Elvis: That’s the Way It Is was Elvis’ first non-dramatic film, a documentary chronicling live performances from The Elvis Summer Festival at the International Hotel in Las Vegas. The film features shows Elvis performed on August 11, 12, and 13, 1970. Who would have imagined that, seven years later, he would be gone? He was so vibrant and sexy and alive at the time that it is mind boggling to think about.
One of the things I loved about the film was that it not only showed some amazing concert performances, but it showed the ‘behind the scenes’ Elvis hanging out with his entourage, rehearsals, fans commenting on what they love about him, and celebrities such as George Hamilton, Cary Grant, Juliet Prowse, and Sammy Davis, Jr. arriving for opening night.
I was only nine years old when the film released, and I remember watching it, enthralled. At the time, I had never been to an Elvis concert, and it was a thrill to see him perform. And, to see glimpses of the ‘real’ Elvis in how he interacted with his friends and the people who worked with him.
That’s the Way It Is featured some fabulous songs, some that people who aren’t true Elvis fans aren’t all that familiar with, such as How the Web Was Woven. Here is a brief clip of him singing part of the song in rehearsals as he plays the piano. Watch what he does at the end:
Here is a recording of the entire song:
One of my very favorite songs from the performances is Just Pretend. I love it so much, I named my first romance after it (I wrote it when I was eleven). I also named my hero Lonnie Beale after Elvis’ character in the movie, Tickle Me. And, I described him as looking like Elvis. 🙂 I still have the story, written mostly in pencil with the first page missing from the tattered spiral notebook. At the end, my heroine thinks Lonnie died in a plane crash, but as it turns out, (Spoiler alert!) he’d taken a different flight and he comes to her where she’s crying on the beach, and he sings Just Pretend (which has a line, “I’ll come flying to you again.” – see how I cleverly wove that in?) It was a riveting moment, LOL.
Here is his concert performance of Just Pretend:
Wasn’t he so sweet to his fans? Lucky, lucky woman.
I was excited to learn that the re-mastered version of That’s the Way It Is will be showing in select theaters this month. It is coming to Oklahoma City, and I must go. So, I’m off to check on tickets. Until next time…
Today I’m featuring a brand new release from The Wild Rose Press. Please check out the book and the exciting trailer. Also, be sure to follow and like Nancy on Twitter and Facebook and visit her on all the other social media sites.
Nancy J. Cohen with Warrior Lord, The Drift Lords Series #3, Paranormal/SciFi/Fantasy Romance Novel
A fantasy wedding in Las Vegas turns into a nightmare when contest winner Erika Sherwood realizes she’s married an alien.
Fun Fact:
The author has been to most of the locales in this story. In particular, she used her experiences at a movie studio tour in Los Angeles and at Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen as models for similar scenes in the book. In the Drift Lords series, theme parks and tourist attractions serve a nefarious purpose. Nancy enjoyed reimagining her visits to these various places, but there’s one location in Warrior Lord where the hero goes that she didn’t venture. Lord Magnor, expert swordsman and a Drift Lords warrior, must seek an audience with Hel, ruler of the underworld. There’s only one way to get there and no return trip. He has to use all his skills to survive. How far would you go if the world depended on you?
I do not care for Elvis impersonators. I have always found them a bit cartoonish and unsettling. That is not to say I don’t enjoy a respectful tribute, even if the singer is dressed as Elvis. But, I find it very annoying when people think they sound like Elvis. No one sounds like Elvis. He was the one and only, always and forever.
Often imitated, but never duplicated:
I will have to say, though, I do have a few fond ‘impersonator’ memories. Not long after Elvis passed away, an impersonator put on a show in Oklahoma City. I don’t even recall his name, but he was respectful, and he did a good job. My sisters and I soaked up every radio show, every interview, every tv special, etc, after his death. So, of course, we had to attend that. One thing that sticks out clearly in my mind is when the guy sang “It Won’t Seem Like Christmas Without You.” The line in the song is, “If I get the one thing I’m wishing for, then I’ll see you tonight in my dreams.” The impersonator changed it to say, “Yes, Elvis, we’ll see you tonight in our dreams.” Which, of course, made my sisters and I sob uncontrollably. 🙂
For my fortieth birthday (which, it’s kind of odd that I celebrated since I’m only twenty-five, but anyway…), my sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Tom Zimmerman, took me to Memphis for my birthday. We were on Beale Street and a young guy dressed in a gold lamé suit was performing. He was adorable and respectful, and he sang very well, but he didn’t try to make his voice sound like Elvis. Those are the kind of ‘impersonators’ I can enjoy. Not the fat guys with black wigs and ridiculously bushy sideburns who lower their voice and think they sound like the King.
