An Elvis experience I'll never forget

[polksaladhasie]

Gayle I had tears in my eyes reading your posting ... thank you for telling us your thaugts

I?d love to see him live.. but I was born in ?74 and far far away in Germany

[songs4u]

polksaladhasie, thank you for your reply. When I think about that memory it takes me back to my childhood. I, sometimes, wish I could go back there.

I was young when I saw Elvis but, the thing with Elvis was - it didn't matter what your age was. He could reach down inside you.


I wanted to post this link someone gave me if anyone wants to hear Elvis sing "America". You'll hear for yourself what I was talking about.


http://mjbco.powweb.com/epGodblessamerica905.html

[songs4u]

Next to my Dad, Elvis had the most affect on me as far as music.

I had a childhood thought when I was young that when I grew up I might be Elvis' girlfriend. I didn't see an Elvis getting heavier, I didn't read how the tabloids ripped on him. I just saw someone who could change your life with just the experience of seeing him and listening to him sing.

I'm grown now. I hear all the talk about the weight gain, the pills, and the tabloids and people trying to rip him apart. It's not fair. There was a human being there. A man with feelings just like the rest of us. It's just that God gifted him with something he chose only for him.

I loved my Dad and I miss him. I loved Elvis and I miss him.

If he had to leave us, then you have to accept it, I guess. I don't pull out any of my Dad's music and listen to it and I don't pull out any of Elvis' music and listen to it.

Someone told me once that you'll be past your grief when your tears turn to precious memories....I haven't gotten to those precious memories, yet.

I'm grieving for my loss of them. They're not suffering anymore, so I don't have to grieve for them.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

Next to my Dad, Elvis had the most affect on me as far as music.

I had a childhood thought when I was young that when I grew up I might be Elvis' girlfriend. I didn't see an Elvis getting heavier, I didn't read how the tabloids ripped on him. I just saw someone who could change your life with just the experience of seeing him and listening to him sing.

I'm grown now. I hear all the talk about the weight gain, the pills, and the tabloids and people trying to rip him apart. It's not fair. There was a human being there. A man with feelings just like the rest of us. It's just that God gifted him with something he chose only for him.

I loved my Dad and I miss him. I loved Elvis and I miss him.

If he had to leave us, then you have to accept it, I guess. I don't pull out any of my Dad's music and listen to it and I don't pull out any of Elvis' music and listen to it.

Someone told me once that you'll be past your grief when your tears turn to precious memories....I haven't gotten to those precious memories, yet.

I'm grieving for my loss of them. They're not suffering anymore, so I don't have to grieve for them.

I hope it's ok that I ask this. I love your stories and how sincere your feelings are about your dad and Elvis. I am curious about your dad. I'm guessing he was a musician? Can you tell us about him? I'd love to know.

Thanks

[songs4u]

Menwithbrokenhearts

I thought you might have seen some previous posts I've put on this forum.

My Dad was a gospel singer at first and he and Donnie Sumner's father, Mark, where preachers in our church when we lived in Baltimore. Donnie played the organ and my mother played the piano. That's how we met all the Sumners. My Mom and I sat by J.D. and his wife in church. J.D. and Mark were brothers. We didn't stay in the north very long. My Dad was born and raised in the South.

My Dad was also a singer/songwriter. Knowing the people he did was how I got to go to Graceland a few times. I rode a golfcart around Graceland and around the driveway. I went to Graceland a few times before Elvis died. Elvis would always be inside.

My Dad did some recording in Nashville. He did some shows with people like Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Mickey Gilley. He did some shows in Nashville. Gospel was his first love as it is for most people from the south. He turned to country later on.

I grew in in the music industry. I was never exposed to books. I heard music everyday. Mostly gospel until my Dad switched over to country for a while.

I saw Elvis do a few shows. I was standing beside the stage when I saw him do a show in '76. I loved watching the soundboard guys. Even at an early age I had such an interest in the music industry. What it was all about. Once when my Dad went to Nashville to do some recording he took me with him. Elvis was there at the same time.

You know J.D. Sumner was the head of the Stamps Quartet. Donnie left the quartet when Elvis wanted him to form a group called "Voice". "Voice" lived with Elvis most of the time. Elvis wanted a group on 24 hour call basically whenever he wanted to hear or sing gospel music.

Anyway, that's a quick reply, maybe a long one.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

Menwithbrokenhearts

I thought you might have seen some previous posts I've put on this forum.

My Dad was a gospel singer at first and he and Donnie Sumner's father, Mark, where preachers in our church when we lived in Baltimore. Donnie played the organ and my mother played the piano. That's how we met all the Sumners. My Mom and I sat by J.D. and his wife in church. J.D. and Mark were brothers. We didn't stay in the north very long. My Dad was born and raised in the South.

My Dad was also a singer/songwriter. Knowing the people he did was how I got to go to Graceland a few times. I rode a golfcart around Graceland and around the driveway. I went to Graceland a few times before Elvis died. Elvis would always be inside.

My Dad did some recording in Nashville. He did some shows with people like Chet Atkins, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Mickey Gilley. He did some shows in Nashville. Gospel was his first love as it is for most people from the south. He turned to country later on.

I grew in in the music industry. I was never exposed to books. I heard music everyday. Mostly gospel until my Dad switched over to country for a while.

I saw Elvis do a few shows. I was standing beside the stage when I saw him do a show in '76. I loved watching the soundboard guys. Even at an early age I had such an interest in the music industry. What it was all about. Once when my Dad went to Nashville to do some recording he took me with him. Elvis was there at the same time.

