Elvis Inspired Tom Jones Gospel Album

Tom Jones has said that his latest album ‘Praise and Blame’ is a tribute to Elvis Presley.
According to MSN, Jones said “[Elvis and I] would stay up all night talking about music. He was surprised I knew gospel songs and wanted to know when I’d record a gospel album. I said I would and this is it.”

Jones made a name for himself singing pop music. Having recorded hits such as ‘It’s Not Unusual’, ‘What’s New Pussycat?’ and ‘The Green Green Grass Of Home’, Jones decided to go to to gospel music at the age of 70 to mixed reviews.

‘Praise and Blame’ was produced by Ethan Johns (Ryan Adams, Kings of Leon, Crowded House) and features a huge list of amazing musicians including Booker T. Jones and Gillian Welch.
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Collector Greg Page Teams Up With EPE

Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) announced today that due to the overwhelming response and success of the past four years’ international search, it is launching the fifth annual “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest(TM)” in 2011. Contestants will be chosen at numerous licensed preliminary Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contests being held at fairs, festivals and other venues around the world. The semifinal and final rounds will be held during Elvis Week 2011 in Memphis, August 10 through 16, 2011.

“The worldwide response to our first four years of the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest has exceeded our expectations,” said Scott Williams, VP of Marketing for EPE. “The contest is a way for Elvis fans to celebrate Elvis’ never-ending contribution to the world of entertainment. Every year we are very impressed with the quality of contestants and again congratulate Justin Shandor who was named the 2010 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist.”

Judges will be looking for the “best representation of the Elvis legacy” in talent, appearance, performance, stage presence and each contestant’s overall tribute to Elvis. The best overall performer will be named the “2011 Elvis Tribute Artist of the Year.”

There will be four new preliminary contests in Australia in 2011 thanks to a new relationship between EPE and Page Johnstone Pty Ltd. The company was founded by Australian businessman David Johnstone and musician and actor, Greg Page. Page is best known as the original lead vocalist and a founding member of the children’s band The Wiggles and has also recorded several solo albums.


Preliminary contests will be held in Coolangatta, Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Another international contest joining for the first time in 2011 is the European Elvis Championships at the Hilton Hotel in Birmingham, England.

Other contests that have occurred or are in the planning stages at this time include:

The LakeGeorge.com Elvis Festival in New York Pechanga Casino Resort Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in California The Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest at Chinook Winds Casino in Oregon The Collingwood Elvis Festival Ontario, Canada Tupelo, Mississippi Elvis Festival Penticton Pacific Northwest Elvis Festival in British Columbia, Canada New England Elvis Festival in Manchester, NH Rockin’ ‘E’ Jamboree at Oneida Casino in Green Bay, WS Elvis FANtasy Fest in Portage, IN Pocono Mountains Elvis Festival in Bushkill, VA Silver Slipper Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Mississippi Wintersun Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in Queensland, Australia Tampa Bay, FL Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Harrah’s Cherokee Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest in North Carolina The Dick Clark Bandstand Theater in Branson, MO, home to Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach, SC in the new Legends in Concert Theater located at Broadway at the Beach The Japan ETA Contest The Legends in Concert locations in Las Vegas, NV and Atlantic City, NJ The “Last Chance” ETA Contest at Hard Rock Cafe, Memphis, TN

Additional contests will be added in the coming weeks.

Prizes for the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest include:

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest First Place Winner:

Title of Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2011 Performance Contract with Legends in Concert Cash prize of $20,000 Selection of other valuable prizes

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Second Place Winner:

Cash prize of $3,000 Selection of other valuable prizes

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Third Place Winner:

Cash prize of $2,000 Selection of other valuable prizes

For a complete list of contest preliminaries, along with tribute artist photos, videos and additional information about the 2011 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest and Elvis Week, please visit http://www.Elvis.com. Organizations and entertainment venues interested in holding their own preliminary should e-mail Ultimate@elvis.com for more information.

Viva Elvis

“Viva Elvis” is the latest in a long list of Elvis Presley hits. The album comes eight months after the opening of Cirque De Soleil’s “Viva Elvis” show at the Aria Resort in Las Vegas.

