June
- A tribute cruise fit for the King
By Kari Bodnarchuk
(boston.com, June 17 2010)
Celebrate Elvis Presley's 75th birthday year aboard the Carnival Fascination cruise from Jacksonville, Fla., to Nassau, Bahamas, Nov. 4-8. The Elvis Cruise features entertainment by tribute artists and original members of Presley's TCB Band. Hear personal stories by Larry Geller, Presley's Elvis's stylist, and by Diane McBain and Warren Berlinger, who appeared with Elvis in "Spinout" ...
- Elvis Presley's Graceland Replica to Be Built in Denmark
By Andrew Kerr
(spinner.com, June 17 2010)
An Elvis Presley fan is set to build a replica of Presley's Graceland estate 5,000 miles from Memphis in Denmark. The AFP agency reports that the museum, which will house thousands of pieces of Elvis memorabilia, will open in April 2011.
The project is the brainchild of Henrik Knudsen, who oversaw the first brick being laid in Randers on Tuesday, June 15. Knudsen already runs an Elvis museum in the small town which at its time of opening 15 years ago was according to the 46-year old "the only permanent museum on the King outside the United States."
Currently attracting 25,000 visitors a year, the local tourist board believes the new development could see that figure jump to between 75,000 and 125,000.
Knudsen's considerable Presley collection will take pride of place, "This exact copy of Graceland will include some 6,000 original possessions of the King like clothing, boots, guitars, letters, contracts and other diverse objects." The complex will also feature a shop, restaurant and cinema where the King's movies will play on a constant loop. Financed through three private investors and a local bank, the Danish Graceland is expected to cost £2.9 million ($4.3 million) to build. ...
- Tupelo approves $2.8M for Elvis Foundation
By Emily Le Coz
(NEMS Daily Journal, June 17 2010)
TUPELO City leaders Tuesday approved the 20 percent match required before Mississippi can release $2.8 million to the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation. The money, part of a $400 million bond package signed earlier this year by Gov. Haley Barbour, will go toward improvements to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.
The east Tupelo site is one of Mississippi's most popular tourist attractions, drawing thousands of Elvis fans from across the world each year. Despite initial concern about how the city would afford the 20 percent match - amounting to $560,000 - the City Council unanimously passed the resolution during its meeting at Tuesday at City Hall.
"This is the number one tourist attraction in the state," said Ward 4 Councilwoman Nettie Davis. "and we need to show our support."
Mayor Jack Reed Jr. had told the group a day earlier that the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation verbally committed to raising $100,000 of the match. An additional $150,000 could come from the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau, he said. The municipality also can meet its match requirement by providing in-kind labor and services to the birthplace and museum, further reducing its financial obligations. Tupelo Chief Financial Officer Lynn Norris said the state likely won't allocate the money until November at the earliest. The city's match, he said, can be paid over the course of the improvements.
In all, the foundation will receive more than $3.3 million in grant and matching money. The funds will offset a $5.5 million master plan to improve the birthplace and museum.
Among the plan's elements is a 100-set theater connected to the museum and gift shop with a state-of-the-art sound system and screen for various programs. It also will include a cafe, large foyer and additional parking. ... Guyton said groundbreaking could begin by January and wrap up by the end of 2011.
- Elvis History to Repeat Itself at the Las Vegas Hilton
By Marketwire
(sys-con.com, June 15 2010)
AmbassadorShows.com is proud to present, The 'Heart of the King' Elvis Fans' Festival, Convention, Contest and Concert at the Las Vegas Hilton. The property is arguably one of the most historic locations in the career of Elvis Presley. This event is in celebration of the anniversary of Elvis' Las Vegas performances as well as the 75th Birthday Year of the Greatest Entertainer of All Time.
Forty years ago, Elvis' performances at the Hilton were the subject of the documentary film and live album "Elvis, That's The Way It Is."
One of the highlights of the festival will be to celebrate those historic performances portrayed in the documentary in a concert titled 'That's The Way It Was' on July 17th.
The show will include much of Elvis' original cast, such as Elvis' Imperials, the Sweet Inspirations, comedian Sammy Shore and many more along with special guest, Elvis' drummer and Rock N Roll Hall of Famer DJ Fontana. Elvis' closest friend Joe Esposito, will host the events. The concert will feature Shawn Klush, Graceland's Official Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist and the BBC's 'World's Greatest Elvis' in the same room Elvis made history.
Highlights of the festival and convention will include:
- A large scale Elvis Tribute Artist Competition and concert with major cash prizes
- A Celebrity Fan Forum/Meet & Greet with Elvis' friends, co-workers and co-stars
- An Elvis memorabilia and vendor Fair
- Tours of Elvis' suite, dressing rooms and more.
- The premier of the documentary "Heart of the King" about 4 who struggle to be ETA's
- World's largest Elvis Presley Fan Club Gathering and Introductions
- Anniversary Concert - That's the Way it Was starring Shawn Klush and original cast members.
