If you don’t know who or what Flat Elvis is, please check out this website:
Flat Elvis website
After all the hoopla at the gate we finally walked up to the house. There was a slew of motorcycles in front of the house. These were all won in a raffle and the winners were there, too. So our ceremony was not at the front door as we had expected. Instead, Sandi and Bev handed over all the FEs in a gorgeous display box. Take note of the FE that came back from Hawaii with a teeny little lei around his neck. In addition, Bev printed out all the pages of the website – onto 300 paper pages! It’s amazing and she really put hours and hours into this project. KUDOs to Bev and Sandi.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Early morning at Graceland on Vigil Day
We got to Graceland before 7:00 am to go to the Flat Elvis ceremony, but there was lots of commotion already at the gate. Seems like CBS TV was there with a bunch of ETAs for a live feed. Joe Mosheo was there to plug his book. Here are a few pictures of this event. Notice how Flat Elvis managed to get into the picture. :)
Food Network comes to Memphis and we get to eat!
I posted this on the EI but here it is for non-EI folks:
The first day of the conference we filled out tickets for a raffle for a very special event for Insiders only.
The Food Network Show "Dinner: Impossible (like "Mission Impossible?)? Here's the description from their website:
Robert Irvine is a real life chef extraordinaire and the host of Dinner: Impossible. Each week, Robert (with the help of his two sous-chefs, George and George) is thrown a new culinary curveball and the team must figure out a way to solve their challenge before time runs out.
Well this week the challenge was to show people that Elvis's diet was more than just peanut banner and fried bananas. So Mr. Irvine showed up at Graceland this morning where Priscilla gave him his instructions. He had 4 hours to shop for and cook a wonderful southern banquet. And he succeeded. Wildly.
We all went down to EP Delta and sat at beautifully appointed table settings. They filmed some "B" roll of us waiting for things to start and then Priscilla came in, walked to the front and told us what I just told you, adding that the instructions were to feed 100 Elvis Insiders. (Cheers! Cheers!)
The dinner was amazing. It was actually more like 6 dinners. We were served
a gorgeous summer salad
a gorgeous summer salad
bean salad
spinach
corn bread
sweet potato
corn
fried catfish
steak
meat loaf
fried chicken (although that didn't appear at our table)and
an unbelievably awesome dessert that we think is bread pudding with ice cream.
It was impossible to get a picture of all the plates together, because they just kept coming and coming and coming. But here they are in one composite shot:
And here's a couple of shots at this event:
THANK YOU EPE AND PRISCILLA FOR THIS FUN EVENT!
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
EI Conference Day 2 - Priscilla
Priscilla looks GREAT!
Her favorite Elvis song: Memphis sessions songs.
The times she cherished were the times she and Elvis got to be alone. He could vent about things in private. She was a sounding board for him.
When she first met Elvis, he had just lost his mother and he was very lonely. She was as private as he was. He was very loyal and that's why so many of are still loyal to him. We feel protective of him. It's hard for her to decide what to share without wondering if she is betraying his confidence.
Jerry says she's done a very good job of protecting his privacy.
She wrote her book (Eliv n Me) because of the stuff written in Albert Goldman's book, among others. Again she wanted to be truthful, but keep some things back to protect Elvis, and that is why it took 3 years to write.
About the decision to open Graceland - she held off as long as she could. But when push came to shove, this is what she had to do to keep Graceland in the family. She thanks God that she found Jack Soden.
AT what time in his life with her was Elvis the happiest. At the beginning "young Elvis". At the ranch, Lisa, traveling with their friends.
She found Gene Smith's wife and invited her to be here. They were very close when Priscilla first met Elvis.
She thinks Elvis would get a kick out of the ETAs.
Did you ever sing with Elvis? Yes.
Elvis liked "Hey, hey Paula". "Save the Last Dance for Me" Roy Orbison songs. Ballads, gospel, story-telling songs.
