early January 2008
- Rockabilly ... in Brisbane?
By Laura Casey
(Contra Costa Times, January 7, 2008)
Rockabilly nights at the 23 Club on the Bay Area's Peninsula are defined by a loving nostalgia for the good old days of rock 'n' roll -- the early 1950s, before Elvis Presley was crowned king. It is a scene of the music and style of yesterday, tweaked for today's ears and eyes with a bit of bad boy and bad girl personality in the mix. ...
- 'Come rock with the King' in Chapel Hill
By Ginny Hoyle
(Herald-Sun, January 7, 2008)
When Elvis Presley burst on the scene in the 1950s, it was the equivalent of an atom bomb going off in the music industry, said David Quick of Bynum. ... [The rest of the content is for registered members only]
- Historical Society exhibits special tribute to Elvis in 'Elvis: the Original American Idol'
By PATRICIA A. WEST-VOLLAND
(coshoctontribune.com, January 6, 2008)
When he made his first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, viewers were only allowed to see him from the waste [ie, waist] up for fear he would "shake up" the young girls too much. Elvis Presley was known for "shaking up" the world and even 30 years after his death, his life continues to be celebrated.
The Marion County Historical Society has a special exhibit "Elvis: the Original American Idol!" and has planned a birthday party for the late performer who would have turned 73 this year. The Visitors are invited to attend the birthday celebration from 1 to 5 p.m. Jan. 12, in the Heritage Hall of the society's museum. Normally closed during January and February, the museum is open for special events such as this and by appointment. The exhibit will be on display until the end of April. An Elvis karaoke plus birthday cake and ice cream will be provided by the Primrose Retirement Community of Marion, Gale Martin, museum director, said. ...
- Dealer auctioning Elvis-themed Harleys for Presley Place
By ROBERTO SANTIAGO
(Miami Herald, January 6, 2008)
Fort Lauderdale Harley-Davidson dealership owner BruceRossmeyer, who also has an outlet near Graceland in Memphis, is auctioning off the last of his 30 Harleys in the Elvis Presley 30th Anniversary Signature Motorcycle Collection. The bike is a recreation of Presley's personalized, black 1957 Harley-Davidson FLH. Proceeds from the sale will benefit Presley Place, which provides transitional housing for homeless families in Memphis.
The closing date for the eBay auction is Jan. 8, 2008 -- which would have been The King's 73rd birthday. Rossmeyer created the collection to honor the 30th anniversary of Presley's death on Aug. 16, 1977.
- Some counts dropped against pathologist
By JOE MANDAK
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press, January 4, 2008)
A federal judge allowed prosecutors Friday to drop many counts filed against a celebrity pathologist to simplify their misconduct case, but they won't be able to refile the charges later if they wish.
Cyril Wecht, 76, is accused of using his public office and Allegheny County staff to benefit his multimillion-dollar private pathology practice before resigning as medical examiner in January 2006. Wecht, famous for his investigations in the cases of Elvis Presley, JonBenet Ramsey and others, remains a consultant, pundit and expert on high-profile cases. He also conducts autopsies-for-hire in several Pennsylvania counties. ...
- YOUR UNREAL HORRORSCOPES
By KATHY DZIELAK
(Ashbury Park Press, January 4, 2008)
CAPRICORN: (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)
In honor of the King, you vow to name your firstborn son Elvis. If it's a girl, you'll name her Ann-Margret.
AQUARIUS: (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Are you lonesome tonight? Well, get a life.
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20)
While walking, you stumble across a pine cone in the shape of Elvis' head. You get all misty.
ARIES (March 21-April 19)
Your local library's Elvis film festival is ruined when a miscreant makes lewd hand gestures during "Blue Hawaii."
TAURUS (April 20-May 20)
Salute the anniversary of Elvis Presley's birth by getting your sequined jumpsuit out of the closet and screaming, "Hunka hunka burning love" at the top of your lungs.
GEMINI (May 21-June 21)
You address a letter to Dr. Nick asking him to write out a diet-pill prescription for old time's sake. Five days later it's in your mailbox marked "Return to Sender."
CANCER (June 22-July 22)
A telemarketer will call today and try to sell you a commemorative coin featuring the visage of Col. Tom Parker.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22)
In a shrewd political move, Al Gore delegates an Elvis impersonator to represent him at a meeting of the United Nations.
VIRGO: (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)
Long-lost microfilm records reveal that J. Edgar Hoover liked to dress up as Priscilla Presley while watching "Jailhouse Rock."
