Posted March 4, 200817 yr http://www.elvisnews.com/images/various/logo_elvisweek_2008.jpg With Elvis's Anniversary week just behind us, the staff at EPE is already working on Elvis Week 2008 (August). Below are the first details. From the program we learn that the new EPE Graceland DVD will probably be entitled "His Home, His Story" which should contain "stunning footage and photos of Graceland from the Graceland archives telling the story of Elvis’s life at Graceland and his amazing career". The DVD will premiere during Elvis week 2008. SATURDAY, AUGUST 9 26th Annual Elvis Presley International 5K Run to Benefit United Cerebral Palsy 8:00 a.m. Starts at the Graceland gates. Join thousands of Elvis fans and runners in front of Graceland for the 26th Annual Elvis Presley International 5K Run to benefit United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of the Mid-South. Runners and walkers will enjoy more than the typical 5K. More than 2,000 entrants from around the world will join in the family fun while enjoying the festive atmosphere of Elvis Week 2008 and raising money for UCP. After the race, join everyone across from the mansion as UCP hosts one of the best post-race parties in town. Entertainment will be provided by The AIMS Gang, one of the best bands in Memphis. Pre-registration is $20; race day registration is $25. Elvis Presley – His Home, His Story - DVD Theatrical Premiere Three screenings: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m. Studio on the Square, 2105 Court Avenue, Memphis. Enjoy the theatrical premiere of the new Graceland tour DVD on the big screen. See stunning footage of Graceland while watching the story of Elvis’s life at Graceland and his amazing career. The new DVD features photos from the Graceland archives, home movies and more. Tickets for the event are free, however you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Memphis Welcomes the Fans Redbirds Baseball Game 6:10 p.m. AutoZone Park, 200 Union Avenue (corner of Third & Union) in downtown Memphis. On behalf of the citizens of Memphis, grateful to Elvis fans and all they mean to our city, the Memphis Redbirds baseball team and AutoZone Park celebrate Elvis and welcome the Elvis fans to town with this Elvis Week 2008 kick-off event. Ticket information for this event coming soon. Elvis Week Kick-Off Party at the Memphis Hard Rock Café 10:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m. Hard Rock Café’, 315 Beale Street. After the Redbirds game, the official kick-off party is at the Memphis Hard Rock Cafe. The event will feature live entertainment. General admission is $20. VIP admission is $40 and includes seating in the “Elvis Themed” mezzanine, food buffet and cocktails. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. SUNDAY, AUGUST 10 Elvis Gospel Brunch 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Enjoy brunch in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while listening to Elvis Gospel music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen. Tickets are $33.00 per person. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Graceland Scavenger Hunt 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Starting at the Graceland Ticket Office. Guests are invited to tour Graceland Mansion (no audio tour) and the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum while simultaneously participating in a trivia scavenger hunt. Adult and junior versions of the scavenger hunt will be available. Prizes for both adult and junior versions to be announced. All ticket holders receive a complimentary collectible item, to be announced soon. Admission: $29.00 Adults; $14.00 children 7-12. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Club Elvis 8:00 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated – no smoking inside. A wristband ticket allows you to come and go from Club Elvis as much as you like during the evening in order for you to enjoy all the other activities on the property. Admission $25.00. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. MONDAY, AUGUST 11 A Celebration of Fans - Fan Club Presidents’ Event 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location TBA. Join Elvis Presley fan club presidents from independent Elvis fan clubs from around the world at this special event. All fans are invited to attend this event where they can learn more about what official Elvis Presley fan clubs do, while also enjoying a program of EPE company updates, special announcements and a special guest speaker. Elvis Presley fan club presidents’ will receive detailed information directly from EPE to reserve their complimentary ticket for the event. Tickets for fan club members and the general public are $8.00 and can be reserved through Graceland Reservations. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Music and Movies at Graceland – Day One 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:00 p.m.) Front lawn, Graceland Mansion. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and make yourself at home on the front lawn of Graceland to enjoy a live concert by Andy Childs and his band while the sun begins to set. Then, stay for a screening of an Elvis movie under the stars. Movie TBA. Refreshments available in a vendor area outside the mansion gates. Food, beverages and coolers may not be brought onto the mansion grounds. One day Music and Movie admission is $44.00. If you plan on attending day two of Music and Movies as well, you can purchase a two night package for $75.00. