BackinMemphis

As a PAYING subscriber who has MANY radios from DAY ONE, I find it offense to PAY to listen to one sided BS about the Elvis and Nixon movie. It's like an Aim Way sales pitch. Or like the tv movie, Blinded by the light about a cult trying to talk fans into this. Such Sh*T. Elvis Radio is supposed to be our Elvis haven, LIVE from Graceland! PROTECTED! Not 24/7 hour coverage of Elvis and Nixon movie. What a liberty! FREE promotion on our dime! DJs on free run, star struck. No supervision. Wake up SIRIUSXM and GRACELAND. I just want to turn on Elvis Radio and hear ELVIS! I don't want to get angry! I would not mind so much if each side of the issue was covered. But this blind coverage is absolute BS! I am a radio person. I grew up just outside of NYC. I grew up with DJs like Cousin Brucie and Howard Stern. CBS FM DJs Harry Harrison, Dan Ingram, Dan Daniel, Norm Nite, Ron Lundy, Bill Brown, Max Kinkel and others. Elvis Radio has one of Memphis' best DJs, George...

Nashville Lifestyles Magazine sat down with Martina McBride to ask about her new album, Reckless, the duet with Keith Urban and the special concerts she's hosting across the country to help Sarah Cannon launch their national Band Against Cancer Campaign. Martina McBride Reckless

Lonnie "Lonnie Mack" McIntosh Guitarist Lonnie "Lonnie Mack" McIntosh, 74, of Smithville, TN, formerly of Dearborn County, Indiana, passed away Thursday, April 21, 2016 in Nashville, TN. He was born Friday, July 18, 1941 in Dearborn County, Indiana, son of the late Robert McIntosh and the late Sarah Sizemore McIntosh. Lonnie was a well known music legend and pioneer. His guitar recordings were a significant influence on many prominent rock guitarists, including, Eric Clapton, Jimmy Paige, Keith Richards, Jeff Beck, Duane Allman, Dickie Betts, Ted Nugent and especially Stevie Ray Vaughan. He was considered one of the finer "blue-eyed soul" singers of his era. His famous 1958 Flying V guitar judged among the world's 150 "most elite guitars" and in 1993 the Gibson Guitar Corporation issued a limited-run "Lonnie Mack Signature Edition" of the iconic guitar. Lonnie played sessions for record labels with Fraternity Records, Elect...

Prince’s Paisley Park home is set to become a museum after his sudden death last week. The mansion near Minneapolis, Minnesota, has become a focus for fans mourning their hero since the Purple Rain singer, below, was found not breathing in the lift at his home. And the extravagant 50,000sq ft complex, which contains a recording studio and nightclub, is set to become a lasting point of pilgrimage for fans – just like Elvis Presley’s Graceland. The singer’s brother-in-law Maurice Phillips told The Sun: “We will turn Paisley Park into a museum in Prince’s memory. “It would be for the fans. He was all about the fans – this would remember his music, which is his legacy. “Prince was always private but would have wanted his music remembered.” Yahoo News

Investigative reporter Geraldo Rivera's exposé documentary of the Willowbrook State School. The exposé revealed gruesome conditions and neglected mentally disabled children. Rivera won a Peabody Award for this documentary and has done several exposing follow-ups, including a book; Willowbrook: A Report On How It Is And Why It Doesn't Have To Be That Way.  

Here's George Klein interviewing Jerry Schilling on GK's Memphis Sounds tv show in Memphis, TN from 2009. About a minute and twenty seconds in, Jerry tells the story of Elvis meeting Nixon. It's sweet and passionate not comical. Jerry of all people could make a great historically important, serious and passionate movie about Elvis instead of satire. This meeting was so important to Elvis and I wish THAT was portrayed in movies and the media. Instead of making Elvis THE joke, Elvis' humor could have been featured. They could have had the audience laughing WITH Elvis and NOT AT HIM! We all have heard about Elvis' great sense of humor. It could have been done. Younger generations could have walked out of the theater knowing that Elvis Presley was THE COOLEST! He was not just A Rock Star, he was THE KING of Rock N Roll not a wimpy buffoon. Elvis isn't seen as a real person anymore. With EPE so focused on their hotel, Elvis is just the Mickey Mouse mascot of...