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23)
Research geologists travel to Graceland to study the Earth's movement due to Elvis spinning in his grave over Lisa Marie's latest love affair.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 21)
You and your party guests are thrilled when the ghost of Elvis Presley shows up at your winter soiree and lights the patio heater.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
You will have a fried peanut butter and banana sandwich for lunch today.
The Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank will host an "Elvis Birthday Bash" on Jan. 25.
- Birthplace of Elvis Presley To Be Honored With Blues Marker
(WLBT 3 Jackson, January 4, 2008)
Governor Haley Barbour today announced the inclusion of Tupelo, birthplace of legendary rock 'n' roller Elvis Presley, on the Mississippi Blues Trail, which is dedicated to preserving the state's musical heritage through more than 100 historical markers and interpretive sites.
"By all accounts, Elvis Presley was the single greatest influence on modern day rock 'n' roll in America, and much of his musical inspiration drew on the Mississippi blues," Governor Barbour said. "As birthplace to Elvis, Tupelo is incredibly deserving of this very special Blues Trail marker which will honor the work, memory, and music legacy of the King himself."
The Blues Trail will honor "Elvis Presley and the Blues" with a marker placed at his birthplace in Tupelo on Tuesday, January 8, 2008, at 1:00 p.m. The ceremony comes as part of a joint effort by the Mississippi Development (MDA) Tourism Heritage Trails Program, the Mississippi Blues Commission, the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Elvis Presley Birthplace Museum to honor Presley for his for his contribution to Mississippi and America's blues heritage.
Elvis's early recordings helped revolutionize popular music through their unique mix of the sounds of blues and country music, and many rock 'n' roll musicians followed his lead. Presley first encountered the blues in Tupelo, and it remained central to his music throughout his career.
The Presley family lived in several homes in Tupelo that were adjacent to African American neighborhoods, and as a youngster Elvis and his friends often heard the sounds of blues and gospel streaming out of churches, clubs, and other venues.
According to Mississippi blues legend Big Joe Williams, Elvis listened in particular to Tupelo blues guitarist Lonnie Williams. The blues was undergoing great changes during Elvis's teen years in Memphis, where he could hear the music on Beale Street, just a mile south of his family's home.
Producer Sam Phillips captured many of these new blues sounds at his Memphis Recording Service studio, where Elvis recorded his first single for Phillips' Sun label. Elvis was initially interested in recording ballads, but Phillips was more excited by the sound created by Elvis and studio musicians Scotty Moore and Bill Black on July 5, 1954, when they were fooling around with bluesman Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup's 1946 recording That's All Right Mama.
In September of 1954 that song appeared on Elvis's first single for Sun Records, and each of his other four singles for the label also included a cover of a blues song-Arthur Gunter's Baby Let's Play House, Roy Brown's Good Rockin' Tonight, Junior Parker's Mystery Train, and Kokomo Arnold's Milkcow Blues, which Elvis likely learned from a version by western swing musician Johnny Lee Wills.
Elvis continued recording blues after his move to the larger RCA Records in 1956, including Hound Dog, first recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952, Lowell Fulson's Reconsider Baby, Big Joe Turner's Shake, Rattle and Roll, and Crudup's My Baby Left Me.
One of Elvis's most important sources of material was the African American songwriter Otis Blackwell, who wrote two of Elvis's biggest hits, All Shook Up and Don't Be Cruel, as well as Paralyzed, Return to Sender, and One Broken Heart For Sale.
For most of the '60s, Elvis concentrated on his film career, but in 1968 he revisited his early blues roots on an NBC television special that reunited him with Moore and Black. In this so-called "comeback" appearance the trio reprised their early Sun recordings, and also performed many other blues songs, including the Jimmy Reed songs Big Boss Man and Baby What You Want Me to Do.
Blues continued to be a main element of Elvis's live performances until his death in 1977.
The Mississippi Blues Trail markers are funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and by support from the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Mississippi Department of Transportation, Delta State University and the Mississippi Development Authority.
For further information on the Mississippi Blues Trail, go to www.msbluestrail.org.
- Graceland Celebrates Elvis' Birthday: Priscilla Presley to Join Festivities on January 8th and Welcome the Newest ''Graceland Family'' Member
(Central Daily News / businesswire, January 3, 2008)
WHAT: The Elvis Presley Birthday Pops
Various activities are planned over a four-day period at Graceland Mansion in Memphis to celebrate Elvis Presley's birthday.
