers states: “We attempted to recreate The Blue Moon Boys, Scotty, Bill and D.J., as Elvis would have heard them on the bandstand.”

Using new musicians to help restore the bass and acoustic guitar parts, which were all but lost to hiss and crackle on the existing tapes, Elvis’ vocals and Scotty Moore’s guitar was able to be increased within the mix, highlighting the dynamic interplay between the two. Bass player Paul Nowinski, who’s recorded with the likes of Keith Richards, Rickie Lee Jones, Les Paul and New York Voices rebuilt Bill Black’s parts, while Jon Paris, previously a member of bands including those of Bo Diddley, Robert Gordon, Link Wray, Johnny Winter and Johnnie Johnson, helped to refurbish Presley’s rhythm guitar. Top session drummer Steven Wolf was brought in on “Hound Dog,” the lone track with drums to strengthen the presence of D.J. Fontana. Eggers and company were careful to only restore the already existing parts performed by Elvis and his band. There were no new arrangements, additional instruments or extra musical sections added. In addition, authentic period instruments were used including gut strings on the upright bass and ‘50s ribbon microphones. 

“We approached this much like that of restoring a master painting. Our intent was to bring out the original colors and energy of the music being created. Great care was taken to make sure the musical enhancements were 100 percent faithful to the original parts played by Elvis, Scotty, Bill and D.J.,” states Eggers. 

The end results are nothing short of magical, as Elvis’ voice cuts through crystal clear whooping, stuttering and roaring through utterly groundbreaking performances of “That’s All Right, Mama (included here with both the restrained ’54 debut version, and the rambunctious, freewheeling ’55 version made 8 months later after Elvis had already hit the top of the charts), “Baby, Let’s Play House,” “Blue Moon of Kentucky,” “Maybellene” and “Tweedle Dee.” Also present are many of the classic introductions by hosts Horace Logan and Frank Page, including the infamous “Elvis Has Now Left the Building” announcement. 

Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings features a gorgeous 20-page booklet designed by renowned graphic designer Milton Glaser, including rare black and white photos by longtime Elvis Presley photographer Alfred Wertheimer; liner notes telling of Elvis’ first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride by noted Memphis music journalist Andria Lisle; detailed track information and complete restoration notes. 

It’s been almost 50 years since a 19-year old kid from Tupelo, Mississippi wearing a pink blazer, black shirt, white pants and two-toned loafers, appeared at the Louisiana Hayride slamming together America’s most indigenous styles of music—R&B, Country, Blues, Gospel and Swing—dropping his very own rockabilly style on an unsuspecting nation. It truly was a roots revolution. Music would never be the same, and some might argue that it would never be better. 

For more information on Elvis Presley/Roots Revolution: The Louisiana Hayride Recordings and/or to request promotional copies, please contact Kevin Calabro at Tomato Records: 212.414.4584 or KCalabro@TomatoRecords.com

2002/09/14 Tomato Records - Schuetze / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com.

OUR COLUMNIST "DONNA PRESLEY WITH ELVIS"

Donna Presley with Elvis - These 2 pictures (right) were taken when Elvis got married on May 1, 1967. Donna was just 17 years old!

2002/09/14 Donna Presley / Ep.Gold.Com.

HOTLINE WITH ERNST JORGENSEN.

We mentioned a couple of weeks ago that next FTD CD will be released in November, we also mentioned that there was a big delay on the FTD Website, that they hope will be on the Internet in December this year.

But ,what we didn't mention was, because this wasn't certain yet :

That FTD label now considers very serious to release Elvis on the FTD Label with DVD's, this is great news for the Elvisfans Worldwide.

2002/09/06 Ernst Jorgensen / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com

A LETTER ESPECIALLY FOR THE EP.GOLD READERS FROM JIMMY BLACKWOOD. 
( THE BLACKWOOD BROTHERS.)