Merle Haggard’s life may be made into a feature film. GMH Productions has optioned the script Done It All, about the life of the legendary country singer/songwriter/musician, written by Cinderella Man scribe Cliff Hollingsworth. The project, named after one of the country legend’s hit songs, was developed in conjunction with Carl Cooper, a friend who Haggard put in charge of helping to develop a movie about his life with the screenwriter. The idea for the project originally started with producer Donald Kushner, who had been talking to Haggard about a movie about his life. Kushner then approached Hollingsworth as a writer for hire, but Hollingsworth said he’d rather do it on spec. Cinderella Man was also sold as a spec and was made into a film that starred Russell Crowe as 1930s boxer James Braddock. That inspirational film ended up garnering three Academy Award nominations and Hollingsworth was nominated that year by BAFTA and the WGA for best original screenplay. The script...

Jerry Schilling says Elvis Presley died because he wasn't cast in 'A Star is Born' KRIS KRISTOFFERSON killed Elvis Presley. At least that's how The King's former confidante Jerry Schilling tells it. Schilling, a friend of Presley's who executive produced the new film "Elvis & Nixon," says that getting into some kind of treatment program might have brought Presley back from the abyss before his 1977 death. But missing out on the lead role of a mediocre 1976 movie was the beginning of the end for Presley. "I think that would have made a difference, but I think the major problem was creative disappointment," Schilling told us at the Tribeca Film Festival. "He wanted to do 'A Star is Born.' Barbra Streisand offered it to him. I think him not being able to work…." Shilling says that deal fell apart for a variety of reasons, one being Presley's controversial manager Colonel Parker. "I think it was the in...

These numbers are for Friday, opening day. Top ten? Nope! 18.  Thank you fellow Elvis fans!  Not much $$$$ made off making a joke of Elvis! 👍👍👏👏

Guitarist and singer Lonnie Mack, whose instrumental recordings influenced guitar players including Stevie Ray Vaughan, has died in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 74. Alligator Records said in a statement that Mack died Thursday of natural causes. He lived in Smithville, Tennessee, about 65 miles east of Nashville. Born Lonnie McIntosh in West Harrison, Indiana, Mack played sessions for record labels in Cincinnati with blues and R&B greats such as James Brown, Hank Ballard and Freddie King. His 1963 instrumental recording of Chuck Berry's "Memphis," became a radio hit, and he followed that with "Wham!" -- a tune that inspired the nickname "whammy bar" for the tremolo bar he had on his Gibson Flying V. His style was influenced by country music, like George Jones and Merle Travis, but also blues singers like Bobby Bland. Mack released several albums subsequently that weren't as popular, but his career was re-energized when he and Vaugh...

Here's what the press took away from Ugly Elvis, Elvis and Nixon and what the general public will read about Elvis. I am so hurt for Elvis by this. Most Critics call Jerry's character, DULL. Elvis was traveling with some guns and his collection of police badges , and he decided that what he really wanted was a badge from the federal Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs back in Washington. "The narc badge represented some kind of ultimate power to him," Priscilla Presley would write in her memoir, Elvis and Me. "With the federal narcotics badge, he [believed he] could legally enter any country both wearing guns and carrying any drugs he wished." Arrayed in a purple velvet suit with a huge gold belt buckle and amber sunglasses, Elvis came bearing a gift—a Colt .45 pistol mounted in a display case that Elvis had plucked off the wall of his Los Angeles mansion. In 1988, years after Nixon resigned and Elvis died of a drug overdose , a Chicago newspa...

  Michael Shannon , or as one of my friends calls him, UGLY ELVIS gave an interview to USA TODAY. Here is part of it. Preparing for the movie, which retraces Presley's 1970 meeting with President Nixon (played by Kevin Spacey), Shannon knew exactly what he didn't want to do: An Elvis impersonation. Presley's old colleague and confidante Jerry Schilling, who served as executive producer (and is represented as a character), warned the actor against such an approach.  "Jerry said, 'People don't know my friend as well as they think they do,' " says Shannon. Though he's tall and striking, with prominent blue eyes, Shannon's strong features hardly recall Presley's prettiness. But the actor's nuanced performance suggests the softer feelings and self-consciousness underlying the rock icon's blazing charisma. "The shake, rattle and roll — that all came out of being nervous," Shannon notes. "Early on, (Presley) wou...

