If you were willing to allocate a bunch of time and money for Elvis Week, you came back from Memphis with one terrific experience. Over the course of ten days, there was a wonderful array of Elvis stuff for you to do and see, and most people tried to cram in several every day. Good for them. I didn’t get to do many, but what I did was a super intense Elvis experience, so I’m happy. And, I did pick up a few stories that will be fun to pass on.    more »

I don’t know how anyone else in Memphis could have had a more Elvis-connected experience than I had. Over a three-day period, I had breakfast with Joe Esposito, sat ten feet away from Priscilla at the restaurant in the Peabody, and hung around in the Grand Ballroom backstage area with Scotty Moore, DJ Fontana, the Jordanaires, and the TCB Band. Nobody else did that.   more »

There’s a stupid TV commercial where the woman bounces around saying, “I’m cleaning the litter box.” I’m like that now, except that it’s, “I’m going to Elvis Week.” I’d better cut it out, or my wife is going to get mad. Being gone for four days is problematic enough, so there is no point in broadcasting how much fun I’m going to have.   more »

I just read the news that Elvis Presley Enterprises is finally going to embrace Elvis tribute artists next summer in Memphis. They will stage The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest on August 17th at the end of Elvis Week 2007. I think this is a great move, both for Graceland and for the fans. This is outstanding news.   more »

Darwin Lamm has announced his schedule of Elvis Week concerts for next year -- and he will be going out in style. Since 1988, Lamm has entertained close to fifty thousand Elvis fans in Memphis with his series of Good Rockin’ Tonight concerts. In all likelihood, 2007 will be the last blast from Darwin. It could also be close to the end of the performing careers for some of the musicians. So, this will be the year to go to Elvis Week and take in great concerts.    more »

The current issue of Elvis International, The Magazine has an article titled “Elvis… Where Are You?” It is by a man I haven’t met but would like to. Robert Alaniz owns Soundz Good Records, and he organizes huge memorabilia shows at each Elvis Week. He also writes good articles. Robert’s title question, “Elvis… Where Are You?” refers to his concern that Elvis’ spirit in Memphis was fading this year. Robert noted that many of Elvis’ original entourage were absent from the festivities in 2005, and said, “Elvis’ spirit is strong with them and when they’re not there, his presence is weakened.”   more »

Memphis was very hot during Elvis week this year, but it didn’t seem to slow down any of the hardy folks in town to celebrate. In spite of there being no significant event to honor (like the 50th anniversary of “That’s All Right” last year), we had dozens of cool events to choose from.   more »

Memphis was very hot during Elvis week this year, but it didn’t seem to slow down any of the hardy folks in town to celebrate. In spite of there being no significant event to honor (like the 50th anniversary of “That’s All Right” last year), we had dozens of cool events to choose from.   more »