Mercia Fiore was working as a secretary in Chicago when talent agent- Al Dvorin opened the door to what would prove to be a life changing experience. "On this particular day, we got a phone call about needing a change in the opening act," Fiore said. "Mr. Dvorin had heard that I could sing, so he asked me to sing right then and there."
Fiore sang "Mr. Wonderful," a popular tune at the time, and landed the job as the opening act for Elvis' 1957 concert.
"I was on cloud nine when I landed in Georgia that next day!"
Despite his reputation as a wild one, Fiore quickly realized the often quaint and shy side of the King of Rock 'n' Roll. She describes their relationship as strictly professional. "The producer told the girls not to get close," Fiore said. "Otherwise we could lose our jobs. Elvis wanted to teach me how to dance, but I kept staying away. I didn't want to get fired."
Fiore's book portrays Elvis as a "very shy, polite young man" even when hounded by girls who would rip his clothes. As a memento of the tour, Fiore received an autographed photo of Presley that read, "To Mercia, love ya’ hon, enjoyed having you in the show."
The Graceland Records import release 'The Hillbilly Cat Live' was released. It features an audiencerecording of one of the best shows from his August Las Vegas engagement, namely the August 23rd, 1970 dinner show.
FTD Update
Rumour had it that there would be a special announcement by the Follow That Dream label this week. But there won't be. As Ernst Jorgensen put it on the FECC Forum:
Dear all
Daryl is right on every account - an anouncement will be made in early February - and it's just a regular announcement - and NO price increases.
Ernst
Charts
The 'An Afternoon in the Garden' CD dropped from #137 last week to #145 this week (w/e 28th January, 2012) on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart and has jumped from #24 last week to #22 this week on the Top Catalog Album Chart selling some 3,234 copies). The 'Elvis: Best Of Love' compilation re-enters the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at #195 selling some 2,657 copies. Other Elvis Presley albums charting in other Bilboard charts are:
30 #1 Hits: 1814 copies sold.
Elvis Country: 1624 copies sold.
Elvis Gospel / An Evening Prayer: 1556 copies sold.
Elvis Rock: 1430 copies sold.
(Source: EPE / FECC)