A portion of proceeds for each tour will go to support local Memphis charities, with additional proceeds supporting Graceland’s ongoing commitment to the beautification, preservation, and enhancement of Elvis Presley’s home and grounds.
Presley for a Day Tour is US$6,000 for a group of up to 4 people.
Details: graceland.com/presley-for-a-day
Other news from EPE's came from EPE's Joel Weinshanker, who typically uses the Conversations event to deliver a kind State of Elvis address, teased several upcoming plans involving Presley and Graceland.
He noted that 2027 will mark the 50 years since Elvis’ passing and the organization has mapped out a “road to 50,” which includes various development projects.
“We’re going to be announcing things and doing new things every three or four months,” Weinshanker said. “Some things especially on the mansion grounds, some things [the public] can experience, but everything is going to elevate Elvis’ legacy.”
Weinshanker added that ahead of the 50th anniversary, ”We’re going to have three to four new buildings on the mansion property between now and then. These are some of the things that Elvis would have done [himself].”
Weinshanker confirmed plans to build an onsite recording studio at Graceland. Presley famously recorded bis final sessions at Graceland's Jungle Room in 1976, using a mobile truck, but never installed a permanent studio at his home.
Weinshanker said not only was a studio something Presley always wanted “but something he designed. Architectural drawings for that still exist.”
Among the other new tidbits Weinshanker revealed, he confirmed there would be a couple upcoming Elvis film projects. And that Baz Luhrmann - who directed the hit biopic 'ELVIS' in 2022 - was working on a documentary about the singer. “I probably really shouldn’t say that,” Weinshanker cracked. “Oops, sorry, Baz. They don’t trust me with anything anymore because of this.”
Weinshanker (majority owner of EPE) added that all EPE’s future plans and development efforts would seek to honor the singer’s intentions. “It’s always about what Elvis would want,” said Weinshanker, “and what Elvis would do.”
This included the following points
- EPE wants to bring back "the life" to Graceland of when Elvis lived there, there has been too much sadness recently.
- His idea is to only do new concepts that Elvis would do or approve of.
- EPE are going to be doing "something special" on the mansion grounds every few months. Some fans can participate in, some not. The new special tour 'Presley for a Day' will be unique and expensive, however a fair portion of the profits are going to charity & good things for the local community. Part of this tour will be 'Moriah’s House' which was the stable and home for Lisa Marie’s horse. We’re starting with that house.
- Elvis’ legacy was Lisa. Elvis said, "The best thing I ever did in my life was have Lisa". Now her daughter Riley has taken over and is extraordinary - and solely focused on what is best for Elvis’ legacy.
- “Our Road to fifty” is the new plan as they head to the fiftieth anniversary. We have three years until 2027.
- There will be three to four new buildings opened on the mansion property. EPE will be announcing these and they will be doing things that Elvis would have done. Some of the things that Elvis designed himself. One could be a Recording Studio built on the property. This was something that Elvis not only always wanted, but he designed. In the archives there are architectural drawings for that.
- There will be one new Elvis movie between now and 2027 - possibly two. Baz Lurhman is working on his Elvis documentary. There should also be a "streamer" show.
- There is the London ‘Elvis Evolution’ event where you’ll be able to go into virtual rooms that Elvis was in and interact with all of it.
- The whole thing is that in this world of such quick change, where movies and music are all so disposable, Elvis is one of the few things from 70 years ago that is still incredibly relevant. Elvis was a revolutionary. So fans should “spread the gospel of Elvis”.
- Elvis always respected his neighbours even he might disagree with them. So please ignore the bad social media, respect your neighbours. Ask yourself, "What would Elvis do?"
- So we are all going to keep going to Elevate Elvis’ legacy and keep thinking ‘What would Elvis want, what would Elvis do?’
Conversations on Elvis
One of the real highlights of Elvis Week 2024 was 'Conversations on Elvis'. Featured special guests were Jerome 'Stump' Monroe (drummer for Sweet Inspirations), Shirley Dieu, Larry Strickland, Larry Geller plus Linda Thompson and Sam Thompson.
The stories were all very touching and delightful with the conversations running an hour longer than expected. Comments included,
'Stump' Monroe noted, "There will never be another Elvis. He was one of the kind"
Shirley Dieu talked about Elvis' generosity, his love of music including singing along to Freddy Fender and also how Elvis asked to have her Connie Francis album!
The ever-charming Larry Strickland talked about Elvis' love of gospel and his incredible generosity in buying The Stamps a tour bus. He noted, "Elvis was a beautiful man inside and out. Extremely generous to a fault. He couldn't give enough...He was an exceptional human being."
Larry Geller talked for close to an hour with amazing stories of the night that Elvis met The Beatles and how disappointed he was with his career at the time.
Also how after meeting The Beatles, Elvis was driving his mobile home back to Hollywood for yet another terrible movie and listening to Roy Orbison singing 'Only The Lonely' which all helped inspire Elvis to make his How Great Thou Art gospel album.
NELA Music Award
Legendary guitarist James Burton was born in Dubberly, Louisiana. He left an indelible mark on the world of music through his exceptional talent, recording with many well-known artists. James’ work with the iconic Elvis Presley solidified his place in music history. Families across Northeast Louisiana still reminisce about Elvis Presley playing at the Civic Center in the 1970s.
