The George Klein reunion

Since I got to this event late, had to stand in the back, and the sound was awful (except for George's booming voice) it's hard to give a full report, but I did hear a few stories I'd never heard before.




The discussion started out with George Klein with Dick Grob, Charles Stone, Sam Thompson, Kim Davis, Patty Parry, Marian Cocke, Dr. Nick and his son, Dean, Jerry Schilling. Later, DJ Fontana and Mark James arrived, with Joe Esposito arriving at the very end. Although some of the stories were ones we've heard before, the place was jammed with fans and I don't think they were disappointed.

Dick told a story about Elvis wanting to bring VietNam POWs out to Vegas. He wanted to do something for them. What he ended up doing was write the arrangements for and sing "America". There's more to that story but I just don't remember the details right now - at 1:42 am)

Dean told the story about one time in Vegas (a fun trip - Elvis wasn't working). They needed a car to take Elvis someplace but didn't have one. Someone brought up a car to the valet at the hotel and Dean pleaded with the guy (the valet) to borrow this car. Elvis was already coming out the door. The valet said ok, but the car had to be back in an hour and in perfect shape. The guys told Elvis about this and Elvis decided the valet needed a TransAm. It took them all night, but it wasn't until the next morning that they could find a place to buy the black TransAm they gave to the valet as a thank you.

(Gee, wish we'd had this story for "200 Cadillacs")

After the show I went to ask Mark James if "Always On My Mind" was written with anyone in particular in mind. He answered that there were 2 unusual things about that song - first, he wrote it with 2 friends (Johnny Christopher and Wayne Carson Thompson). This was unusual for him. Second, they were give the song title and told to write a song! I've heard that before about some songs. Mark suggested there was some mildly related personal experience he probably drew from. ;-) (emoticon is my comment)




This was not taken at the GK event. I got this picture of me and Mark James after Marian Cocke's benefit.

Marian Cocke's Benefit Dinner

This was quite an evening. Over 1000 people attended this dinner! Many of the usual honored guests were there - Jerry Schilling, Joe Esposito, Dr. Nick, Sam Thompson, Dick Grob, Cynthia Pepper, Patty Parry. And the big surprise - Priscilla! She's never attended this event before and it was a major secret until she walked in. She said a few very nice words about Marian, and then she sat down at her table.

The joyous part of this evening was in the performances by Terry Mike Jeffrey, the Jordanaires and Millie Kirkham. They had obviously NOT gotten together beforehand to discuss anything, not even song titles. But these professionals know their stuff so well, it wasn't even necessary.

First Terry came up and sang alone, accompanying himself on the guitar. Then the Jordanaires came out and did a bunch of great songs (except for the first song after they came out - "Happy Birthday" to Gordon. They sang several songs and then did "It's Now or Never". This blew everyone away. Then they called Millie Kirkham up to the stage to sing the same song - this time with her soprano part. IT WAS SO AWESOME.

Then they sang "Blue Christmas" and Millie told a story I'd never heard. Elvis didn't want to record it so he told everyone to do something silly. Millie started that undulating soprano part. Elvis told her to keep doing it, and she did, for the whole song. When they finished recording it Elvis said "they'll never release it". And now it's the MOST played song on the radio in history.

Marian then gave out several special awards to 4 people, George Klein and Jerry Schilling among them. One was to a woman who had been to all of Marian's fundraisers, and for that loyalty Marian gave her a gold cross that had been made for Marian by Mike McGregor. Isn't that sweet?

There had already been a silent auction earlier, but now there was an additional auction that included some of Marian's personal Elvis-related items. Most significant one (IMO) was the silver fur coat that Elvis gave her. This is the one she mentions in "200 Cadillacs" - she said he gave her a silver coat to match her hair. Tonight Marian said her hair is white so it doesn't match anymore, anyway. If this isn't the last benefit she does, I'll be really surprised.

Mark James performed and some ETAs got to sing one song each with the Jordanaires. I didn't see this but I heard there was one really good one.

