Etta James' Funeral Arrangements Announced

re-posted from Noise11.com (breaking music news and interviews)

R&B great Etta James, who passed away last Friday from leukemia, will be laid to rest on Saturday after a public viewing on Friday night.
James’ family announced on Tuesday that there will be a public viewing on Friday night from 5 to 10 PM at the Manchester Chapel of the Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary in Inglewood, CA.
A private funeral for “immediate family and friends” will be held on Saturday at 10 AM at Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, CA. Security is expected to be on hand and there will be “limited media access.” The Reverend Al Sharpton will present the eulogy and there will be performances by a number of artists; however, they have not been named.
The family has asked that donations be directed to the Rhythm and Blues Foundation.

The Plunk-Pusser Connection

Yesterday was the annual Plunk family reunion, which assures each guest of three things: an abundance of good food, music from the talented Plunk clan, and good ol’ stories. I got to hear a re-play of one of my favorites.

The Plunk presence in Tennessee began in 1824 when Jacob Plunk, his wife, seven sons and one daughter traveled from North Carolina to McNairy County, TN. Also in the pilgrimage was Jacob’s brother, John, his wife, five sons and several daughters. Those Plunk sons each had large families and . . . well, you get the picture. That's a lot of Plunks, and that’s why Mike says that all Plunks are related. They can all be traced back to Jacob or John. The reunion Saturday was just for Plunks descended from Mike’s grandfather, David Simpson Plunk, who was the grandson of Jacob’s son, David.

McNairy County is most famous, however, for producing Walking Tall, club-totin’ Sheriff Buford Pusser. The Plunks are twice related to the former sheriff through his mother, Helen Harris Pusser.

The younger Pusser was first police chief of Adamsville, McNairy County, and then elected McNairy County sheriff. The six and a half foot tall Pusser immediately declared a one-man war on the area’s organized crime that ranged from bootlegging and gambling to prostitution. He was relentless and was making a dent in the illegal activities as well as the skulls of some bad guys.

During his campaign against corruption, Pusser survived a bombing of his home and several assassination attempts including an ambush that killed his wife and shot off part of his jaw. In 1974 he died in a mysterious, one-car auto accident. His family and many others believe that his car had been tampered with.

Sheriff Pusser’s story, and fictionalized versions of it, has prompted several books, movies and a brief television series.

Buford was not the first lawman in his family. His father, Carl, had also been the Adamsville police chief.

Roll back to 1937. Newlyweds Hercial (pictured above) and Eloyce Plunk, Mike’s parents, attended a dance in McNairy County, which was Hercial’s home turf although the couple lived in Memphis. During the festivities, Hercial noticed that Carl Pusser was dancing with pretty, young Eloyce, and, in Hercial’s opinion, Carl was holding her a bit too close. Hercial was certainly not a troublemaker, but did strongly hold his opinions. Hercial marched onto the dance floor, separated Carl from Eloyce, and took a swing at Carl that landed solidly. Mike didn’t know until after his father’s death that the crooked pinky finger on his dad’s right hand had been broken on Pusser’s jaw.

Etta's Still Hangin' in There

You’ve no doubt all received those crazy emails claiming that your coffee cup is going to explode, peanut butter will improve your IQ or that some celebrity has been found homeless or dead. You clever people, however, know to google or go to snopes.com to check out those rumors before passing on the hysteria. Some people don’t.

So, recently the rumor spread across the Internet like a California wildfire that R&B and blues queen Etta James had passed away. Not true.

It is true, however, that Ms. James is gravely ill suffering from dementia and leukemia. She’s been in and out of hospitals for the past two years.

Her son, Donto James, recently told the Los Angeles Times, “She’s fine. I just saw her last night and she was fine.” He also said that the 73-year-old singer remains very ill and is being cared for at her suburban Riverside, CA home.

Sadly, her two sons and James’ father continue their legal battle over control of Ms. James’ medical care as well as her $1 million in savings. Both sides claim that their only goal is to watch over the well being of Etta James. Wouldn’t it be nice if they could do that in unison?