SiriusXM runs Elvis Radio at Graceland. The new film, Elvis and Nixon is a comedy about Elvis meeting Nixon. Many fans are up in arms about this film. Elvis Presley Enterprises has no involvement in the film. Elvis isn't even on the sound track. YET the movie is HEAVILY promoted on Elvis Radio. And the opinion is ONE sided. Maybe they should change the name to Elvis and Nixon The Movie. If I was running the show at EPE, there would be ZERO POINT ZERO promotion of this film. It is negative towards Elvis' image and there is not one dollar coming towards EPE. Promoting this film is throwing $$$ out the window. As long as Elvis Radio on SiriusXM doesn't promote anything else NON EPE, it saddens me they allow this. This HURTS Elvis' brand. But then again when the company releases a comment to the press that Elvis isn't relevant in Vegas anymore, what do you expect? It's like saying our brand is dying. So question is then WHY sign a deal in Vegas at all? ...

It's been one year since we opened and three years since George Jones' passing. Nancy Jones invites you to join her on Saturday, April 23rd to celebrate the Possum and reminisce on his life. There'll be free cupcakes, live entertainment & more all day. In honor of the occasion, museum tickets for that day are now available online for the discounted price of $13. http://georgejonesmuseum.com/museum/tickets/

The words used by the cast include Bizarre, Insane, Ridiculous and Crazy (which seems to be the KEY Word) used by all. That's how they describe Elvis and this very important event to Elvis himself and historically. They laugh away telling the story and mentioning that Elvis was carrying a fire arm and had one as a gift for the president. This happened in 1970. Maybe in 2016 this might be odd to a few. But this is America where we have a right to bear arms. No matter what he gave the president, it would be made to be odd and strange. The media loves to make Elvis an odd ball, weird, strange and CRAZY. Listen as Alex says when he saw the photo of Elvis with Nixon, he didn't even think it was real. And that's the big problem with the media and all these movies that poke fun at Elvis, recreate history for entertainment and make him a fictional character like Santa Claus. Alex's generation is already thinking this way. Future generations may not ever know there r...

Kevin Spacey who plays Elvis in the latest trash movie about Elvis was on the Late Show last night telling the story of Elvis meeting Nixon. I want to note that Spacey claims the guards at the white house thought Elvis Presley was an Elvis impersonator. I never heard this before. And how many Elvis impersonators were there back then? Sensationalism at it's best. Update: I have found that the guards said a guy who looks A LOT like Elvis Presley. To be fair. BUT the term, Elvis Impersonator, not known back then. Sorry. Another thing I have noticed while promoting this film are the buzz words the cast uses to desrcibe Elvis and this historical event. These words include CRAZY and Bizarre. So now younger generations will laugh at this important event and think of Elvis as Crazy and Bizarre. Well done Jerry! And to the fans who go and pay $$$$ to see this movie, in my opinion Elvis would be very hurt by this film because he felt so strongly about this and he would especially b...

Here is a bit of an article from Newsweek  which I feel the need to challenge. Who wore it best? Newsweek :  The hair is immediately recognizable, the outfit unmistakable: It’s Elvis—except he’s taller, skinnier and looks nothing like the King. BIM :  Really? REALLY? Taller and skinnier? Let's remember Elvis has a coat wrapped around his shoulders in the photos.Outfit unmistakable? Come on.....MS is wearing a typical ETA outfit while Elvis is decked out! I do agree MS looks NOTHING like Elvis. NOTHING! One of the LEAST attractive actors to play the MOST HANDSOME MAN EVER????? While Magic Mike HUNK plays Jerry? Read on for the media spin.....Don't be fooled! Newsweek :  When Michael Shannon signed on to star in Elvis & Nixon, he was “not a huge Elvis Presley aficionado.” The actor, known for his creepily intense portrayals in theater (Bug), television (Boardwalk Empire) and movies (Revolutionary Road), admits he isn’t great at mimicry, and...

