I’ve been traveling over Mountains…..Ask me if I could be anywhere in the world at this very moment and my answer would be instantaneous without missing a beat: Tennessee !!
Even through the Valleys too…..
Valleys, Mountains - it doesn’t matter - nothing could ever keep me away !!
I’ve been traveling night and day, I’ve been running all the way…..
Night & Day - that’s for sure !! Anyone who knows me knows that driving all night on a 12/15 hour journey just to make it to Nashville & Memphis as fast as I possibly can is nothing for me - and in fact I HAVE done it !! Besides, driving down a long, winding interstate in the wee hours of the morning, with hardly any traffic, and the cool breeze blowing through my hair - Ahhh…..Serenity !!
Baby, tryin’ to get to you…..
Yes, to get to YOU Elvis !! Tryin’ to get to where your spirit lives on, where a lyrical melody echoes through the trees, and where if I pause long enough, close my eyes and draw a deep breath I can feel your very presence, and the legacy of love that you left behind.
I feel both blessed & grateful that I’ve been able to visit Memphis and Nashville as many times as I already have. It also thrills me to ponder all of the many times ahead of me when I will continue to return time & again - God willing! To me there is nothing more important than being in the midst of the city in which Elvis created so many memories. I love driving down the streets of Memphis late at night, exactly as Elvis would have - the time of day when Elvis truly was “alive” without the confines of worrying about causing the riot his sudden appearance in the daylight would bring. That is also my favorite time of the day to stand at the “wall” surrounding Graceland - encompassed by his home and the grounds where he would ‘play’. I can almost imagine him racing through those famous gates in his golf cart, and pulling out onto what is now Elvis Presley Blvd. (originally known as Hwy 51) to the amazement of astonished onlookers. What a GUY!! What a zest for life !! It is this spirit that I feel most when I am at Graceland. It is a peaceful, loving feeling that engulfs me as I stand in rapture just starring at the long, quiet driveway that too soon by daylight will be overflowing with fans wanting - no, wait - needing to experience the home where Elvis lived and loved. Every time I first see that driveway a vision clearly enters my mind - I will never forget learning that Elvis, late at night, would walk up and down the driveway with his Mama Gladys to calm her when she was worried, or when sleep wouldn’t come from the stress of concern about her only child. If I listen close enough I swear I can almost hear Elvis’ baby talk as he would lean over and whisper in her ear, assuring Gladys that he really was ok. “Satnin, your widdle baby is just fine.”
My most recent trip to both Memphis & Nashville was just a mere 7 weeks ago…but I start missing it as soon as I leave !! I will return again this month to attend the Tupelo Elvis Festival, and then again in August for Elvis Week 2006. I would love to highlight some of the incredible places to experience when you plan to take your own journey. Come on a Wild Tennessee Ride with Me…..
MEMPHIS:
Graceland
Obviously anyone visiting Memphis will want to visit Graceland, and the adjoining shops across the street at the Graceland Crossing. Encompassed in this space is also the following: Lisa Marie & Hound Dog II Plane Tours, The Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, The Film Walk A Mile In My Shoes, and the aforementioned gift shops.
** Of interest please note: The Sincerely Elvis Museum also located in this area has completely changed and is now featuring a chronological history of Elvis’ life in 1956, which was completely fascinating to me as I am a 50’s gal at heart !! They have done a great job to bring that year of Elvis’ life alive, and the display is incredible. Something you definitely don’t want to miss as it is in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the year that Elvis’ career began to skyrocket !! Most likely this display will only be there this year.
** Another new addition is the Elvis After Dark exhibit that is now housed in the location of a previous Gift Shop at the Graceland Crossing Plaza. As we all know Elvis lived mostly at night, and it is neat to see the collection of items housed in this small, but interesting display area. Many neat items to purchase in the adjoining shop which also showcases the Pool Table from Elvis’ Bel-Air home, which also happens to be the very Pool Table that he had a game with the Beatles when they visited him in California in the 60’s. For a fee you can have your own game of pool too on this same table !! Also in this area is the only Elvis Pin Ball Machine that was created by Stern - which you are able to play!