Priscilla is talking about the process Elvis went through to write the Outstanding Young Men speech.
Elvis believed very strongly that he had a responsibility to send a message to youth to encourage kids to stay in school; it was very important for families to stay together. And he would be appalled at the Linday Lohans of this world. Lisa is trying to help now, too.
Favorite holiday with Elvis - Christmas, especially after Lisa was born.
The story about knocking on doors in the middle of the night to find a golden palomino was a riot.
The last time she spoke to Elvis was a couple days before he died. He wanted Lisa to stay until he left on tour. He was concerned about his weight and he was trying to get motivated about it. But he was looking forward to it. She felt he wasn't up to par health-wise. He seemed a bit pre-occupied and she wonders if she should have called him. She saw him a couple of months before he diied.
Talked about the origins of the TCB and the TLC.
One last question about partnership with Sillerman. She's very confident about the partnership. It took a long time to find the right partner and they're very happy working with them. They will help improve getting all the things there are to see available and visible.
Things are being planned that we'll like.
Priscilla says it won't be like Disneyland and it will be something we'll all be proud of. We should rest assured everything will be ok.
Her favorite Elvis song: Memphis sessions songs.
The times she cherished were the times she and Elvis got to be alone. He could vent about things in private. She was a sounding board for him.
When she first met Elvis, he had just lost his mother and he was very lonely. She was as private as he was. He was very loyal and that's why so many of are still loyal to him. We feel protective of him. It's hard for her to decide what to share without wondering if she is betraying his confidence.
Jerry says she's done a very good job of protecting his privacy.
She wrote her book (Eliv n Me) because of the stuff written in Albert Goldman's book, among others. Again she wanted to be truthful, but keep some things back to protect Elvis, and that is why it took 3 years to write.
About the decision to open Graceland - she held off as long as she could. But when push came to shove, this is what she had to do to keep Graceland in the family. She thanks God that she found Jack Soden.
AT what time in his life with her was Elvis the happiest. At the beginning "young Elvis". At the ranch, Lisa, traveling with their friends.
She found Gene Smith's wife and invited her to be here. They were very close when Priscilla first met Elvis.
She thinks Elvis would get a kick out of the ETAs.
Did you ever sing with Elvis? Yes.
Elvis liked "Hey, hey Paula". "Save the Last Dance for Me" Roy Orbison songs. Ballads, gospel, story-telling songs.
Priscilla is talking about the process Elvis went through to write the Outstanding Young Men speech.
Elvis believed very strongly that he had a responsibility to send a message to youth to encourage kids to stay in school; it was very important for families to stay together. And he would be appalled at the Linday Lohans of this world. Lisa is trying to help now, too.
Favorite holiday with Elvis - Christmas, especially after Lisa was born.
The story about knocking on doors in the middle of the night to find a golden palomino was a riot.
The last time she spoke to Elvis was a couple days before he died. He wanted Lisa to stay until he left on tour. He was concerned about his weight and he was trying to get motivated about it. But he was looking forward to it. She felt he wasn't up to par health-wise. He seemed a bit pre-occupied and she wonders if she should have called him. She saw him a couple of months before he diied.
Talked about the origins of the TCB and the TLC.
One last question about partnership with Sillerman. She's very confident about the partnership. It took a long time to find the right partner and they're very happy working with them. They will help improve getting all the things there are to see available and visible.
Things are being planned that we'll like.
Priscilla says it won't be like Disneyland and it will be something we'll all be proud of. We should rest assured everything will be ok.
EI Conference Day 2 - the Memphis Sessions boys
What a group. I LOVE this band and can't wait to see them Friday night. They recorded "Suspicious Minds" and "In the Ghetto" with Elvis.
I didn't see this from the beginning. But...
Reggie says Elvis was unique from the get-go and I'm so proud of being part of his career.
Gene said what a feeling to remember hearing Elvis on the radio when you were a kid - and then you get to play music with him.
Bobby Emmons - yikes I can't understand what he's saying!