'Song for You'

Leon Russell is an amazing songwriter and performer. "Song for You" is one o his best and has been recorded by so many, many artists. What I have for you below are three versions of that song.

The first is the 1971 rendition by Russell. Next is the incredible Ray Charles. He will never be equaled. Finally, is Karen Carpenter. Russell wrote many songs for the Carpenters. Until I listen to her again, I tend to forget what a beautiful voice, especially in the low ranges, that she possessed.

Although they're all terrific versions, I must say that I prefer the emotional delivery of Leon Russell himself. Which do you prefer?

Leon Russell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37dw2r45Xzg

Ray Charles - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSlv_n-gBmk&feature=related

Karen Carpenter - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PMgmgDq2Fo&feature=related

Birthday on Beale

For my birthday outing yesterday, Mike and I went down to Beale Street for the unveiling of a brass music note for Jim Dickinson on the street’s Walk of Fame. Dickinson was a Memphis music icon who worked with, among others, Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones. (http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2011/02/birth-of-memphis-sound.html). He was a major influence on Memphis music.

The event was held in front of the New Daisy Theater which opened to the public in 1936 – that’s what we call “new” in the South. We were joined by our long-time friend, artist and singer John Robinette to hang out and visit with the many musicians who showed up to honor Dickinson.

Speakers at the event included Rep. Steve Cohen, Rep. Antonio “2 Shay” Parkinson, Knox Phillips (son of Sun Studio legend Sam Phillips), Mary Dickinson and her sons Luther and Cody (well known for their band the North Mississippi All-Stars).

Mike and John enjoyed reminiscing after the ceremony with Knox telling stories from back in the day when Mike and John were with Jimmy Day and the Knights. Knox’s younger brother Jerry played guitar with the band, and they did some recording at Sun. I remember sitting with Jimmy’s girlfriend Lucy in the control room while Knox worked the board. Seems like just a few years ago.

After the post-ceremony chatting, the crowd moved into the beautiful Old Daisy across the street for an acoustic concert. The Old Daisy was built in 1902 and has presented some amazing music over the years. You can read more about it at http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2010/01/beale-streets-daisy-theater.html.

On stage yesterday were Luther and Cody Dickinson and Sid Selvidge, all on guitars, and Jimmy Crosthwait on washboard.

We finished the evening by walking up to Main Street to the Majestic Grille for a wonderful birthday dinner. It’s been on our “go to” list since it was named Best Restaurant in ’08. After my excellent meal last night, we shouldn’t have waited so long.

The Majestic was originally built in 1913 as a silent picture house that entertained Memphians for 30 years. In keeping with the building’s original purpose, the interior has been beautifully restored in Beaux Arts décor and a large movie screen runs black and white cartoons and silent films.

It was a delightful dining experience. I just have one warning. Don’t plan on a big dessert. Their dessert tray features a variety of sweets – but they’re served in slightly oversized shot glasses. To have a “real” dessert, you’d need to order two or three. My view last night, however, was that they were saving me from myself. One “shot” of key lime pie was probably all I needed.

In the photos below: Mike & I; John Robinette & Knox Phillips; John & I' Mike & I with John.

Good News About Etta

I found a news story today that said R&B/blues legend Etta James is improving and wants to get back to performing. That may not be in her future, but it certainly speaks to her strong spirit and her first love -- singing. Read the story below.

http://www.aceshowbiz.com/news/view/w0001089.html

Crazy Presidential Trivia

Tax season is pretty stressful for us, so Mike and I look for a little entertainment while we eat lunch in his office. Here is some Presidential trivia that we found recently. All that’s left to say about some of these is – these were leaders of the free world?!

Starting with my favorite:

Calvin Coolidge loved having his head rubbed with Vaseline while having breakfast in bed.
Known as “Silent Cal,” the President was renowned for his reticence. He was once challenged by a reporter who bet “I can get you to say more than two words to me.” The President replied, “You lose.”
But here’s my favorite part. Who would ever suspect that Coolidge was a White House prankster? It is said that he enjoyed playing "ding-dong ditch'em." He would ring the White House doorbell and then run and hide, no doubt laughing all the way.

