This Graceland/Memphis Travel feature will set the tone for our new "ELVIS" ETA spotlight !!!
We are so excited to add this feature to our blog posts.... so here is the deal... Our blog is currently up once a week.... Of the 4-5 entries a month, ONE blog post each month will be dedicated to and ETA !
Remember what that stands for??? Elvis Tribute Artist. I know there are many ETA's out at Graceland now as the 40th Elvis week kicks off in honor of the "King's" memories. Our goal will be to feature ETA's from Across the Country so stay tuned for that..... our very first ETA will be coming up soon and you can check out his performance at the Strand Theater on August 25th in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the passing of Elvis ! Contact me for details....
Over 75 photos to look at in this blog post.... Enjoy them all as I did.... Let's start with an old iconic photo of the family.... Mom and Dad ( Gladys and Vernon) and baby Elvis....
I find it so hard to believe it's been 40 years since he passed and his music and legacy are so strong and powerful today. I was just a teenager when I remember seeing the sad news on TV and running to the phone to call my Sister. Much of my family adored Elvis. I didn't realize how much of a fan I was until I settled into my fan-dom just a few years ago.... I see so many "things" and memories from Elvis in my life...around me.... not even realizing how much of a fan I was since I was a teenager listening to my Sister's Elvis records.... and dancing to the tunes of Jailhouse Rock....singing to the melodies of Can't Help Falling in Love.... and we can't help but fall in Love with Elvis at some point in our lives.....
Later I became good friends with the late TED PRIOR, a huge Elvis fan himself, of course.....
Lots to cover as we kick off our new feature....this one dedicated to the New Elvis Presley's Memphis Complex and a few sights around the Memphis Area.... Let's start off with a shout out to Libby Perry of the Graceland Beat ! Thank you , Libby for making this all possible and for being the dynamic person that you are at Graceland....
First stop, The Guest House at Graceland. This is a brand new facility dedicated to the friends and fans of the late Elvis Presley. As you can see, the hallway is done in Black and Pink beautifully...a close-up of the wallpaper shows the little sparkling touches that would suit the Elvis taste factor....
Moving to the replica of the staircase.... so amazing....
This first one is from inside the mansion.....
This 2nd one is from the Guest House....got more of a view on the replica....just amazing to walk down the hall and feel like you are in the home of Elvis Presley....and then...we WERE in the home of Elvis Presley....still sinking in.....
Other shots from the Guest House.....
these beautiful black and grey chairs were designed to look like a collar from one of the jumpsuits ! Thank you Marcia Moser for being our photographer on the scene and all around right hand
Let's move into the actual home....one of my favorite rooms was the racquet ball area... I love the split level lounging area complete with REAL pinball machines, a bar and cool comfy furniture. The court is now back to it's original state and not being used for storage of artifacts since the expansion. I got a real feel of comfort in that room.....
Elvis was so proud of his honorary induction into many police force affiliations....
Next, I had to get the "Jungle Room"- One of his favorite places. Elvis actually recorded some of his hits from this room....
Other photos from the Mansion include renderings of a couple of the rooms ( Loved that).... some photos of the family , dining area, pool table and the keys to city that look like a guitar.....
Moving to the Meditation Garden, another one of the "King's" favorite places to be.... you can see why.... around the other side of the garden are the tombstones of the family.... seen here is the one of Elvis and the eternal flame..... just breathtaking and solemn.....
Can't forget the Lisa Marie.... How cool to be able to walk inside the plane ....
Let's now head over to parts of the new complex where you can get a peanut butter and banana sandwich ( one of his favs) at Gladys's Restaurant.
Another favorite area is the ICONS OF INFLUENCE
Here you can see many great musicians and entertainers with outfits on display and even a quote of how Elvis influenced them... including KISS, BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN, DOLLY PARTON, CARRIE UNDERWOOD and more..... seen here, A Memphis boy turned star in a signature Elvis Pose...
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE.....
AND.....(Below) Buddy Holly
Some of the cool shots from the complex include these:
Let's head over to the famous Beale Street where we find the plaque for Lansky Brothers
( where Elvis bought a lot of his clothing)
and some cool street shots....
You know I love this one that reminds me of Vegas.... in fact, all of Beale kind of reminded me of a cross between Fremont Street and Bourbon Street.... very cool....
One of the cool shots I got came with a surprise-- here is a shot of one of the music notes that are lined up in the cement. on Beale Street... an honor to be a part of those.... so at the opening of Elvis week, President and CEO Jack Soden took the Mic.... upon leaving, he was called back and to his surprise was honored with a music note on Beale Street ! Jack has been the CEO at Graceland since 1990
What a cool honor ! Next time I go back, hopefully for Elvis week next year, I will get a shot of THAT !!!
Nothing spoke louder to me than the graciousness and kindness of all the people we met while visiting.... from Entertainers in the shops like Wade and Donna from "Swing Shift" to the local photographer DOC to Quatrel Towers who works in one of the gift shops and to Kai who is bringing the Elvis Legacy to a whole new generation.... We also met Erma one of the tour bus guides, and fans such as Irene Hope and Karen Dillon.....
Last stop for now..... Marlowes Ribs and Restaurant... an Absolute Must do....
Escorted over by Marc in a Pink Cadillac.... ( if you call and make a reservation, they will pick you up compliments of Marlowes within a certain distance) Some of the best food I've tasted out there.... Marlowe's is a MUST on the list !
Here we had the honor to meet Colin Paul, performing at Marlowe's during Elvis Week !
All in all, Graceland is a stop for all ages. It's a chance to take a peek at the legacy that Elvis has created, that others now carry on.
With Priscilla overseeing all... she hand picked Jack Soden to carry on the monumental task of Graceland and all that goes with it....
To see all that Elvis has influenced in his career and continues to influence....was truly amazing .
Thank you Libby Perry
Photo credits to Marcia Moser/ Ava Holly
Thank you to all we met at Amazing Graceland !
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