This event ran very, very long, but it was a most moving tribute to both Elvis and Marian. (And the food was pretty good, too).

End of an era.

Jamie Aaron Kelley

For those of you in Memphis this week, you should REALLY, REALLY try to get to EP's Delta to see Jamie perform. He has a full band and backup singers now. What a voice! Although he's been moving away from his Elvis show he understands what his audience wants during Elvis week and he does NOT disappoint! He's performing twice a night almost every night this week. Only $20 per ticket and you get MORE than your money's worth! I promise! Just think - you'll be able to say you knew him "when". :-)

Also - a very cool thing: James Burton was in the audience. I took a picture of Jamie where you could see the back of James' head and I was prepared to post with an arrow pointing to James, but it was too blurry. :-(

Here's a link to some pictures I took. Jamie Aaron Kelley I was behind the bar, so I had to crop pictures to remove the bar glasses at the bottom of many pictures. oh well.

One recommendation for this place: go for the drinks only. The menu is VERY limited for Elvis Week and the food we ordered was pretty awful. Just 2 people's opinions. I'm not happy to report this, since I want this restaurant to succeed.

Tupelo

A little commentary about each place I visited.

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The House

It is the original house on the original site. It's just 2 small rooms, a bedroom and a kitchen, and the furniture is not the original stuff owned by the Presleys. It was built by Vernon himself. It's just a little shack, really. But what a feeling I got when I entered the front room! I didn't feel Elvis' presence here, but I did feel Gladys. This little house was a home and the credit goes to her. I feel something very special here.

The Chapel

This tribute to Elvis was built because of the effort of his fans. It's really very peaceful and calm. Quite lovely.

The Museum

I've seen a lot of pictures of Elvis. But there are some here that I've never seen anywhere else. (And since you must check your camera at the door, you probably won't see them anywhere else, either). Much of what's here was donated by Janelle McComb, but there's lots more now. Some of the items (pictures and other things) have been donated by childhood friends of Elvis' only in the last few years, so even if you've been here before, it's worth coming again. Here are 2 pictures on the outside: a lovely fountain and one of the story quotes on the wall.

The Hardware Store

This is a fun place. Really just a basic hardware store that happens to have sold Gladys a guitar for Elvis. It still sells guitars, along with Elvis gear of all sorts. But what happened here is one of those little turns in a life that you don't see coming and you don't understand the importance of until much later, if ever. Dare I say Gladys' buying the guitar for Elvis (instead of a gun) was one of Elvis' "defining moments" as Dr. Phil likes to call them.

Johnnies's Drive-In

We should have had lunch here, but they're closed on Sundays, no matter what's going on - even Elvis week! ;-}. That's ok. Here's a picture that's on the wall inside the place. It was taken in 1956 by someone (not a fan!!) who was told Elvis was in the diner. He went in to investigate, took the picture and never thought of it again for years. Later in life he found it, recognized the value, and returned to Tupelo to give a copy to the diner. Thanks to Mike Freeman for the history.

The Fairgrounds

Sort of. The actual fairgrounds where Elvis performed 3 times (once when he was 10 years old, twice as a returning home-town hero) is long gone. It's now called "Fairpark" and the only thing left is a reference to Elvis' performances in '56 and '57. Time marches on. This picture was taken from a moving van, so I missed the flags at the top. :)

Wanda Jackson ROCKS!!

I was supposed to get to Memphis by 7:30, check into my hotel and meet up with Pam and Orlinda to go to the Hitone music club. But my flight was over 2 hours late, so I thought I'd missed Wanda's show. But lucky for me the show started late and there was an opening act, Sweden's top rockabilly band (whose name I'm not remembering - I came in late!). Wanda has recorded with them before. So I got to see the entire show of this legendary star.

For those of you who are not familiar with Wanda, she was one of very few female rockabilly stars. She toured with Elvis and dated him. Wanda's voice is absolutely unique; once you hear her raspy, dirty-girl version of "Let's Have a Party" you may be as hooked as I was - AM! For all that raspiness, her voice has great variety. Some of her hits besides "Let's Have a Party" include "Fujiyama Mama", "I Gotta Know".