When: July 14-18th, 2010
Where: Las Vegas Hilton, 3000 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV 89109
Tickets: are on sale NOW by phone (800) 222-5361 for each event individually or in all-inclusive money saving packages. For Concert tickets, Packages or individual Contest Round tickets, you may also click on the link https://hilton-web.vegas.com/lvhilton/heartoftheking.html Remember, some of the other events might only be available by calling the internal Hilton Box Office direct at 702-732-5398.
Visit www.lvhilton.com or www.heartoftheking.com for more information.
Contact: Dan Lentino,
1090 Rock Road Lane, Ste 1,
East Dundee, IL 60118. Ph: 847-489-5137
- POKIN AROUND: Love me tender: 50 years later, the perfect 'wedding'
(suburbanjournals.stltoday.com, June 15 2010)
Steve Davis, as Elvis Presley, waits in his white jumpsuit in Wentzville United Methodist Church at 5 p.m. Friday. Davis is also licensed to perform weddings, although, technically, that will not be needed. The couple already is married. It happened 50 years ago. About 200 people sit in the sanctuary. The ceiling fans twirl. Young people wear T-shirts that say "Pattonville High School Class of 1959." Others wear Levis with cuffs rolled up. Men wear white socks, black shoes and white T-shirts with smokes stashed in the sleeves.
This is the wedd0ing Fern Welch, 67, has desired. She always said that if she and Doug made it to 50 years she was going to have herself a real wedding. It would be in a church and it would be with their three children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren present. As well as friends. And, of course, Elvis. ...
- Tom Jones - Tom Jones' Elvis Surprise: Sir Tom Jones was once surprised by Elvis Presley in the shower - where he proceeded to sing a song to him
(contactmusic.com, June 8 2010)
Sir Tom Jones was serenaded in the shower by Elvis Presley.
The 70-year-old Welsh crooner - who was good friends with the 'Now or Never' hitmaker until his death in 1977 - was once in Las Vegas when the legendary singer couldn't wait to sing a song to him, even though he was naked at the time.
Tom revealed: "He came with a song one time that he'd heard and he felt it would be a good song for me, and so he couldn't wait for me to... I came off the stage and I said 'Elvis, hang on I've got to get in the shower.' So, I'm in the shower and I hear him singing. I thought I was going mad but I looked up and he was leaning over the shower door singing this song to me."
He also confessed he saw Elvis naked when the event occurred. When asked if he has seen The King in the nude, he joked to Absolute Radio DJ Geoff Lloyd: "Partly, yes, because he was using the bathroom when came into my..." ...
- Michael Jackson museum could draw 750K: Promoters liken it to Graceland in Memphis
(The News-Sentinel / AP, June 6 2010)
Gary officials hope a planned museum honoring native son Michael Jackson will bring as many visitors as Elvis Presley's Graceland does. But attendance at other sites honoring the King of Pop and other popular entertainers suggests the numbers could be less than Mayor Rudy Clay predicts.
Joe Jackson, the singer's father, and project promoter Simon Sahouri say preliminary research indicates 500,000 to 750,000 visitors a year could visit Gary as a result of the development. Clay says the completed project could bring up to 1 million people to the city each year.
"The people we see every day of the year that's coming in to look at 2300 Jackson St. is mind-boggling," Clay said.
He said the proposed development could be a welcome boost to the city's coffers and its morale. ...
Promoters of the Jackson project have likened it to Presley's Graceland in Memphis. Graceland sees more than 600,000 visitors annually and is one of the most-visited home tours in the country, according to Elvis Presley Enterprises, which manages the business and assets of the Presley estate.
But Presley's birthplace in Tupelo, Miss., sees only 75,000 to 80,000 visitors a year, said Dick Guyton, executive director of the Elvis Presley Charitable Foundation.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland generates about 400,000 visitors annually, while the home of the Motown sound in Detroit saw about 60,000 visitors in its 2009 fiscal year.
Where the Jackson development in Gary falls remains to be seen.
Clay said work on the $300 million museum and performing arts center could begin as early as next year. But past pledges to build a Jackson-themed arts center in Gary never progressed after the singer visited his hometown in 2003, and Clay and Joe Jackson offered no details on any donations they've lined up to finance the project.
Jackson's estate says it is considering a different museum plan and must give written approval for any use of the singer's name and intellectual property, including his music.
- Song about more than just footie
(thesun.co.uk, June 6 2010)
THE Sun today releases Terry Venables' brilliant cover version of Elvis Presley's If I Can Dream as our World Cup single.
There has been a clamour for the song since the former England boss's belting track was first showcased in The Sun's epic "Maybe, Just Maybe" World Cup TV adverts in April.
It is now available to buy in the shops and proceeds support the Sun-backed Help for Heroes and Malaria No More UK. Here Tel, 67, explains why he was delighted to sing it.