“The album is not a cast album,” said the album’s executive producer Adam Block, of Sony Music Entertainment. “It’s not a remix album. It is an Elvis Presley album as though he made it this year with an ear and an eye for what’s happening today.”

The album covers the entire span of Presley’s career.

“Technically, now we can hear Elvis’ performances cleaner and clearer,” said Rob Santos, vice-president of A&R at Sony Music Entertainment. “You can hear his voice in a way you never have before.”

You can also see his influence like never before.

The songs are the same ones used in “Viva Elvis” the show. The performers and musicians say the show was a labor of love and they were inspired by the King’s famous home.

“Once we got to Memphis and Graceland, wow, that’s when everything changed,” said Michael McNamara, one of the show’s performers. “After that Graceland trip, everyone came back with so much more emotion. You could just tell the way people were performing things it was different.”

The minds behind the album and show say they’re hard work wasn’t just for fans; it was also for the King himself.

“Elvis gave so much to all of us, but it’s really incredible now to give back to him,” said Elvis’ ex-wife Priscilla Presley.

When it debuted, “Viva Elvis” was in the upper half of the Billboard 100.

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Lisa Marie Becomes Charity Patron

Lisa Marie has vowed to become a patron of a charity after being impressed by its work at a fundraising ball. Lisa Marie Presley was one of the celebrity guests at the Snowball held at the Prince Regent in Chigwell on Saturday in aid of Hainault-based charity The Dream Factory.

Actors Ray Winstone and Sid Owen, who are both patrons of the charity, and Amanda Redmond were also among guests at the star-studded event, which raised £59,000 towards granting the wishes of terminally-ill children and those with life-threatening illnesses or disabilities.

Organiser Avril Mills said: “We have granted 83 dreams in under three years, so the money is going to go towards a lot more dreams. It costs between £500 and £5,000 for a dream.

“Lisa Marie Presley was very nice and she now wants to become a patron of the charity.

“We talked about the charity and she brought a big framed picture of Elvis, which she got flown over for The Dream Factory from Graceland, and that raised £7,000.”

More than 280 people from all over London and Essex, attended the ball, which also included performances from dancers and a show band.

Leslie Nielsen Shirley Missed!

Leslie starred in Airplane and then Naked Gun with Priscilla Presley. He died yesterday in Florida from pneumonia.
Leslie….you Shirley will be missed!

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Happy Thanksgiving!

To all of my friends, I wish you a very happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy your day with your family and friends. Today, I give thanks for all the amazing friends I have and my family especially my mother.
Enjoy your day and be safe on the roads! Enjoy your holiday shopping tomorrow and try not to trample anyone or get trampled in the stores!
I thank you all for your support with my new web site and most of all for your friendship!

Happy Holidays!
Megan

Myrna Update!

On Nov. 23, Myrna was sent from dialysis to the hospital & will remain there for several days. Myrna was sent to the hospital because her blood pressure was very low. There is a problem with the stent in Myrna’s arm where the dialysis machine connects & they must surgically correct it. Will keep you updated.

When I saw Myrna on Nov. 21, she was about the same, very weak, she sleeps a lot & not much interaction. We read her all the cards you send. Myrna wants everyone to know how much she appreciates your love & prayers, all the cards & gifts. Myrna received a large banner from the Elvis Cruise & a healing jade charm from New Zealand.

Please keep the prayers going.

Carole

Sony Music Entertainment Launches PopMarket.com, the Ultimate Online Shopping Club for Music Fans

Sony Music Entertainment announces the launch of PopMarket.com, the ultimate online destination shopping club for music fans offering its members limited-time private sales on the world’s coolest music.

A member’s-only online initiative designed for music fans, bargain hunters and serious collectors alike, PopMarket.com offers a 24-hour limited time Daily Deal (changing each day at 12 noon Eastern) and five channels (changing weekly) containing a mix of premium music and merchandise available for a limited time at exclusive member’s-only prices. PopMarket membership is free.