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. TUESDAY, AUGUST 12 Elvis Film Festival Presented by Malco Theatres 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Studio on the Square, 2105 Court Avenue, Memphis. More details and ticket information coming soon! The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet ‘n’ Greet 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Hard Rock Café, downtown Memphis. Private event reserved for those who have purchased the platinum seating package for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Shawn Klush in Concert 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Location TBA. Enjoy an amazing concert by 2007 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest winner Shawn Klush. Opening act will by comedian Sammy Shore, who opened for Elvis in Las Vegas in 1969-1972. Ticket prices TBA and more details coming soon. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Music and Movies at Graceland – Day 2 7:00 p.m. (Gates open at 5:00 p.m.) Front lawn, Graceland Mansion. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket and make yourself at home on the front lawn of Graceland to enjoy a live concert by Terry Mike Jeffrey & Band, members of the TCB Band and The Imperials. Then, stay for a screening of an Elvis movie under the stars. Refreshments available in a vendor area outside the mansion gates. Food, beverages and coolers may not be brought onto the mansion grounds. One day Music and Movie admission is $44.00. If you plan on attending both days of Music and Movies, you can purchase a two night package for $75.00. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Club Elvis 9:30 p.m. – 12:30 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Come hang out and enjoy a private party with your fellow Elvis fans. A disc jockey spins Elvis records for your listening and dancing pleasure. Cash bar featuring adult beverages (ID's checked) and soft drinks. Outdoor smoking area designated – no smoking inside. A wristband ticket allows you to come and go from Club Elvis as much as you like during the evening in order for you to enjoy all the other activities on the property. Admission $25.00. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 13 Elvis Expo 2008 – Day 1 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Location TBA. The ultimate Elvis tradeshow with more than 75 booths and 35,000 square feet of Elvis that includes all the latest Elvis music, movies, merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, authors, artists and photographers, and lots of Elvis freebies and samples. Elvis Expo special guest information coming soon. Admission is $15.00 per day. Elvis Insiders Conference attendees are admitted free by showing their conference badge. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. The Official Elvis Insiders Conference – Day 1 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location TBA. Hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Production at Turner Classic Movies. Enjoy two full days of special guests and programming put together by Elvis Presley Enterprises, including on-stage interviews with people who were part of Elvis's life and career. Conference attendees will receive a welcome kit loaded with Elvis-themed gifts and everyone will win a door prize. The Elvis Expo 2008 will be open nearby and admission to the showroom is included with your Elvis Insiders Conference ticket. Special guests confirmed so far for August 13: Dixie Locke Emmons, who dated Elvis early in his career; Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, songwriters for which Elvis recorded many of their songs, including "Jailhouse Rock", "King Creole", "Hound Dog", "Treat Me Nice", "Love Me" and many more; Sammy Shore, comedian who opened for Elvis from 1969-1972 in Las Vegas . More guest announcements for August 13 coming soon. Special guests confirmed so far for August 14: Steve Binder, producer of Elvis’s '68 Special. More guest announcements for August 14 coming soon. Tickets are $84.99 for a two-day ticket. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. (Special seating may be purchased for the Official Elvis Insiders Conference by purchasing the Elvis Week Ticket Package. More details on the ticket package will be coming soon.) Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinals 7:00 p.m. Location TBA. Semifinal round of competition for the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Attendees to the show will see the best Elvis tribute artists from around the world performing and competing on stage for their chance to move onto the finals round on August 14. Elvis Tribute Artists will receive their chance to showcase their talents and why they should be named Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2008. Finalists chosen from these rounds will return on August 14th to compete for the title of Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year. Visit the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest web site to find out more about the preliminary rounds and winners. Tickets are only available in a set that includes one ticket to the semifinals on August 13 and one ticket to the finals on August 14. Platinum package seating for the event is $139.99 and includes a special Meet ‘n’ Greet with the semifinalists. Gold package seating is $79.99. Silver package seating is $49.99. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. THURSDAY, AUGUST 14 Elvis Expo 2008 – Day 2 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Location TBA. The ultimate Elvis tradeshow with more than 75 booths and 35,000 square feet of Elvis that includes all the latest Elvis music, movies, merchandise, celebrity autograph sessions, authors, artists and photographers, and lots of Elvis freebies and samples. Elvis Expo special guest information coming soon. Admission is $15.00 per day. Elvis Insiders Conference attendees are admitted free by showing their conference badge. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. The Official Elvis Insiders Conference – Day 2 10:00 a.m. – 4 p.m. Location TBA. Hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Production at Turner Classic Movies. Enjoy two full days of special guests and programming put together by Elvis Presley Enterprises, including on-stage interviews with people who were part of Elvis's life and career. Conference attendees will receive a welcome kit loaded with Elvis-themed gifts and everyone will win a door prize. The Elvis Expo 2008 will be open nearby and admission to the showroom is included with your Elvis Insiders Conference ticket. Special guests confirmed so far for August 13: Dixie Locke Emmons, who dated Elvis early in his career; Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, songwriters for which Elvis recorded many of their songs, including "Jailhouse Rock", "King Creole", "Hound Dog", "Treat Me Nice", "Love Me" and many more; Sammy Shore, comedian who opened for Elvis from 1969-1972 in Las Vegas . More guest announcements for August 13 coming soon. Special guests confirmed so far for August 14: Steve Binder, producer of Elvis’s '68 Special. More guest announcements for August 14 coming soon. Tickets are $84.99 for a two-day ticket. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. (Special seating may be purchased for the Official Elvis Insiders Conference by purchasing the Elvis Week Ticket Package. More details on the ticket package will be coming soon.) Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals 7:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, Memphis Cook Convention Center, downtown Memphis. The finals of the 2008 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest. Top finalists from semifinals on August 13 compete for the title of Elvis Tribute Artist of 2008. Elvis Tribute Artists will receive their chance to showcase their talents and why they should be named Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2008. Visit the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest page to find out about the finalists. Tickets are only available in a set that includes one ticket to the semifinals on August 13 and one ticket to the finals on August 14. Platinum package seating for the event is $139.99 and includes a special Meet ‘n’ Greet with the semifinalists. Gold package seating is $79.99. Silver package seating is $49.99. Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15 Breakfast at Graceland with Special Guest 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceland Plaza. Have breakfast in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while enjoying Elvis music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen. Special guest TBA. Tickets are $33.00 per person. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Elvis Presley – His Home, His Story - DVD Theatrical Premiere Three screenings: 9:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m. Studio on the Square, 2105 Court Avenue, Memphis. Enjoy the theatrical premiere of the new Graceland tour DVD on the big screen. See stunning footage of Graceland while watching the story of Elvis’s life at Graceland and his amazing career. The new DVD features photos from the Graceland archives, home movies and more. Tickets for the event are free, however you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Candlelight Vigil 8:30 p.m. Gates of Graceland Mansion. After an opening ceremony at the gates of the Graceland Mansion property, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis’s gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Free admission. No tickets or reservations. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary date of Elvis’s passing. Free secured parking at the Graceland visitor center complex after 6:00 p.m. Prior to Elvis Week, posted here will be a link to the text of the special information and guidelines flyer for the Vigil that is handed out at Graceland during Elvis Week. Can't be here for the Vigil? Enjoy live coverage from Graceland by Elvis Radio/Sirius Satellite 13. They also will have special Elvis programming throughout Elvis Week. SATURDAY, AUGUST 16 Special Concert Event To Be Announced Soon SUNDAY, AUGUST 17 Elvis Gospel Brunch 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Elvis Presley Car Museum, Graceld Plaza. Enjoy brunch in the Elvis Presley Car Museum while listening to Elvis Gospel music and watching Elvis videos on the drive-in theater movie screen. Tickets are $33.00 per person. Tickets will be available through Graceland Reservations starting on March 17 for Elvis Insiders and March 24 for the general public. Source: EPE / Updated: Mar 4, 2008