Below is a photo of my son, Presley. Some of you probably saw it on Facebook, but I still thought I would share it here. He is not an Elvis impersonator, and he normally does not wear Elvis Presley jumpsuits. 🙂 He does, however, love Elvis music. I didn’t force it on him, I swear. He was on a cruise, and he entered a Karaoke contest singing Elvis songs. I didn’t get to see it, but I would imagine, based on his personality, he really gave them a show. He ended up winning the contest, and they gave him an Elvis costume to wear and brought him on stage for the finale.
Although I wasn’t there to see it live, he brought home a DVD, and I watched that. It was so much fun! He did a really good job and put on quite a show. And, you guessed it, he made his mama proud. 🙂
While Elvis’s movies are often regarded as silly and pointless, many people, including myself, find them highly enjoyable. Admittedly, they are not classic, Oscar-worthy films, and Elvis himself wasn’t pleased with the roles he played. He wanted to be a serious actor and admired other actors like James Dean and Marlon Brando. The only movie he was really proud of was King Creole, which was a wonderful film where Elvis was allowed to excercise his acting chops, and he did a fantastic job. After he returned from the army, his movies became no more than a vehicle for his singing. However, I thought they were fun and entertaining. I admit, I’m slightly biased, but even many non-Elvis fans enjoyed his movies. Some of my favorites….
Jailhouse Rock – I recently re-watched this and fell in love with it all over again. Another serious role where Elvis put on a great performance. And, there were some awesome songs in this movie, such as Don’t Leave Me Now, Treat Me Nice, Young and Beautiful, and of course, Jailhouse Rock. Sadly, Judy Tyler, who co-starred with Elvis in Jailhouse Rock, was driving home from Los Angeles to Manhattan with her husband, when they were in an auto accident, and she was killed instantly, at twenty-four years old, before the movie was released. Her husband died in the hospital the following day. People close to Elvis said he took her death hard, and was never able to watch the movie.
This is my favorite scene in any Elvis movie, ever. (Ignore the foreign subtitles and enjoy…)
Fast forward to his final movie in 1969, Change of Habit, where he played Dr. John Carpenter and Mary Tyler-Moore co-starred with him. Yep, still sexy…
Another movie I loved was Live a Little, Love a Little, for many reasons, but a big one is that he said my name in the movie…and hearing Elvis say my name was a thrill! 🙂 A few of my other favorites were Tickle Me and Girl Happy. But, I could go on and on, of course. Because, well, I’m a huge Elvis fan, if you haven’t already guessed. Not only was it fun to watch Elvis in the roles, what made his movies even better was that he starred with a lot of well-known actors, such as Charles Bronson, Nancy Sinatra, Ann-Margaret, Richard Egan, Angela Lansbury, and Bill Bixby.
I remember when we were young, my sisters and I going to the movies at the Chieftan in Oklahoma City and watching Elvis on the big screen. Heavenly!
Listening to Elvis radio now, I hear a lot of interviews with his co-stars and all of them have great things to say about him, about what a nice guy he was, how easy he was to work with, how he didn’t act like a star, and the women say he was a great kisser. I can only imagine. 🙂
As I stated previously, I mention Elvis in almost all of the books I write. So, of course I’m going to mention him a lot in a story set in 1957. Below is a snippet from my upcoming short story, End of Lonely Street, releasing with The Wild Rose Press on January 7, 2015.
Blurb:
All Toby Lawson wants is to go to college to become a teacher and to be free of her alcoholic mother and some painful memories. But when her mother nearly burns the house down, Toby must put her dreams on hold and return home to care for her. The only time she isn’t lonely and miserable is when she’s listening to her heartthrob, Elvis Presley. His music takes her away and helps her escape from everything wrong in her life.
Noah Rivers has always loved Toby, but no matter what he says, she can‘t get past the fact that her drunken mother once kissed him. He soon realizes the true problem lies in Toby’s belief she’s not good enough for him and in her fear she will be just like her mother.
What will it take to prove to her that she deserves to be happy, and that he would give anything to be the man to make her dreams come true?
Excerpt:
Noah glanced around the diner. Toby followed his gaze. The counter was lined with customers. A jukebox sat in the corner. Patsy Cline’s “Walkin’ After Midnight” now belted from its speakers. “What happened to college? I thought you were getting your teaching degree.”