“Sony Music Entertainment is proud to be the first music company to open its vaults to music lovers and provide them with an elegant direct-to-consumer online shopping experience,” said Adam Block, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Legacy Recordings, Sony Music Entertainment’s catalog division. “Secure, seamless and convenient, PopMarket is open 24-7, offering fans exceptional values on great music.”

Now live, PopMarket.com provides a rare window of opportunity to purchase rare and collectible albums, boxed sets, memorabilia and more at deeply-discounted member’s-only prices. PopMarket’s inventory is limited and products are sold on a first come basis.

PopMarket has already offered deluxe boxed sets by Santana, Alabama, Ken Burns Jazz, Simon & Garfunkel and The Clash with future Daily Deals to include albums and collections by Dave Brubeck, Neil Diamond, Billie Holiday, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Janis Joplin, Aerosmith and many more.

Product channel categories have included Country Legends (classic recordings from American country artists, 30th Anniversary (deluxe box sets of recordings that have stood the test of time), framed Gold Records from music’s biggest artists, Singer Songwriters, and limited edition artist-specific Collector Crates sets including a classic album, t-shirt and branded CD crate.

Upcoming weekly channel categories will include deals from the British Invasion, Romantic Hits, Diva Sets, Folk/Rock Legends, Punk & Glam Rock, American Jazz & Soul, Complete Artist Collections, Pop Sensations and dedicated campaigns focusing on music from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s.

A members-only site, PopMarket.com gives music fans unprecedented access to a limited time finite inventory of the coolest music on the planet.

RIP Philly Spectrum!

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R.I.P. Spectrum – Beloved stadium and old friend, 1967-2010

It may be difficult for many people in the Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware Valley area to truly and fully connect with what the Spectrum has meant to the area over the last 43 years. When it opened in the Fall of 1967, it was a 17,000-seat, state-of-the-art marvel. It was palace and it was a fortress. It was not only the new home of the NHL expansion team, the Philadelphia Flyers; the Spectrum hosted concerts, NBA basketball for the 76ers, the circus, Icecapades, professional boxing and wrestling and more. It saw six Stanley Cup Finals, including the Flyers hoisting their first Cup, as well as four NBA finals. It saw greats like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra and repeated visits from local favorites Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.

“When I was just 10 yrs. old I went to the Elvis concert in May of 1977 at the Philadelphia Spectrum with a friend also 10 at the time. Acting our age, we snuck very close to the stage and when Elvis was speaking to the audiance we yelled out together, and we made Elvis laugh. I remember a business called King features syndicate actually passed out flyers outside on the steps of the Spectrum that then enabled one to buy that concert on tape for like $25…but back then I didn’t have the money.” said Will.

Two weeks ago, the Spectrum opened their doors and charged $25 a head for the general public to do a good old fashioned loot-and-pillage, letting fans and collectors literally keep whatever they could haul out on their shoulders. She’s now dispersed far and wide across hundreds of square miles in every direction, living on in garages, living rooms, bedrooms, mantowns. You can almost see her smile in the face of the wrecking ball. You can almost hear her say, “Go for it. Gimme your best shot. You can’t kill me.” And she’s right. Concrete is easy to break down and take away. Memories…not so much.

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Darlene Love @ MIllion Dollar Quartet On Broadway – December 9th!

Broadway and pop veteran Darlene Love will appear with the Broadway cast of Million Dollar Quartet for a special encore Dec. 9 at the Nederlander Theatre.

Love, who has appeared on Broadway in Hairspray, Leader of the Pack, Carrie and Grease, is well known for her hits “He’s a Rebel,” “Today I Met the Boy I’m Gonna Marry” and “Christmas Baby Please Come Home.”
Love will join the cast on stage for a post-performance encore. Recently, Million Dollar Quartet has welcomed Ray Benson, Lesley Gore, Jerry Lee Lewis and Melissa Etheridge for special encore events.
Million Dollar Quartet leads Eddie Clendening, Lance Guest, Tony Award winner Levi Kreis and Rob Lyons, who all appeared in the Chicago cast, re-create their work for Broadway audiences. Kreis portrays Lewis, Clendening plays Elvis Presley, Guest is Johnny Cash, and Lyons is Carl Perkins.