Happy New Year!

 

December 30 - The Year In Review

Rick Crofts did a Year In Review video for 2025, looking back at Elvis and personal highlights. I wonder where he got the idea :-) Well worth a view, if you're an Elvis fan, you'll understand why! 

(Source: The Elvis Workshop)

December 28 - Brigitte Bardot Died

Legendary French actress and singer Brigitte Bardot has died, she was 91. 

Elvis had made his interest known for the famous actress and sex symbol just before leaving the United States for his Army stint in Germany. At the Brooklyn press conference on September 28, 1958, Elvis was asked, "What would you like to do the most on your first leave in Europe?" He replied: "I’d like to go to Paris ... and look up Brigitte Bardot." This response elicited laughter among the newsmen. He did go to Paris, but never got to meet Bardot. 

Brigitte Bardot responded to Presley’s remark via the press that she was not interested in meeting Elvis and criticized him saying he was not “refined.” This prompted Elvis to reply: "Everybody quoted me as saying I wanted to date her. That isn’t what I said. I only made the statement that I admire her and would like to meet her. There’s a lot of people I admire and would like to meet.”

On October 5, 1958, Elvis met Margit Buergin, who had come to Bad Homburg to meet Elvis. She asked him for his autograph and Elvis was immediately taken with her. With the photographers shouting for Elvis to pose for pictures with Margit, Elvis grabbed her hand and led her to the park as they were followed by a large group of fans and reporters. He later described her as looking "a lot like Brigit Bardot."

(Source: Various)

Elvis Day by Day 2025

Poplar Tunes Publishing is proud to announce the 9th volume in its popular 'Elvis Day By Day - The Year In Review' yearbook series. This new 2025 edition is set for release in January 2026. 

Born in a shotgun shack in East Tupelo, Mississippi, in 1935, Elvis Presley achieved legendary status. He transformed the industry with his unique sound and style, leaving a legacy that still resonates on his 90th birthday year. 

A remarkable aspect of Elvis is that his posthumous legacy, like his life, continues to produce news, day by day. His legacy is still debated and celebrated every day by millions of fans around the world. So here, in recognition of 90 years of Elvis, is a day by day yearbook featuring all the significant releases and events from the continuing saga of the King of Rock and Roll. No other artist could justify such a retrospective each year, but Elvis does!

This detailed timeline traces everything Elvis Presley from 2025: all the new books on a wide variety of subjects, the "EPIC" movie releases on DVD and Blu-ray and of course the music on CD and multicolored vinyl. Added to that are over 75 in-depth reviews, articles and interviews on the main releases, showing you what you missed, and helping you to distinguish what you should or shouldn't add to your collection. All that and much, much more in the ultimate tribute in the 90th anniversary of the King Rock and Roll!

If you thought you'd seen it all, just browse through these 480 full-color pages! The King Still Lives Today, this book proves it!

The foreword was kindly written by Roy Turner, Executive Director of the Elvis Presley Birthplace, where Elvis' legacy began on January 8th 1935, 90 years ago in 2025.

The new edition can be pre-ordered from the >>> Poplar Tunes webshop. 

December 27 - Charts December 2025 - Week 4 - Updated

Elvis' Christmas recordings are still finding their way op on charts around the world. 

Official U.K. charts

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation bounced back from No. 95 to No. 81 on the Official U.K. Album Top 100, and from No. 81 to No. 70, on the nation's Chart Update chart. On the Official U.K. Streaming chart the compilation climbed three places, from No. 75 to No. 72. 'The Classic Christmas Album' debuted at No. 93 on this chart.

On the Official U.K. Year-End Chart, 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' ended at No. 45, seven places down from 2024.

The song 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 65 to No. 43 on the U.K. Single Top 100. It rose from No. 48 to No. 38 on the Official Streaming chart, from No. 54 to No. 48 on the Audio Streaming chart and from No. 55 to No. 54 on the Chart Update chart.

'The Complete Story' dropped off the Music Video chart after last week's re-entry at No. 36.

U.S. Billboard charts

On the U.S. Billboard charts Elvis is finding listed higher than on the U.K. charts.

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 29 to No. 27 on the Billboard's Main Hot 100 single chart. On the Global Top 200 chart the song climbed from No. 44 to No. 39, and it returned to the Global Top 200 Excluding U.S. chart at No. 198. 

On the Holiday 100 chart it climbed from No 22 to No. 21 while it remained steady at No. 24 on the Top Streaming Songs chart. On Billboard's Country Streaming Songs chart the classic remained steady at No. 4 while it climbed from No 11 to No. 8 on the Rock Digital Song chart. The song returned to the Holiday Digital Song Sales chart at No. 24.

'Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)' climbed from No 96 to No. 94  on the Holiday 100 chart, but on the Holiday Streaming Songs chart it remained steady at No. 21. The single jumped from No. 44 to No. 39 on the Global Top 200 chart.

'O Little Town of Bethlehem' climbed from No. 16 to No. 13 on the Christian Streaming Songs chart this week.

'The Classic Christmas Album' remained steady at No. 43 on the main Billboard 200 chart. On the Top Streaming Albums chart to album climbed from No. 36 to No. 32, and on the Catalog Album chart it dropped from No. 22 to No. 20. The album remained steady at No. 8 on Billboard's Top Country Albums chart, while 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from No. 44 to No. 42 on that chart.