I didn't see this from the beginning. But...
Reggie says Elvis was unique from the get-go and I'm so proud of being part of his career.
Gene said what a feeling to remember hearing Elvis on the radio when you were a kid - and then you get to play music with him.
Bobby Emmons - yikes I can't understand what he's saying!
EI Conference Day 2 - The Sweet Inspiration
Tom asks how they knew what the next song would be (connecting to questions asked of the TCB band). Myrna said they could tell from the first notes they heard.
Fan stories? Not then, since Elvis didn't travel overseas. But NOW, no matter where you go - you can't go one place where Elvis isn't mentioned. Fans would follow the Sweets whereever they would go (in Vegas).
Did you think Elvis would be bigger now than he was then? Myrna says you never thought about Elvis alive and what would happen after Elvis - you just didn't think that way. Amazingly, 30 years later, we're still doing Elvis work.
They hate looking at the clothing styles and hair styles!
Fan stories? Not then, since Elvis didn't travel overseas. But NOW, no matter where you go - you can't go one place where Elvis isn't mentioned. Fans would follow the Sweets whereever they would go (in Vegas).
Did you think Elvis would be bigger now than he was then? Myrna says you never thought about Elvis alive and what would happen after Elvis - you just didn't think that way. Amazingly, 30 years later, we're still doing Elvis work.
They hate looking at the clothing styles and hair styles!
EI Conference Day 2 - Joe Petruccio
The most wonderful artist! So much of the artwork you see on EPE gear is his creation.
He got started by posting pictures of his painting online and someone told him to contact Scott Williams. Next he got an email and the rest is history. And we're the richer for it.
If you have a Elvis calendar with artwork (as opposed to photos), chances are it's Joe's work. He also paints other celebrities. He's a star and the most kind and generous person. Check out his website.
http://homepage.mac.com/petruccio/Menu3.html
He got started by posting pictures of his painting online and someone told him to contact Scott Williams. Next he got an email and the rest is history. And we're the richer for it.
If you have a Elvis calendar with artwork (as opposed to photos), chances are it's Joe's work. He also paints other celebrities. He's a star and the most kind and generous person. Check out his website.
http://homepage.mac.com/petruccio/Menu3.html
EI Conference Day 2 - Sandi and Sandi
Wearing twin outfits. Aren't they adorable?
Sandi P - talking about how she met Elvis. Too fast and long to type here. So buy her book. :-)
But she knew him in the 50s and she hung around the Audobon house. Elvis asked her to go for a ride on his motorcycle.
Sandi M - a gate girl invited up to the house - refused for a long time til Elvis asked why. She became a very good friend.
He was very accessible. Fans knew him, and he knew the fans and remembered them.
Sandi P - Elvis went out a lot more than the "prisoner of Graceland" impression. In Memphis and in CA.
Best kisser!
Great pictures! Sandi P got lots of kisses from Elvis in concert.
Now Sandi's pics. Lovely shots.
These 2 women have told many of their stories in books they've written or contributed a lot to. Buy their books!
Sandi P - talking about how she met Elvis. Too fast and long to type here. So buy her book. :-)
But she knew him in the 50s and she hung around the Audobon house. Elvis asked her to go for a ride on his motorcycle.
Sandi M - a gate girl invited up to the house - refused for a long time til Elvis asked why. She became a very good friend.
He was very accessible. Fans knew him, and he knew the fans and remembered them.
Sandi P - Elvis went out a lot more than the "prisoner of Graceland" impression. In Memphis and in CA.
Best kisser!
Great pictures! Sandi P got lots of kisses from Elvis in concert.
Now Sandi's pics. Lovely shots.
These 2 women have told many of their stories in books they've written or contributed a lot to. Buy their books!
EI Conference Day 2 - the TCB Band
OK, right now I'm blogging live as it goes on. Tom has introduced the TCB band and is now interviewing them.