March 4, 200817 yr Wowee! Elvis Week 2008, it doesn't seem like a year ago that I was getting oh so excited about EW2007 :cheer: It was an experience that I will never forget for the rest of my life, so many wonderful memories :wub: Not sure if I could ever go again in August, it was soooo hot, think that if I'm ever fortunate to be able to go again, I think I should have to go for Birthday Week and freeze instead :yahoo: As for the new Graceland DVD, I can't wait to see it :dance:
March 5, 200817 yr Thewre's a preview of the footage on Elvis Australia B) http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/music/dvd_...nd_preview.html
March 6, 200817 yr Author Thewre's a preview of the footage on Elvis Australia B) http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/music/dvd_...nd_preview.html Oh wow, i have just watched them, it looks fantastic. :cheer:
March 22, 200817 yr Graceland To Unveil Two Never Seen Before Exhibits :cheer: Some never before seen personal items belonging to Elvis Presley are going on display at Graceland this month. One exhibit features items from Presley's Army days. It includes his fatigues, dress uniforms and army foot locker. Another exhibit includes items from Presley's 1968 TV concert event. It features a wristband he wore with the famous black leather outfit, and several of his costumes. Graceland's also beefed up its VIP Tour, which now lets fans see the deed to Graceland and the living room furniture from Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon hideaway in Palm Springs, which has never before been displayed to the public. The exhibits open to the public this coming Monday. By: Elvis Australia - March 20, 2008 Source: Associated Press Really gonna have to go again :yahoo:
March 28, 200817 yr Three New Exhibits now Opened at Graceland: The 3 new exhibits are now open at Graceland for guests to tour. Graceland Crossing is home to the new Private Presley Exhibit and the '68 Special Exhibit and Shop. In addition, the Graceland VIP Tour now includes an all new exhibit. - Private Presley In honor of the 50th anniversary of Elvis's induction into the Army, the special exhibit Private Presley celebrates Elvis's service to his country. The exhibit will walk you through Elvis's Army induction and his time spent in the Army from 1958-1960. Special artifacts include Elvis's Army fatigues, dress uniforms, army foot locker, suitcases and more. Click here to read about what Priscilla had to say about the new exhibit. - '68 Special Exhibit and Shop This year celebrates the 40th anniversary of Elvis's landmark television event, the '68 Special. This free exhibit offers a look at this historic event through videos, photos and displays of artifacts from the special. The displays include some of the outfits Elvis wore during the '68 Special, a script and a timeline of significant historic events occuring in the U.S. at that time. - The Special VIP Tour Exhibit In addition to all the other great benefits, visitors who take the VIP Tour are granted access to an exhibit of artifacts that relate to the personal side of Elvis. It includes the deed to Graceland, a gift from Elvis to his parents, and fun items from Elvis's personal wardrobe. And for the first time ever, VIPs will also see the living room furniture from Elvis and Priscilla's honeymoon hideaway in Palm Springs. The working barn behind Graceland was one of Elvis' favorite places to unwind. If you choose the VIP option, you'll be able to explore that side of Elvis with items from that space including his personal saddle, chaps and other artifacts relating to the Presley's equestrian activities. Source : EIN
March 29, 200817 yr Elvis kept GI blues to himself On Monday, Graceland opened a trio of new historical exhibits, including one focusing on Elvis Presley's 1968 Comeback Special, and another called 'Private Presley'. The latter is a mix of famous and rarely seen photos, footage, documents and memorabilia detailing one of the more overlooked chapters in Presley's remarkable life and career, his 1958-1960 stint in the Army. While Presley was lauded for his service, his tour of duty -- most of it spent in West Germany -- was also a personally difficult time for the singer. His Army obligation threatened the future of what had been a remarkably meteoric career but, more distressingly, Elvis' life was shattered after the sudden death of his beloved mother Gladys in August 1958. Elvis' years in the Army yielded another significant, and rather more positive, development: his meeting one Priscilla Ann Beaulieu. The daughter of an Air Force officer, she first encountered Elvis when she was just a teen, but their time together in Germany sowed the seeds of a relationship that would culminate in their marriage nearly a decade later. Here, Priscilla, who recently visited Graceland to look over 'Private Presley', talks about the exhibit, her memories of the era, and a side of Elvis that few knew. Q: You got a chance to see the exhibit for the first time recently; what was your immediate reaction? A: I love the display, because that was, of course, a time that I was a part of and it was very emotional for me. You have all these artifacts, photos and pieces of history that we found throughout the years, but when you put them all together and you compile them into a story, it's very different looking at it that way -- more from a historical point of view. We have incredible archivists at Graceland and a great team of people, and they've really created something special. Q: Looking back, what's the overriding memory of that period for you? A: I was only 14 years old, and it left such a huge, huge impression on me. It was a very important period of my