For further information about visiting Graceland call: 1-800-238-2000
Graceland: 3764 Elvis Presley Blvd. Located off I-55 at exit 5-B
Sun Studio
After Graceland, my favorite place to be in Memphis is none other than Sun Studio. Just ask anyone who has ever been there with me and they will confirm the gamut of emotions I go through while I am there. I smile, cry, laugh, and sometimes even sob & weep. Mere words cannot describe the presence I feel in that studio. Perhaps it is my deep passion for Music that reaches down into the depths of my soul while I am standing on, what to me, is sacred ground. The location has a Soda Shop/Café, a gift section of T-Shirts, Books, and of course Sun Records while the rest of the building is used for the tour. Be sure to sit in the Café and spin a few classic Sun Records on the Jukebox while reminiscing how much this little recording Studio meant to the history of Rock N Roll. Without it there may never have been an Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich….and the list goes on. I, personally, can spend HOURS at the Studio - the presence, soul and music move me in a way no other place on this earth ever has.
Sun Studios: 706 Union Ave. (corner of Union & Marshall)
Pop Tunes (Poplar Tunes) Record Shop
This location was founded in 1946 and is the very location that Elvis used to frequent while living at Lauderdale Courts. The floors are still the original hardwood, and you can ‘smell’ the age of the shop as soon as you enter, which adds to the originality and appeal. Elvis would continue to visit this location after his fame would ensue him - and he was very friendly with the owners, staff, and customers. They still have quite a selection of records along with CD’s and the music of today. The sign outside Pop Tunes when Elvis died said exactly how they felt about their most valuable customer. It simply stated: Elvis, We Miss You.
Pop Tunes: 306 Poplar Ave. (Located on Poplar between Lauderdale St and Danny Thomas Blvd.)
Lauderdale Courts
The very first time I visited Memphis quite a few years ago the site of this important place in Elvis history nearly brought me to tears. It was absolutely in shambles, and there was word that the housing complex was deemed to be demolished, including 185 Winchester Ave. Apt #328 at Lauderdale Courts where the Presley’s lived. This location would prove to be a pivotal place in the life of Elvis, and to loose this piece of history would have been heartbreaking. Luckily the city of Memphis decided to resurrect the housing complex, and with the encouragement of Elvis Fans world-wide they even restored the Presley’s apartment which is occasionally open for touring and always available to rent. Seeing the restored ‘Courts’ is absolutely incredible - I had tears in my eyes when I first saw it after the renovations. It is a must see for serious Elvis fans to help understand exactly where Elvis came from.
For More Info visit: www.lauderdalecourts.com
1034 Audubon Dr.
Sadly, at the moment, this important home in the history of Elvis is no longer open for touring. It had been owned by Mike Freeman and Cindy Hazen, but just a few weeks ago was sold to new owners. Mike & Cindy had been doing a wonderful job of restoring the house to all its 50’s splendor to reflect what it was like when Elvis owned it. This house is significant as it is the first house Elvis and his family ever bought with the first royalty cheque he received from RCA on May 11, 1956. The next move would be the last: Elvis purchased Graceland in March 1957 which is when they moved from Audubon Dr. While only there a year if one looks at Elvis’ career history and realizes all the monumental milestones that happened while he lived at Audubon it is an incredibly important piece of history. While the house may eventually be open again to tour, it is still definitely worth a drive-by to check it out. This is another location where emotions easily surfaced for me. My favorite memory of visiting the house will forever be the look of shock on my best friend Valerie’s face when I surprised her with a Birthday Cake I had arranged to have for her as we sat in Gladys kitchen at 1034 Audubon Dr. (Many thanks to Cindy for picking up the cake and graciously allowing me to do this for my “soul sister”.) What a memory: 5 girls sitting around the Kitchen table at Audubon, laughing, eating Birthday Cake and sipping coffee. Sweet, Sweet Memories !!
1034 Audubon Dr.: Located in East Memphis. Take Popular Ave, turn South on Goodlett Rd. ,left on Park and right onto Audubon Dr.
** NOTE: The Audubon Park that surrounds the streets closest to Audubon Dr. is the very park where ALFRED WERTHEIMER photographed Elvis in 56 when he disembarked the train taking him home. They are haunting pictures of him walking alone along side the railway track, contemplating it would seem where his life had taken him thus far. He told the conductor to let him off, and he would ‘walk home’ - which he did in peace. Alfred, in his book, dutifully notes that it was to be the last time in history Elvis would ever be able to walk alone on the streets without being mobbed. Of course I had to walk along those tracks myself and reflect on Elvis, and the pressures he must have been experiencing at that time, along with the excitement of his new-found fame.