I saw Margo Price on SNL 2 weeks ago and was hooked! Thought I'd share her with you because she's so AMAZING!!!! Killer voice! We'll be writing more about her. She's one to watch! She's not a wannabe pop star using country music to be heard. she is COUNTRY! Margo Price

Tammy Wynette - 1971 Columbia Records Promo. Really cool look at Nashville in 1971 as well!

Elvis Presley - THE King of Rock n Roll! Elvis Lives! purports to take the legend of rock ‘n’ roll icon Elvis Presley to the next level, wondering, “What if Elvis never really left the building?” Per AXS-TV, in round numbers: Plagued by drug addiction and a failing voice , the King is desperate to make things right with himself, his deceased brother and God. His attempts to get back on track are thwarted, however, after he helps the cops bring down a powerful crime syndicate — putting his family in danger and sending him on a journey that will change his life forever. “When the decision was made to develop AXS TV’s first original made-for-TV movie, I knew I had to get The Asylum team involved because it was a great experience working with them on Sharknado 3,” Cuban said. “They’re the perfect fit to bring this wild ride to life as we celebrate the life and legacy of the the King’s reign, crafting a unique and original storyline that explores the well-known conspiracy theor...

“One day Joan (Joni Mitchell) and I got up and went to breakfast at a delicatessen on Ventura Boulevard, and a few doors away there was a little antique store, and in the window Joan saw this vase, went inside, fell in love with it, bought it and brought it back to the house. “It was a kind of a cold gray morning as it sometimes can be in Los Angeles, and I said, ‘Why don’t I light the fire and you put some flowers in the vase that you just bought.” So she’s cutting stems and leaves and arranging flowers in this vase, and I’d lit the fire. Now, my and Joan’s life at the time were far from ordinary … and I thought, ‘What an ordinary moment.’ Here I am lighting the fire for my old lady and she’s putting flowers in this vase that she just bought. And I sat down at Joan’s piano and an hour later, ‘Our House’ was written. Source: Howard Stern Show - SIRIUSXM

Last week, the Black Keys gave a speech inducting Steve Miller into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Miller then gave an acceptance speech that was, in part, critical of the Rock Hall, encouraging the institution to be "more inclusive of women" and "to respect the artists they say they’re honoring, which they don't." After the ceremony, he also called the Rock Hall "a bunch of jackasses and jerks and fucking gangsters and crooks." Now, the Black Keys have spoken up about Miller's criticisms, telling Rolling Stone they regret inducting him. "He said, 'The whole process was unpleasant,'" Dan Auerbach told Rolling Stone. "And for Pat and I, the most unpleasant part was being around him." Auerbach said: We got a really uncomfortable feeling when we first met Steve. He had no idea who we were. No idea. The first thing he told us was, "I can't wait to get out of here." He knew that we signed up to do th...

Watch the video above to hear Steve Miller blast the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the way they treat the artists. The disorganized way they handle business,the greed and bully tactics as well as the outrageous ticket prices Rock Hall charges the inductees if they want to bring more than 2 people. These artists bring their band and they perform.....they should be able to bring family as well. Earlier in the evening during his acceptance speech, he also said the Rock Hall needs to start recognizing WOMEN in music. Ever hear that expression, if you can't take the heat get out of the kitchen? Well, that's exactly what the Rock Hall TRIED to do ending the press room after this. But that didn't stop Cheap Trick from coming out and speaking to the press on their own. I think another observation of how they treat these legends so disrespectfully is when in the video above, you hear Steve Miller say He won't wrap it up and tells someone off camera to sit down and LEA...