She shrugged and took the dish cloth from her apron pocket. “That was the plan.” She wouldn’t go into how she’d had to put off her schooling to come home and see after her mother. Surely he’d heard the story about Constance falling asleep with a lit cigarette and almost burning down the house—with her inside it—from the town gossip mill. “I finished my three years at University. Now I have to complete my Post-Graduate Certificate of Education. I had to put that on hold for a while, so in the meantime, I’m doing this.”
“Great. That means I’ll see you often. Maybe we can get together for a movie or something? Jailhouse Rock is showing at the Bijou.”
Elvis and Noah at the same time? Her heart wouldn’t take it.
Before the break-up, she’d gone to the drive-in to see Rebel Without a Cause with him. James Dean had died less than a month earlier, and she cried throughout the entire movie. Noah had held her, comforted her. Let her cry on his shoulder. That was their last movie together. The night remained a sad memory for more than one reason.
This week, I have one new Wild Rose Press release being featured. (And it’s a hot one!) Please check out the book and follow the author on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful story, fave lines, AND the fun fact tidbit…
Nona Raines with Read to Me, an erotic romance novella
A shared love of erotica leads to one passionate night. Can it also lead to love?
Fun fact: I got the idea for how the characters first meet from an incident I witnessed years ago while riding the bus. A lady passenger accidentally sat on a strange man’s lap! My little writer’s brain saved that up to use someday in a story.
A few favorite lines from the book:
Had this man actually asked to read erotica with her? Yes.
And was she going to agree? Yes!
!!! A Review Tour for Read to Me is currently taking place and I am offering two $50 GCs in a Rafflecopter Giveaway. Here is the link to participate:
Elvis Presley has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I have always loved him—I don’t even recall the first time I discovered him. It just seems as though he was always there. My sister, Ruth, however, does remember when she discovered him, and I’m a little jealous of that memory, since I don’t have my own. (Nor do I remember the incident, so I’m telling her version, which is very short :)). She was five and I was seven (but, it’s really odd how, all these years later, she’s somehow older than me…hmmm…) 😉 Anyway, I digress. She said that I called her into the living room where Elvis’s movie, Harum Scarum, was playing (on our black and white television. This was around 1967, but we didn’t yet have a color tv), and I pointed Elvis out to her and said, “Look, isn’t he cute?” From then on, she and I grew up sharing our devotion to Elvis.
I can’t explain exactly how I feel about Elvis; only another true fan really ‘gets’ it. But, he was more than just an entertainer. He had this special, magical quality that I can’t name, but I know exists. Otherwise, why would millions of people all over the world love him so much? Why would they—nearly 37 years after his death—travel thousands of miles just to see his home? (And, they still do, daily in droves of thousands, from places as far as Australia, Ireland, England, etc.) Because, he touched people in a way no other entertainer has before or ever will again. Even if you are not an Elvis fan, you can’t deny the impact he had on the world. Yes, there are other successful, talented, well-loved performers. But, seriously, another Elvis? I don’t think so.
Although I have never wavered in my love for Elvis, I’ve recently gained a new appreciation of him now that I listen to Elvis radio on Sirius XM. It’s so awesome that they have an entire channel devoted to him. Nothing but Elvis, 24/7. And, that is all I ever listen to. Seriously, all the time, Elvis Radio. Not only do they play a ton of his great music, including rare recordings, but they have guests who knew the real Elvis. They share their memories of him, and hearing the intimate details of his life makes him all the more special.
Because of my adoration of Elvis, I have mentioned him in almost all of my published works. Here’s a little sample from “Poetic Injustice” a Romantic Suspense Novella (one of my older titles published through The Wild Rose Press) CLICK ON THE COVER FOR MORE INFORMATION
Snippet:
Samantha put in an Elvis CD and cracked the window just a bit. She loved the fresh smell of rain, and a little moisture wouldn’t hurt anything.
Love Coming Down, one of Elvis’ more obscure releases from the 70’s, was playing. The damp evening air and Elvis’ powerful voice filled the car, surrounding her, calming her. She released a breath and, along with it, some of the tension of the past few weeks.
Do you have any special moments to share about Elvis, or any other entertainer?
I am proud to share some of the latest releases from The Wild Rose Press… Please check out the books and follow these authors on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful stories, fave lines, AND the fun fact tidbits…
Annette Miller, with Night Angel, a paranormal novella
True love does conquer all.
Fun Fact: As a superhero fan, I always loved the fact that the heroes would win. The battles were always epic. Then I got to thinking. Heroes need love too. And the idea was born. I love romance and heroes. It just seemed natural to put them together.
A few lines from the story…
But didn’t this kind of stuff always happen in fairy tales? The path to true love was always filled with obstacles. Yes, she thought. But why does my path have major construction signs?