life being introduced to Elvis at a very young age and living that part of his life with him. Elvis and I spent many nights talking about him being in the Army and leaving his friends, leaving his family. When I look at some of the photos in the exhibit, I'm a bit saddened. He tried so hard to fit in, tried so hard to do the right thing, tried to do what his country asked him to do. Did he like it? No. And I don't know too many young men who would've been happy to leave their lives and go so far away. Especially for Elvis, it was such a foreign place for him. So to see some of those photos, I see his eyes and I can almost tell you what he's thinking. But in saying that, I feel that it's a piece of history that people should see. To see what an incredible trooper he was -- pardon the pun -- in trying to be the all-around American boy serving his country. Q: As you suggest, it was a difficult time given the death of his mother and the interruption of his career. A: Yes, the Army days were a very vital part of his growth, not just going from a kid to an adult, but he came back from Germany a very different person. He didn't have his mother when he came back to Graceland. So, really, I'm left with and reminded of what he went through: the turmoil, the loneliness. And also, the fear of not knowing whether he was going to have a career again, and wondering 'Is it over?' Being away for those two years, he really wondered if people would forget about him. There were many, many nights that a 14-year-old kid sat and listened to the loneliness of a boy, really -- because he was only 23 or 24 years old. Q: That's interesting, because for most people -- then and now -- they just have the image of Elvis as this indestructible, larger-than-life figure. A: Absolutely. And I had seen all of his movies too, and had that same sense before I met him. But when you're seeing him play a part or hearing his music, it's different. He was at the top of his game then really, and already iconic at such a young age. If you're watching him on screen or you're listening to him sing, you don't think about the sadness that he felt going through what was a particularly tragic part of his life. So I met him at a very, very vulnerable time. And I feel blessed that I got to know that side. Q: It seems like Elvis was someone who was also nostalgic in a way, he hung on to a lot of mementos throughout his life that have allowed for exhibits like this one. A: Very much so, but he gave a lot of things away too. Jewelry, he would give away -- he'd take a ring off and give it to someone in a second. He didn't seem to have as much attachment to material things. It was more personal things. Books that he had read that meant something to him, or letters or presents from fans. He saved so many things over the years -- especially things from his fans, things they sent him. I don't know of any entertainer who loved his fans as much as he did. He kept scrapbooks, presents that were sent to him, letters, pictures and names of all the people that supported him over the years. And who does that today? Q: Is there one element or item that stands out for you as far as the material in the exhibit? A: One thing that did catch my eye was some [footage] of when Elvis was leaving Germany. I rode to the airport with him and in the car he gave me his jacket, which is on display. He told me to keep it and hold onto it for him. He was leaving a piece of him with me. Now, I'm only a kid. I was saying goodbye, never knowing if I was ever going to see him again. I remember it was snowing when we were at the [airport]. And he said 'When I get to the top of the [plane's] steps and turn around and say goodbye, I don't want to see any sad faces. And I don't want to see any sad faces of you when they take your picture. That's not the memory I want to take back with me'. And I was feeling so torn, wanting to cry, and I remember looking down and then forcing a smile and waving. That was probably one of the most difficult moments of my life. Then, as he left and I was escorted back to the terminal, there were about a thousand photographers there. And I just tried to smile and look happy because I was thinking if there's one shot of me looking sad, that was the one that would be shown. So when I see that footage, and the display, it's so incredibly emotional, I'm just really taken all the way back to that moment. By: Bob Mehr - March 29, 2008 Source: Commercial Appeal.
March 30, 200817 yr Former Graceland Tour Guide Speaks. Former tour guide gives glimpse inside, Terri Barnes knows a little Elvis Presley trivia. A native of Memphis, Tenn., Barnes was one of Graceland’s first tour guides when it opened in 1982. “I had just graduated from college and I needed a job,” she told McComb Lions Tuesday. But Graceland did more than provide that first job — it was where Barnes met her husband, Dr. Chuck Barnes, who was then a student working as a security guard at the mansion. The experience was more than just working at a tourist attraction. It was an early glimpse into how Graceland would be a cathedral for Elvis fans. Since its opening, Elvis’ Memphis mansion has averaged thousands of visitors per year and earned millions of dollars. It is the country’s second most-visited house next to the White House. But in the early summer of 1982, Barnes said, no one knew what to expect. Prior to its public opening, Graceland, which was then under the control of Elvis’ wife Priscilla through Elvis Presley