Elvis Week 2012 Expected to Be Largest in History
Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley to make special appearance at
Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert, a spectacular live music experience
starring the real Elvis Presley via video.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. – July 23, 2012 – Elvis Week 2012, August 10-18, will feature more than 25 events including concerts, a daylong music festival spotlighting young Memphis musicians, an art exhibition, movie screenings, panel discussions, autograph sessions, and sporting events. Tickets for all Elvis Week events are on sale now at ElvisWeek.com.
Following is a day by day calendar of key events to assist you in planning your coverage. Please contact mijoe@thebeckwithcompany.com to secure credentials.
Friday, August 10, 2012
Memphis Means Music Fest: Inspired by the King
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Daylong event featuring performances by local musicians celebrating Elvis in the Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion. Free to the public but donations will be accepted for the Memphis Music Foundation.
Elvis Night at the Memphis Redbirds
Celebration starts at 5:00 p.m. Game at 7:05 p.m. Autozone Park, South 3rd Street Memphis. Kick-off Elvis Week with a block party in downtown Memphis and an Elvis-themed Memphis Redbirds baseball game against the Tacoma Rainiers. Prior to the game, fans can enjoy live bands, fun giveaways, displays from many local music attractions, classic cars and special appearance by the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Hard Rock Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest – Round 1
Doors open at 9:00 p.m. Show at 10:00 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe, 315 Beale Street. See some of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world compete in the “Last Chance” event!
Saturday, August 11, 2012
30th Annual Elvis Presley 5K Run Benefiting Livitup, Inc. (Formerly UCP of the MidSouth)
8:00 a.m. The Elvis Presley 5K Run starts and finishes at the Gates of Graceland. After the race, join Livitup, Inc. across from the mansion at Elvis Presley Park on Craft Road for a party under the tent.
Conversations on Elvis – Elvis & Gospel
10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies (TCM), this event will explore Elvis’ love of gospel music and the spiritual side of the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. Special guests confirmed for this event include: Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood of Elvis’ Imperials; Bill Baize and Donnie Sumner who performed with Elvis as part of the J.D. Sumner & The Stamps Quartet; and Charley Humbard and Rex Humbard Jr, sons of Rex Humbard – who will share their inside knowledge of the relationship between the singer and the preacher.
Elvis Songwriters Showcase
2:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. This exciting, new event will be a blend of storytelling and music with songwriters that gave us some of Elvis’ most well-known songs. Joining musician Andy Childs, who will emcee the event and share some of these great songs, will be: Mike Stoller of the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller, who wrote songs such as “Hound Dog,” “Loving You,” and “Jailhouse Rock”; Mark James, who wrote songs such as “Suspicious Minds” among many others; and Dickey Lee, who wrote “She Thinks I Still Care.”
Elvis Week Kick-Off Concert with Andy Childs & Band
8:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Kick-off Elvis Week at Graceland with an exciting concert event featuring Andy Childs and his band performing Elvis music. Opening the show will be Brad Birkedahl and his band.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Southern Gospel Celebration
9:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Enjoy a celebration of the gospel music that Elvis loved with some of the singers who performed as part of Elvis’ Imperials. Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood, who both performed with Elvis on stage, along with group members Royce Taylor and Darrell Toney, will perform many of the hits Elvis loved.
Conversations on Elvis – Elvis in the Movies
1:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Hosted by Tom Brown, Vice President of Original Productions for Turner Classic Movies (TCM), this event will celebrate Elvis’ movies with special co-star guests. Confirmed guests include: Mary Ann Mobley, Elvis’ co-star in “Harum Scarum” and “Girl Happy” and Jan Shepard, who appeared with Elvis in both “King Creole” and “Paradise, Hawaiian Style.”
Hard Rock Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest – Round 2
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Show at 6:00 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe, 315 Beale Street. See some of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world compete in the “Last Chance” event. The winner will receive the right to go on to Semifinal Round One of the 2012 Ultimate ETA Contest.
Celebrate the King
8:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Enjoy a special concert event featuring some of the winners of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest.
