mid April, 2005
Currently in the news: Songy/BMG UK's release of Elvis Presley singles
- Grand Ole Opry Celebrates 80th Year
By JOHN GEROME
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, April 23, 2005)
The Grand Ole Opry show turns 80 this year, and while the anniversary doesn't have the bang of a 75th or a 100th, the Opry is planning a big to-do, including a rare broadcast from New York's Carnegie Hall in November. His Opry debut? Charley Pride remembers it well. "It was 1967, January 1," Pride snaps. "Ernest Tubb brought me on, and I was more nervous than a cat on a hot tin roof." That's how most performers feel about the Opry, the folksy live radio show that's helped define country music for eight decades. The stage with the red barn backdrop is hallowed ground in Nashville, and entertainers still consider their first performance there a milestone.
... It's the longest continuously running radio show in the country, and though at times it's been derided as stale and antiquated, there's a certain charm when the house band begins to play and the burgundy curtain rises. The feeling is one of seeing something authentic, down to the vintage microphone stands, live advertisements and corny jokes. The homespun feel, however, belies the elaborate production. The show is marketed nationwide, streamed over Internet and satellite radio, shown on cable TV, broadcast on regular radio and reaches more than 2 million people a week.
... The hayseed image has always been there, since Dr. Humphrey Bate, a physician, donned overalls and led his band, the Possum Hunters. Later, comedian Sarah Cannon recreated herself as Minnie Pearl - a character from the mythical small town of Grinder's Switch who wore a straw hat with the price tag dangling. But most credit the Opry's longevity to the music. Hank Williams, Patsy Cline, Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Kitty Wells, Bill Monroe and Elvis Presley are among the thousands who have performed and become stars there.
The show was broadcast coast-to-coast during its heyday in the 1940s and '50s and is a main reason Nashville became the commercial center of country music. It's the last surviving big country music show from radio's golden age, outlasting competitors like the Chicago Barn Dance and the Louisiana Hayride. ...
- Now there was a song: Elvis song shakes up music charts
(Texarkana Gazette, April 22, 2005)
By this week in 1957, Elvis Presley had placed 16 songs on the music charts, the latest of which was "All Shook Up." The song credits listed Otis Blackwell and Elvis Presley as co-writers, but Presley never wrote any part of the many songs which carried his name as co-writer. All that was due to his manager Colonel Tom Parker's insistence that Elvis would not record a song unless he received half of the writer's credit. "All Shook Up" was recorded on Jan. 12, 1957 at Radio Recorders in Hollywood, California. The two-day recording session included both secular and gospel tunes.
"That's When Your Heartaches Begin" was recorded Jan. 13 and became the flipside of "All Shook Up." The single was released in March and in April, RCA Records released the "Just For You" EP, which included songs that had been recorded on Jan. 19 and February 23rd. Also that same month, RCA released the "Peace In The Valley" EP with four more songs which had been recorded during the "All Shook Up" sessions. Two other songs from that same session were included in the "Loving You" soundtrack album which was released in July.
"All Shook Up" became Billboard Magazine's No. 1 single of 1957, scoring No. 1 slots on both pop and country music charts. It was the second year in a row that Presley had scored the top single of the year, having done so the previous year with "Heartbreak Hotel." No other artist had ever topped the year end charts for two consecutive years. "All Shook Up" was Presley's first No. 1 single in Britian and despite his considerable record success in that country, he never toured outside of North America.
Many music critics pointed out that it was Presley's choice not to leave the country but according to the 1981 "Elvis" biography, Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, was actually Andreas Cornelis van Kuijk - and was born in Brula, Holland - and not in Virginia-as his many biographies stated. Since he was not a U.S. citizen, Parker (or Kuijk) could not obtain a U.S. passport - so he could not leave the United States since there was no guarantee that he would be allowed to return. So he made certain that he would not have to leave the country by keeping Presley on the American continent. ...
- Roy Orbison, Rock Icon Remembered on his Birthday, Would Have Been 69 Years Old on Saturday, April 23rd
Source: Orbison Records
(Yahoo! Finance / PRNewswire, April 22, 2005)
Out of the tiny oil town of Wink, in West Texas, he became a worldwide superstar, topping the charts around the planet for four decades. He toured with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Eagles and Patsy Cline, and made a tremendous impact on every single soul that heard his sound. Elvis Presley called Roy "The Greatest singer in the world." ...
