Elvis Week 2013: Gotta Love the Fans

This is part 2 of our series. Part 1 can be found: Here.

Day 3 of Elvis Week:

“Driver, how far is it to Graceland and are you an Elvis fan!?”

On our third day in Memphis (Monday, August 12th), we finally got closer to that great American landmark, Graceland. That day, our taxi driver picked us up at the Crowne Plaza Hotel near downtown and dropped us off 15 minutes later on Elvis Presley Boulevard.

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Wait a minute! Isn’t that Cliff “Rockabilly” Wright?! 

We got out of the taxi at Graceland Plaza where you’ll see plenty of gift shops and restaurants. Having given up on finding any “polk salad”, we ended at Rockabilly’s Diner. Just then, who do we see walking out?  It’s Cliff Wright, the terrific performer we’d just interviewed a week before in our lead up to Elvis Week. What a cool guy! You can read our previous interview with him by clicking: Here.

Anyway, at Rockabilly’s Diner, you’ll find some of the most amazing vintage photos of Elvis Presley centered above each booth. While you’re walking around looking at these images, you can inconspicuously check out what the diners are eating. One member of our group made sure to order the grilled peanut butter and banana sandwich.

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Rockabilly’s Diner

See how the photographs are placed above each booth.

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At Graceland Plaza we had the best time just meeting some of the fans

In fact, there are so many fans, that Graceland has an entire department just for “Fan Relations”.  Click on this button to the right, and you’ll find fans in your area.

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“Who introduced you to Elvis Presley and how did you become a fan?”

This is the question that we too were frequently asked. Looking back, as a little kid growing up in the Midwest, there were certain things that seemed to have always existed. There was the President of the United States, Santa Claus, and well,…Elvis Presley. When it comes to whether you’re a fan, I’ve always thought: “How could you not be a fan?” Above all else, as an entertainer, Elvis was incredible! People recognized that then, and they continue to see that today. Anyone who says otherwise, may as well “talk to the hand”. 

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Then why did it take us this long to make the trip to Graceland? 

Good question. At any rate, we can thank artist friend and Elvis fan, Nate Giorgio. Over the years, Nate, has created many Elvis-inspired works of art, (some of which are currently on display in the Graceland Plaza Art Gallery), and has described each trip to Graceland as the best time he has ever had. (A previous interview with Nate Giorgio is posted: Here.)

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Since we’re talking about fans…

Dee Dandken of California may be the “ULTIMATE Elvis Fan”

Here’s a photo of Dee taken with our wonderful driver from the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Reginald Hill. This photo was actually taken on Friday, August 16th before the “Aloha from Hawaii” screening at the Orpheum Theatre.

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DanseTrack – “How did you become an Elvis fan?”

Dee Dandken – “I was born in 1955 (20 years after Elvis) so I missed his early break-out years.  Looking back, I don’t remember The Dorsey Brothers, the Milton Berle Show, or the Steve Allen show. I think I barely remember seeing Elvis on Ed Sullivan. Growing up, however, I loved all the Elvis movies.  I can remember my parents taking me and my older sister to the drive-in where we saw “Viva las Vegas”.  I knew then that Elvis was something special. Then came the ’68 Comeback Special.  I was in 7th or 8th grade, still too young to really appreciate the man, but again I could identify that there was something special about him.”

“Around 1970 my ‘young’ uncle took his four nieces to see Elvis Presley live at the Oakland Coliseum in California.  I think that was the only way our uncle could explain to his friends why he wanted to see Elvis so much himself. Afterwards, during our high school years, my sister and I would drive to Lake Tahoe to see as many shows as we could fit in.  We were in love!!!  We always sat down in front and were able to secure several scarves and get a few kisses.”

“One time, I ran on stage at the end of the concert, grabbed him, kissed him, slid his scarf from his neck then ran back to my seat.  Nobody touched me!” I was definitely in love, but still a little too young for Elvis.  He passed away when I was 21 and vacationing in Hawaii, of all places to be!”

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DanseTrack – “You’ve met so many people in the entertainment business.  In your opinion, what is it about Elvis Presley that has created such a lasting legacy?”

Dee Dandken – “Elvis was alway bigger than life! An icon that I thought nobody could ever get close to.  He was so HUGE, that he was in seclusion most of the time.  Just the thought that I never got to meet him keeps him HUGE in my mind. Now, hearing all of these wonderful stories of Elvis, keeps him alive for everyone. It also makes me wish I had been born a few years earlier!  I may have met him also. Can you just imagine?”

“But I have scarves from Elvis framed on the wall and memories of his kisses. I have two wonderful pictures of Elvis on stage.  In one, he’s looking into my eyes with that smile on his face.  And in the other, he is bending down about to kiss me.  Those were both taken in 1976.  We had no idea that would be the last time we would ever see him again! And of course, his show was magnificent, as they all were.”

“Reflecting back over the years, one can certainly understand how his popularity affected his life style. And as we all know, he’s not the only one this has happened to.  It’s a sad ending to one hell-of-a-life!!!”

 

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7:00pm – Our first time at the Graceland Main Stage and the concert is “A Salute to Memphis Music”. 

Click on the image to enlarge.

The show opened with Brad Birkedahl and the Burnin’ Love Band  in a “Salute to Memphis Music”. This was a shocker because, all along, we’d identified Brad mostly in his role as the entertaining online host for Elvis Week. He’d be all over the place interviewing people and describing the goings-on in his own hip style.

