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.

The 2nd Was The 1st

 Elvis had 4 Stutz cars:

1. Blackhawk (bought 1970)

2. Two-Seater (bought 1971)

3. Pearl White Stutz (ordered after seeing it in a showroom window)

4. Blackhawk with Red Leather Interior (bought 1974 - his favourite and the last car he ever drove.)

Back to Blackhawk #1. The series was built on Pontiac chassis from the USA and shipped to Italy to get new bodies to transform them into Stutz Blackhawks, the most expensive cars at the time. The first prototype was made in 1969 and driven by the founder. The second prototype was the 1st Stutz Blackhawk ever SOLD, and to none other than Elvis!

Funny story. The first USA Stutz dealer shows up at Elvis' home at Hillcrest, CA, with the second prototype. Elvis is interested. He's told he can sign a contract and they will build him his Blackhawk. Elvis isn't interested in signing a contract, he's interested in buying the car, the one standing next to him. The car dealer tries to explain that it is the very first Stutz and he needs the car to drive around to show potential buyers. Elvis answers with a question: How do you think you will sell more cars, when YOU drive it, or when the people see ME driving it around? 

Good point. It works. Elvis gets the car, although he agrees to it being displayed at a motor show prior to delivery and some press pictures of him and the car.

Interesting twist: Sinatra is also interested in the Stutz. However, he will not agree to the publicity photos or the display at the car-show.

Game, set and match.

Topic of the Day

Recently unseen footage of Elvis was found, originating from a TV station in Fort Worth, TX. In the early hours of 11 January 1958 Elvis was on his way to Hollywood via train for the filming of his 4th film, King Creole. During a one hour lay over at the Fort Worth train station he stepped off to chat with fans and give autographs. Inside the train Elvis talked to news reporters. 

He could have been asked ANYTHING about his upcoming induction into the army, but take a guess what became the topic of the day? His hair. Mindboggling. 

Reporter: What do you think about jerks like the one in Kentucky who quit the draft board because you were given a 60-day deferment [for the filming of King Creole]?

Elvis: Mr. Hershey? Well, I'm just like him, I was expecting it.

Reporter: Would you rather be a lover or a fighter?

Elvis: It's just according to what the situation is, you know what I mean? Sometimes you'd have to be both.

Reporter: Do you mind cutting your sideburns as part of the army induction?

Elvis: No, they'll grow back. If it was a situation if they cut them off and I never could have any more then I would worry about them.

Reporter: The sideburns look shorter today. Have you worn them shorter than usual?

Elvis: Well, I wore them shorter than I use to, uh-huh.

Reporter: What's the reason for that, maybe?

Elvis: Well, I don't know... 

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.

One Hour Lay Over

Recently, more unseen footage of Elvis was found, originating from a local ABC TV station in Fort Worth, Texas. In the early hours of 11 Jan 1958 (only 9 days before the filming of King Creole) Elvis was on his way to Hollywood via train. During a one hour lay over at the Fort Worth train station he stepped off to chat with fans and give autographs. Inside the train Elvis talked to news reporters. During all of the answers there were lots of laughs.

Reporter: What do you think about jerks like the one in Kentucky who quit the draft board because you were given a 60-day deferment?  

Elvis: Mr. Hershey? Well, I'm just like him, I was expecting it.   

Reporter: Would you rather be a lover or a fighter?

Elvis: It's just according to what the situation is, you know what I mean? Sometimes you'd have to be both.  

Reporter: Do you mind cutting your sideburns as part of the army induction?

Elvis: No, they'll grow back. If it was a situation if they cut them off and I never could have any more then I would worry about them. 

Reporter: The sideburns look shorter today. Have you worn them shorter than usual?

Elvis: Well, I wore them shorter than I use to, uh-huh. 

Reporter: What's the reason for that, maybe?

Elvis: Well, I don't know...