- Elvis, Animals and NASCAR Highlight Saturday's FireAnts Home Game
(OurSports Central, April 22, 2005)
As the Tupelo FireAnts prepare for another exciting home game at the BancorpSouth Center tomorrow, Saturday, April 23rd against the visiting Fort Wayne Freedom, off the field, fans will be treated to special activities taking place during the game. Sonic Drive-In is proud to present the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley, performing live during Saturday's game. In addition to Elvis entertaining the crowd, fans of all ages will be able to enjoy animals from the Tupelo Buffalo Park in the main concourse, featuring Jasmine the Camel. Finally, if racing is your thing, the U.S. Army NASCAR will be on hand for fans to view. ...
- Book takes candid look at roots of country music
By Caryn Rousseau
(Tucson Star / ASSOCIATED PRESS, April 22, 2005)
It took defeating a deep depression, 12 years and three worn-out typewriters for Maxine Brown to pen her story of singing country music across America with such stars as Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. With the release of "Looking Back to See: A Country Music Memoir," Brown was thrilled to put her story about the early years of country music out in the world. "When I held the book for the first time, well, I just stood there," she says. "I couldn't help but cry. This is 20 years of my life. I kept saying, 'Lord, let me live to get this book in print.' I was afraid I was going to die before it was in print." Brown, along with younger sister Bonnie and brother Jim Ed, formed the award-winning and chart-topping group the Browns in the 1950s and traveled the world for the next decade or two singing pop-country hits, such as 1954's "Looking Back to See." ... At the time, the Browns thought they earned really goodd money: $125 a day. But Brown remembers playing shows with Presley in which he would get paid $100 a day and have to split it with his musicians. ...
- Stylish Sam is dressed to jest
By JENNY SHAND
(Geelong Info, April 22, 2005)
THE joke's on Sam the Manchester terrier as he models his jester outfit. But he knows dressed-up dogs are not to be laughed at. And he has a wardrobe to prove it. Owner Lisa Pucci of Portarlington makes all her 17-month-old pet's clothing. It's her skill and patience that makes Sam the Geelong Advertiser's latest entrant in its Dogs in Duds search for the region's pooches with a passion for fashion. Ms Pucci reckons Sam has an outfit for most occasions. For a barbecue with friends, he'll wear the orange corduroy - also known as the Elvis Presley coat. The padded red parka's for a more snazzy look. And for Saturday at the footy, you can't go past his japara-style coat." ...
- ["THUNDER ROCKS" in Louiseville]
(louisville.com, April 22, 2005)
The Kentucky Derby Festival is pleased to announce the theme of the 2005 Thunder Over Louisville show: "THUNDER ROCKS,"-a tribute to 50 years of Rock 'n' Roll. From Elvis to AC/DC, the 2005 soundtrack will feature great Rock icons of all time. "Thunder is gearing up to rock the "Boomers" and lovers of the fifties," said Wayne Hettinger, Thunder Over Louisville director. "As Thunder 05 salutes the 50th Celebration of the Derby Festival, expect to hear Buddy Holly, Little Richard,Bill Haley, Chuck Berry, and a young Elvis Presley. Then, we're going to turn up the heat and light the night skies with, Queen, AC-DC and Van Halen. Did I mention Jerry Lee Lewis and "Great Balls of Fire"?... Well you get the idea.Get ready to hold on to your "bobby" socks!" ...
- Return of the King
By Matthew J. Rhein
(The Keystone, April 22, 2005)
Elvis entered through the side door of the MSU Multipurpose Room [in Kutztown] Saturday night, welcomed by a spotlight and applause. Though it wasn't the real Elvis Presley, KU's impersonator, Math and Computer Science Professor Larry Mugridge, put on an amusing show.
With all proceeds benefiting the Math Clubıs scholarship funds, the 8:00 p.m. event on April 16 was the second annual performance by Mugridge. Though he's familiar with the limelight, the local Elvis was excited about performing for such a cause. "It's a really enjoyable experience. I'm pleased to be a homage to him," said Mugridge.
Mugridge has been covering Elvis songs for about 10 years, getting his start at a faculty picnic with colleagues from the Math department. ...
