“People ask me where I got my singing style. I didn't copy my style from anybody . . . . Country music was always an influence on my kind of music.”

Felton Jarvis, (1934 – 1981), produced most of Elvis Presley's recordings from 1966-1977. He also released several singles in the late 1950s and early 1960's

Jarvis also produced John Hartford' s first six albums.

Al Dvorin  1922-2004

Joan Deary was Steve Sholes' assistant at RCA. She later came in charge of the catalogue for Elvis. Paid Notice: Deaths LUNN, JOAN DEARY

Published: October 7, 1999 new yorktimes LUNN-Joan Deary. Died October 2, 1999. Joan Deary Lunn worked at RCA Victor records under the name of Joan Deary for over 40 years. She moved to Hollywood in the early 1960's where she was in charge of A&R administration for the California office under Steve Sholes. Joan was the first woman Manager, Director, and Executive Director in RCA Victor history. She ended her career with RCA Victor as the Executive Director of all A&R Administration. During her tenure at RCA she worked with numerous recording artists. However she is best known as the originator and producer of RCA's Elvis Presley anthology series of albums. This series of creative works included historically relevant information, previously unheard recordings, and 'out-takes' of Elvis's recording sessions, providing Elvis's legions of fans access to behind the scenes antics, and allowing them to understand more about the man behind the legend. Joan received numerous gold and platinum records, awarded by the recording industry. She was the producer of the Elvis Presley 'Silver' album set, an eight record set which also achieved gold album status. She was nominated for a Grammy award in 1984 for the Elvis album 'A Golden Celebration.' She was active with, and frequently served as the invited speaker before Elvis Presley fan clubs throughout the United States and Europe. She was recently honored for her outstanding work in support of the Elvis Presley Memorial Chapel by the Elvis Presley Memorial Foundation of Tupelo. She is survived by her sister, two sons, two grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Services were held on Wednesday, October 6 at Saint Charles Roman Catholic Church in North Hollywood. Following the services a burial was held at Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills, California.

The Memphis Mafia was the nickname for a group of friends, associates, employees and "yes-men" whose main function was to be around Elvis Presley from 1954 until he died. Several filled practical roles in the singer's life. For instance, they were employed to work for him as bodyguards or on tour logistics and scheduling. In these cases Elvis paid salaries, but most lived off fringe benefits such as gifts, cars, houses and bonuses. Over the years, the number of members grew and changed, but for the most part there was a core group who spent a lot of time with the singer.

Marty Lacker Gets Blues Note Honor

Marty Lacker to get Beale Street Blues Note Honor This Sunday 11/7

 It was announced today that Marty Lacker will be honored by receiving a Beale Street Blues Note, the equivalent of a Hollywood Walk Of Fame Star this coming Sunday, November 7 at 5: PM.

 Also receiving a Blues Note at the same time will be Chips Moman, the acclaimed record producer who produced Elvis' 1969 sessions at American Studios,Memphis. Moman is also noted for producing over 100 other big hit records by a number of major artists.

Lacker started his entertainment career in radio in 1957 and a few years later his former high schoolmate, Elvis Presley, asked Marty to work for him. Marty was with and close to Elvis for 20 years and served as his right hand man for a number of years as well as being his Co-Best Man at his wedding.

However, it was not really his association with Elvis that has brought this honor to him but his years after leaving Presley's payroll to become a vital part of the Memphis and National Music Industry. In 1967 Lacker started Pepper Records at which time he discovered Rita Coolidge and produced her first couple of hits for her. While at Pepper he also produced some young R&B groups with the help and songs of his close friends Isaac Hayes and David Porter.

Shortly after, Lacker was solely responsible for Elvis to return to Memphis to record for the first time in 14 years when Lacker convinced Elvis to record with Chips Moman and his American Studios Rhythm section. resulting in "Suspicious Minds" and "In The Ghetto' as well as other hits. It was a few months after that Moman asked Lacker to run American Studios for him which he did for a couple of years before opening his own company,Mempro,Inc. serving the entire Music Industry.. While at American, Lacker became one of the leaders of the Memphis Music Industry and produced, directed and wrote three highly successful Memphis Music Awards Shows featuring many of the big named artists who recorded in Memphis at the time as well as attended by most of the executives of the national music industry.

Lacker also co-founded the Memphis Chapter Of NARAS (Grammys), as well as founded the original Memphis & Shelby County Music Commission,(1972) and was its first Chairman. He also was Chairman of Memphis Music,Inc., the official organization of the entire Memphis Music Industry.