On the Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart 'The Classic Christmas Album' dropped from No. 4 to No. 5 while it also dropped on the Top Rock Album chart, from No. 5 to No. 6. On the Top Holiday Album chart the compilation lost one spot and fell to No. 17. The album climbed from No. 44 to No. 39 on Billboard's Global Top 200 Album chart. 

The 'Christmas with Elvis and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra' album returned to the Classical Album chart at No. 31. 

On the Artists chart Elvis Presley remained steady at No. 52 this week. 

Canadian Billboard Charts

On Billboard's Canadian Hot 100 chart, 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 20 to No. 19 while 'The Classic Christmas Album' rose from No. 36 to No. 32 on the Canadian Album Top 100 chart.

Irish Charts

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 81 to No. 59 on the Irish IRMA single Top 100 chart.

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation re-entered the IRMA Album Top 100 chart at No. 95.

Dutch Charts

On the Dutch Singles Top 100 chart 'Blue Christmas' made jumped from No. 67 to No. 38. 'Elvis' Christmas Album' gained 63 place and climbed from No. 86 to No. 23. 

Swedish Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' gained nine places on the Swedish album chart and climbed from No. 40 No. 19. 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 89 to No. 63. 

Norwegian Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' jumped from No. 86 to No. 36 on the Norwegian Top Lista chart. 'Blue Christmas' re-entered the Single Chart at No. 95 this year. 

Swiss Charts

'Blue Christmas' rose from No 97 to No. 52 on the Swiss Single Chart. 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Swiss Album chart at No. 34 this year. 

Australian charts

​'Blue Christmas' debuted at No. 47 on the Australian ARIA Top 50 On Replay Singles Chart.

Digital charts

Elvis has topped the 40 million monthly listeners mark on Spotify, thanks in part to the annual resurgence of 'Blue Christmas'. At 504 million streams, the song has passed 'Burning Love' and now, and follows only 'Can't Help Falling in Love' (1.23 billion), 'Jailhouse Rock' and 'Suspicious Minds'.

On Christmas Day Elvis entered Spottify's Top 100 Artist chart at No. 94, climbing to No. 73 a day later.

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum / Janne Hokkanen)

December 27 - 2025 and FTD Stories About Elvis

The 2-volume discography book on the Follow That Dream catalog by David Ward and Atsushi Nakamura has been released. The first volume covers the Studio Outtakes, Live Performances, Rehearsals, Private Recordings and the 'Classic Album' re-issues while the second book details the Soundtracks, the Books, the Session set and the vinyl releases by the collectors label. 

Publicity for the 152-page books stated: For each release, we have included as much information as possible in the space available, including engineer names, catalog numbers, release dates, track listings, recording data, and a few short paragraphs about the music. We have also included a useful list of Elvis’ concert dates from 1969 to 1977, highlighting the FTD titles that have come from them, as well as other important official official live releases.

Go to the >>> FTD WORLD 1999-2025 webshop for more info and to order these books.

2025 Video Year In Review

Emiel Maier posted his yearly wrap-up with all the highlights of his monthly 'Elvis News Reports of 2025'. This edition covers "the good, the bad and the sad, while skipping the nonsense" and includes news about the 'EPiCC' movie and 'Elvis Evolution', Graceland, the Follow That Dream and Sony releases on CD and vinyl, books and people we lost among other items. 

Stories About Elvis 

Danish author Stig Ulrichsen announced that his book 'Fortællinger om Elvis Presley' ('Stories About Elvis Presley') will be published in several other languages, including German and English and an audio-version in 2026. 

(Source: Elvis Information Network / David Ward / Stig Ulrichsen)

Merry Christmas!

I wish all of you happy holidays and a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy the holiday season like a King! 

Enjoy these 'Mono II Stereo' versions of Elvis' classic performances, he never sounded this good, must be a Christmas miracle!  

And for the next year, I send you my warmest wishes for a bright and joyful New Year in 2026!

December 23 - It's Elvis Time

Just in time for Christmas, the Dutch It's Elvis Time fanclub published the December 2025 edition of their self-titled magazine. 

The full color 50-page magazine is filled with articles on Aaron Schroeder' in the magazine's 'Elvis Sings ....' series. This marks the last article written by the late Trevor Simpson. 'Saint Elvis' investigates the origin of Elvis' name and '1971 - The impossible Dream' goes behind the scenes of Elvis 1971 Vegas engagement.

The review section covers volume 3 of FTD's 'The Last Tours' while the main feature of this edition is an extended interview with Mandi Miller. Fan club president Eric van Rooij caught up with Sandi and asked the questions. 

No news this time, but enough for a pleasant read during the Holiday season. 

Want to become a member of It's Elvis Time? You can! Click >>> here to apply for membership.

Jailhouse Rock

The Wagram / Music Legends budget label announced the January 14, 2026 re-release of their 'Jailhouse Rock' LP.

Description: In the "Music Legends" LP series one name is indispensable: the King. The American singer, musician, and actor Elvis Presley is considered the most successful solo artist worldwide, with over a billion records sold across Rock, Pop, Country, Gospel and Blues. 

