For
as long as I can remember, I have loved Elvis! I remember
seeing him for the first time on B&W TV when he
made his first appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show."
However,
Elvis really received his first big break in Louisiana
when he was signed for a year appearing on the "Louisiana
Hayride" broadcast from KWKH radio that not only
spread throughout Louisiana, but 27 other states, as
well! Like
the rest of the world, I was devastated to hear the
shocking news of his sudden, tragic death. We all mourned.
Without a doubt, the entire world loved Elvis --- and
especially the South which proudly claimed him as one
of their own. Elvis was true to his humble Southern
roots no matter how far and wide his fame brought him.
"Elvis LIVES!" has been the cry of all who
loved, and continue to love, the young man who grew
to be the kind and generous Southern gentleman known
as the King of Rock n' Roll!
Ashleigh Austin's Personal Collection
(Click thumbnail for enlarged photo)
For years, traveling through Memphis, I had passed
the gates of Graceland so many times, either unable
to stop or just missing the available tours. In May 2002, I
made a special trip to Memphis just so I could
step back in time into a part of Elvis' world. It was something
I had wanted to do for a very long time. I was so excited
before I left, I told everyone I met, "I'm Goin' to Graceland!"
Elvis'
spirit permeates Graceland --- Elvis LIVES!
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"Tribute
to the King"
by K. E. Davis
1977
Gray Stone Press
(Ashleigh Austin's Personal Collection)
This is a copy of a print from a custom flyer that
was given to me by the owner of an art shop in 1977,
the year Elvis died. I had seen the limited print
in the shop window, but it was no longer available
when I went back to get it. The shop's owner informed
me all prints had been sold out everywhere! So, he
gave me the flyer that had a great, but small print
--- nothing to compare with the gorgeous, original large
print of the painting, but still very special to me! I have always felt this print was the most beautiful of all tribute paintings
I have ever seen of "The King," --- it portrays his humble beginnings to his rise to fame and fortune.
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CLICK HERE to see Elvis singing "If I Can Dream" 1968
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May
2002
Outside the Front Fence
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May 2002
The Famous Musical Notes Gate and Driveway into Graceland
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CLICK HERE for "GOIN' TO GRACELAND" PAGE 2
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