Herbert Hoover and his wife spoke Chinese to each other when they didn’t want to be overheard by guests or staff. The Hoovers went to extremes to avoid contact with White House staff – including not wanting to see them. Lou Hoover developed a sign language to convey her wishes to staff without having to speak with them. The former President required staff to remove themselves from sight as he walked through the mansion. House staff found themselves jumping into the nearest closet. Groundskeepers dove behind shrubbery if the President might be nearby. Staff who failed to cloak themselves sufficiently might face dismissal.

William Howard Taft, the 27th president, was the heaviest U.S. President and once found himself stuck in the White House bathtub.

William Henry Harrison gave the longest inaugural address in history. It was an hour and a half long – outside, of course -- and there was snow. He died on the 32nd day of his term from complications of pneumonia.

U.S. Grant while President was issued a speeding ticket for $20 for riding his horse too fast down a Washington street. The officer who stopped him did not want to issue the fine when he realized who he’d stopped, but the President insisted on receiving the penalty.

James Garfield could perform an unusual parlor feat that entertained many. He could write in Latin with one hand while simultaneously writing in Greek with the other hand.

John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, enjoyed a daily nude swimming ritual at 5 a.m. in the Potomac River. Learning about this and recalling Adams' repeated refusal to be interviewed by the first American professional journalist, Anne Royall is reported to have gone to the river, gathered his clothes and sat on them until she had her interview. No female is thought ever before to have interviewed a President.

Grover Cleveland was accused by his opposition for the Presidency of paying a man $150 to take his place in military service. The act was allowed under the Conscription Act of 1863, but still made for campaign mud-slinging. He was raked over the coals for the act by his political opponent until it was discovered that the opponent had done the same thing

Thomas Jefferson was an avid inventor who is credited with inventing the coat hanger, hideaway bed and dumbwaiter. (He’s one of my Presidential heroes.)

Jimmy Carter was the first President born in a hospital.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President, is said to be related to 11 other Presidents.

James Madison barely weighed 100 pounds.

Warren Harding played poker at least twice a week and once put an entire set of White House china up to stake his hand. He lost the hand and the china.

Etta James' Health Declines

The health of R&B legend Etta James seems to be slipping while questions are being raised about the quality of the care she's receiving and while her family fights over the authority to handle her estate. It's all so very, very sad.

The following link leads to the story about a judge's order regarding her current medical care. For links we've previously provided related to Miss James' decline, type "Etta James" in this blog's search box at the top right of this page.

http://arabnews.com/lifestyle/offbeat/article287091.ece

Birth of The Memphis Sound

Memphis music legend Jim Dickinson was a triple threat – at the very least. He was a skilled musician, singer, producer and songwriter. In addition, he had the sensitivity and musical depth to see connections, linkages and evolutions in music.
In a career that stretched over four decades, Dickinson was credited with influencing the shape of The Memphis Sound.

Dickinson built a worldwide reputation as a session player for the likes of Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. Dylan, who was a longtime friend and collaborator, acknowledged “Mississippi Jim” as a “brother” while accepting a Grammy for 1997’s Time Out of Mind. The Rolling Stones brought Dickinson in to add his soulful piano touch to their classic Sticky Fingers ballad “Wild Horses.”

The 67-year-old Dickinson died in August 2009, but left much to the world of music. His sons, Cody and Luther (the North Mississippi Allstars), continue his style and influence. He also left his observations about music and its development.

The link below takes you to a discussion with Dickinson about the origin of The Memphis Sound which became highly popular and sought after in R&B and rock ‘n roll. Dickinson’s assertion is that it all began just across the river in West Memphis, AR at a club called the Plantation Inn (PI). (I will confess to going there, under age, on a double date back when I was . . . well, too young.).

This is where it starts sounding like a game of Kevin Bacon seven degrees of separation. The popular band at the PI had two horn players, not commonplace at the time. Packy Axton was a young Memphis sax player who learned to play sax from the PI’s saxophone player. Packy’s mother was Estelle Axton, co-founder of the famous Stax Records in Memphis.