Presley reached number one on the American Billboard charts with 15 albums and 16 EPs. He is the only musician in U.S. chart history to have number-one hits on Billboard's Pop (18), Country (11), Rhythm and Blues (6) and Adult Contemporary (7) charts. To this day, he tops the list of the 500 most successful artists since 1955. 

By 1978, Presley had been nominated for a Grammy Award 14 times, winning three for his gospel interpretations. Besides Michael Jackson, Presley is the only artist to be inducted into five Halls of Fame: Rock and Roll, Rockabilly, Country, Blues, and Gospel. Furthermore, six of his song interpretations were recognized as historically significant and inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Between 1956 and 1969, Presley also appeared in 31 feature films.

(Source: It's Elvis Time / Decks)

December 21 - EPiC Soundtrack

Available from Amazon as a digital pre-order is the 27-track soundtrack for 'EPiC: Elvis presley In Concert'. The album should be available February 20, 2026. 

The album is available from >>> Amazon (associate link).

Update December 22: However there has been no official SONY / EPE announcement yet, and at the moment the Amazon post has been removed.

Tracks: Can't Help Falling In Love (EPiC Intro) - Also Sprach Zarathustra / An American Trilogy (EPiC Version - Elvis Presley and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) - That's All Right (EPiC Version) - Tiger Man (EPiC Version) - Wearin' That Night Life Look (Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Hound Dog (EPiC Version) - Polk Salad Annie (EPiC Version) - You've Lost That Loving Feeling (EPiC Version) - Little Sister / Get Back (EPiC Version) - Burning Love (EPiC Version - Elvis Presley and Royal Philharmonic Orchestra) - Never Been To Spain (EPiC Version) - Love Me (Jamieson Shaw Remix - Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - I Can't Stop Loving You (EPiC Version) - Are You Lonesome Tonight? (EPiC Version) - Always On My Mind (Omer Fedi Remix - Elvis Presley and Omer Fedi) - How Great Thou Art (EPiC Version) - Oh Happy Day (EPiC Version) - A Big Hunk O' Love (EPiC Version) - Bridge Over Troubled Water (EPiC Version) - In the Ghetto (Jamieson Shaw Remix - Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Walk A Mile In My Shoes (EPiC Version) - Suspicious Minds (EPiC Version) - Bring The Curtain Down (EPiC Outro) - Can't Help Falling In Love (EPiC Version) - American David (EPiC Version - Bono and Elliott Wheeler) - A Change Of Reality (Do You Miss Me?) (Elvis Presley and Jamieson Shaw) - Don't Fly Away (PNAU Remix - Elvis Presley and PNAU)

(Source: Franz Nubel / Amazon)

December 20 - Elvis Collected On Vinyl and CD

Elvis Presley Enterprises / Graceland sent out their annual Fan Club Presidents Christmas card / CD. The 2025 edition is titled 'Elvis Sings' and features the songs 'The Wonderful World of Christmas', 'Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees' and 'Winter Wonderland'. 

Added to the CD is a personal message from EPE, Graceland and the Presley family which doesn't just look back, but also forward. The family explicitly mentions 2026 as an important year, in which Elvis will once again take center stage for a large and diverse audience. They also mention the release of Baz Luhrmann's 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert', which will hit theaters in early 2026. According to the family, this production tells Elvis's story in a new and impactful way, one that will touch both loyal fans and new generations. They say they look forward to the reaction of fans worldwide and invite everyone to experience this special film year together.

They also look ahead to 2027, a year dedicated to 50 years of Elvis's legacy. The family hints at a series of commemorations, events, and special moments that will honor the life, music, and lasting impact of Elvis Presley. While details are still being kept secret, they make it clear that this will be a grand and meaningful year, with fans from around the world coming together to remember and celebrate Elvis.

The Christmas message concludes with words of gratitude and solidarity. The family reiterates how essential fan clubs have been and continue to be in preserving Elvis's music, stories, and memories. They wish everyone a warm holiday and express their hope of welcoming fans back to Graceland in the years to come.

Elvis Collected

The Vinyl Champ budget record label released the 19-track compilation LP 'Elvis Collected' as a "Limited Edition on colored vinyl" according to the hype sticker. 

It is available only at physical Lidl shops in the Netherlands.

(Source: Pascal Matteo / Lidl)

December 20 - Charts December 2025 - Week 3 - Updated

Elvis Presley is one of a handful of musical acts who passed away decades ago who manage to return to the charts every December thanks to the holiday music they recorded during their lifetime. On this week's chart he is listed with eight different titles.

Official U.K. charts

The 'ELV1S 30 #1 Hits' compilation slipped from No. 92 to No. 95 on the Official U.K. Album Top 100, and dropped seven places, from No. 74 to No. 81, on the nation's Chart Update chart.

On the Official U.K. Streaming chart the compilation bounced back up and climbed five places from No. 80 to No. 75.  

The song 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 68 to No. 65 on the U.K. Single Top 100. It rose from No. 56 to No. 48 on the Official Streaming chart, from No. 54 to No. 48 on the Audio Streaming chart and from No. 59 to No. 55 on the Chart Update chart.

'The Complete Story' re-enters the Official Music Video chart at No. 36.

U.S. Billboard charts

On the U.S. Billboard charts Elvis is finding listed higher than on the U.K. charts.

