The Next Step

The Ryman Auditorium, home to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN, was built as a grand place of worship by Captain Thomas Ryan who first led a rather questionable life but later became a Christian.

After his passing in 1904, his namesake building eventually became one of the most legendary music venues in the world.

Fast forward to 1954. Elvis' first professional appearance is at the Overton Shell Park in Memphis. It goes well. He's a hit.

The next step is national attention via a try out at the Grand Ole Opry. It's a 300 km ride. To Elvis, Scotty and Bill the Ryman Auditorium is like a shrine. None of them has ever attended a show there and they wander around the dilapidated building in a daze, overwhelmed by the sense of history in the room.

Backstage, Elvis is insecure and scared stiff. He confesses to upcoming 20-year-old bass player Buddy Killen: They're going to hate me. If they'd just let me leave, I'd go right now. There are two more surprises for the band: Marion Keisker, supposed to be on duty at SUN, has left her post and driven all the way to appear backstage for support, plus Bill and Scotty's wives are in the front row.

Hank Snow introduces Elvis as "a new young and upcoming singer", but forget Elvis' name in the process! Elvis bounces out on stage the same way that he always does, as if he's just fallen off a fast-moving train, and does his one number. Scotty and Bill are more nervous than Elvis; to them it seems, there is nowhere to go but down from here, and they can sense by the polite, but tepid reception that this is exactly where they are going.

Elvis never performs on the Opry again but visits friends backstage at the Ryman in 1957.

Restore It

Tennessee (TN) is Elvis' home state. The state of Tennessee is divided into West, Middle and East Tennessee, home to about 7,2 million people. Tennessee has 95 counties, of which Shelby County is located in West-Tennessee. Elvis' hometown, Memphis, is situated in Shelby County, West-Tennessee. 

When Nicolette, Rita and I visited Memphis in 2007, we happen upon one of the few Elvis childhood homes still standing, namely 2414 Lamar Ave.

The Presleys rented 2414 Lamar Ave from May-Nov 1955, after which an extension was added to the front of the house. When we were there, the house was seemingly used as a creche. We couldn't go inside and wished someone would restore it to how it looked like when Elvis lived there. I was sad to hear the place fell victim to a fire in 1923. 

Seemingly Shelby County now owns 2414 Lamar Ave and the mayor seems optimistic to restore it as a new kind of showcase to represent part of Elvis' youth and some of his musical influences.

Lord Elgin

 

Elvis owned this 4-carat gold-filled Lord Elgin wristwatch with black face from spring of 1955 to April of 1956.

He can be seen wearing it on stage during his first national TV appearance on the Stage Show in New York.

Guess who he gifted this watch to? Guitar player Scotty Moore! He did so while he and his band were sitting poolside at the New Frontier Hotel, Las Vegas, on 25 April 1956.

Not long ago this same gold-filled Lord Elgin was sold for a cool R5 million.

In South African terms, that is a pension right there.

Memorial Bench

The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club donated a memorial honouring Elvis' only child, Lisa-Marie, to the Tupelo Elvis Presley Birthplace. Tom Brown, host of the Elvis Tupelo Festival, commented:

Tupelo, for all the Presley's, was a special place, because it was a place that grounded Elvis, that was his home before he became a superstar. Lisa was one of those what would come back, especially while family friend Janelle McComb (1921-2005) was alive. She would come stay with Janelle for days at a time and just be a normal person.

Statue In Tupelo

When four of us visited the US for the first time in 2007, Tupelo was one of the stops. Of course. At the time there was a wonderfully done statue of Elvis as a boy of about 11, at The Birthplace, you've all seen it.

Looks like it has been upgraded or these ones added? We look forward to visit there again. 

In 2005, during our (also only) trip to London we were fortunate to have been guests of the accomplished Elvis author, Julie Yeardye, and her husband Trevor, when we visited with them for a few days in the country side of Tring.

At the time we were amazed to hear them talk about attending Elvis weekends and events all over the place, from the UK to Spain to the US. How fortunate you guys are in countries with a great number of Elvis fans. You have awesome opportunities and singers of Elvis music. I hope you cherish and support them as much as you can.

Tupelo, Memphis, Nashville, et al, we will see you again.