WHEN:
Saturday, January 5, 8.00 pm
WHERE:
The Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra presents a concert of Elvis' music performed from the original music charts from Elvis' concert tours. The Terry Mike Jeffrey Band will perform as the rhythm section. Lead vocals will be performed by Terry Mike Jeffrey. Special guest stars are members of Elvis' original TCB Band: James Burton, Glen D. Hardin and Ronnie Tutt.
Sunday, January 6
Elvis Insiders Reception & Graceland Evening Tour Graceland
An "Elvis Insiders" evening tour of Graceland Mansion in its holiday splendor, along with a reception across the street in Graceland Plaza, which will include Elvis' airplanes, the "Elvis Jumpsuits: All Access" display in the Sincerely Elvis Exhibit and The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum. There will be appearances by Elvis' friends and associates Larry Geller, Cynthia Pepper and members of the TCB Band. Special Elvis exhibits from the Graceland Archives will also be on display inside the residential area of the mansion.
Monday, January 7, 10:00 a.m. - Noon
Elvis Fan Club Presidents' Event
Fogelmen Executive Conference Center, University of Memphis
Elvis Fan Club Presidents from around the world gather to
speak with EPE representatives and exchange ideas. Special
guest speaker will be Larry Geller, one of Elvis' close
friends. By invitation only.
Tuesday, January 8, 8:45 a.m.
Elvis Presley Day Ceremony Graceland. The traditional ceremony with a special program hosted for the first time by Priscilla Presley, along with Graceland/EPE officials, will feature a birthday cake cutting and a proclamation of Elvis Presley Day by City of Memphis and Shelby County officials.
Immediately following the proclamation, the media is invited to join Ms. Presley behind the mansion for the introduction of the newest member of the "Graceland Family."
7:00 p.m. The Elvis Birthday Grizzlies Game at the FEDEX Forum. The game will include Elvis-themed music, performances and prizes.
- Potwatomi gets all shook up in honor of the king
By Bobby Tanzilo
(onmilwaukee.com, January 2, 2008)
Elvis Presley would have turned 73 on Jan. 8 and once again in his honor, Potawatomi Bingo Casino presents "A Tribute to the King," from Jan 7 through 10. Nearly 20 Elvis impersonators will descend into the Menomonee Valley to compete for more than $40,000 in prize money at the annual event.
The top prize of $25,004 is the largest of its kind in the country. The competition runs four days with preliminary rounds at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Jan. 7 through Jan. 9. A "wild card" round follows at 2 p.m. Jan. 10. The winners of the rounds then compete for the Grand Championship at 8 p.m. Jan. 10. All of the preliminary rounds are free, but tickets for the final round are $25, $35 and $45. All of the events take place in the Northern Lights Theater.
For tickets, call Potawatomi's ticket office at (414) 847-7922.
- Shawn Klush: Elvis Impersonator
By Jeff Niesel
(Cleveland Free Times, January 2, 2008, Volume 15, Issue 35)
If you think the world has too many Elvis Presley imitators, you just haven't seen Shawn Klush. Winner of numerous Elvis impersonator awards, the Pittston, Pennsylvania native has been active on the circuit since winning a "Worldwide Elvis" competition in Montreal a few years ago. Now he comes back to Cleveland to celebrate what would have been Elvis' 73rd birthday. He'll perform Elvis tunes with backing from Elvis' original drummer D.J. Fontana and his long-time back-up singers the Sweet Inspirations. Donny Edwards, another top-rated Elvis impersonator, will also perform. In a recent phone interview, Klush spoke about the trials and tribulations of being "the closest thing to the king." ...
- Official Soundtrack to the ABC Documentary Elvis - Viva Las Vegas Released
(Elites TV, January 2, 2008)
On January 2nd SONY BMG Music Entertainment will release the official soundtrack to the ABC documentary "Elvis - Viva Las Vegas." The ABC documentary aired on September 18th and is regarded as the most successful Elvis Presley documentary ever produced. The documentary chronicles Elvis' life during the Vegas years with a focus on his music, his ground- breaking style and his legacy.
Elvis' residency in Vegas was very important to his career and he paved the way for other artists to recognize the town as a place to execute their creative visions and set up similar residencies. Elvis' unique style and music influenced myriads of today's hit artists, many of whom perform their unique interpretations of their favorite Elvis songs. The "Elvis-Viva Las Vegas" CD features Elvis songs interpreted by hit artists like Bruce Springsteen, Daughtry, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, Chris Isaak, Miranda Lambert, The Little Willies and Patti Scialfa. The CD also includes original Elvis masters made famous during the Vegas years including 'Love Me Tender,' 'Jailhouse Rock,' and title track 'Viva Las Vegas.'