Enterprises, was redecorated in a 1960s style, which Barnes said recalled Elvis’ best years spent at the mansion. The first tour guides, she said, underwent a two-week training period before the mansion opened and were dressed in white from head to toe, with the exception of a light blue tie. “We were totally scripted,” she said, adding that the guides’ descriptive monologues about the mansion’s areas were memorized from scripts approved by Priscilla Presley. She said the guides also were trained in first aid and CPR, but they weren’t prepared for what opening day would bring. Graceland at that time had no air conditioning, she said, adding that on opening day, a number of visitors collapsed from the heat. Schedule problems forced the guides to work a 10-hour day with no break. And the guides were learning that there are two kinds of fans, Barnes said, “Elvis fans, and ELVIS fans.” Barnes remembers an episode when she was working in the “trophy room,” which contained portraits of Elvis and other memorabilia. “The portraits were irreplaceable,” she said.“And people were not allowed to take flash pictures in the trophy room.” One tour that entered the trophy room that day consisted of two men carrying a large, emotionally overwrought fan whose face and makeup were streaked with tears. Suddenly, Barnes said, the woman fell against her, pinning her against a portrait, and the men began taking flash pictures in the room. The woman had to be pulled off Barnes and helped out. Barnes said emotional scenes were common, because of the effect Elvis had on the lives of others. “We had people tell us that Elvis had literally changed their lives,” she said. “He had an influence on so many people.” During her time as a guide, Barnes recalled several instances involving visitors dressed like Elvis or Priscilla, including one smallish man in a homemade Elvis jumpsuit, who when asked where he was from responded “from Heaven.” There were the two Japanese teenagers who spent every day of their vacation touring Graceland. And there were the questions. When the guides took a break, Barnes said, they had a contest to determine the silliest question of the day. She said there were several regulars. “We would have a tour in the trophy rooms where Elvis’ jumpsuits were displayed on mannequins, and somebody would always ask, ‘Is that the suit Elvis is buried in?’ “We’d have to answer with, ‘Let me check.’ ” Barnes said there was a photograph in Graceland’s foyer that was taken during Elvis’ Aloha Concert in Hawaii. “People would ask, ‘Was that picture of Elvis taken after his death?’ ” she said. A replica of the wedding cake from Elvis’ and Priscilla’s wedding in the trophy room would elicit comments like, “and nobody ate the cake,” or “look how well preserved it is.” And visitors were always trying to engage the guides into a discussion about their opinion of Priscilla, whom visitors either liked or hated. Besides the usual tour groups, Barnes said, recording artists either visiting or performing in Memphis would come to Graceland. “The majority of them were very respectful and complimentary,” she said. “But about half of them would be rather rude until they saw the gold room.” The gold room, she said, featured the gold and platinum records awarded to Presley. “After that,” she said, “they didn’t say anything else.” Barnes said Presley continues to receive gold and platinum albums after his death. “Something new would come in and we’d have to take something down and move it to make room,” she said. And people still send letters, flowers and gifts for Elvis to Graceland. As for Graceland’s operators, “I don’t think they understood the power they were releasing when they opened that front door,” Barnes said. 2008/03/30 www.elvisunlimited.com / www.epgold.com Things are a little different now as you listen to the tour through headphones B) But what I wouldn't give to work at Graceland :yahoo:
March 30, 200817 yr One very special Graceland Tour guide B) http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/billy.jpg This is Billy Smith, Elvis’ cousin, the man who was like a brother to Elvis and who, along with his wife, Jo, spent the early hours of August 16th 1977 playing racquetball with Elvis and Ginger. They were with Elvis as he played those last songs on the piano and were among the last people to see Elvis alive. Billy was subsequently employed as a tour guide at Graceland for a time. I just find it all very sad :( Billy is a good man who loved Elvis very much :wub:
March 31, 200817 yr Author One very special Graceland Tour guide B) http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/billy.jpg This is Billy Smith, Elvis’ cousin, the man who was like a brother to Elvis and who, along with his wife, Jo, spent the early hours of August 16th 1977 playing racquetball with Elvis and Ginger. They were with Elvis as he played those last songs on the piano and were among the last people to see Elvis alive. Billy was subsequently employed as a tour guide at Graceland for a time. I just find it all very sad :( Billy is a good man who loved Elvis very much :wub: He sure did Love Elvis very much Carole. Just like we all do :wub:
