BackinMemphis

NEW special guests for Elvis Week!  Laurel Goodwin , Elvis' "Girls! Girls! Girls!" co-star Randy Starr , who wrote tunes for Elvis' movies, will be a part of Conversations: Elvis in the Movies.   Two new guests have been announced for the Official Graceland Insiders Conference: rockabilly star Wanda Jackson, who toured with Elvis, and Elvis' first girlfriend, Dixie Locke Emmons.

WREG, Memphis - The long-awaited Elvis Presley Boulevard Improvements Project in Whitehaven is now a step closer to reality. The city says it's in final negotiations to buy property before starting the first phase of construction. However, WREG has learned at least one roadblock means the timeline has been pushed back yet again. A pothole-filled bumpy ride is what you'll get driving along much of Elvis Presley Boulevard. However, the major thoroughfare is set to get a $35 million makeover. The Elvis Presley Boulevard Improvements Project includes new sidewalks, curbs and bike lanes, covering three miles from Brooks Road to Shelby Drive. City of Memphis Public Works Director Robert Knecht says the city is much closer to construction, having bought some of the necessary land to get started. "We're at 24 of the 26 needed right-of-way acquisitions are completed and the final two are wrapping up." Once that's complete, Knecht says the city will file...

The Young Warriors debut music video for their first single "Stop The Violence" BIM : Support these kids! They just want to live in a safe city! I am sure Elvis would have his heart and soul involved in making Memphis a safe city once again! Memphians are amazing and they deserve a safe city. These young people are super talented and they want what is best for Memphis! Let's support them! Buy the single here - https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/stop-the-violence-single/id1248843450 MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -  Booker T. Washington Middle School students made a music video they hope will reduce violent crime in Memphis. Violence in Memphis has taken lives, devastated families and put people behind bars. A group of Booker T. Washington Middle School students has had enough. So, they made a music video they hope reduces Memphis' violent crime rate. "We wanted to stop the violence because a whole lot of crime is going on today," student Antonio Luster ...

For Texas troubadour Dale Watson, Memphis has long been something of a second home — he’s recorded frequently at the historic Sun Studios, been a regular performer at Beale Street clubs, and drawn much inspiration from the city’s rich roots music history. “Memphis has always been a dear part of my life since I started coming in the '80s,” says Watson. “The place just rejuvenates me.” In the meantime, he’ll continue to split time between the Bluff City and his longtime Austin residence. “I’ve got a place in Austin, with a recording studio built up in the back. It’s a good property and it's home,” says Watson. “But Austin is changing quite a bit — it’s almost turning into a little San Francisco. It’s losing a lot of the roots that I loved. They’re tearing down all the cool places I used to play at and go to, so they can build condos. Breaks my heart to see it.” “I see a lot of growth in Memphis but they won’t necessarily tear down a building — usually they’ll (repurp...

The estate of the bluegrass legend and Grand Ole Opry star is selling his name and likeness, along with his hundreds of personal items and live recordings. Chance of a lifetime, friends! Fans of the father of bluegrass have the chance to buy the rebuilt cabin and 2 1/2 acres in Kentucky where Bill Monroe lived and played music with his Uncle Pen. The buyer will also own the rights to Monroe's name and image, which can be used in things like advertising and TV shows, along with his merchandise story. But Monroe died in 1996. So why is this happening now? "The simple, honest answer is that there's only one heir to this estate, which is his son, James," says Tony Conway, the agent for the family's estate. James "feels like there's someone out there who can do a much better job." Conway says James is looking to sell his father's assets to someone who will preserve and promote his legacy. In fact, conditions written into the contra...

In July of 1953, an 18-year-old Elvis Presley walked into the offices of Sun Records to record two songs, “My Happiness” and “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin,” as a gift for his mother. When asked by receptionist Marion Keisker about his style and whom he sounded like, Elvis had two answers: “I sing all kinds,” and “I don’t sound like nobody.”  A Boy From Tupelo: The Complete 1953-1955 Recordings chronicles the rise of the singer who “don’t sound like nobody,” before he became The King of Rock and Roll. It includes every surviving demo and master recording Elvis recorded for the Sun label, rare session takes and live recordings on local radio stations and at the Louisiana Hayride, where Elvis enjoyed his breakthrough success as a live performer. Sun founder Sam Phillips, who’d cut the first records for artists like Howlin’ Wolf and Junior Parker, believed that blues songs written by predominantly black artists had the potential to reach white audiences, and was taken b...

Stillrealtous   -  Next month WWE Great Balls of Fire will air live on the WWE Network. No, you didn’t read that wrong, WWE actually named a pay-per-view Great Balls of Fire. When people hear the title they usually either think inappropriate thoughts, or they think of the Jerry Lee Lewis song of the same name. It turns out that WWE had to work out a deal with Jerry Lee Lewis in order to use the name, and on the latest episode of his podcast, Dinner with the King, Jerry Lawler revealed how it all went down. “My personal attorney here in Memphis is Joe Barton. Good friend of mine and my attorney. I got a phone call from Joe a few weeks ago, and Joe also represents Jerry Lee Lewis. And Joe said, ‘Hey Jerry, do you happen to know who I would contact at the WWE about copyright infringement?’ I go, “What? What are you talking about?” He goes, “Well, we understand they are doing a pay-per-view called Great Balls of Fire and Jerry Lee has that phrase trademarked. He has ever ...