Then, to see his name as the opening act for tonight’s concert!?! It was like having some friend or relative you’d normally joke around with, who, every so often, would casually mention that they play in a band. You’d grin, and picture them mostly goofing off in the garage hammering out  a few notes on air guitar. Just look at this photo below.

Brad Birkedahl, online host of Elvis Week 2013, serenades a few “fans”

That’s why we were so shocked to see Brad hit the stage that night. It was amazing!

We were like, “Hey, it’s the Elvis Week web host guy and he and the “Burnin” Love Band are awesome!!

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Just when we thought no act could possibly follow that, Memphis Jones showed us what the music of Memphis is all about!

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Although the concert had come to an end, the night was far from over.

It’s 10:00pm at the Crowne Plaza and Elvis has NOT left the building

In the lower level of our hotel, there were a series of shows presented by “The Wonder of You Promotions”. We arrived towards the end of a set with Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Semifinalist, Jim Barone of New Jersey.

One note about Jim Barone: Most of the Elvis Tribute Artists that we’ve seen have specialized in portraying Elvis at a particular stage in his performing career. In these few months since the Lake George Elvis Festival we’ve discovered that Jim Barone is amazing because he can do it all!! From the early years up to the 70’s jumpsuit era it doesn’t seem to matter because he’s always good.

Jim Barone – 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Semifinalist

(Note: This photo was taken at another event.)

Bill Lindsey – Elvis Tribute Artist from Tampa, Florida

The next tribute artist on the schedule was Bill Lindsey. As the stage was being set up for his act, we took one look at Bill and wondered how such a big guy would ever fit on that stage. Needless to say, once his first song had ended, Bill leaped right right off that stage out into the audience.  Next thing you know, everyone was dancing right along with him and on that day, Monday, August 12th, we had one of the best times ever.

 

(Click twice on the box to the right to show the entire lineup of Elvis Tribute Artists at the Crowne Plaza Memphis.)

 

 

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It’s Day 4 and the Elvis Tribute Artist Preliminaries are over.

1:00pm – The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Showcase

On the Main Stage at Graceland that afternoon, each of the semifinalists for the 2013 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest had an opportunity to showcase their talents in a program hosted by Joey Sulipeck.

(Click on the image to enlarge.)

As we made it to our row in the audience, I was seated directly next to a very tall gentleman with a pleasant smile. I tried shifting my seat to make sure I wasn’t crowding him, but realized that our chairs were linked together. Jokingly, I told him that I’d try to keep the dancing under control, but once the music started, he started snapping his fingers and swaying to the music. Before long, we were all snapping and swaying!

Come to find out, I was sitting next to a guy named Tom Spivey whose is married to a member of “Shake Rattle & Roll”, a popular all-female doo-wop group from Longview, Texas. Tom is the sound engineer for the group and, as each Elvis Tribute Artist came out on the stage, Tom knew all of the songs. Everyone in our group enjoyed the show, and before it was all over, we were all shaking, rattling, and rolling!

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Next on the agenda…

4:00pm – Elvis at Stax Listening Party

That afternoon, RCA/Legacy Recordings hosted a special listening party at the Stax Museum of American Soul Music on East McLemore Avenue. Thist event gave fans an opportunity to learn details behind those 1973 recording sessions as well as stand in the very spot where Elvis recorded the music they heard. This listening party coincided with the recent release of  the CD box set “Elvis At Stax”.

The full article that accompanies this above photo is by Jon W. Sparks of the Commercial Appeal in Memphis. It was first published on published on August 13, 2013 and can be found: Here.

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By the way,…

When Elvis drove to Stax Studio in 1973, apparently, this is how he got there.

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Did somebody say “Dance Party?”

7:00 – 11:00pm  -“Viva Las Vegas” Movie and Dance Party 

The evening kicked off with a screening of the 1964 film starring Elvis Presley with Ann-Margret at the Graceland Main Stage. Needless to say, the audience sang along, clapped, laughed and cheered throughout the show.

Then, once DJ Argo started the music, everybody hit the dance floor!  Lights were flashing and arms and legs were flying every which way. It was fun and hilarious. (By the way, if anyone sees a huge silver hoop earring, I just recall one flying off of me during the conga line.)

The Viva Las Vegas Dance Party

Click on the image to enlarge.

Talk about dancing!! These two ladies below (Arlene and Nancy from Florida), were unstoppable on the dance floor! Nancy (in the fuchsia dress), would get going and next thing you know, everybody look out!

Here’s the kicker. Afterwards, Nancy and Arlene dropped us off at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Nancy’s red convertible hot rod.  In the window of the car sat a teddy bear given to her years ago by the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley.

 

Stay tuned for part 3 and 4 of our coverage of Elvis Week.

• Part 1: Welcome to Memphis

• Part 3: Image of an Icon

• Part  4: Take Us to Graceland

The name, image and likeness of Elvis Presley appear courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.  See official website: http://www.elvis.com

Tags: Adam Fitzpatrick, Bill Lindsey, Brad Birkedahl, Cliff Wright, Diogo Leichtweis, DJ Argo, Eli Williams, Elvis, Elvis fans, Elvis Presley, Elvis Tribute Artist, Elvis Week, Gordon Elvis, Graceland, Graceland Main Stage, Hank Poole, Jay Zanier, Jim Barone, Memphis Jones, Nate Giorgio, Rob Ely, Shake Rattle & Roll, Stax, The Burnin’ Love Band, Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist, Viva Las Vegas