It is for those accomplishments and others that Lacker was named today, July 29,2010 as one of the honorees to have his name embedded on a Blues Note in the sidewalk of world famous Beale Street in Memphis. The dedication ceremony date will be held in the next few months.

Here's a brief list of Lacker's accomplishments.

Marty was with and close to Elvis Presley for 20+ years, a number of them he was his right hand man as well as co-best man at his wedding. Marty had attended the last year of high school at Humes with Elvis.

Marty spent a couple of years as a DJ and program Director in radio prior to that.

Marty left Elvis’ payroll in late ’67 as he was tired of traveling but he continued to handle special projects for him and also was with him every evening when he was in Memphis until late ’76 and also went on some tours with him and to Vegas and the Aloha Special.

 In ’67 Marty started a record company for Pepper Tanner Co. in Memphis and discovered Rita Coolidge and produced her first couple of hits. He recorded her at American Studios in Memphis. In ’69 Marty was solely responsible for and persuaded Elvis to record with Chips Moman at American Studios that resulted in his recording career back on track with number one and top ten hits for the first time in five years. “Suspicious Minds”, “In The Ghetto”, “Don’t Cry Daddy”, “Kentucky Rain” and two platinum albums. Shortly after that Chips asked Marty to be the VP and General Business Manager of American Studios which he accepted. Through the next couple of years Marty handled negotiations and contracts with some of the major artists who cut at American.

Marty soon became one of the leaders of the Memphis Industry and was the co-founder of the Memphis NARAS chapter. You’ll find his name on the Chapter Charter. He also served as an alternate member of The National Board Of Governors and represented the Memphis chapter at the one and only NARAS Governors meeting in Memphis during the 70’s.

In 1972 Marty conceived the idea and was The Chairman Of The Board of the first government appointed Memphis and Shelby County Music Commission in ‘72 and wrote, directed and produced three highly successful Memphis Music Awards Shows attended by just about

every President and execs of the major recording companies in the country including Clive Davis and Jerry Wexler as well as most major trade papers.

After opening his own company Marty worked closely with all the studios and music industry in Memphis as well as national labels.

23/01/2011 7:46:53

From Marty Lacker - Lamar Fike Passed Away: I have the unfortunate task of officially sadly announcing the passing of Lamar Fike as authorized by his cousin Tommy McDonald who was very close to Lamar and was with him daily in his hospital room in Arlington,Texas. Lamar passed away very peacefully last night, Friday, January 21. Lamar had been hospitalized since last October 14th and then transferred to the physical therapy wing of the hospital. Unfortunately he did not improve and was sent back to the hospital about a month ago. Outside of Red West, Lamar was with Elvis the longest and he remained close to him until Elvis' passing.  Lamar was also very close to Elvis' mother. Lamar's wishes to be cremated will be carried out and the Brown, Owen, Brumley Funeral Home, Ft. Worth are handling his funeral.  A memorial service will be held in Mart, Texas, one of Lamar's boyhood homes at a date to be announced.  He was born in Cleveland,Mississippi on November 11,1935. Those of us in the Memphis Mafia who remained his friend are greatly saddened by the loss of yet another member of our close group.  May G-d Bless his Soul and may he Rest In Peace. Marty   PS: This is the official announcement, his family has asked that it you hear anything else from anyone else do not believe it. Just uploaded this especially for the memory of and as a tribute to Lamar Fike, he comes in at 09.28 of the clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqLqnL1Jx8

Joe Esposito

Joe Esposito (born January, 1938 in Chicago, Illinois) is a veteran author and publisher, who along with his long time business partner Daniel Lombardy, have several best selling books to their credit.

Joe Esposito is best known for his association with Elvis Presley. (see Memphis Mafia). He first met singer Elvis Presley while serving in the military in 1958. They both went through basic training at Fort Hood, Texas, but did not meet face to face until a year later when they were both stationed in West Germany, where they quickly became lifelong friends. Esposito became Elvis's road manager and bodyguard beginning in 1960. Esposito served as the best man at Elvis's wedding while Esposito's wife, Joan, served as the matron of honor. After Elvis' death in 1977 Joe Esposito went to work for Jerry Weintraub becoming the road manager for greats including Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, Karen Carpenter and John Denver.

Joe Esposito, Col. Tom Parker and Jerry Schilling served as principal consultants in the movie This Is Elvis.