James is saying how amazing it is to him to see the same fan faces over all these years.
Ronnie Tutt loves seeing the generations of Elvis fans in one family.
They're talking about rehearsals and takes and retakes which is why the recordings are so great.
Glen talks about how good a tour manager Tom Diskin was. Made things easier, but it was hard work.
Ronnie is saying that when a show was over (on tour) Elvis literally left the building and went right to the airport. The band, however, would take time to wind down after the show and then have to get up very early to leave for the next city's show. It was very tiring. Vegas was easier, although they did 2 shows a night (3 on weekends in the first few years).
Jerry mentions that the big Elvis-the-Concert they do now is actually twice as long as the shows they did with Elvis - and they're twice as old!
Ronnie mentions that he got a chance to spend a lot of leisure time together (karate, etc) and he was funny and warm and a great guy to be around. That's what he misses most.
Glen looks really great. He's lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw him.
Jerry says what he liked a lot was that the music with Elvis kept evolving and that's what he loved. He loved that Elvis loved the musicians.
Fan stories: Ronnie mentions meeting a Turkish Elvis fan. There are 5000 members of an Elvis fan club there! James was in Russia traveling with Jerry Lee and Elvis fans recognized him. Glen just said he can't think of a story on the spot like this. "I drink a lot", he said. Lots of laughter.
When not involved with Elvis-related activities.
Glen - had time off this summer. Working on his garage wall. :)
Jerry - in response to Tom's "what are you working on" Jerry says "Stayin' alive!". He's working with someone who does corporate shows and he comes out and tells stories.
Son Jason (bass player of group Chicago) wants to build a studio to do some recording with the TCB band.
Ronnie: doing grandpa duty, projects around the house.
James: doing his own show James Burton Intl'l Guitar Festival to raise money to buy guitars for kids. First show - raised money for 600 guitars to put into schools. Second show this year raised money to buy over $1200 guitars. Tomorrow he's presenting guitars to St. Judes hospital.
James is saying how amazing it is to him to see the same fan faces over all these years.
Ronnie Tutt loves seeing the generations of Elvis fans in one family.
They're talking about rehearsals and takes and retakes which is why the recordings are so great.
Glen talks about how good a tour manager Tom Diskin was. Made things easier, but it was hard work.
Ronnie is saying that when a show was over (on tour) Elvis literally left the building and went right to the airport. The band, however, would take time to wind down after the show and then have to get up very early to leave for the next city's show. It was very tiring. Vegas was easier, although they did 2 shows a night (3 on weekends in the first few years).
Jerry mentions that the big Elvis-the-Concert they do now is actually twice as long as the shows they did with Elvis - and they're twice as old!
Ronnie mentions that he got a chance to spend a lot of leisure time together (karate, etc) and he was funny and warm and a great guy to be around. That's what he misses most.
Glen looks really great. He's lost a lot of weight since the last time I saw him.
Jerry says what he liked a lot was that the music with Elvis kept evolving and that's what he loved. He loved that Elvis loved the musicians.
Fan stories: Ronnie mentions meeting a Turkish Elvis fan. There are 5000 members of an Elvis fan club there! James was in Russia traveling with Jerry Lee and Elvis fans recognized him. Glen just said he can't think of a story on the spot like this. "I drink a lot", he said. Lots of laughter.
When not involved with Elvis-related activities.
Glen - had time off this summer. Working on his garage wall. :)
Jerry - in response to Tom's "what are you working on" Jerry says "Stayin' alive!". He's working with someone who does corporate shows and he comes out and tells stories.
Son Jason (bass player of group Chicago) wants to build a studio to do some recording with the TCB band.
Ronnie: doing grandpa duty, projects around the house.
James: doing his own show James Burton Intl'l Guitar Festival to raise money to buy guitars for kids. First show - raised money for 600 guitars to put into schools. Second show this year raised money to buy over $1200 guitars. Tomorrow he's presenting guitars to St. Judes hospital.
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