Marie Osmond's new album, Music is Medicine will be released on Friday, April 15th . Check out her new music video above. Use the link below to pre-order the CD before Friday for a discount. "I wanted you all to know what this album means to me; it comes from my heart and soul. I wanted to do it, to sing, because life is so beautiful at every stage. The hard times, they are simply the defining moments that make us who we are. Life, like the quote says “It ain’t over ’til the fat lady sings” –and I have Nutrisystem…so… that’s not going to happen again! LOL. So… I’m singing, with all my heart and soul. That’s why this album is so special for me; each song has its own story and it’s own personal meaning. I hope you will find your connection and meaning in each song as well. I am so grateful to all of you for your love and support throughout my career. I am thrilled for you to hear this new album, “Music is Medicine” because for me, music has always been a healing balm f...

Led Zeppelin’s lead singer Robert Plant and guitarist Jimmy Page must face a US jury trial over whether they stole opening chords for their 1971 classic Stairway to Heaven. In a decision on Friday, US district judge Gary Klausner in Los Angeles said the song and the 1967 instrumental Taurus by the band Spirit were similar enough to let a jury decide whether Plant and Page were liable for copyright infringement. A trial is scheduled for May 10th. The lawsuit was brought by Michael Skidmore, a trustee for the late Randy Wolfe, also known as Randy California, who was Spirit’s guitarist and the composer of Taurus. Skidmore said Page may have been inspired to write Stairway to Heaven for Led Zeppelin after hearing Spirit perform Taurus while the bands toured together in 1968 and 1969, but that Wolfe never got credit.  The defendants said Wolfe was a songwriter-for-hire who had no copyright claim, and that the chord progressions were so clichéd that they did not deserve copyr...

Click the link below to listen to some of the Merle Haggard Tributes featured last weekend when SiriusXM Channel 59 changed it's name from Willie's Roadhouse to Merle's Roadhouse in tribute to The Hag! SiriusXM Merle Haggard Tributes For a free 30-day trial, check out  http://www.siriusxm.com/freeTrial

Here's a closer look at the people behind Westgate who Elvis Presley Enterprises is now in legal battle over Elvis memorabilia. The first clip is from their documentary in 2012. The second clip speaks for itself. Watch as host Andy Cohen catches on to the back pedaling. His expressions are priceless. Very telling! Having seen this documentary, I was shocked when I heard EPE was going into business with them.. And I knew this would be nothing but T-R-O-U-B-L-E! Can you picture Priscilla Presley and Jackie shopping or having dinner? Absolutely Not! The Queen of Versallies vs the King of Rock n Roll Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) Inc. filed a lawsuit against the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino over hundreds of memorabilia items. EPE says that the Westgate is holding the Elvis ephemera as leverage in a leasing dispute with Exhibit A Circle, the third-party operator of the "Graceland Presents Elvis" attraction at the casino. Items include stage outfits,...

In this outtake from American Masters — Merle Haggard: Learning to Live With Myself, The Strangers band members talk about Haggard’s unique and carefree performance style that always kept everyone on their toes. Haggard did not stop singing and performing until the end of his life. In 2008, he survived lung cancer and hopped back onto the stage to continue performing. In 2014, he performed at the Grammy Awards with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Blake Shelton. Source: PBS

Jerry Schilling turned down seven scripts until he found one suitable for the movie "Elvis & Nixon." Opening nationally April 22, the movie is based on Elvis' 1970 meeting with President Richard Nixon at the White House. Schilling, a close friend of Elvis for almost 25 years, was with the King at that meeting and recounted the story in his book, "Me and a Guy Named Elvis: My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley." He's an executive producer on the movie, which stars Michael Shannon as Elvis, Kevin Spacey as Nixon and Alex Pettyfer as Schilling. Earlier scripts misrepresented the friendship between him and Elvis, Schilling said. "They had me in charge telling Elvis what to do. And I never did that. That would have been so phony." Schilling has worked on several Elvis projects, including the Golden Globe-winning documentary "Elvis on Tour." "As a filmmaker, my bottom line on Elvis projects was, 'Would I be comfortab...