Monday, August 13, 2012
Elvis Insiders Conference
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. This event will feature a full-day of special programming including special guests, videos and more, all celebrating Elvis. Special confirmed guests are: Jerry Schilling, Elvis’ former friend and bodyguard who accompanied him to meet President Nixon; Egil “Bud” Krogh, President Nixon’s former aide who arranged and recorded Elvis’ meeting with Nixon in the Oval Office; Tom Perryman, a DJ who booked Elvis in east Texas as early as 1954 and in 1955, and his wife Billie, who cooked for Elvis and washed his clothes after performances; Dixie Locke Emmons, who met Elvis at church and dated him just as his career was taking off; June Juanico, who dated Elvis from 1955 to 1957; and Larry Geller, Elvis’ hairstylist and close friend; DJ Fontana, Elvis’ drummer for 14 years who played on over 460 RCA cuts with Elvis; Allyson Adams, daughter of actor Nick Adams, whose father’s book “The Rebel & The King” details his close friendship and whirlwind eight days in Memphis during Elvis’ Tupelo homecoming the summer of 1956; the Holladay Sisters – Ginger Holladay and Mary Pederson, who sang on Elvis’ famous Memphis sessions at American Sound in Memphis; and Wanda Jackson, Queen of Rockabilly who toured with Elvis in 1955-1956.
Hard Rock Last Chance Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest – Round 3
Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Show at 6:00 p.m. Hard Rock Cafe, 315 Beale Street. See some of the best Elvis tribute artists in the world compete in the “Last Chance” event! The winner will receive the right to go on to Semifinal Round One of the 2012 Ultimate ETA Contest.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Fan Club Presidents’ Event
10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Elvis fans are invited to celebrate the work of Elvis Presley fan clubs during this special event. The event also will feature a special guest segment with those who worked with Elvis. Confirmed special guests for the event will be TCB Band members James Burton and Glen Hardin, plus Elvis’ musical director and conductor from 1970 – 1977 – Joe Guercio. For the August event, the special spotlight charity will be Pacific Historic Parks, who is currently is working on restoration efforts for the USS Arizona Memorial.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Showcase
1:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. See some the semifinalists for the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest showcase their talents as they prepare for the ultimate contest later in the week.
The Memphis Boys Salute
7:00 p.m. Enjoy an incredible concert event featuring The Memphis Boys with special guests Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey. The Memphis Boys were the legendary house band at the American Sound Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, between 1967 until it’s closing in 1972.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
Conversations on Elvis – Behind the Camera
10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Hear from those who photographed Elvis over the years and find out more about thousands of photos of Elvis housed in the Graceland archives. Confirmed special guests include: Alfred Wertheimer, who in 1956 was assigned to photograph a 21-year-old singer who RCA was promoting by the name of Elvis Presley, along with Barbara Gray, who can be seen kissing Elvis in one of Wertheimer’s famous photos; Dave Darnell, who photographed Elvis at the Ten Outstanding Young Men Awards ceremony as well as around Memphis as a staff photographer for The Commercial Appeal newspaper. More guests to be announced.
Aloha from Hawaii Party
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Aloha. Party to preview the “Elvis Presley’s Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Celebration in January.
Elvis and Friends Concert
3:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Join us for a celebration of Elvis music during a special afternoon concert event. The show will feature Jamie Aaron Kelley, Brad Birkedahl, country music entertainers and IMASTAR recording artists Lori Anderson and Gavin Kelly, musician/singer Jeff Wenberg and a performance by Deborah Allen singing her song “Amazing Graceland.”
Sony Award Presentations
5:30 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Join executives from Sony Music as they present multiple awards for releases of Elvis’ music that have achieved gold, platinum or diamond status based on RIAA record sales.
Candlelight Vigil
8:30 p.m. Gates of Graceland. After an opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis’ grave-site and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance.
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Meet ‘n’ Greet
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. Memphis Hard Rock Cafe, 315 Beale Street.
EP Party Jam Featuring Jamie Aaron Kelley, with Brad Birkedahl and John McClure
10:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. A unique jam show featuring Jamie Aaron Kelley, with Brad Birkedahl and John McClure on guitar and bass. The show will include a wide variety of Elvis songs – studio, live, movie, home recordings and more
On Stage with Terry Mike Jeffrey and Andy Childs
1:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. On stage will feature acoustic sets with fan favorites Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey, as they eachperform some of their favorite Elvis songs. The event will also feature a special performance by Jose Feliciano, singer, virtuoso guitarist and composer known for many international hits including the 1970 Christmas single “Feliz Navidad.” Jose will be performing songs off his new CD “The King.” Opening will be Texas-bred songbirds Gladys and Maybelle.
Elvis 35th Anniversary Concert
8:00 p.m. FedExForum, downtown Memphis. Elvis returns to Memphis for a spectacular concert event starring the real Elvis Presley via video. See some of Elvis’ finest concert performances projected on a large video screen, accompanied live on stage by a cast of singers and musicians who worked with him, an orchestra, and additional singers and musicians. All music heard in the concert production is performed live except for Elvis’ voice.