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 31 to No. 29 on the Billboard's Main Hot 100 single chart. On the Global Top 200 chart the song climbed from No. 60 to No. 44, on the Holiday 100 chart it dropped from No. 21 to No. 22 while it remained steady at No. 24 on the Top Streaming Songs chart. On Billboard's Country Streaming Songs chart the classic remained steady at No. 4 while it re-entered the Rock Digital Song chart at No. 11. 

'Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)' re-entered the Holiday 100 chart at No. 96, but on the Holiday Streaming Songs chart it lost one spot and fell to No. 21. The single jumped from No. 60 to No. 44 on the Global Top 200 chart.

'O Little Town of Bethlehem' climbed from No. 20 to No. 16 on the Christian Streaming Songs chart this week.

'The Classic Christmas Album' gained another 12 spots on the main Billboard 200 chart, climbing from No. 55 to No. 43 this week. On the Top Streaming Albums chart to album climbed from No. 44 to No. 36. On the Catalog Album chart the compilation remained steady at No. 20. The album entered the Top 10 of Billboards Top Country Albums chart, climbing from No. 10 to No. 8, while 'The Essential Elvis Presley' climbed from No. 46 to No. 44 on that chart.

On the Top Rock and Alternative Albums chart 'The Classic Christmas Album' climbed from No. 9 to No. 5 while it climbed up the Top 10 of the Top Rock Album chart from No. 7 to No. 4. this week. On the Top Holiday Album chart the compilation remained steady at No. 16. The album climbed from No. 60 to No. 44 on Billboard's Global Top 200 Album chart. 

On the Artists chart Elvis Presley climbed from No. 73 to No. 52 this week. 

Canadian Billboard Charts

On Billboard's Canadian Hot 100 chart, 'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 24 to No. 20 while 'The Classic Christmas Album' rose from No. 52 to No. 36 on the Canadian Album Top 100 chart.

Irish Charts

'Blue Christmas' climbed from No. 95 to No. 81 on the Irish IRMA single Top 100 chart.

Dutch Charts

On the Dutch Singles Top 100 chart 'Blue Christmas' made jumped from No. 92 to No. 67. 'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Dutch Album Top 100 at No. 86.

Swedish Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' gained nine places on the Swedish album chart and climbed from No. 49 No. 40. 'Blue Christmas' re-entred the Swedish Single Top 100 at No. 89.

Norwegian Charts

'Elvis' Christmas Album' re-entered the Norwegian Top Lista chart at No. 86. 

Swiss Charts

'Blue Christmas' re-entered the Swiss Single Chart at No. 97 this year. 

(Source: Billboard / Official Chart Company / UK Mix Forum / Janne Hokkanen)

Review Elvis Religion and Spirituality

In the unceasing stream of books about Elvis, I as an "Elvis minister" (I incorporate Elvis' spiritual journey into religious services) always have a special eye for books or chapters that deal with the spiritual side of Elvis. For many people who don't know that much about Elvis, it's still a surprise that Elvis was religious. 

Recently, I was alerted that 'Elvis Religion and Spirituality as Seen Through His Possessions' had been published. I immediately ordered and read it!

By Fred Omvlee, Elvis Minister.

Design

The 322-page book is in a fairly large format and paperback. I don't think a hardcover version is available. That's a shame, because my book is already starting to get dog-eared because I leaf through it a lot. 

It's a gold mine for the fan interested in Elvis' personal items related to religion, which is a niche, of course. The fact that many of Elvis' religious objects take the form of a ring, pendant, or other jewelry makes the appeal greater for more fans. 

The book is 50/50 percent text and images, detailing Elvis spiritual journey through Elvis personal possessions, books with personal notes, original articles, jewelry and more. Bélard did his research and for man of the pieces of jewelry he found a photograph of Elvis wearing it.

I have one small critical point: some photos could have been sharper, in my opinion. Sometimes the text printed on them is less easily readable.

Content

As Paul Bélard writes in the foreword, the book doesn't claim to be a thorough study of Elvis' religiosity. Instead, it focuses on the outward manifestations that reflect his inner needs. And that's where the strength and the poignancy lie. Just as in my Elvis church services I like to show a photo of a Bible verse where Elvis wrote: "In the Lord I place my trust, He will guide me." I find the personal messages he wrote in books - for himself or for others - deeply moving. 

I also find the first object touching: a small painting of Jesus that he bought for his parents in 1956. They hung it in their bedroom. 

When Elvis was asked in an interview in 1956 which of the gifts he had given to his parents meant the most to him he answered. “The picture of Jesus I bought them when I was 15. I was working as a usher at that time and saved up a week’s pay to get it for them. It cost me US$15 and now it hangs in my parents bedroom.”

Elvis' entire quest through Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, and Sri Daya Mata is fascinating. It all comes up in this book. However, this isn't a book to read all at once. Every two pages describe a different item, which makes it more of a browsing book to pick up again and again. 

For me, an index would be handy to quickly look something up again. But for the fan interested in Elvis' faith, it's a gold mine!

Conclusion

It should be clear: this is a book for the specialized Elvis fan who already has just about everything about Elvis on the shelf but specifically wants to know more about Elvis' religious possessions. 