Track Listing:
1. Miranda Lambert - "Jailhouse Rock"
2. Daughtry "Suspicious Minds"
3. Chris Isaak/Brandi Carlile "Love Me Tender"
4. Toby Keith/Joe Perry "Mystery Train"
5. Faith Hill "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)"
6. The Little Willies (Lee Alexander, Jim Campilongo, Norah Jones,
Richard Julian, Dan Rieser) "Love Me"
7. Bruce Springsteen "Viva Las Vegas"
8. Elvis Presley "Mystery Train"
9. Elvis Presley "Love Me Tender"
10. Elvis Presley "Love Me"
11. Elvis Presley "(There'll Be) Peace in the Valley (For Me)"
12. Elvis Presley "Jailhouse Rock"
13. Elvis Presley "Viva Las Vegas"
14. Elvis Presley "Suspicious Minds"
15. Patti Scialfa "Looking for Elvis"
- Sound of 2008: Glasvegas
(BBC News, January 1, 2008)
Mixing vintage rock and pop with moody guitars, Glasvegas have come fourth in the BBC's Sound of 2008 poll to find the brightest musical talent. One act from the top five is being revealed every day this week, counting down to Friday, when the number one and full top 10 will be published.
Fifteen years ago, indie mogul Alan McGee was blown away by a band who were playing third on the bill at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut in Glasgow. They were called Oasis, and the rest is history.
Now McGee cannot stop raving about another band he saw playing in the same slot at the same venue in 2006. They are Glasvegas, and McGee has declared them to be the best Scottish band for 20 years. Music weekly NME has just ranked their song Daddy's Gone as the second best track of 2007, hailing it as the most exciting debut single since the Arctic Monkeys arrived. The group have even got the seal of approval from Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of their number one musical hero.
Glasvegas draw on rockabilly and pop from the 1950s and '60s, using a backdrop of brooding guitars to create their own wall of sound, a bit like the Jesus and Mary Chain playing the Grease soundtrack.
... Daddy's Gone, a heartbreaking message to an absent father, has given the first glimpse of the emotional power of [singer] James [Allan]'s songwriting. The lyrics begin: "How you are my hero/ How you're never here though/ Remember times when you put me on your shoulders/ How I wish that it was forever you would hold us." They carry on in the same heart-rending vein. ... Daddy's Gone was put on MySpace and soon made its way to a friend of Lisa Marie Presley.
Elvis's daughter liked it so much that she called the band up and asked them to meet her for a drink when she was in Edinburgh recently. "It was a really nice night," James says. "It's quite far out. It makes the world feel a bit smaller than it is because she's heard something that I've recorded in my bedroom, and how the hell did that get to Lisa Marie Presley?" So what did she say? "I'll not go into exactly what was spoke about," James says. "But it was pretty far out man. It was nothing to do with music." ...
- Elvis coming back home: Tribute artist Steve Brandes set for show in Collinsville
By Mike Terry
(Collinsville Herald, January 1, 2008)
Elvis Presley has been gone for around 30 years now, but that doesn't stop him from selling out shows on a regular basis. Later this month, one of the top Elvis tribute artists in the Midwest will be coming back to put on his first big show in his hometown area in almost a decade.
On Saturday, Jan. 19, Steve Brandes of Troy will be performing at the American Legion in Collinsville (1022 Vandalia Street), along with the Springfield-based The Change of Habit Band - a group that has also been doing Elvis songs for more than two decades."I love what I do," said Brandes. "Coming back to my hometown -- that's gonna be cool." ... For Brandes, who grew up in nearby Granite City, his last big show in the Metro East was in the summer of 2000 at Collinsville's Italian Fest. Since becoming a full-time performer, his schedule has included between 12 and 16 appearances per month throughout Illinois and Missouri.
- Elvis and Co give a show to remember
By Jonathan Dart
(Canberra Times, January 1, 2008, p. 2)
There was a point in last night's New Year's Eve event at Civic Square when an Elvis impersonator took over the show.
Parents danced, but the foot-soldiers of the Wiggles generation could only look on in confusion at the strange man thrusting his hips on stage - sideburns and a Tennessee accent meant nothing to this age group.
It was strange that a new year should have been welcomed by a man whose career saw, some argue, too many years. ...
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