You know J.D. Sumner was the head of the Stamps Quartet. Donnie left the quartet when Elvis wanted him to form a group called "Voice". "Voice" lived with Elvis most of the time. Elvis wanted a group on 24 hour call basically whenever he wanted to hear or sing gospel music.

Anyway, that's a quick reply, maybe a long one.

Thank you so much for the story! I grew up in a house full of music, but no musicians. It has always been in my soul and heart. I would have loved to have been in your shoes! It sounds like you had some wonderful times! Now, I married into a family of musicians and am myself, (or try valiantly to be) and it is strange. They love to play music, it is a pasttime or a hobby, if you will. I'm not knocking that but, somehow it is different. They don't feel it, or it doesn't affect them as much as it does me. It's hard to explain. I love to play, jam and sing with them. But, when I'm by myself, or just with the kids, it affects me in an entirely different way. playing or listening. Nothing can settle my mind, soul and body more. I expect you are somewhat the same. Am I right? It's hard to explain to others that don't experience music that way.

By the way, I would have loved to have known your dad. I bet he had some stories! Any interesting ones you can share with us?

thank you

[rick]

Nice stories Gayle.

My most memorable experience was attending the 1997 concert in Memphis. I also attended in Melbourne a few years later but it wasn't quite the same as first time around with Scotty Moore, Lisa Marie etc.
being in Memphis is always a great experience but ofmy three visits that was the only anniversary time and I felt right at home.
I'd love to be able to afford to return.
rick

[Diane]

Those are wonderful experiences you had Gayle and the beautiful memories will come. Thanks for sharing with us.

[MISSCLAWDY]

thanks gayle

[Fire-Eyes]

My Elvis experience was not like the ones who had the chance to see Elvis alive, but it is really special to me...
The year was 2001, my first and only visit to Memphis, August 10th...I was walking in the airport through the stairs down to luggage place. All of a sudden i heard Elvis's voice, than turned my head through the same direction where the voice came from. The first thing i saw was Elvis on the T.V. screen, turning his head through me, and our eyes focused for a while. It may sound a little bit weird but for a second i thought it was real, Elvis was alive...
It was a moment really precious to me, a moment i will remember forever and ever...

[songs4u]

[B]Menwithbrokenhearts wrote

it affects me in an entirely different way. playing or listening. Nothing can settle my mind, soul and body more. I expect you are somewhat the same. Am I right?

You are right with this statement. Music can take me places like nothing else can.

My father was the most unique individual I have ever known in my life.

He was doing a show with Mickey Gilley (Jerry Lee Lewis' cousin) and after the show Micky wanted to hang out with my Dad. This was the first time he and Dad had met. My Dad told Mickey he was busy, he couldn't. When we were leaving I asked Dad - what is it you have to do? - My Dad said - Nothing, I'm just not in the mood for company. A lot of people would have been happy to spend the evening with Mickey Gilley. This is just something I remember that stands out in my mind. Celebrities did not impress my Dad at all. Don't get me wrong he was the most likeable person you'd ever want to meet but, to him everyone was the same, no one person was more special that another. And, he was in it for the music. He loved music.

[songs4u]

Diane and MISSCLAWDY

Thank you for your replies.

Fire-Eyes and rick

Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. Very interesting.

[songs4u]

About Elvis



When you saw the sparkle in his eyes when he smiled...you knew there was goodness there...and you wanted to go where he was.

[Menwithbrokenhearts]

Menwithbrokenhearts wrote

You are right with this statement. Music can take me places like nothing else can.

My father was the most unique individual I have ever known in my life.

Here's a short little stsory. He was doing a show with Mickey Gilley (Jerry Lee Lewis' cousin) and after the show Micky wanted to hang out with my Dad. My Dad told Mickey he was busy, he already had plans. I asked my Dad - why did you tell Mickey Gilley that you were busy? - My Dad said - I'm not in the mood for company and I just don't feel like sitting around and talking to anyone tonight. A lot of people would have been happy to spend the time with Mickey Gilley. Celebrity status never impressed my father. It was all about the music for him.

Don't let me forget to tell you of a "soon-to-be" famous singer/songwriter he met in Printer's Alley in Nashville in the 70s.. I'll put it on another post.

thank you. I look forward to hearing more. Being the owner of a radio station I'd bet you have stories of your own.

[songs4u]

Menwithbrokenhearts

Yes, I have some things here and there that have happened to me.

[MISSCLAWDY]

About Elvis



When you saw the sparkle in his eyes when he smiled...you knew there was goodness there...and you wanted to go where he was.

such a truthful sentence I couldn't agree with you more!it's exactly like that

[Diane]

Music to me feeds the soul. I can't put it any plainer than that and Elvis seems to be able to go the deepest.

I have to tell you Gayle that my dad was also into music before I was born. My mother told me he was in a country and western band and they played on the local small town radio. I have a photo of them. He played a steel hawaiin guitar and I used to love to hear him play and sing at home. He had a nice voice, nothing spectacular but I loved the sound of it. Never was a great success but he was extremely talented artisticly. He could draw, paint and build anything. He painted most of the street signs of our home town and the large pictoral one depicting our town - welcome to.......He was also an announcer for the town's baseball games and when the Dodgers were still in Brooklyn he got me a baseball autographed by Jimmy Fox. I don't know what happened to that ball but I keep a baseball in my dresser drawer in memory of my dad. and no matter where we live, I plant some Brown Eyed Susans as that is what he used to call me - that and Calamity Jane.

Just wanted to tell you this so that you would know that someone knows how you feel about your dad and that I'm looking forward to your other stories. Keep them coming. Your posts are so enjoyable!

[songs4u]

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[songs4u]

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[sH]

Seems like America was the only song your heard.