While the criteria for the NELA Music Awards typically focus on northeast Louisiana, the exceptional circumstances surrounding James Burton’s unparalleled contribution to music led to this special acknowledgment of his achievements. As Tom Malmay said, “This has to be done.”
James' brother Jim and other family members were in the audience to see James recognized. Thank you, James Burton, for the music and the sacrifices you and your wife, Louise Burton, have made. Northeast Louisiana is proud and grateful. Thank you Jayne Smith-Green for making this happen.
See the acceptance video >>> here.
From the Chris Brown Master Tapes
The Straight Arrow import record label released the CDs 'The King at the War Memorial - From the Chris Brown Master Tapes Vol. 1', featuring the Friday, June 25th 1976 tour Opening Show, War Memorial Auditorium, Buffalo, NY and 'The King in the Salt City - From the Chris Brown Master Tapes Vol. 2' with the Sunday, July 25th 1976 Evening Show, Onondaga War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, NY.
Publicity for 'The King at the War Memorial - From the Chris Brown master tapes Vol. 1' stated: "My brother, David, a friend from our local church, Stephen Peslar, and I drove to Buffalo on Friday, June 25 to see the first show of a new tour. Buffalo was less than a two-hour drive from Toronto, and there was no difficulty finding the “Aud.” We searched for tickets. I felt the added pressure of needing to find three tickets.
It was a very good show. I heard many songs live for the first time, with the highlights being two complete versions of 'Hurt', 'America the Beautiful' and performances of both 'Polk Salad Annie' and 'Burning Love' not often done in the same show.
It was also the first time I heard the extended 'Amen' following 'I Got A Woman', which of course years later, and dozens of soundboards later, not a highlight anymore. Elvis also performed a new song for me tonight - 'Happy Birthday To You' (to Barbara).
This performance stands out as one of my favourites of the twenty-nine I saw. It was a really wild crowd (so many Canadians), and I think Elvis was surprised at their reaction to him. I miss seeing him in person. Always exciting, always fun, and always entertaining. A real joy. So long ago...” (excerpts from liner notes by Christopher Brown).
01. Introduction: Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C.C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman / Amen
04. Love Me
05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
06. You Gave Me A Mountain
07. All Shook Up
08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel
09. And I Love You So
10. Jailhouse Rock
11. Fever
12. America The Beautiful
13. Polk Salad Annie
14. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra
15. Early Mornin' Rain
16. What'd I Say
17. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt)
18. Bass Solo (Blues, Jerry Scheff)
19. Piano Solo (Tony Brown)
20. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs)
21. Love Letters
22. School Day
23. Hurt #1
24. Hurt #2
25. Burning Love
26. Happy Birthday (to Barbara)
27. Funny How Time Slip Away
28. Can't Help Falling In Love
29. Closing Vamp & Announcements.
All tracks recorded live from audience on June 25th, 1976.
Note: this audience recordings of this show were previously released as 'One Helluva Night‘ (1993) and on 'The Bicentennial King Vol. 1‘.
Although he would return in two days, it’s surprising that the Colonel had not consented to a matinee and free up Tuesday for another city - but it came to be known later that Elvis was really not up to performing two shows in one day. A matinee would often suffer and would usually be shorter.
This auditorium featured a fixed stage at one end of the building, with no seats behind Elvis or on the very sides of the stage – very unusual. Curtains draped the edges of the stage, and we couldn’t see Elvis until he was on the stage.
The show was good, though Elvis seemed to be really more interested in interacting
with his back-up singers and musicians. The show suffered with what some have
described as the ‘quick close syndrome - only three or four songs after a lengthy break for introductions, resulting in Elvis only singing for 5 to 7 minutes, though it often included the highlight of the show - 'Hurt'.
I was disappointed with this show after having seen the opening show of the previous tour in Buffalo, but perhaps the following two days would be better." (excerpts from liner notes by Christopher Brown).
01. Introduction Also Sprach Zarathustra
02. C.C. Rider
03. I Got A Woman / Amen
04. Love Me
05. If You Love Me (Let Me Know)
06. You Gave Me A Mountain
07. All Shook Up
08. (Let Me Be Your) Teddy Bear / Don't Be Cruel
09. And I Love You So
10. Jailhouse Rock
11. Fever
12. America The Beautiful
13. Polk Salad Annie
14. Introductions of singers, musicians, orchestra
15. Early Mornin' Rain
16. What'd I Say
17. Johnny B. Goode
18. Drum Solo (Ronnie Tutt)
19. Bass Solo (Battle Of New Orleans, Jerry Scheff)
20. Piano Solo (Tony Brown)
21. Electric Piano & Clavinet Solo (David Briggs)
22. Love Letters
23. School Day
24. Hurt (with reprise)
25. Hound Dog
26. Funny How Time Slips Away
27. Can't Help Falling In Love
28. Closing Vamp &Announcements.
All tracks recorded live from audience on July 25th, 1976.
Note: this audience recordings of this show were previously released as 'Stormin' Syracuse‘ (1999) and on 'Onondaga Nights‘ (2015).
(Source: EPE / Elvis Information Network / Nela)