Joe is married to Martha Gallub and has 3 children, Debbie (born 1962) and Cindy (born 1966) from his first marriage to Joan (Roberts)and Anthony (born 1985) from his current marriage to Martha.

Charlie Hodge

Elvis Presley with Charlie Hodge On Stage, As You Never Saw them Before.

Charlie Hodge - (Acoustic Guitar)

Charlie Hodge was born in Decauter, Alabama in 1934. He learned to play ukulele at a young age and was also a dab hand as a "bit of a comedian." He graduated from "The Stamp School Of Music" and along with a fellow student Bill Gaither, they formed a quartet calling themselves The Path Finders and stayed together for a year. Charlie was a great lover of gospel music and by the age of twenty, was lead singer with The Foggy River Boys, taking along with him a coke crate to stand on as a result of being only 5' 3" in height. The rest of the guys towered over him so the crate gave him that few extra inches.

Charlie's first meeting with Elvis took place in Memphis. The very popular Foggy River Boys were appearing at the time on The ABC Network Show. Elvis went back stage to meet him and the band. He never saw Elvis again until 1958 when they were both drafted into the army. They met up in Fort Hood and although never stationed together, Elvis remembered Charlie from their meeting back in Memphis. After Fort Hood, they travelled together on the same ship to Germany. Elvis had requested for Charlie to share the same accommodation with him. They talked often about home, gospel music and the people they both knew in the business. During their time in Germany Elvis was granted leave to return to Graceland when his mother became ill. Sadly Gladys Presley died during that time and after returning to the army, it was Charlie who Elvis sought solace in. This was the time that the true friendship started between both of them and he spent every weekend with Elvis and the rest of the entourage hanging out at Elvis' home at the time.

In 1960 both Elvis' and Charlie's duty ended and Elvis wanted Charlie to go back to Memphis with him to be involved with his recordings. Elvis was doing an album called Elvis Is Back and together they recorded a duet I Will Be Home Again. He also co-wrote You'll Be Gone. Elvis and Charlie where extremely close and he actually lived at Graceland for a time before moving into a house on the grounds. Elvis wanted Charlie's room to extend his own personal wardrobe! As well as being involved with recording he was given small roles in some of Elvis' movies; Clambake (1967), Speedway (1968), and Charro (1969).

During 1961-1966 Charlie got restless sitting around whilst Elvis was making his movies. They would all arrive about 8am just to sit around till 5pm before they did anything. Charlie spoke to Elvis about going out and playing the night clubs again with Jimmy Wakely. He had known Jimmy since Red Foleys TV series The Ozark Jubilee. He got the ok from Elvis, just as long as he returned to him when he wasn't working. He toured Vegas, did shows in Lake Tahoe and Reno and returning to do soundtrack work for Elvis' movies. Charlie stayed with Jimmy until 1966 working alongside of Loui Kramer and Harry James and The Orchestra. Finding it exhausting doing this and working for Elvis too, he decided to leave Jimmy to work for Elvis full time.

Charlie was part of the fantastic 1968 TV Special and appeared with Elvis along with Scotty Moore, Bill Black, DJ Fontana and bassist Alan Fortas. He witnessed and experienced the excitement of Elvis' comeback firsthand. In 1969 he was included in the line up along with The TCB Band, for Elvis' return to live performances. He appeared with Elvis until his last concert on June 26th 1977.

After Elvis' death, Charlie acted as an advisor for several films made about Elvis. He toured the world talking about Elvis and performing shows in Elvis' memory and spent fifteen years performing at The Memories Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Sadly Charlie developed lung cancer and passed away in March 2006.

Charlie ('Cholly') spent seventeen years as guitarist, back up singer and friend to Elvis. He was the guy who handed him his scarves, gave him his water (wearing it sometimes too!) and catching that flying guitar when it came in his direction, never missing once.

Click here to view Charlie's discography.

Charles Franklin "Charlie" Hodge (born, December 14, 1934, in Decatur, Alabama; died March 3, 2006, in Knoxville, Tennessee) was a backup singer, vocal coach and confidant, and best known for his association with Elvis Presley.