True Elvis fans around the world know the love he had for gospel music. The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was Elvis' mother's favorite gospel group. When Mrs. Gladys Presley died Elvis flew the quartet in from their concert tour to sing at his mother's funeral. Elvis would often call for my dad and the quartet to come to Graceland for an all-night singing session around the piano. Years later my dad sang at Elvis' funeral. Elvis was certainly the "King" in his field of music as was my dad in gospel music. He was often called "Mr. Gospel Music." My dad, James, passed away on February 3, 2002, and I think that Elvis, J.D. Sumner, my dad and other great gospel singers are probably gathered around a piano in heaven singing in a heavenly quartet today. I sang with J.D. and the Stamps in the late 60's just before they started singing backup for Elvis and I can't wait to join in singing with all of them in heaven someday. 

Andylon, you are doing such a great job.....I really enjoy your website.
Thanks for bringing information about The Blackwoods and Elvis to the world through EP.GOLD!

I have attached a banner for my website and here are the links to my site and for my dad's memorial site:

Jimmy Blackwood         James Blackwood


Jimmy Blackwood.

2002/09/06/ Jimmy Blackwood / Ep.Gold.Com

THE ROOTS OF ELVIS PRESLEY.

Now you can study a four page project done by Root's Global search on the Roots of "Elvis Presley".

Click here


2002/09/05 Root's Web / Ep.Gold.Com

THE FAMOUS "NOW" PRODUCER ART GREENHAW & JAMES BLACKWOOD.
 
 A FRIEND TO ELVIS: JAMES BLACKWOOD
 
Much has been written about Elvis' love for the music of The Blackwood Brothers. The Blackwood Brothers Quartet was transported by Elvis to sing at Gladys' funeral, and James Blackwood himself sang "How Great Thou Art" at Elvis' Memphis funeral.
 
 "A James Blackwood Memorial Sing" is being held at Memphis' First Assembly of God Church, early Elvis' congregation, on September 13.
For the details, please visit www.jimmyblackwood.org ; This event will be classic quartet singing like Elvis loved, and an event like Elvis would attend when he was back home in Memphis.
 
Another scoop for Elvis Gold is the new release of the CD, WE CALLED HIM MR. GOSPEL MUSIC: THE JAMES BLACKWOOD TRIBUTE ALBUM, starring The Jordanaires, Larry Ford, and The Light Crust Doughboys. 
This limited edition, collectors' classic features that southland tradition of "four men and a piano" and is available at www.artgreenhaw.com
 
Continued appreciation to Elvis for his life-long support of southern gospel music!
 
Yours,
Art Greenhaw
 
-for the NOW! music of Ann-Margret, The Jordanaires, James Blackwood, Trini Lopez, and more!
 
www.artgreenhaw.com 

2002/09/05 Art Greenhaw / Ep.Gold.Com

BMG UK IS CONSIDERING TO NOT RELEASE THE NEW SINGLE 
''BURNING LOVE'' IN UK.

BMG UK is considering to not release the 3 track cd in the UK.
They rather focus on the album 30 # 1 Hits and want to release a single cd in December.

Also REMIXES like "" A little less conversation"" , ( which is different than a mix or radio mix, for Elvisfans who misunderstand )
might be considered as an album or even duets with Elvis are a possibility.

End of the week we are able to have some more details from our HOTLINE : BMG UK Charley Stanford.

2002/09/04 BMGUK / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com

SCHMELVIS SEARCHING FOR THE KING'S JEWISH ROOTS.

This famous documentary wich also has been issiued as a book with same title, now has it's own website also mentioned as
"Schmelvis searching for the King's Jewish roots"" .

To watch the documentary Trailer : Click Here
To visit their website : Click Here.

2002/09/04 Schmelvis / Ep.Gold.Com.

THE GREATEST ALBUM RELEASE NOW FINALLY OUT ON CD: "UNFINISHED BUSINESS", BY: JAMIE AARON KELLEY.