According to Dickinson, it was Packy who brought the sound back across the river and persuaded his mom and her business partner Jim Stewart, to incorporate the sound and feel in records they were recording.

Stax became internationally renowned for R&B and artists including Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Luther Ingram, Albert King, the Bar-Kays, Booker T. & the MG's, Johnnie Taylor, and Rufus and Carla Thomas. Much of the soul music you think came from Detroit actually came from Memphis.

Follow this link to a video of Jim Dickinson talking about the birth of The Memphis Sound - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3EOffeZ9s8

Just a side note: In the late ‘50s, Axton was the founding member of the Mar-Keys, a band that became very popular and well known. Mike played a Mar-Keys gig around 1965. The traditional horn section by then was trumpet, tenor sax and baritone sax. Packy played tenor and they needed a sub on bari, so Mike got the call. So that puts Mike in the degress of separation linking back to the birth of The Memphis Sound.

Two and a Half Men Minus Charlie?

Star of Two and a Hal Men sitcom Charlie Sheen seems to stay in the news for his raucous behavior, and now he’s back in rehab. Or, as they tell us, he’s in “home rehab.” CBS affirms that they’re interested in Sheen’s well being first and foremost. Well, that and all the money they make from the show.

Mike and I are fans of the adult-oriented tv show. Great writing. Top-notch acting by the entire ensemble. It’s really, really funny. Truly LOL funny. Another regular viewer of the show moaned to me recently after Sheen’s New York escapade, “What if the network terminates his contract? There would be no show without Charlie Sheen!”

I beg to differ. And I will present to you what I believe to be a perfectly plausible and entertaining way for the show to move forward sans Sheen.

First, we have to explain Charlie’s absence. A season or so ago, Sheen’s character branched out into writing and performing quirky children’s songs and became quite popular. So, we’ll say that Charlie Harper is on a world tour promoting his new album. Rose, Charlie’s stalker and a great character, can even report from time to time that she’s visited Charlie.

Alan Harper is Charlie’s brother who moved into Charlie’s beach house along with his son when his wife kicked him out about seven seasons ago. Alan’s character is played amazingly by Jon Cryer who has received at least one Emmy for Best Supporting Actor. Alan Harper could easily step into the starring role. His role has almost eclipsed Charlie’s while Sheen is still on the show.

Alan’s son Jake (the half in Two and Half) was really cute and funny seven years ago, but not so much now. Let’s write him off – maybe to the merchant marines,

But now we’re one and a half men short. That’s easy. First, MY show does what all other shows, the Bill Cosby show in particular, did whenever a cute little tyke grew up. You bring in another cute tyke. Alan went through several episodes wishing he had another child. So let’s have him adopt one. Maybe an ex-fling shows up and presents him with a five-year-old. Now there’s only a deficit of one man. And we’ve got that covered, too.

Judith, Alan’s acerbic ex-wife, married a second time to Jake’s pediatrician. To her horror, Alan and the new husband became friends, so (in my show) when Judith finally kicks out husband #2, he moves in with Alan. The funny, gawky Herb is a shoo-in for the number two spot. And there you go – another two and a half men.

The rest of the ensemble – Berta, the earthy housekeeper, and Evelyn, the plastic surgery sculpted, non-maternal mother of Alan and Charlie, plus Judith and Rose – continue doing the wonderfully funny things they do.

The show would have just as many plot options and just as funny as it is now. Everybody’s there except Charlie, and I don’t think he’d be missed. So, CBS, have at it.

Memories of Front Street Theater

Eons ago when I was probably in the eighth or ninth grade, a good friend (slightly older than I) provided me an opportunity to join her as an usher at Front Street Theater. It was a small venue in the basement of downtown Memphis’ Hotel King Cotton.

We got to dress up and guide theater patrons to their seats. In exchange, we got to take vacant seats in the back, if any were available, or stand and watch live theater – my first exposure. The experience was thrilling. We saw everything from musical comedy to the most serious pieces. I was intrigued, and I felt very special to be there.