As a theologian and Elvis minister, I say: this calls for even more depth. This is just the beginning of a deeper knowledge of Elvis' thinking and believing.

You can vist Fred Omvlee's website at >>> www.ElvisKapel.nl (in Dutch)

Buy the book

The book is available from >>> Amazon (associate link). For a signed edition you can contact Paul Belard by email at >>> pbelard@hotmail.com

December 19 - Elvis: Up Close Video

The Blue-line / Rockin' Bear record label released the LP 'The Rock N' Roots Of Elvis Presley' as a Limited Edition on blue colored vinyl. 

Publicity stated: Superb vinyl record album from the king of Rock and Roll Elvis Presley, recorded live in 1974 and 1976. This LP features the songs 'Love Me Tender', 'Steamroller Blues', 'Teddy Bear' - 'Don't Be Cruel' and many more.

Side A:

01. All Shook Up

02. Why Me Lord

03. Love Me Tender

04. Hound Dog

05. Fever

06. Suspicious Minds

07. I Cant Stop Loving You

08. Bridge Over Troubled Water

Side B:

09. CC Rider

10. Cant Help Falling In Love

11. Teddy Bear - Don't Be Cruel

12. Big Boss Man

13. You Gave Me A Mountain

14. Trying To Get To You

15. Hurt

16. Steamroller Blues

Close-Up

Graceland has released a new episode of their exclusive video series. 'Elvis: Up Close' offers fans a seasonal glimpse into Elvis’ life as a father.

This episode features Lisa Marie’s Toys, a collection of childhood items Elvis gave to his daughter in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Displayed each holiday season in the Jungle Room, the toys are arranged as if Santa has just paid a visit, reflecting the warmth and care Elvis brought to Christmas at Graceland.

(Source: Graceland)

December 18 - EPiC Poster

Baz Luhrmann posted an 'EPiC' poster for the 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' movie which will hit theaters February 2026. 

Description: Elvis Presley like never before. Featuring long-lost footage discovered by Academy Award-nominated Baz Luhrmann, 'EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert' is a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience. One week IMAX exclusive starts February 20, 2026 and in theaters worldwide on February 27th. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

 

(Source: Baz Luhrmann)

December 17 - Elvis #90 in Tupelo

The Belgian / Dutch ElvisMatters fanclub published Volume 90 of their 'ELVIS' magazine. This edition comes with an Exclusive Christmas single for the club's members. 

The 7-inch vinyl single features two classics from 1957: 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town' coupled with 'Santa, Bring My Baby Back (To Me)'. Both tracks have been reworked with special 3D-mono mastering, giving them a fresh, clear and surprisingly modern sound, without losing the timeless character of the original 1957 recordings. 

The full-color A4-sized magazine features background articles on the late Bill Morris, 'Elvis Presley in Concert', Elvis' bass-player Jerry Scheff, Christmas at Graceland 1957 and reviews of the books 'Elvis, We Were There!' and 'Softly, As I Leave You'. Also added to the magazine (for the club's Gold members) is a CD with music related to the articles and Christmas theme of the magazine. 

Visit the fan-club's website >>> here to join ElvisMatters for more information. 

City of Tupelo to buy Tupelo Hardware Store

The city of Tupelo announced that it will purchase the historic store where Elvis Presley bought his first guitar The store, which was founded in 1926 by George H. Booth, is set to close at the end of the year. 

The City of Tupelo has entered into an agreement with the Booth family to purchase Tupelo Hardware Company. The contract includes the purchase of buildings one and two, as well as the parking lot on Court Street directly behind building one.

“Tupelo Hardware Company is an important part of Tupelo’s history,” said Mayor Todd Jordan. “The opportunity to acquire these historic buildings ensures that Tupelo’s story will continue to unfold and that citizens and visitors from around the world will always be able to walk through the doors at 114 West Main Street.”

Tupelo Hardware Company, founded in 1926 by George H. Booth, is an integral part of Elvis Presley’s Tupelo story and is a primary point of origin for visitors to Tupelo, both domestically and internationally. The store is best known for selling Elvis his first guitar. It is the most authentic experience as it relates to Elvis in the city, next to the Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum.

“This purchase offers us the tremendous opportunity to save a historic building in Downtown Tupelo, but more importantly, it enables us to preserve a piece of American history and continue to share the story of Elvis’ famous purchase with visitors to Tupelo,” said Stephanie Coomer, Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director.

The Tupelo City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to purchase two of the three buildings and the parking lot that house Tupelo Hardware.

The council made their vote after a brief executive session. “It was a quicker decision than we wanted to make, but it was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Tupelo Convention and Visitors Bureau to continue the story that has been told over the years,” said Tupelo Mayor Todd Jordan.

(Source: ElvisMatters / DJournal / My Tupelo)

December 16 - Elvis In Concert Delayed

The Gravel Road import record label announced that the 'Elvis In Concert' album will be postponed to January 2026. 

The label stated that the master created by the pressing plant didn't meet the quality level the Gravel Road label wants to give to Elvis fans. Therefore, a new master has to be created and approved before the records can be pressed. Due to the holiday season, causing an extra delay, the release of this set has been postponed to January 2026.

The LP is available for pre-order from the >>> Bennies webshop.

(Source: Gravel Road)

Review - Blue Moon 2025 Remix Single

Released by the French RDM-Edition record label is the single ‘Blue Moon’, but with a twist.