Vince Neil and Lisa Marie Presley's ex, Nic Cage got in a huge physical fight in Las Vegas Thursday, after Vince allegedly attacked a woman in a hotel ... and Vince is now the subject of a criminal investigation. Law enforcement sources tell us the fight went down at around 5 PM at Aria Hotel on the Vegas strip. We're told Nic and Vince were inside when a woman came up to Nic and asked for an autograph. Our sources say Vince allegedly got behind the woman, grabbed her by the hair and pulled her to the ground. The video we got shows the end of a fight between Vince and Nic. Our sources tell us Nic was trying to restrain Vince and calm him down, taking him outside the hotel and into a car. Nic is screaming at Vince, imploring him to calm down. Cops tell us Vince was cited for battery and never taken to the station. Source: TMZ

                        On Saturday, Marty Stuart and Connie Smith will pay tribute to Merle Haggard at a private memorial in Palo Cedro, Calif. “I found out yesterday that Merle had preplanned his own service,” Stuart said Thursday morning. “He requested that Connie sing ‘Precious Memories,’ that me and Connie sing his song ‘Silver Wings,” and that I officiate the service. We’re honored to do it.”                    "It's a privilege," added Smith, who knew Haggard for more than 40 years. "He was a real friend, and we loved him dearly." The couple told The Tennessean, they feel as though they lost a member of their family. Again we ask, please keep Merle's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. 

Willie's Roadhouse becomes Merle's Roadhouse all weekend tribute on SIRIUSXM Channel 59. Tonight: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Feelin' Haggard Hosted by Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel 9:00 pm - 11:00 pm Friday Night Opry Salute To Merle Haggard Friday Night Opry Salute To Merle Haggard Fri Apr 8 11:00 pm - Sat Apr 9 12:00 am Bill Anderson interview with Merle Haggard Bill Anderson interview with Merle Haggard Saturday: 9:00 am - 11:00 am Feelin' Haggard Hosted by Ray Benson of Asleep At The Wheel 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Django & Jimmy Album Special Django & Jimmy Album Special with Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm  Merle's Roadhouse Willie's Roadhouse pays tribute to the late Merle Haggard. 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm LUCK Reunion Willie Nelson interview wwith Dallas Wayne + performance w/sons Lukas & Micah Sunday: 9:00 am - 10:00 am Bill Anderson interview with Merle Haggard Bill Anderson interview with...

First Look at CMT's Still The King – New Comedy Series Starring Billy Ray Cyrus, June 12 Still The King stars Billy Ray Cyrus as Vernon Brownmule, aka "Burnin' Vernon," a scandal-ridden, washed-up, one-hit-wonder who was kicked out of country music, only to emerge 20 years later as the second best Elvis impersonator around. After crashing into an old country church sign during a drunken bender, he is arrested and sentenced to return and serve as the church's handyman as part of his parole. Along the way, he pretends to be the congregation's new minister and reconnects with a former one-night-stand (Joey Lauren Adams, "Chasing Amy"), when he learns he has a 15-year-old daughter (Madison Iseman) he's never met. Burnin' Vernon is doing all the wrong things… for all the right reasons. Don’t miss the premiere of Still the King, CMT’s new original comedy series starring Billy Ray Cyrus, Sunday, June 12 at 9/8c. Source: CMT

Menswear grooming company American Crew has released a collection in “partnership” with the late, great King of Rock ‘n’ roll. The range, which includes styling products ranging from pomade to Molding Clay in limited-edition packaging each featuring images of the world-renowned rocker, will allow men to recreate Presley’s iconic hairstyles.“Men around the world owe a debt to Elvis Presley,” David Raccuglia, founder of American Crew, said in a news release. “He showed us that it’s not just what you have to say, but how you say it. He made success and change seem effortless, and used his voice and looks to make a statement to the world. Elvis is ‘The original cool’ and American Crew wants every guy out there to know that each of us has the power to define ourselves and make a difference.” The collection retails for $19.95 each and is available at select salons. Source: American Crew

Merle Haggard passed away this morning at his home in California. Today is his 79th birthday. Last week, The Hag cancelled April tour dates while recovering from recurring double pneumonia.  Mr. Haggard is survived by his wife, Theresa, whom he married in 1993, and his children: Dana, Marty, Kelli, Noel, Ben and Jenessa. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  We lost an American icon today. One of Country music's greatest legends! Let's remember him today by playing his music. Funeral arrangements are not available at this time.