While I understand that this week is all about Elvis, you really should go meet Wanda at the Expo and BUY HER CD! She's got an Elvis tribute album and she does NOT disappoint. I know how we can be tough on people covering Elvis songs, but you will just love her versions.

Another note - Wanda has also recorded several gospel albums. Maybe she'll have those to sell, too.

Wanda Jackson, THANK YOU!

At the Airport

OK, so I was anxious. I got to the airport 3 hours before my flight! I thought I might make an earlier flight but it was full, so here I am, connected to the Internet, listening to Sirius Channel 13 (Elvis, of course). I'm hearing interviews of people already in Memphis and I want to be there already!

I'm carrying 3 pieces of my Elvis luggage - a big one, a small roll carry-on and the computer case. (Checked the big one, of course). It such fun because I always get comments about it, but there is sometimes a spoiler. The TSA guy wanted to look through the carry-on and when he asked if it was mine he said he was surprised because he thought I might not want to claim it. (grrr). Of course I responded "Absolutely, this is mine) :-)

Later! Hope to get some pics of Wanda Jackson performing.

24 hours from now

I'll be en route on my American Airlines flight (let's hope!). I've got one more laundry to do and I'm ready to pack (yes, the suitcases have been out for 2 weeks already).

I am really looking forward to this week - especially the blogging part! I'm hoping to give you all a good sense of what's going on at the events I cover. First event will be Wanda Jackson in concert, although that will be written after, not during the event. I'm so excited about that.

Well, laundry and packing, here I come!

LMP is doing SOMETHING for the concert!

I just learned that Lisa Marie will be "doing something" for the big concert! I hope it's something like what she did in 1997 with "Don't Cry Daddy". I wasn't in the audience for that but was able to get a bootleg video. It was amazing - and I kinda surprised myself with my reaction to it - serious lump in my throat, tears. And then there was her big smile at the very end, like she was so proud. If that really was what she was thinking, she nailed it. Here's a Youtube link to the bootleg. Enjoy. Don't forget to note that smile at the end. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlY3NG16rkU

I've seen Lisa in concert and really enjoyed the show. I make it a point to get her CDs before I see her so I can understand the lyrics of her songs. ;-) She writes great songs.

Maybe she'll perform live this time( instead of or in addition to a video). Whatever she does I'm thrilled that she has decided to participate in a big way for this event. Yep, it's unbef#%^lievable and it's terrific!

EW - What I'm most looking forward to

I've got 5 concerts scheduled (maybe 6?...) tours, the EI conference, a Tupelo tour, benefits, Flat Elvis and much more. Whatever I think I'm looking forward to most will probably NOT end up being what stands out after the fact. I think it depends on my expectations of each event.

For example, I've seen Elvis-the-Concert 5 times. So that's not at the top of my list. Don't get me wrong. I LOVE EtC. But as I said, I've already seen it 5 times. It just affects my expectations. But suppose they manage to surprise us with something spectacular - like Lisa performing. The expectation is a great concert, but the memory would be of a special event. See what I mean?

I bought a ticket for that second (midnight) concert the same night even though I still can't fathom what will be new or what they would do that wasn't done for the first concert. If it's just a repeat for those that couldn't get tickets for the first concert, I'll be really annoyed. It's gotta be a little different, though, since I know that DJ Fontana isn't doing the second concert. But there could be a nice surprise there, too. Never underestimate what Todd and co. can come up with.

The Tupelo tour - I'm taking it for the first time ever this year. I have no expectations that this will be a "special" event. And yet - people tell me it's a very moving experience. So there ya go. I'll let you know.

I'm NOT looking forward to the heat.

I AM looking forward to seeing all the folks I already know in the Elvis world and meeting lots of new folks. If you see me typing away at an event c'mon up and introduce yourself!