The theater was the baby of actor, director and producer George Touliatos. He founded the theater in 1957 and left the project 10 years later. The theater limped along for a few more seasons and then disappeared, some aspects morphing into Playhouse on the Square.

I most remember Barbara Cason, co-founder of Front Street, who played a variety of roles. I have a clear mental picture of her wonderful, campy performance in Auntie Mame. A native Memphian, Cason began her career as a character actress at Front Street and on local television before relocating to New York City in 1967 where she became active in theater both on and off Broadway through 1973. She most notably starred in the original, critically acclaimed production of Noël Coward`s Oh, Coward! in 1972-1973. That’s when she moved to Los Angeles and appeared frequently on television until her death in 1990. She is probably best known for her roles as Cloris Phebus on Carter Country (1977-1979) and as Ruth Shandling on It`s Garry Shandling`s Show (1986-1990).

Until researching this, I did not remember that Cason appeared in a number of tv commercials including a series of ads for Tydibowl toilet bowl cleaner. In those commercials her beautifully expressive face registered surprise after lifting the top of her toilet tank and discovering the well-dressed mini-man in his tiny rowboat, who then waxed eloquent about the wonders of Tydibowl. If you’re around my age, you’re bound to remember the Tydibowl man. I regret that I didn’t realize that was Memphis’ own Barbara Cason.

Other notables gained early experience on the boards at Front Street. Dixie Carter (photo in costune), well known for tv’s Designing Women, is an alum of Front St. who also appeared in films and on stage. Paxton Whitehead also began at Front Street and later appeared in many films and on television in roles on Desperate Housewives and The West Wing.

How lucky we all were to have had Front Street in our lives.

Etta James' Health Failing

She's called an R&B legend, a blues powerhouse, masterful, sassy, and an ongoing array of adjectives. And now she's very ill suffering from leukemia and dementia. God bless her.

I had the great pleasure of seeing her six times in live performance. I'll treasure those memories.

Not only is Etta's health slipping, but apparently her family is already fighting over her assets. How distasteful. Read the full story at the link below.

http://music.msn.com/music/article.aspx?news=622230&gt1=28102

Happy Birthday, Elvis

Today would have been the 76th birthday of the King of rock ‘n roll, Elvis Presley. In Memphis, this winter celebration attracts hundreds of loyal fans for concerts, conversations with former El associates and the birthday bash, but it garners a much smaller pilgrimage than the August weeklong event to acknowledge Elvis’ passing.

The highlight of this year’s event was the guest of honor, Edison Pena, one of the 33 rescued Chilean miners. When rescuers first broke through to the trapped men and learned that Pena was a self-avowed Elvis fanatic who had been singing the King’s hits to bolster the morale of his co-workers, an MP3 player loaded with Presley songs was quickly dispatched to the mine site and, reportedly, helped sustain Pena and others.

The visit to Memphis was promised when the miners were lifted to safety, and it’s been a whirlwind for Pena who was treated to many special events. He stayed at the historic Hotel Peabody where he was accorded the privilege of serving as honorary “duckmaster.” (Learn about the march of the ducks at http://plunkchronicles.blogspot.com/2009/05/texans-come-to-town.html) Pena also visited a practice of Memphis’ NBA team, the Grizzlies, and was a half-time honoree at this week’s game.

But I’m sure his favorite activity was the personal tour of Graceland and Elvis’ birthplace in nearby Tupelo, MS.

Today, the miner and hundreds of fans sang birthday greetings to the King in front of a four-foot-high cake decorated to look like stacked television sets.

Although Pena does not speak English, he can belt out perfect renditions of Elvis’ hits. Check it out.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12143311

Happy Birthday! Long live the King.