March 31, 200817 yr Jack Soden's Whole lot of shaking going on at Graceland: The keeper of the flame of all things Elvis is still Jack Soden. The Kansas City native spearheaded the preservation and opening to the public of the King’s Memphis mansion Graceland in 1982. And while mum’s the word on exactly what may soon go down in the way of improvements, there’s plenty to see right now, as evidenced by the more than half-million visitors a year to Elvis’ former home. “We’ve been buying property in our neighborhood for the last 18 years, and now we have a 120-acre campus,” Soden says. Don’t look for a Disneyland-like theme park intruding on nearby neighborhoods, Soden says of the coming changes. “It conjures up rides and Ferris wheels, and nobody wants that around this famous place,” Soden says. “If anything, we will build all new visitor centers, museum and parking facilities. We’re going to build everything over while carefully preserving the integrity of Graceland, because it’s a national landmark. “People still place a great deal of value on authenticity. So it’s extremely important that Graceland be preserved the same as it was when Elvis lived here. And I think it’s important to note that just because you have 120 acres doesn’t mean you have to develop it all. A lot of it could remain green space.” Return visitors can check out two new exhibits: Private Presley, commemorating the 50th anniversary of Elvis’ induction into the Army, and the 68 Special exhibit, which celebrates the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ television “comeback” where he performed the song “If I Can Dream.” “We change an awful lot of our exhibits,” Soden says. “If you haven’t been here in several years, you’ll see a lot of things that are new.” One thing people won’t see: Graceland’s upstairs, which will remain closed. Even President Bush and Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi weren’t allowed up there when they jetted in for a schmooze two years ago. “We were prepared that even if the White House had asked for that, we would have said no,” Soden says. “We were going to say if Koizumi was a real Elvis fan, he wouldn’t want to go upstairs. Elvis fans would consider it in poor taste to go upstairs and look at the bathroom floor where Elvis was found dead. But they never asked.” Speaking of Bush’s visit, “The Secret Service loved being here,” Soden says. “We gave them all Elvis sunglasses.” Countless celebs have flocked to Graceland over the years. “Jeff Bridges is touring right now,” Soden says. “There’s always somebody. They’re making two movies in Memphis right now, one with Justin Timberlake, who is from Memphis. And Samuel L. Jackson is here. This is the third movie he’s made in Memphis.” Incredibly, only two stars were kicked out for misbehavior, Soden says: Boy George and Courtney Love. George was acting up like he was vying for tabloid coverage, and Love wanted to engage in an unmentionable activity. “We’re tolerant up to a point,” Soden says. (News, Source;EIN/SanjaM) What I found wonderful at Graceland, was it still feels very much like a home and not a museum :wub: I considered it an honour to be in Elvis' home and I would never have misbehaved like Boy George and Courtney Love :angry:
April 3, 200817 yr Graceland Goes Blue as University of Memphis Tigers Reach Final Four: :cheer: http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y48/elvis1959/BlueMansionx.jpg Graceland will be bathed in blue light starting Monday night March 31, 2008 through the NCAA Final Four Championship on April 7th, 2008 in support of the University of Memphis Tigers and their success in reaching the 2008 Final Four. In what is being called Final Four Operation: Blue Suede Shoe, Graceland’s employees have outfitted over 150 spotlights scattered around the 13 acre Graceland compound with special bulbs to illuminate the King of Rock n’ Roll’s famous home in the Tiger’s trademark color of blue. Each year over 600,000 visitors from all over the world travel to Memphis and tour the National Historic Landmark and its related attractions. (News, Source;EPE) Graceland to Host 2nd Annual "Elvis® Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life": EPE announced the second annual Elvis Rock 'n' Roll Ride for Life benefiting the American Diabetes Association. The Ride will begin and end at Elvis Presley's Graceland, the legendary superstar's home in Memphis, Tennessee, on April 20, 2008. Last year’s inaugural event raised more than $100,000 for the ADA. It was attended by more than 300 riders from 22 states and three countries. They rode nearly 100 miles through four north Mississippi counties, returning to Graceland for a post-ride celebration. In addition to the ride, there are numerous optional events for the weekend of April 17-20. This event for motorcycle enthusiasts serves as a fitting homage to Presley's passion for motorcycles and to his lifetime of generosity to individuals and charitable causes. The Memphis Ride on Saturday, April 19, includes a turn on the NASCAR oval at the Memphis Motorsports Park and free admission to Stax Museum, Sun Studios, Saint Blues Guitars and the O'Reilly Super Chevy Show. A VIP party will be held that evening at Graceland’s Elvis Presley’s Automobile Museum. Joyce Cobb will be performing along with Route South. There will be a live auction where bidders can bid on once in a lifetime items which include a trip to Milwaukee for the Harley Anniversary Party and participate in the parade, limited edition Saint Blues Guitars and a collectible Elvis Presley Smith and Wesson revolver. (News, Source;EPE)
April 3, 200817 yr Author WOW! Graceland looks absolutly wonderful lit up in blue. :wub: Thanks for all the info Carole, great read
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