Vote For Graceland

[Brian Quinn]

Memphis's local news paper "The Commercial Appeal" has just put a poll online to find out what the best tourist attraction of the city is - according to their website visitors. So far, the Memphis Zoo gets 63% of all votes in the category "Best Tourist Attraction", and Graceland has a disappointing 18%. It's time to change things, folks! Click the link below and vote Graceland to the #1 Spot.

Elvisfans around the world can make that happen! The "Best Tourist Attraction" is under the second link, MEMPHIS PLACES.

http://commercialappealapps.com/most/vote/?r=1835

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE EACH DAY.

Brian (y)

[vivaelvis]

Memphis's local news paper "The Commercial Appeal" has just put a poll online to find out what the best tourist attraction of the city is - according to their website visitors. So far, the Memphis Zoo gets 63% of all votes in the category "Best Tourist Attraction", and Graceland has a disappointing 18%. It's time to change things, folks! Click the link below and vote Graceland to the #1 Spot. Elvisfans around the world can make that happen! The "Best Tourist Attraction" is under the second link, MEMPHIS PLACES.

http://commercialappealapps.com/most/vote/?r=1835

YOU CAN VOTE ONCE EACH DAY.

Brian (y)

Brian, I lived in Memphis for most of my life and I can tell you that it's no secret how Memphians feel about him. The city is predominantly black and they look at Elvis as one simple thing, musician who was a racist and ripped off black people's style. The majority of whites aren't originally Memphians and they view Elvis as a joke. Unfortunately it just is what it is and there's no changing minds that have been made up.

In a way I wished Graceland would close down just to let those fools see what would happen to their everyday lifestyle in that town. It would be such an impact that they wouldn't know what hit them. As one Memphis reporter once said, Graceland and Elvis is the heartbeat of the Memphis economy. Take it away and there's no life. Tourism would die throughout the city and jobs would be lost. When Graceland opened in 1982 the tourism business around the city was born. Befoe then there was no tourism.

[Brian Quinn]

Brian, I lived in Memphis for most of my life and I can tell you that it's no secret how Memphians feel about him. The city is predominantly black and they look at Elvis as one simple thing, musician who was a racist and ripped off black people's style. The majority of whites aren't originally Memphians and they view Elvis as a joke. Unfortunately it just is what it is and there's no changing minds that have been made up.

In a way I wished Graceland would close down just to let those fools see what would happen to their everyday lifestyle in that town. It would be such an impact that they wouldn't know what hit them. As one Memphis reporter once said, Graceland and Elvis is the heartbeat of the Memphis economy. Take it away and there's no life. Tourism would die throughout the city and jobs would be lost. When Graceland opened in 1982 the tourism business around the city was born. Befoe then there was no tourism.



Hi Viva,

As you say, there is no way the situation will change there. Stereotypes are hard to break down. However, one thing is certain, whatever wins or loses this poll, Graceland will still remain the biggest attraction in Memphis. I guarantee that if you had a poll throughout the World and asked people what Memphis, Tennessee meant to them they would say Elvis Presley. One can only imagine how many people would visit Graceland if historically Elvis had bought such a house in New York. The White House would have a serious contender.

Brian

[vivaelvis]

Hi Viva,

As you say, there is no way the situation will change there. Stereotypes are hard to break down. However, one thing is certain, whatever wins or loses this poll, Graceland will still remain the biggest attraction in Memphis. I guarantee that if you had a poll throughout the World and asked people what Memphis, Tennessee meant to them they would say Elvis Presley. One can only imagine how many people would visit Graceland if historically Elvis had bought such a house in New York. The White House would have a serious contender.

Brian

Good point. Another thing, the zoo cost about 5-10 dollars to get in whereas it cost 30 dollars to tour Graceland. The majority of the residents there are middle to low class which means they can't afford a ticket. However, if EPE really wanted to improve the image of Elvis in his home town then they could do special projects and give discounts to the poor for weekends or for a day per year. But, I don't see them doing that.