The following guests are confirmed to appear at the concert:
- Priscilla Presley and Lisa Marie Presley
- Joe Guercio
- TCB Band members James Burton and Glen Hardin
- DJ Fontana
- Norbert Putnam
- The Sweet Inspirations – Estelle Brown, Portia Griffin & Kelly Jones
- Former members of JD Sumner and The Stamps Quartet: Bill Baize, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland and Donnie Sumner
- Former members of The Imperials:Joe Moscheo, Terry Blackwood, Armond Morales and Jim Murray
- Former members of The Dempseys: Brad Birkedahl and Joe Fick
- Special Guest Musicians: Paul Leim, Ron Feuer, Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey
- Members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
- Sound Fuzion from University of Memphis
Friday, August 17, 2012
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round One
10:00 a.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street. See the best tribute artists from around the world compete in Round One of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinals. During Round One, all semifinalists will sing one song on stage in front of a panel of judges. The Elvis tribute artists with the highest scores will proceed on to Round Two later that evening.
Conversations on Elvis – Behind the Stage
1:30 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. This event will explore what went on behind the scenes of Elvis’ touring productions with special guests who were there to experience it. Guests are: Sam Thompson, Elvis’ friend who worked as a personal bodyguard for him at home and on tour; Dick Grob, who served for chief of security for Elvis; Charles Stone, tour producer for Elvis throughout the 1970s; Loanne Parker, who was hired in 1971 by RCA Records Tours as the tour secretary for Elvis’ tour and held that position throughout Elvis’ touring years – she was also Colonel Parker’s companion and confidant for over 25 years and they married in 1990; and Tom Moffatt, a celebrated Hawaiian DJ who brought Elvis to Hawaii and worked with him through the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s.
Presentation from Legacy Recordings and Follow That Dream Record Label
4:30 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland
Find out more about upcoming releases from John Jackson, Vice President of A&R and Content Development for Legacy Recordings, the catalog division of Sony Music Entertainment, Ernst Jorgensen and Roger Semon, record producers for Sony and the team responsible for the Follow That Dream Record label and others from Sony. In anticipation of the upcoming release of “Prince From Another Planet.” included will be a screening of never-before-seen footage from Elvis’ performance in Madison Square Garden in June 1972. The presentation will also include more about the “I am an Elvis Fan” release, upcoming FTD projects and a chance to get answers to your questions about Elvis’ music.
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal Round Two
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street. The top Elvis tribute artists from Round One, compete during Round Two of the contest for their chance to advance to the Final Round on Saturday, August 18.
Spirit of the King
11:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street. This late night tribute and concert features 2007 Ultimate ETA Contest winner Shawn Klush and the 2012 Ultimate ETA Contest winner Cody Slaughter. The concert will follow the Ultimate ETA Contest Semifinal – Round Two. This late night concert will also pay tribute to Elvis’ legendary performers for their contributions to the legacy of Elvis’ music. Special guest appearances include: Gordon Stoker – Original member and founder of Elvis’ legendary back up group The Jordanaires; Ray Walker – bass singer of The Jordanaires who together with Gordon can be heard on hundreds of Elvis recordings; Millie Kirkham – Elvis’ female backup vocalist who recorded with Elvis from 1957-1971; and The Blackwood Quartet – an award-winning Quartet and one of Elvis’ favorite family gospel singers.
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Morning Gospel Singin’ With First Assembly of God, Memphis
9:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Come experience the gospel music of the First Assembly of God Memphis, Elvis’ church during his early years in Memphis.
Conversations on Elvis – In the Studio
1:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. Hear what it was like inside the recording studio with Elvis from session musicians who were the sound behind the king for many legendary recordings in the ‘60s and ’70s. Special guests will be David Briggs (piano), Norbert Putnam (bass) and Chip Young (guitar).
Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final Round
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 North Main Street. The top Elvis tribute artists from Round Two compete for the title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2012.
Elvis Week Farewell Dance Party Featuring Terry Mike Jeffrey and Jamie Aaron Kelley
10:30 p.m. – 1:00 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage Entertainment Pavilion, Graceland. This dance party will feature Elvis dance music performed live with performers Terry Mike Jeffrey, Jamie Aaron Kelley and special guest Duke Mason.
For a complete schedule of Elvis Week events, including ticket prices, guest bios and venues, visit ElvisWeek.com.
About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), a division of CORE Media Group, Inc., is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com.