- Carson's famous mike up for sale
(BBC News, April 21, 2005)
A microphone that sat on late TV host Johnny Carson's Tonight Show desk in the 1960s and '70s is being auctioned. The microphone was an ever-present prop for Carson, who hosted the talk show for 30 years and died in January at 79. It is being sold by Heritage Galleries in Dallas, Texas, on Friday but auctions director Doug Norwine could not guess how high bids would reach. "I think the thing should start around $20,000 [£10,400]," he said. "But it could hit six figures." ... "There are so many people that got their start on The Tonight Show - it's such an important piece of Americana." ... A Grammy Award won by The Rolling Stones and contracts signed by Elvis Presley will also be offered at the auction.
- Scientist Einstein lives on as popular retail pitchman
By Michael Stroh
(Seattle Times / Baltimore Sun, April 20, 2005)
In the halls of science, Albert Einstein is worshipped for reinventing space and time.
In the hallways of retailers, the shaggy-haired scientist is revered for another reason: He's a stellar pitchman. Einstein died 50 years ago Monday, but the man who refused to profit from celebrity in life is a hot commodity in death. Apple Computer, DaimlerChrysler, Fuji Film, Perrier and Xerox all have licensed Einstein's name or image for advertisements in recent years. Meanwhile, the scientist's droopy lids and unruly halo of hair fuel an inflating universe of Einstein action figures, coffee mugs, T-shirts and relativity-related kitsch. True, the king of science may never catch up with that other departed king: Elvis Presley raked in $40 million last year alone, according to Forbes. But for a man whose life and scientific legacy are only vaguely understood, Einstein hasn't done bad. ...
- New Elvis Presley Attraction Opens In Tupelo, Mississippi, 2005
By ElvisArt
(Elvis Art, April 20, 2005)
Tupelo Mississippi, birth-place of the legendary Elvis Presley 1935-1977, has a new attraction, just across the road from the little house where Elvis was actually born.
The home of the late Becky Martin, who was a life-long friend of Elvis is now open to the public thanks to J B Tours which is owned and run by Jim Browder. Jim has an office on Main Street, Tupelo. He knows just about every related Elvis spot from Tupelo to Memphis and Nashville Tennessee. So if you are thinking of seeing all the Elvis sites in Tupelo, etc, just give Jim a call. Norma Presley a second cousin to Elvis will be at Becky's house to welcome the expected visitors from all over the world who travel to Tupelo. She is only too happy to exchange Elvis stories and show visitors the extensive collection of Elvis photographs and memorabilia that Becky was so proud of. Becky was often interviewed by authors and TV Documentary makers from around the world, including the British BBC, and Frontier Films of Ireland.
Tupelo's Elvis Festival takes place on the 3-4th, and 5th June 2005. Jim can be reached at Tel 662-842-0488.
1016 East Main Street, Tupelo.
- Rose McGowan Talks Elvis
(Film Force, April 19, 2005)
The official site for the forthcoming CBS miniseries Elvis has been updated with three new video interviews with cast members Rose McGowan, Randy Quaid and Antonia Bernath. Charmed star McGowan, who plays Hollywood starlet and Elvis love interest Ann-Margret, thinks that The King met his match with his Viva Las Vegas co-star. "I can't say if she was the love of Elvis' life but I definitely think she was no shrinking violet," said McGowan. "I think she had a lot more equal footing as a woman than he was used to."
British newcomer Bernath plays Elvis' wife, Priscilla. "I think she was very much in love with him and she had to deal with the difficulty of being with someone of that sort of status." Quaid plays Elvis' controversial manager, Col. Tom Parker. "There's a lot more to (Parker) than the public knows," Quaid suggested, adding, "They think he has a rather dark past over in Holland where he came from. ... He didn't like any questions about it."
Despite the many criticisms leveled at Parker's handling of Elvis' career, Quaid remains objective about the man and his legacy with Presley. "I think, at the end of the day, and look at everything and say, 'Who else is bigger than Elvis?'"
Elvis airs May 8th and 11th on CBS. Look for IGN FilmForce's one-on-one with The King himself, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, before then.