- ELVIS PRESLEY FESTIVAL: Feel the spirit
By Sheena Barnett
(nems360.com, June 6 2010)
The Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival came to a close Sunday afternoon with an old-time tent gospel singing, much like one Elvis might've attended as a child. The Martins, The Landmarks, Tupelo-Lee County Diversity Choir and the Foyer Boyz performed on the grounds of the Elvis Presley birthplace, underneath a huge tent. Attendees used Elvis fans to beat the heat. Though gospel music was the event's focus, The King of Rock 'n' Roll was invoked a few times.
"How many of y'all would like to hear some Elvis gospel?" asked Brent Roberson of the Foyer Boyz. After getting a round of applause, he joked, "Us, too - anybody got a CD?" A woman in the back shouted, "Sure do!"
In the crowd, decked out in a red and gold Elvis-inspired jumpsuit, was David Smock, 26, of Jonesboro, Ark. He and his mother, Vicki Pasmore, were in town for their third Tupelo Elvis Presley Festival. "It's a lot better this year," he said. "We always want to go to certain events, but they may be sold out, but we always find more to do. There's always more than enough to do."
Smock has been an Elvis fan since he was 3 and makes his own jumpsuits by hand. The red one is his newest creation. "It's devotion, I guess," he said, smiling beneath his sweaty mane of black curly hair.
Another Elvis look-alike received a ton of applause at the gospel show. Kevin Mills, who won the Ultimate Tribute Artist Contest in Tupelo on Saturday, performed a few songs with the Landmarks to a standing ovation. All four of the performers had the audience on their feet.
The Tupelo-Lee Diversity Choir sang rousing renditions of "Excellent" and "How Great is Our God," and were joined on stage by Kay Bain.
The Landmarks invited fans to sing along on songs like "Roll River Jordan" and "Standing in the Shadows."
Gospel group The Martins, who have toured with the Gaithers, shared Elvis stories and personal testimonies and received a standing ovation when they rounded out the three-hour show.
Festival director Debbie Brangenberg said the 2010 festival was a success. "It was an outstanding weekend," she said. Total numbers haven't been tallied, but she said she expects to see an increase in attendance from last year. "I saw lots of smiles on people's faces," she said. "And that's what makes us do what we do."
- Ladies and gentleman, Elvis is on the Minn. ballot
By Kelly Druley
(Boston Globe, June 5 2010)
An Elvis impersonator wearing a red jump suit has filed for office as the running mate of a gubernatorial candidate seeking Minnesota's GOP nomination. ...
- Ladies and gentleman, Elvis is on the Minn. ballot
(sfgate.com, June 4 2010)
An Elvis impersonator wearing a red jump suit has filed for office as the running mate of a gubernatorial candidate seeking Minnesota's GOP nomination.
A spokesman for Minnesota's secretary of state says Todd "Elvis" Anderson hopes to be certified on the primary ballot, running for the position of lieutenant governor alongside Ole Savior, a perennial office seeker.
Minnesota law forbids improper names and requires candidates to sign a statement vouching for their ballot name as the one by which they are "commonly and generally known in the community."
- ELVIS PRESLEY FESTIVAL: Rock 'N' Roll Festival
by Sheena Barnett
(NEMS Daily Journal, June 4 2010)
Fred LeBlanc loves North Mississippi. Maybe it's because it's the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, a genre his band, Cowboy Mouth, has made its own by infusing punk and funk with it. Or maybe it's because his wife is from North Mississippi.
Whatever his reasoning, LeBlanc can't wait for the Tupelo Elvis Festival this weekend.
Lead singer and drummer LeBlanc and his band mates, Regina Zernay, John Thomas Griffith and Jonathan Pretus, are known for playing hundreds of rowdy shows a year, and the festival is just one stop for the New Orleans-based band.
"The Tupelo show is the beginning of a long summer tour. I'm very fortunate to have a job I love doing in this day and age, and it brings a lot of people a lot of joy," LeBlanc said in a phone interview. "We've played the Elvis Festival before, and obviously, I have a pretty strong fondness for the area."
Hail the King
LeBlanc said Elvis' influence is undeniable.
"Elvis is the alpha and omega when it comes to rock 'n' roll," he said. Without Elvis, "you couldn't have the Beatles. ...You couldn't have a Cowboy Mouth, and obviously not a Miley Cyrus or a Taylor Swift. I'ts all part of the musical, cultural lineage. People forget what a thunderbolt Presley was."
What roads Presley tread [ie, trod] before are what led Cowboy Mouth to do what it does best. The band has been performing its loud and rowdy rock since forming in 1990, and has seen success with hits like "Jenny Says" and "How Do You Tell Someone?" ...
- Elvis Fan Celebrates 35th Anniversary Of His Concert Weekend At The Von Braun Center: Jennie Carpenter Shares Her Memories
Kelly Druley
(whnt.com, June 1 2010)
Today marks the 35th anniversary of Elvis Presley playing his first concert in Huntsville at the Von Braun Center. Elvis played five shows on the tour stop in Huntsville from May 30th to June 1st in 1975. ...
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