THE SWEETS INSPIRATIONS

www.sweetinspirationstcb.com

Myrna's message
	In March of this year 2010, ElvisMatters visited Myrna Smith in the hospital in London where she had been taken after the Video Tour. Not only was she in a 'strange' enviroment, on top of that the airline company managed to loose all of her luggage. ElvisMatters decided to buy her new clothes and all the things she needed. Myrna was delighted and shouted "Heaven sent me an angel" when we walked in her room. It was there, that night, when she recorded the following message on our camera. This is audio only - but it turned out to be her last words recorded on tape... Goodbye Myrna, we love you so much...
	click here

10/01/2011 3:05:20

Reactions to the Church Service Official reactions read at the Church Service During the church service Saturday evening, we read several messages from Myrna's friends. Here's a selection:

Working for the King (1971-1977)

As the 1970s rolled around, the Stamps saw a number of changes. Ed Enoch came on board in 1969 as baritone. Bill Baize was soon singing tenor, and Donnie Sumner was still on lead. One notable change came when J.D. hired bass singer Richard Sterban. J.D. gave several reasons for making this move: the many business interests he was involved in, because the guys in his group wanted him to, and he was smart enough to know that even old people liked to hear young people sing. Some say it was due to health problems, while others say it was because J.D. saw himself as a star and liked coming out to sing specialty numbers with the group backing him up.

Either way, the Stamps Quartet started working for Elvis Presley as his backup group, replacing the Imperials, who had performed with Elvis for one year before leaving to sing with Jimmy Dean. The Stamps Quartet toured extensively and recorded with Elvis from 1971-1977. This launched The Stamps Quartet into global stardom. Elvis Presley stated many times that the Stamps Quartet was his favorite quartet. To this date, a Stamps Quartet record still sits on the turntable on Elvis' private phonograph at Graceland.

After Elvis hired the Stamps, he insisted that J.D. sing with the group. Richard became increasingly unhappy with this arrangement and left to replace Noel Fox in the Oak Ridge Boys. Ed Wideman, a Canadian, was hired to replace him.

Donnie Sumner soon left the group, so Ed Enoch moved from baritone to lead vocal and Dave Rowland, later of Dave & Sugar fame, was hired to sing baritone. Dave eventually left and was replaced by Ed Hill of the Prophets Quartet. Ed Wideman was replaced by Larry Strickland in 1973.

After Elvis' death, a revolving door of members sang with the group. When Bill Baize left, the group used a female singer during their last two configurations. Around this time, Ed Hill left to join Hovie Lister and the Statesmen, and later the Singing Americans. Ed Enoch was still singing lead and was road manager of the Stamps. David Ponder was hired to replace Hill on baritone.

The group broke up in 1979, when Ed and Shirley Enoch (J.D.'s daughter) got a divorce. By 1980, J.D. was filling in with Hovie Lister and the Statesmen. It was during this time that he and Lister developed the idea for the Masters V.

KATHY WESTMORELAND

Kathy Westmoreland (born August 10, 1945 in Texarkana, Arkansas) is an American singer.

After growing up in Abilene, Texas, the daughter of a professional singer (father) and a professional dancer (mother), she moved to California in 1962 with her sisters (professional singers Melody Westmoreland and Christie Westmoreland) and brother Brent (professional drummer/singer). She teamed up with friend and Garden Grove High School classmate Steve Martin in a musical comedy act, working together at the Birdcage Theater at Knott's Berry Farm and playing local coffee houses.

A soprano, Westmoreland sang musical comedies and opera, performing oratorios and traveling with the Metropolitan Opera National Company by the age of eighteen. Returning to California, she joined the singing group The Sandpipers, who had a major hit with the song "Guantanamera." She became a studio session singer, appearing on numerous television shows such as those of Red Skelton, Tim Conway and Bobby Darin. She was one of Jimmy Joyce's singers, Ray Conniff's singers, Johnny Mann and many others, including vocals on recording sessions with hundreds of major artists. In 1970 she was hired to sing backup vocals for Elvis Presley, both in the studio and on stage, where he would introduce her as "the little girl with the beautiful high voice." She continued to perform with Presley until his death in 1977 and sang at his funeral at his request.

In 1987, she published "Elvis and Kathy" that recounted her time with Presley. (ISBN 0-9618622-0-3)

Kathy continues to perform to sold-out crowds, ranging from nightclubs to country-rock-and dinner theaters to fan clubs, and appears in films, TV, radio interviews, and recordings. She is currently contributing to many projects, including Dick Dale's HBO special, and occasionally performing with her daughter Lindsey, a singer and dancer.