An Elvis New Year's Greeting

While clearing up a few first-of-the-year things and pulling together my next post, here's an interesting little ditty for you. It's the New Year's greeting from a website in the Netherlands titled "ElvisMatters." It's very professional and has a large fan base. It's the group that co-sponsored the European tour Mike was a part of with James Burton a couple of years ago. But I digress. After reading this, I wondered if Elvis didn't actually die back in the '70s, but just moved overseas. Hmmmm



HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR FRIENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD - LONG LIVE THE KING! MAY 2011 BRING YOU PROSPERITY, LOVE, FRIENDSHIP AND JOY - BUT ABOVE ALL: A GOOD HEALTH. KEEP ON TCB'ING IN 2011, AND KNOW THAT THE ELVISMATTERS TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE KING AND HIS LOYAL FANS. SOME THINGS JUST DON'T CHANGE, NOT TODAY, NOT TOMORROW, NOT EVER. LONG MAY HE REIGN!

Soul Pancakes From 'The Office'

Rainn Wilson, best known for playing Dwight on "The Office," has launched an interesting, quirky website and a book based on the site. The name of the site is "SoulPancakes: Chew on Life's Big Questions."

See what you think.
http://www.soulpancake.com/

Unlikely Duets

You wouldn't be surprised to hear Luciano Pavarotti perform a duet with Sarah Brightman. Wouldn't bat an eye if he sang with Michael Crawford. But James Brown, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Stevie Wonder? Oh yes. Take a listen to these amazing duets.

Pavarotti & James Brown, "It's a Man's World" - http://www.youtube.com:80/watch?v=Febr_t_qa9U

Pavarotti & Eric Clapton, "Holy Mother" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmfIDQGVqQc

Pavarotti & Elton John, "Live Like Horses" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zw_gEpGqnqQ

Pavarotti & Stevie Wonder, "Peace Just Wanted to be Free" - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kg2K8dKYyA&NR=1

WHER: 1000 Beautiful Watts

Mike and I were reminded on a recent episode of Memphis Beat (our vote’s still out on that show) of the way-back Memphis radio station WHER, the first “all girl” radio station in the nation.

The station was born in 1955, the brainchild of legendary Sam Phillips who discovered Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and many others. Phillips, always the innovator, had long wanted his own radio station – and wanted one with a twist. Women were nowhere to be seen in ‘50s broadcasting. Women weren’t visible anywhere in corporate America. Phillips created the groundbreaking format with money he raised from selling Elvis Presley’s Sun Studio contract to RCA. The balance of funding came from another Memphis entrepreneur Kemmons Wilson, founder of Holiday Inns. Wilson also gave the radio station its first home in one of the early Holiday Inns in Memphis.

The story goes that, as Phillips hired personnel, he told none of the women it was to be an all-female endeavor. Each had thought that one woman on-air was a momentous breakthrough. When they learned the truth, they thought Phillips was crazy. He wasn’t. Women almost exclusively ran the station. They read the news, interviewed local celebrities and spun popular records. They sold and produced commercials, directed and engineered programming and sat at the station’s control boards.
Staffers included broadcast pioneer Vida Jane Butler.

Over its 17-year run, WHER generated a series of imitators, but ironically it was the women’s movement that brought the station down. Whereas the radio station had been created to give female broadcasters on-air opportunities, the women’s movement was about inclusion. That’s when pressure was exerted to include men in the format, and the station evolved and was re-named WWEE.

In 1999, 14 of the original WHER “girls” attended a reunion in Memphis with Sam Phillips. (see second photo)

From a later radio interview Sam Phillips said: “It was not, I'm gonna tell you, it was not a novelty. WHER was an embryo because there wasn't anything else like it in the world.”

An Elvis Moment

Elvis is pictured with the very beautiful Natalie Wood and the not-so-beautiful -- but significant -- Dewey Phillips.

Phillips was a leading DJ in Memphis for many years at WHBQ. He broke barriers by playing a mix of music including country, pop and rhythm & blues -- by both black and white artists. It was Phillips who first aired Elvis' initial record "That's All Right Mama/Blue Moon of Kentucky." Sam Phillips (not related to Dewey) walked an acetate of the brand new record down to Dewey who was on the air at the time. He played the record; listeners started calling in and, as they say, the rest is history.

