Dee Gallon Interview Elvis

Explaining how Memories Theatre came to be, Dee says that after Elvis died she always felt that someone should be doing an Elvis show in a respectful manner. Dee’s brother, a night club owner at the time, hired an ETA one night to fill in for an act that couldn’t make it. Dee, who was helping her brother, was impressed and felt that the ETA was so good that he needed a venue where people could come to see him --rather than people wondering where he would be performing next. She also felt that audiences were starved for this type of good Elvis entertainment. Soon, a venue in Pigeon Forge was developed...and Memories Theatre was born. That original ETA was, of course, Eddie Miles.

Right from the start, Dee made a conscious decision to only ever hire the very best ETAs who could put on an authentic Elvis show...Dee emphasizes that the word “authentic” is key.

For the first 8 years or so, Memories produced an Elvis show only. Eddie Miles was there for about three years and, as Dee relates, he was a huge success! When it came time to find another ETA, Dee says she looked for voice (that Delta drawl), authenticity (no moves that Elvis didn’t do), stage presence and look (although, as she says, Elvis’ look was one in a million and no-one will ever look like Elvis). She didn’t want anyone who was embarrassing in their portrayal of Elvis , as she has always felt a responsibility to fellow Elvis fans in picking her “Elvis performers.” Dee feels that many of the ETA’s she’s seen are copying each other and not Elvis – and that they “overdo” Elvis.

After Eddie Miles left the Theatre, Dee hired Lou Vuto...who also had the same love and respect for Elvis. Lou was with Memories for another 6 years, and again portrayed Elvis with authenticity.

Dee and Charlie Hodge met in Las Vegas back in the ‘70's and Charlie came to visit the Theatre during its first year. He started working there the next year and has been there ever since. Dee relates that Charlie has a genuine respect for Elvis and was devoted to him.

Asked if she has advice for ETA’s on how they can “perfect their act,” Dee replies that they should get all the videos they can – mainstream and bootleg – lock themselves into a room, and WATCH ELVIS. She says “he’ll teach you.” Dee also mentions Elvis’ charisma and warmth and says if an ETA doesn’t have the ‘warmth’ then they won’t be able to re-create it, but Elvis’ general attitude can be re-created – so watch Elvis and don’t copy other ETA’s. She says she has received hundreds of promo packs and is always honest with ETA’s who send in promotional material. She welcomes promos even when she isn’t looking for an ETA, and respects those ETA’s who have done their homework.

During the interview, Dee also describes the business of operating Memories Theatre, the number of people on her payroll, the peak seasons, the tourist industry in Pigeon Forge, and tourism in general.

Currently, the show runs in two parts. The first half is a a legends show and the second half is the Elvis show. Dee started hiring legends tribute acts about 6 years ago and, as there are a lot of “country” fans who come to the area, she often hires a “Patsy Cline,” a “Kenny Rogers,” or a “Tim McGraw,” in addition to other tribute acts. She does say, however, that the Elvis tribute is her “baby.” The same band has been with her for almost l5 years, and Hank Miles, Eddie’s brother, is her musical director. The acts change monthly, and Dee is currently looking forward to having Joe Passion at Memories (starting in May) performing his popular Jerry Lee Lewis tribute (see Carol Hunter’s “Archives” for a recent column featuring the multi-talented Joe Passion).

As far as Elvis contests, Dee says she tried it once, but prefers to have one Elvis at a time and is not really into the contest scene. She feels the locals “bond” with whoever is on stage and prefers to keep the same “Elvis” for a long time.

The current Elvis performer at Memories is William Stiles, whose voice Dee describes as very “Elvissy.” She also refers to him as “an amazing young man” with a wonderful heart, who has the deep, genuine respect for Elvis that she and Charlie Hodge look for. As Dee says, “if Elvis didn’t do it on stage, William doesn’t do it.”

Dee tells us about some of her prior experiences in the race car industry, and as a law office administrator, but describes her work at Memories Theatre as her “labour of love,” saying that it is her tremendous devotion to Elvis that keeps her going.

Still an avid Elvis fan, she listens to only Elvis music in her car and has “all the videos” at home. She recalls seeing Elvis, from front row centre, at the Las Vegas Hilton in l970 and says that what stood out the most was his complete command of the room – within minutes he “owned the stage” - and he was so genuine and real. She says his audiences adored him....laughing with him then, and in later years, crying with him.

Dee summarizes by saying she’s had “three of the best ETA’s” at Memories Theatre and she’s enjoyed keeping the memory of Elvis alive. As she says, “Elvis will never die.”
You can hear Dee’s complete answers and comments in this month’s live interview. Many thanks to Dee Gallon...and be sure to visit Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee!

Details:
MemoriesTheatre.com

Live interview conducted by Joanna Johnson
Foreword written by Carol Hunter