 Design
 
You can’t really go wrong with a William Speer photo, and this 1955 photograph perfectly matches the recordings on the vinyl and silver disc. The designer did slip up with the “crescent moon” instead of the “blue moon” on the cover.
 

The single is available in four versions; a two-track clear vinyl version and a two-track CD single from RDM-Edition, and a two-track pink-colored Bennies Fifties Exclusive vinyl version and a Bennies Fifties Exclusive CD single with a bonus track. 

Besides the different track list and color vinyl, there are no other differences.

 
Content

The SUN title track was first released by RCA, two years after Elvis recorded it. Alan Hanson wrote: “As a teenager in Memphis, Elvis probably heard multiple recordings of the song on the radio. He obviously liked the pop ballad, as, according to biographer Peter Guralnick, Elvis was already singing the song when he first hooked up with Sun Records in 1954. In fact, Guralnick believes that Elvis, Scotty Moore, and Bill Black tried to record it in July 1954 as a possible flip slide to ‘That’s All Right’. 

On August 19th they did record it. Guralnick wrote: “On August 19, 1954 they spent hours doing take after take of ‘Blue Moon,’ in an eerie, clippity-clop version that resembled a cross between Slim Whitman’s ‘Indian Love Call’ and some of the falsetto flights of the R&B ‘bird’ groups (the Orioles, the Ravens, the Larks). 

After it was all over, Sam wasn’t satisfied that they had anything worth releasing, but he never uttered a word of demurral for fear of discouraging the unfettered freshness and enthusiasm of the singer.”

 
Music historian Colin Escott commented on Elvis’ interpretation of this 1934 song: “Elvis skips the bridge and the final verse that contains the happy ending, neatly transforming the 32-bar pop classic into an eerie 16-bar blues.” The original lyrics describe a man whose longing for love is finally rewarded. 

Elvis used only two opening stanzas, repeating and separating them with ‘falsetto moans’ according to Alan Hanson. These additions emphasize the different outcome Elvis gave to the song, singing “Blue moon, without a love of my own.” You could say that the man from Lorenz Hart’s original lyrics is alone in a ‘Heartbreak Hotel’ or a ‘Lonesome Town,’ like the 1958 Ricky Nelson classic.

 
And that is exactly what audio engineer Anthony Stuchbury delivered on this 2025 remix of ‘Blue Moon’. He took Elvis’ voice and laid that over Ricky’s guitar, and placed the Jordanaires - who backed Nelson on this recording - in the background. Oddly enough, all elements fit in perfectly together, adding even more melancholy. 
 

To me it sounds like this performance was recorded with Elvis, Ricky, and the Jordanaires in the studio, with the new stereo presentation opening the song even more, giving the melancholy room to breathe. The result is an even more haunting presentation of Elvis’ discarded SUN recording.
 
Some readers will probably say that Elvis’ recording shouldn’t be touched, but you could also say that Elvis, the Blue Moon Boys, and Sam Phillips didn’t really see the value of their recording, and RCA discovered it by accident on the tapes they received from SUN Records as part of the deal they had struck to buy Elvis’ contract. I, for one, really liked it as a different interpretation of this song, enriching the Elvis library.

You can listen to short previews on the >>> RDM-Edition website. 
 

The Dutch Bennies Fifties Retro Store released an Exclusive Bennies Fifties Edition, which contains Elvis singing ‘Blue Moon’ a cappella, showcasing Elvis’ unique voice in its purest form, even as untrained as he was, nervous at his second recording session. 

What a pleasure to be able to listen to our man like this. The whining and wailing between the lyrics sound quite surreal, and so much different from other songs he recorded at SUN. This song is only available on the Bennies Fifties Exclusive CD single.

Going into all this detail on ‘Blue Moon’, we’d almost forget about the flip side of the single, which features an Improved Mono II Stereo Mix of Roy Brown’s ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’. 

Stuchbury keeps improving his technique and presents an impressive mix that presents the original SUN sound we know and love, but with modern punch and detail, taking it into the 21st century. This song never rocked like this, making this two-track single a really strong and enjoyable set. I, for one, kept flipping it around.
 
Conclusion
 
Yes, experiments like this could very well go very wrong, but Stuchbury’s craftsmanship delivered a seamless new mix of ‘Blue Moon’ that really works, and a rockin’ ‘Good Rockin’ Tonight’ that never rocked like this. Sony, are you paying attention to this man’s work?
 
All four versions of this single are available from >>> Bennies Fifties.

December 14 - Golden Boy's FTD's Released

According to updates on The King's Realm Forum, Facebook and the Bear Family shop the December Follow That Dream releases arrived with the first dealers and lucky fans. 

The Follow That Dream collectors label, in cooperation with the Norwegian Flaming Star fan club released their December 2025 release the Deluxe box-set ‘The Making of G.I. Blues’ by David English and Pål Granlund. 

The box-set can be ordered from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Publicity stated: FTD books is pleased to announce the release of ‘The Making Of G.I. Blues’ this 65th Anniversary Commemorative Edition is packaged in an individually numbered Deluxe collector's slipcase.