LARRY GELLER

www.larrygellerauthor.com

Shaun (a.k.a. Sherrill) Nielsen & Elvis

It is well documented that Elvis Presley enjoyed listening to Southern gospel quartets. Many of his close friends and associates were singers he met through gospel music. One such friend and eventual back up singer was Shaun (a.k.a. Sherrill) Nielsen.

Shaun was born in Montgomery, Alabama. He served in the Air Force and was a soloist for the Strategic Air Command Band. Some of his musical influences were Mario Lanza, Irish tenor John McCormick, Roy Orbison, Hank Williams and, of course, Elvis Presley.Shaun met Elvis in Nashville in May of 1966 during the recording of the album "How Great Thou Art". At the time he was a member of the gospel group The Imperials along with Jake Hess. Elvis had told his producer Felton Jarvis that he would like The Imperials, as well as The Jordanaires, to work on this gospel album.

Shaun has been quoted describing their first meeting as follows: "I'll never forget that night. I was standing in the corner, just being inconspicuous, thinking how many people would love to be in my place, when the door swung open, and there he was, Elvis Presley. Seeing him in movies and on TV was one thing, but seeing him in person was a whole new experience. He was wearing a cape and a wide brim jet black Superfly hat straight from Beale Street in Memphis. Elvis was blessed with incredible features. What would look ridiculous on you and me, would fit him to a tee. To say I was somewhat intimidated is possibly the understatement of the century. But he put me very much at ease when he walked right by past all the music industry moguls, stuck out his hand and said, 'Hi, I'm Elvis Presley. I've got all of your albums and you are one of my favorite singers.' I think I looked behind me to make sure he was talking to me. For a moment I was speechless, but I managed to stammer ou!
t a 'Thank you', and I didn't have any idea he knew who I was, but that was the Elvis I came to know and love."

Shaun went on to work with the Song Fellows as well as the Statesmen Quartet with Hovie Lister. In September 1973 Elvis flew Shaun and his new singing group, which included J. D. Sumner's nephew Donnie, into Las Vegas to audition for Tom Jones who was having difficulties at the time with his backup group. Things didn't work out with Jones, but Elvis decided to draw up a contract himself and hire them to be in his show and to be available at all times to sing with him off stage as well. He named the group Voice after a single-issue spiritual journal "New Age Voice" which Larry Geller published and gave Elvis.

Two of Elvis' songs that feature the tenor voice of Shaun are the introduction "O Sole Mio" added to "It's Now or Never" and the song "Softly As I Leave You", in which Shaun sings as Elvis gives a recitation. Both were powerful renditions in Elvis' live shows.

Today Shaun still performs and fondly recalls what Elvis once told him: "...God loves you, but he loves you best when you sing."

He was known as Sherrill Nielson, his original name, for many years. At some point he had his name changed to Shaun. While Sherrill is a male name, it's not very common and some people mistakenly think of it as a female name. Shaun has said that after enough instances of hearing himself paged "Phone call for Miss Sherrill Nielson", changing his name to Shaun seemed like a good idea.

Shaun was among the artists who joined the large cast of former Elvis bandmates for Elvis: The 25th Anniversary Concert in Memphis on August 16, 2002.

The Imperials

The Imperials began working with Elvis Presley in 1967 on the 'How great thou art' album and continued with him through 1971. They backed Elvis on stage from 1969 to late 1971. The members known for performing on stage with Elvis are Terry Blackwood, Greg Gordon, Armond Morales, Jim Murray, Roger Wiles and Joe Moscheo

In 1969, The Imperials opened with Elvis Presley at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, now known as the Las Vegas Hilton.

LINDA THOMPSON

&

GEORGES NICHOPOULOS

LIVING HOTEL

LINDA THOMPSON

Girlfriend until 1976

Linda Thompson in her Memphis home

  

Thompson was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee.

In July 1972 she began a relationship with the recently separated Elvis Presley; their relationship ended in December 1976. She was portrayed by actress Stephanie Zimbalist, opposite Don Johnson as Elvis, in the 1981 television movie, Elvis and the Beauty Queen.

In 1980 Thompson began a relationship with former Olympic Gold Medal decathlete Bruce Jenner. The couple married on January 5, 1981. They had two children, Brandon Jenner (born June 4, 1981) and Brody Jenner (born August 21, 1983). They divorced in 1984.

On June 22, 1991, she married composer and record producer David Foster, with whom she has co-written many songs. He filed for divorce in 2006.

Ginger & Jo Smith (Billy Smith'wife) at Elvis concert 1977

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