Finally where we were all waiting for : This great album CD release"
Unfinished Business" by Jamie Aaron Kelly is out!!!
Featuring "Boots" Randolph, DJ Fontana, Millie Kirkham, Bob Moore, David
Briggs and "Buddy" Harman.

To listen to some great songs of Jamie Aaron Kelley click on the songtitle to listen to the sample...

This album:

*Was recorded in much the same way as albums in the 50's and 60's were recorded - with nearly everyone working together in the studio at the same time, with minimal overdubs when absolutely necessary. This gives the album the same "live" vibe that most albums of that time had.

*Was recorded using very talented musicians who have long and well known track records and careers. No one has been able to capture that sound since, so no one could be better to record the material than the people who were there at the start of the "Rock & Roll" and "Nashville Pop" sounds.

*Is made up of songs that were carefully chosen from a list of over 300 songs. It took roughly two years for the songs list to be finalized so that each song fit perfectly in the album. Some are songs that Elvis either started but never finished or was considering but never did, and most of the others are songs done by artists such as Dean Martin, Roy Hamilton, and Ray Charles - people Elvis admired, idolized, and/or respected in the music business.

To order this album, e-mail:
kingofthehillproductions@starband.net
or
Unfinished Business Order
718 W. 3rd St.
Boone, IA 50036

or call 1-515-432-4332



2002/09/03/ Jamie Aaron Kelley / Andylon Lensen / Ep.Gold.Com.

REVIEW : ''THE ELVIS TREASURES'', BY ROBERT GORDON.


Cover photo of book (C) Alfred Wertheimer

The instant I saw this book I was thrilled..... The book that slid out of the box set greeted me with the "Elvis Speaks" audio CD on the inside cover. The pages welcomed me in with beautiful presented photos and text and many pages with sleeves with items of memorabilia peeping invitingly out. The presentation promised much and the content of the book delivered admirably. 
The book tells the story of Elvis's life in chronological order and each section is well documented with the author using his in depth knowledge of music and Elvis to good effect. The items of memorabilia were collected from the Graceland archives by Elvis Presley Enterprises and each item has been carefully selected to allow the reader to connect with an aspect of Elvis relevant to that particular story. There is Humes High school music event program from 1953 with Elvis 16th on the billing - his surname is even misspelled "Prestly". The text on this section finishes with a quote from Elvis "It was amazing how popular I became after that." 



"The Elvis Treasures" opened up for display

Another item of memorabilia is a love letter from Elvis to Anita Wood, his Memphis sweetheart. This letter was written when Elvis was doing his military service and contains lines such as "I have developed a love for you that cannot be equaled or surpassed by anyone". Elvis's movie career is represented with movie posters and preview tickets but it is his recording career that it covered in most depth with original Sun record publicity shots, record contract with RCA and a letter from the Colonel to Elvis and an RCA publicity letter. There are unexpected items as well such as a series of drawings of football tactics by Elvis and an annotated karate booklet. These items show the depth of interest Elvis had in them and the text describes how Elvis even started making a karate instuction video!
The audio recordings are also chronologically presented and are often very candid and personal with diverse subjects such as Elvis's favourite inspirational reading matter, favourite actors and actresses and coming to terms with the fact that his private life was sometimes public. 
I found this book hugely enjoyable and its innovative presentation style a triumph. Every Elvis fan will have their relationship with him enriched by this book. 


The book is published by Carlton and is available to buy from www.amazon.co.uk on the following link:- 

2002/09/03 Carlton / Ep.Gold.Com

STANLEY OBERST, THE FAMOUS WRITER OF THE BOOK "ELVIS IN TEXAS" 
AND COLUMNIST OF COLLECTORS GOLD

Stanley Oberst & DJ.Fontana

Hello Elvis fans. Memphis was wonderful, though I was busy promoting my book (sales went well). 
I was able to take in some of the festivities. It was a thrill to go to Graceland and attend the awards ceremony when Elvis was awarded 31 gold and platinum records.