Book 1 - The Movie The Making Of G.I. Blues - The Movie: a 384-page hardback coffee table style Deluxe book, containing many newly discovered photographs, details on deleted scenes, pages from the script, the shooting schedule, memos, contracts, as well as memories from the cast and crew.

 

Book 2 – The Music: a 84-page book of photos, documents and detailed session information.

Additionally the set contains 5 CDs featuring for the first time, the complete Elvis Presley soundtrack recording sessions, from the original 3-track tapes to stereo, sequenced in recording order. 

Also included is Special Collector’s vinyl 33 RPM, compact double EP with a picture sleeve. All housed in a Deluxe, individually (sticker) numbered slipcase.

CD 1: G.I. Blues - The Masters:

Tonight Is So Right For Love - What’s She Really Like - Frankfort Special - Wooden Heart - G. I. Blues - Pocketful Of Rainbows - Shoppin’ Around - Big Boots - Didja’ Ever - Blue Suede Shoes  - Doin’ The Best I Can - Tonight’s All Right For Love

April 27, 1960 - Sunset & Vine, Hollywood:

Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 1 - 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 3 / Master - From Acetate) - Shoppin’ Around (Instrumental, AO Take 4) - Shoppin’ Around (First version, BO Take 1) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 2 - 4) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 5) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 6 - 10) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 11) - Shoppin’ Around (First Version, BO Take 14 / Master - From Acetate)

CD 2: G.I. Blues - April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

Didja’ Ever (CO Take 1) - Didja’ Ever (CO Take 2 / Original Master) - Didja’ Ever (Splice Of CO Take 1 & 2 / Substituted Album Master) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 1 - 3) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 4 - 7) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 8 - 9) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 10 - 12) - Doin’ The Best I Can (DO Take 13 / Master) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 1) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 2 - 4) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 5) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 6) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 7) - G. I. Blues (EO Take 8 - 10, Insert) - G. I. Blues (Splice Of EO Take 7 & 10 / Master) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 1 - 2) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 3) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 4) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 5 - 7) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 1 - 3) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 4 - 5)

* Take 2 used on first pressing of soundtrack.
Also on exported album master (UK, Germany etc.).

CD 3: G.I. Blues - April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 1 - 2) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 3 - 5) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 6 - 7) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 8) - Frankfort Special (Fast Version, HO Take 9 - 13) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 8) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 9) - . Tonight Is So Right For Love (FO Take 10 - 11 / Master)

April 28, 1960 - Sunset & Vine, Hollywood:

Whistling Blues (Instrumental, JO Take 2 / Master) - Tonight Is So Right For Love (Instrumental, KO Take 1 - 4 / Master) - Wooden Heart (Gramafunken Version, Instrumental, LO Take 1 - 2 / Master) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 1 - 2) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 3) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 4) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 5) - Big Boots (Fast Version, M1O Take 6 - 7 / Master) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 1) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 2 - 3) - Big Boots (Slow Version, MO Take 4) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 6 - 7) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 8 - 11) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 12 - 13) - What’s She Really Like (GO Take 14 - 16)

CD 4: G.I. Blues - April 28, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

What’s She Really Like (GO Take 17 - 19) - What’s She Really Like (insert, GO Take 20 - 22) - What’s She Really Like (Splice Of GO Take 19 & 22 Insert / Master) - Pocketful of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 1 - 2) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 3) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 4 - 7) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 8) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 9) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 10) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 11 - 12) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 13 - 14) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 15 - 16) - Blue Suede Shoes (PO Take 1 / Master) - Wooden Heart (QO Take 1) - Wooden Heart (QO Take 2 - 4 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 17) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 18 - 20) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 21 - 25) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Version 1, NO Take 26 - 28)

CD 5: G.I. Blues - May 6, 1960 - Radio Recorders, Hollywood:

Big Boots (Fast Version, Remake, M1O-X Take 1) - Big Boots (Fast Version, Remake, M1O-X Take 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 1 - 2) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 3 - 5) - Shoppin’ Around (Remake, BO-X Take 6 - 7 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Remake, NO-X Take 1 - 2 / Master) - Pocketful Of Rainbows (Remake, NO-X Take 3) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 1 - 5) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 6 - 8) - Frankfort Special (Remake, HO-X Take 9 - 10 / Master) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 1) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 2 - 5) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 6) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 7 - 8) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 9 - 10) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 11 - 12) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 14 - 15) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (R1O Take 16 - 17) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (Insert, R2O Take 1 - 2) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (Composite Of R1O Take 10 & R2O Take 2 / Master) - Big Boots (Slow Version, Remake, MO-X Take 1 - 6) - Big Boots (Slow Version, Insert, M2O-X Take 1 - 4) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (“Tales From The Vienna Woods”, Instrumental, RO Take 1 - 4) - Tonight’s All Right For Love (“Tales From The Vienna Woods”, Instrumental, RO Take 5 / Master) - Big Boots (SO Take 3, Composite Of MO Take 4 & M2O-X Take 4 / Master)

Mastered by Sebastian Jeansson, mixed from 3-track to stereo by Vic Anesini with Sebastian Jeansson. Original engineers: Thorne Nogar and Al Schmitt. Produced by Ernst Mikael Jørgensen.