I could truly list pages and pages of places that are a must-see when you visit Memphis - and believe me when we are in Memphis I want to experience each and every place I can that had a role in Elvis’ life !!!
Here are but a few more places you might want to visit while there:
Humes High School - The High School Elvis attended and graduated from. Located at: 659 Manassas St.
The Peabody Hotel - Where Elvis attended his High School Prom in 1953 with his date, Regis Wilson. The hotel is a site to see in and off itself. Absolutely breathtaking !! Location: 149 Union Ave.
** Note: Also located in the Peabody Hotel is LANSKY’s where Elvis used to shop. This is not the original location - but the owner Mr. Lansky frequents the shop, and still works hard at selling his goods to customers. Quite the charming man, I might add !!!! I was lucky enough to meet him there a few years back. The clothes are impeccable, and they carry many of the same Rockabilly style shirts and nostalgic clothing they had when Elvis used to shop there. There are also many pictures of Elvis with Mr. Lansky throughout the store, and he will autograph a picture or poster that he sells if you ask him.
Beale St. - Anyone visiting Memphis HAS to experience Beale St. It is truly the home of the Blues. It is incredible to soak up the atmosphere and music there. Great places to eat in the vicinity as well. I highly recommend BB King’s. Elvis Presley’s Memphis restaurant used to also be open on Beale St. but unfortunately was closed down a few years ago.
Overton Park Shell: First open in 1936 this entertainment venue has seen its share of stars, and there is no denying it played a pivotal role in Elvis’ career. The last time Elvis performed at the Shell was August 15, 1955. That was when Elvis was still accessible as a star, and there are many playful pictures of him backstage at the Shell. Although it has been threatened with the very real possibility of being torn down a committee was formed called: Save Our Shell, and thus far have been successful in keeping it open.
Location: 1928 Poplar Ave. in Overton Park. North side of Poplar between Mclean Blvd. And East Parkway.
Libertyland: The very amusement park that Elvis would frequently rent out at night for all his friends and family to enjoy, and it housed Elvis’ favorite ride which was well-noted in the Park: The roller-coaster called: The Zippin Pippin. Sadly Libertyland only recently closed permanently for business with its final day of operation being October 29, 2005.
Location: 940 Early Maxwell Blvd.
Forest Hill Cemetery: Located not far from Graceland this cemetery was where Gladys Presley was originally buried in 1958. Elvis would often visit the cemetery after hours, and sit for a long while visiting his beloved Mother. There was also a standing order at Burke’s Florist to deliver fresh flowers to Gladys’ grave each week. When Elvis passed away he was also brought to Forest Hill and buried in a mausoleum. Many fans still visit and place flowers in the window of the mausoleum where Elvis was originally laid to rest. Good to note also that Bill Black, Elvis’ original bass player, who passed away in the 60’s is also buried at Forest Hill, and I made it a point last summer to find out where his grave was, and went and placed a single red rose there on behalf of the Fan Club.
Location: 1661 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Immaculate Conception High School: The High School Priscilla attended and graduated from when she moved to Memphis and lived with Elvis at Graceland. Location: 1725 Central Ave.
Vernon Presley’s House: Only a stones throw from Graceland !! It is the house that Elvis bought for his Father in 1964. A gate was added in Vernon’s back yard that allowed him to enter the back yard at Graceland. Location: 1266 Dolan Dr.
Linda Thompson’s House: Bought by Elvis for his girlfriend, Linda, in 1974 although she continued to live with him at Graceland at this time. Location: 1254 Old Hickory Rd. - also a stones throw from Graceland.
Well….this is only a partial list of many places I have visited in Memphis over the years - there are so many more places to visit and discover. There are two books I highly recommend when planning your trip to Memphis. They highlight many places of interest to visit that are Elvis-related.
Memphis Elvis-Style: By Cindy Hazen and Mike Freeman - Originally published in 1997
Placing Elvis: A Tour Guide To The Kingdom by Sharon Colette Urquhart - Originally published in 1994
Visiting Memphis allows you to feel closer to the man dubbed as ‘The Memphis Flash’. Exploring his roots and the haunts that were important and significant in Elvis’ life allows me to feel closer to understanding who he was - and to me that is vitally important !! Take The Journey - You Won’t Be Sorry you did !!!! Hope to see many of you in Memphis during Elvis Week…..
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