I was able to meet Ernst Jorgensen from BMG and was able to talk with him concerning my book. 

My stay in Memphis also allowed me to meet D. J. Fontana, Joe Esposito, Scotty Moore as well as others.

Sun records had a block party I was able to attend and had some Rock a Billy bands play.

On my return to Dallas I received calls from individuals who had pictures of Elvis taken at the Rio Palm Isle (1955) in Longview, Texas.

The other picture was taken Oct. 5, 1955 in Greenville,Texas. It is the first that I have ever seen of Elvis taken in Greenville. As always I am keeping my eyes open for new material dealing with Elvis from 1954 to '58. 

Until then, Adios, and I hope to have more information in the future. 
Stanley Oberst "Elvis in Texas"


2002/09/02 Stanley Oberst / Ep.Gold.Com

BLACKIE

Read this complete biography; from Memphis,Tennessee one of the best bassmen in the business ""Bill Black"" , (Elvis on Stage 1954)

Written by Peter Butler / approved by Mary Ann Kennedy sister of Bill Black.

Click Here


2002/09/01 Peter Butler / Rockabilly Hall Of Fame / Ep.Gold.Com.

THE OFFICIAL RICKY NELSON WEBSITE.

Now and then Collectors Gold would like the Elvisfans to invite you to visit related Elvis Rock N Roll Singers.

This time it's Ricky Nelson's turn, this is a very professional official site and maybe not all the Elvisfans are aware of that this official Ricky Nelson website is also a trademark of EPE.

To view and listen to Ricky's biggest Hit Worldwide: "Hello Mary Lou" and many,many other Hits, from the Ozzie and Harriet show (for more than 60 minutes.}, Click an option below:

To visit the official Ricky Nelson website :Click Here

2002/09/01 EPE / Ep.Gold.Com

NOW LISTEN TO A 30 MINUTES INTERVIEW WITH OUR COLUMNIST 
"JERRY OSBORNE".

Listen exclusive on Ep.Gold to our columnist "Jerry Osborne" , to a marvelous (real player) interview as Jerry Osborne visits with Tara discussing Elvis.

Click Here

2002/08/31 Jerry Osborne / Tara / Ep.Gold.Com

SOUND CLIP OF THE SUN GIRLS.


A nice 17 minutes sound clip of the ""Sun Gals"", including an interview with Barbara Pitman and Barbara Thomas Salloum.
From NPR'S weekend Edition, on the new Collection of ""SUN RECORDS GALS"".

Click Here


2002/08/31 NPR / Rockabilly Hall Of Fame / Ep.Gold.Com

The Elvis 'Mystery Guitar'

On the televised comeback of Elvis Presley, the one in which he wore the black leather outfit, Elvis played the Gibson Super 400 that Jody Reynolds gave him in late 1967. Jody purchased the guitar in 1962 from Pat Barbara Music and played it at hundreds of gigs until 1967 when Jody opened his own music store called "The Music Room" in Palm Springs, California.

Elvis came in to the Music Room one day and saw the Super 400 hanging on the wall. He said to Jody, "I know what that guitar is and I want it!". Jody took the guitar down and plugged it into an amplifier, Elvis strummed a few nice chords out it and said "how much?". Jody told Elvis that he could have the guitar since Elvisą Heartbreak Hotel was the inspiration for Jodyąs writing his multi-million seller "Endless Sleep". For the next five to seven years, Jody sold Elvis many guitars as well as a piano.

After a long disappearance, the Gibson Super 400 is being auctioned for $1 million and is the very same guitar pictured on the front cover of Jodyąs Endless CD and also the same guitar he played on some songs in the CD.



This guitar can be seen and heard on Jody Reynolds' latest double CD package of 53 songs, "Endless" which can be ordered from:
Tru-Gems Records
P.O. Box 3683
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
Lee Silver
trugems@earthlink.net

2002/08/28 Rockabilly Hall Of Fame / Elvis From Poland / Ep.Gold.Com.