- Elvis To Join British Government
By Greg F. O'Fay
(The Spoof, April 19, 2005)
Previously secret documents aquired by using the new Freedom of Information act reveal that Elvis will be joining the British government. Secret meetings between defence chief's and top cryogenic experts in the USA have lead to the plan being hatched. Elvis died in 1977. The US government have put out various spoof sightings of the Rock and Roll legend over the years including, a sighting of Elvis working in a fish and chip shop in Manchester. The quality fast food establishment was infiltrated by the FBI, two genetically modified fish fryers were placed in the employment of "The Cod Father " in Upper Old Trafford Street. The shop owner had no idea that the two spotty teenage girls were indeed 45 yr old male spies.
Since his death, Elvis was actually held on ice at the Neverland Ranch. Michael Jackson had payed for the cryogenic procedure and was often heard shouting, one for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now spank my ass Elvis spank me baby one more time.
After the radical shake up that involves Michael Jackson and Garry Glitter being employed at Deepcut Barracks. The news that Elvis is to become Defence Secretary will be sure to rock the establishment to the core. It is thought that Elvis is to adopt General Palmer's attitude towards the British Army and is to target the less well educated of our population for recruitment. With the huge success of Gary Glitters rallying call " wanna be in my gang" as inspiration. Elvis is set to release his own Army Anthem "A little less Education, A Little More Action Please ".
Other changes in the new government are yet to be released, but it is thought that with the discovery of multiple child killer Myra Hindley's body, probably the most hated woman in the UK ever, also at the at the Neverland Ranch. A new post of Families Minister will be set up especially for her, along with her partner in crime Ian Brady as her assistant. Hindley has notioned that if the post was offered to her, she would put pay to the fathers for justice campaign. Her motto will be "Fathers with Children " and think yourself lucky.
The story as represented above is written as a satire or parody. It is fictitious.
- Music downloads changing the face of the music industry
By Kirsten Aiken
(The World Today / Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), April 19, 2005)
ELEANOR HALL: To the UK where this week there's more proof that online music downloads are radically altering the nature of the recording industry.
Less than two years ago the number of people in Britain buying music tracks online was so small that it was regarded as little more than a statistical blip.
But in the last year online buying has skyrocketed and the company behind the music industry's official top 40 chart says this change is revealing some startling shifts in musical tastes, as Kirsten Aiken reports.
RADIO ANNOUNCER: We are live across the UK. It's Radio One's chart show with JK and Joel. Today, chart history - for the first time ever downloads will count towards the official.
KIRSTEN AIKEN: Over the past 52 years, the singles chart has had to keep up with developments in technology. The weekly hit parade started by counting sales of sheet music and vinyl records, and over time has come to include cassettes, compact discs, DVDs and as of this week in Britain, computer downloads. The new integrated chart has doubled the volume of the singles market in an instant. That's because almost as many singles were legally downloaded last week as physical singles were bought.
JAMES GILLESPIE: What we're going to see is the really big hits being identified and sticking around for a little bit longer.
KIRSTEN AIKEN: According to James Gillespie from the Official UK Charts Company, the integrated list is more representative of what Britons are buying. (excerpt from Stereophonic song Dakota) If the chart had counted CD sales alone, the Stereophonic single Dakota would have dropped out of the chart 40. Instead, it's number 34. The integrated chart also saw dance act, Basement Jaxx, jump back into the top 30 singles. (excerpt from Basement Jaxx song)
Whereas it was a very different story for the re-released version of Elvis Presley's Crying in the Chapel. (excerpt from Crying in the Chapel)
Crying in the Chapel dropped 31 places from number 2 to 33 - perhaps because it's more valuable in a box CD set or on vinyl, perhaps because the demographic which downloads the most just isn't into Elvis. ...
- HILTON CREDITS ELVIS FOR EARLY HAIRSTYLES
(LJWorld.com, April 19, 2005)
ONE TREE HILL star TYLER HILTON credits ELVIS PRESLEY for his childhood fixation with looking after his hair. While the majority of the legendary rocker's fans admire him for his music, Hilton admits Presley really made an impact on his tresses. He says, "Elvis is the reason I started putting product in my hair. After a family trip to Graceland in elementary school, I wore my hair like him for years. "Now I just put stuff in my hair and don't wash it for a week and see what the bed does to it. Every day my hair is different it's got its own personality. It scares me!"
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