Note: There are no new Out-takes in this release, only new instrumental versions:

April 27, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

- Shoppin' Around - Instrumental, AO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS)

- Shoppin' Around - Instrumental, AO Take 3 / Master (Acetate)

April 28, 1960 - Sunset and Vine, Hollywood:

- Tonight Is So Right For Love - Instrumental, KO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS), 3 (FS)

- Wooden Heart - Gramafunken Version, Instrumental, LO Take 1 (FS)

May 6, 1960 - Radio Recorders, Hollywood:

- Tonight’s All Right For Love ('Tales From The Vienna Woods') -Instrumental, RO Take 1 (FS), 2 (FS), 3 (FS), 4 (complete)

The Bear Family has this LP listed as in stock. 

Publicity stated: The 'Good Times - The Outtakes' is a special ‘numbered’ Limited 2-LP Edition of 3,500 copies on Ocean Blue colored vinyl.

FTD Vinyl’s first release in August, 2010 arrived long before the great vinyl revival of many years later. Due to the format’s modest sales back then, long-deleted FTD titles are now commanding high prices online and at record fairs.

To accommodate new vinyl collectors who missed out on some of these rare Elvis releases, FTD plans to reissue several key in-demand titles, starting with 'Good Times - The Outtakes'. 

Previously issued in August 2010, this collectible numbered edition’s new cover design is inspired by the 45 RPM single 'I’ve Got A Thing About You Baby'.

The LP is available from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Side 1: Take Good Care of Her - rehearsal and take 1 / Loving Arms - take 1 and rehearsal / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 1 / If That Isn't Love - take 1 / She Wears My Ring - take 8 / I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - take 1 / My Boy - take 1 Elvis Presley

Side 2: Talk about the Good Times - take 3 / Spanish Eyes - takes 1, 2 / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - takes 7, 8 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 4 / I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - take 14 / My Boy - take 2 / Take Good Care of Her - take 4.

Side 3: I've Got a Thing about You, Baby - takes 6, 8, 10, 11 / Loving Arms - take 2 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 2 / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - takes 1, 4, 6 / Take Good Care of Her - takes 2, 3 / Spanish Eyes - take 4 (undubbed master).

Side 4: Talk about the Good Times - takes 1, 2 / Talk about the Good Times - take 4 (undubbed master) / She Wears My Ring - takes 1 - 7 / I Got a Feelin' in My Body - take 7 / My Boy - take 3 (undubbed master) / Good Time Charlie's Got the Blues - take 9 (unedited undubbed master) / If That Isn't Love - splice of takes 5 (LFS) and 7.

* Previously released in 2009 as 'Good Times – The Outtakes' (506020-975011)

The 'G.I. Blues' box-set can be ordered from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

The LP is available from the >>> ElvisMatters webshop.

Golden Boy Elvis No. 4 / 2025

Golden Boy magazine #4/2025 has been published. This last volume for 2025 is currently being shipped and will arrive at readers' homes within the next few days.

Publicity stated: It's that time of year again to look back and pause for a moment. Elvis would have turned 90 this year. We've received many new releases from FTD and Sony / RCA, and, even though the film didn't make it to the general public this year, 'EPiC' has been completed. So, for us fans, there's plenty of material to enjoy, and we can be more than satisfied.

This full color A4-sized magazine features articles on 'The Last Tours Vol. 3', the friendship between Elvis and Liberace and how Elvis ultimately came to own his famous gold lamé suit, celebrating The King in Bad Nauheim with Charles Stone, Priscilla Presley's 'Softly As I Leave You', 'Tracing the Past in Florida' on the original filming locations of the movie 'Follow That Dream' and much more to keep you entertained during the Christmas holidays. 

The Golden Boy Elvis magazine is available as a single issue or as an annual subscription (the latter includes the digital supplement GBE Mailer as a bonus).

EAP Society Off-line

The Elvis Archival Preservation Society's YouTube Channel was removed and terminated on December 13 for a violation of YouTube's Terms of Service. Jamie Kelley has been actively trying to resolve the issue and bring the channel back, but at this time it is unclear what the concrete reasons are, how long this will take or what the outcome will be.

The EAP Society is now looking to distribute its contents through multiple other platforms such as Spotify in order to not be overly dependent on a single platform.

In the meantime, most of the video content (from late 2022 and 2023 onwards) can still be found on Patreon using the >>> url: https://www.patreon.com/eapsociety and fans around the world are invited to join. However, Patreon is paywalled.

For those who don't know the EAP Society, their goals are ambitious and more paying members means a higher likelihood and quicker route to actual release of relevant new audio content and imagery.

• Finding and acquiring unheard/unseen Elvis recordings and media for preservation (they have info on more than a few now)
• When possible, releasing said media through official channels
• Licensing album/session/etc releases from Sony
• Building easy‑to‑follow tools and databases for new fans
• Creating documentaries on a wide range of Elvis topics, including interviews from people who were there
• Producing research and photo books on a wide range of Elvis topics
• Promoting a greater understanding of Elvis Presley, his art, and the people around him
• Producing more live events that are as affordable as possible for fans, in keeping with what Elvis did with his shows
• Expanding the EAP Society set for larger projects and group‑discussion episodes
• Finding new/creative/refreshing ways to introduce Elvis to more people

(Source: The King's Realm Forum / Facebook / Bear Family / EAP Soiety)