Sam Phillips, Sun Records, had in his pre-Elvis days produced a number of black artists including Ike Turner, but Sam's real goal was to find a white singer who could successfully carry off black music. That was the way he knew he could carry the wonderful R&B feel and tunes to a white audience. When Elvis' records first gained air time, the audience presumed he was black. No one had ever heard a white performer sing like that.

In an early interview with the 19-year-old Elvis, Dewey "outed" his race by asking a simple question in segregated Memphis. "What high school did you attend?" Clever. You couldn't just ask a guest "Are you black or white?" When Elvis said he'd graduated from Humes High, the wow factor was huge.

Dead Elvis Week 2010

Today is the kick-off of what we in the Memphis area refer to as Dead Elvis Week. You see, there are two separate weeks of Elvis celebrations in Memphis. One is in January celebrating El’s birthday. There are a number of activities, but it’s pretty cold then and it’s not vacation time, so fewer thousands flock to Memphis for that event. This week, however, commemorates Elvis’ death in 1977. Fans from around the world pack up and head to Memphis to participate in the many and varied activities and to stand at the gates of Graceland.

Today’s kick-off events include a reception and a concert at the Overton Park Shell recreating one of the early concerts by the King.

There will be meet ‘n greets with former Memphis Mafia (Elvis’ guy pals) members, back-up singers, musicians, actors from those movies, and pretty much anyone who had an association with him and who wants to be here.

Also on the agenda are a 5k run, fan club presidents’ meeting, screenings of his films, Elvis tribute artist contest, monster parties, and a gospel breakfast on Sunday morning.

The big event, the candlelight vigil, will be on Sunday night. It is a free event and open to all. Visitors meet at Graceland’s gate and, at the proper time, will form an escorted line to walk up the driveway, around back to the gravesites of Elvis and his mother, then around the house and back to the gate. Each guest carries a lighted candle and walks in respectul silence. The gates stay open and guests may pay their respects as long as people are lined up. It generally takes most of the night.

I like to think that Elvis watches the procession from an upstairs window.

Here’s a link to the full schedule of events:
http://www.elvisweek.com/schedule/

And here’e Elvis live singing Polk Salad Annie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uk1LmX6noGY

Austin, The Kids, and Some Music

Mike and I just returned from a great trip to Texas where we had a super visit with four of his five Austin kids – Shannon, Chris, Wendall and Jennifer. Hopefully we’ll get to see Paula on the next trip.

Among the fun stuff with the kids was a Sunday evening outing to the Saxon Pub where Mike’s former bandmate Bobby Whitlock and his wife CoCo Carmel were performing. It was a great show. Bobby’s distinctive voice with a bluesy rasp mixed with CoCo’s honeyed tones, all framed by their musical skills on guitars, sax and keyboard. If you’re in Austin on a Sunday evening, you should really catch the show.

Mike first met Bobby back in 1967 when the two of them played with The Memphis Counts, house band at The Cabaret, a club that was on Memphis’ Highland Strip close to Memphis State University. It was just a couple of blocks from the first apartment for newlywed Mike and me.

That was when Delaney & Bonnie came into the club, heard Bobby’s vocals and B-3 talents, snapped up a young Bobby and added him to their band. He later joined Derek and the Dominos, played with Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and became a notable songwriter. He wrote material for the famous Layla album, and his other material has been recorded by many artists including Sheryl Crow, Ray Charles, Tom Jones and George Jones.

The fascinating story of his life and career will come out this fall in his book, Bobby Whitlock: A Rock ‘n’ Roll Autobiography.

In the meantime, check out Bobby’s website and the two song links posted below.
Bobby Whitlock’s website:
http://www.bobbywhitlockandcococarmel.com:80/

Bobby Whitlock & Eric Clapton – Bell Bottom Blues - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZNL0wvIj78&feature=PlayList&p=A8D8B381ABD37E99&playnext=1&index=61

Bobby Whitlock & CoCo Carmel – Layla -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crJ1JK4yk0s&feature=PlayList&p=0F77935ECAF2B02F&playnext=1&index=7

More trip stuff in upcoming posts.