I guess Elvis was right when he sang Stranger In My Own Home Town.:'(

[Brian Quinn]

Good point. Another thing, the zoo cost about 5-10 dollars to get in whereas it cost 30 dollars to tour Graceland. The majority of the residents there are middle to low class which means they can't afford a ticket. However, if EPE really wanted to improve the image of Elvis in his home town then they could do special projects and give discounts to the poor for weekends or for a day per year. But, I don't see them doing that.

I guess Elvis was right when he sang Stranger In My Own Home Town.:'(

Hi Viva,

Excellent points. I also feel that EPE should have reduced entry fees for the poor and students perhaps 4 times a year. Obviously identity cards would need to be produced to prove their status. Surely this would not break the bank for EPE!!

Brian

[Brian Quinn]

The Memphis Zoo is still well in the lead with 61% and Graceland 2nd with 21%.

More votes needed please. Don't forget you can vote once each day.

Brian (y)

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo now 60% and Graceland 22%.

Brian

[mistymorning]

I voted too and I will every day !(y)but I don't know why Elvis's isn't among " Memphis faces ' ?!!!:blink:

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo now on 58% and Graceland on 24%.

As Elvis sang 'Slowly But Surely'.

Brian (y)

[scarlet_nell]

Viva, I live 15 mins from Memphis. Just over the bridge. Elvis Presley Blvd. is really run down now. Graceland is the only good thing on that road. Graceland is the only good thing in Memphis

[Chester]

Voted for today and will do everyday(y)

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo now on 57% and Graceland on 27%.

Brian

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo on 55% and Graceland on 29%. Keep voting each day.

Brian (y)

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo now on 54% and Graceland on 30%.

Brian

[vivaelvis]

Viva, I live 15 mins from Memphis. Just over the bridge. Elvis Presley Blvd. is really run down now. Graceland is the only good thing on that road. Graceland is the only good thing in Memphis

Yeah, i know. It's sad to see how it's deteriated over the years. Hard to believe that at one time just 25 years ago, Whitehaven was the place to live and work. Times have really changed there. However, good days are ahead. The city should be breaking ground on the 3 mile road improvements to the BLVD by the end of the year or early 2012 at the latest. I believe they're starting southward and moving northward with the project. Here's a link that provides all of the official state and city information on the EPB improvements (not including Graceland's plans) and what it will look like. It's Adobe file and may take a while to download or open.
http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/projectplanning/studies/ShelbyTPR__SR3_US51.pdf

[buttonhead]

Viva, I live 15 mins from Memphis. Just over the bridge. Elvis Presley Blvd. is really run down now. Graceland is the only good thing on that road. Graceland is the only good thing in Memphis

I agree with you .

I lived away from Memphis.... but IMO ; if only more people there know how much money Graceland generate to the local Government ...from tourists and ofcourse once a year Elvis Week... all that taxes .. Elvis may gone but he still give a good living for so many people in Memphis.

[KPM]

Memphis obviously has a different view on tourist attractions-than the tourists themselves......which should be all that matters financially for the citizens and government of Memphis.
Its not surprising they do not see what Graceland is for them-same old story is very similar to all cities which have huge attractions right in their own back yard they take it for granted. Take away the tax dollars from the tourists and you leave a huge hole in the cities budget and that revenue is used for the city services.
I found it interesting that in this weekends Parade magazine ex SNL star/film star and host of Late Night on NBC ,Jimmy Fallon, in his "Bucket List" rates visiting Graceland at #5 on his list of things to do before he dies.
Not all black people think Elvis ripped off black culture-but you will always have that element in culture wars.
You will always have people of all faiths/colors/heritage who want to believe something that is discredited because it fits their idea of life.
If Memphis people do not appreciate the money the legacy of Elvis brings into the city-then maybe they should give back the services that those dollars help provide and have their own taxes raised in direct proportion to the dollars Graceland brings in.
I would not worry about this poll-2nd most visited home in the US-that says the world wants to visit,

[Brian Quinn]

Voted for today. Memphis Zoo now on 53% and Graceland on 31%. This could be a close run thing. Please keep voting.

Brian (y)

[Shane Shepherd]

Just for the record, I've been voting. The zoo? Really? The king of the jungle lived at Graceland.

[Angeline69]

I Voted everyday. But what is the final result ? I Can't find it. Thanks.