!!! On sale at Wild Rose Press for only 2.50 for ebook. On sale in print for 13.99 !!!
Melissa Snark with The Mating Game, Erotic Paranormal Novel
Two males…two friends…a competition for the right to claim The Heart of the Iron Stone Pack
Fun Fact: My hero, Zachary Hunter, is an author of suspense thrillers. Throughout the story, he comically falls prey to many of the foibles of writers everywhere: writer’s block, procrastination, not accepting criticism well, editor issues, people having issues about how his characters should act, and being tuned out to important real life developments because he’s “in the zone”. Most of the jokes are private and I may be the only one who actually think they are funny.
A few lines from the story:
“Oh, Zach.” Theresa sighed into the phone. The sound of her weight shifting atop fabric reached his ears. “What am I going to do with you?”
“I could offer all manner of suggestions.” Zach’s mouth went dry, and his voice had acquired a sultry tone, deliberately suggestive, a hint of the lewd.
!!! 50% off at The Wild Rose Press – only $3.00: Click HERE
I have two giveaways going right now, a June Rafflecopter and a Goodreads Giveaway. Enter for your chance to win this Nordic Lights Triskilian Dolphin Pendant or FREE signed print books of The Mating Game.
Melissa Snark is published with The Wild Rose Press & as an Indie author with five unique titles: A CAT’S TALE, THE MATING GAME, LEARNING TO FLY, THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON.
Her Loki’s Wolves series includes THE CHILD THIEF, HUNGER MOON AND BATTLE CRY (to be released in 2014).
She lives in the San Francisco bay area with her husband, three children and a glaring of cats.
She is a professional cat herder and unrepentant satirist who blogs about books and writing on The Snarkology.
I am proud to share some of the latest releases from The Wild Rose Press… Please check out the books and follow these authors on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful stories AND the fun fact tidbits…
Angela Hayes with Love’s Battle, Fantasy Romance Novel
If love isn’t worth fighting for, what is?
Fun Fact:Love’s Battle is my first novel. Be sure to look for the follow ups, Faith’s Forever and Hope’s Wish-as soon as I get through writing them!!!!
****Love’s Battle is being offered at half price at $2.99 through the middle of July****
Gini Rifkin with A Cowboy’s Fate, Historical Western Romance Novella
Former Mountain Man Era re-enactor, now living on a farmlette taking in abandoned animals
Fun Fact: I travelled the same route my Hero & Heroine take from Denver to Leadville. It was much less fraught with danger in a car, but just as much “fun” when we got there.
A few lines from the story:
“I never claimed to be a gentleman,” he said.
“No, you didn’t. It was an illusion of my own making. A mistake I shall not fall prey to again.”
I am proud to share some of the latest releases from The Wild Rose Press… Please check out the books and follow these authors on Twitter and Facebook, etc.
Enjoy the wonderful stories AND the fun fact tidbits…
Lynn Shurr with Paradise for a Sinner, Contemporary Novel
The best cure for a lost love is a new love.
Fun Fact: When I first thought of writing a book about a Samoan football player, I figured big, hunky guy, hot steamy nights–until I discovered Samoans are religiously conservative and very family-oriented. My new theme became Adam Malala’s conflict with tradition ways and his life as a rich and famous athelete. Don’t worry. There are still some hot, steamy nights in the plot.
*****Half price sale through Wild Rose Press website – Only $2.50, regular $4.99*****
(Ebook can easily be downloaded to your Kindle or Nook)
*************** Liz Flaherty with THE GIRLS OF TONSIL LAKE, Women’s Fiction Novel
Four women whose differences only deepen the friendship forged in a needy childhood…
Fun Fact: I wrote The Girls’ story because I love girlfriend books and because all four of them presented themselves to me, personalities intact. It was so much fun. Jean’s a romance author and pretty much wrote her own story, Suzanne is based on one of my best friends (who recognized herself right off the bat and still talks to me), and Andie is closely related to my sister-in-law Lynn. The fourth friend, Vin, was–and still is, to a certain degree–a woman of mystery simply because I don’t know anyone like her. But I like her. I like her a lot.
Karilyn Bentley with Dragon Lover, Fantasy romance, novel,
When opposing dreams collide, will love be the victor?
Fun Fact: Dragon Lover is the third book in the Draconia Tales series and wraps up the trilogy. I enjoyed writing this story and letting the readers know the true identity of Fafnir, the hero. He’s first introduced in Magical Lover and returns in Warrior Lover. In Dragon Lover we learn who his mate is and why they spent their lives running from each other.
Hello and welcome to my version of the game, ‘F*@#’, Marry, Kill. This week we are WWW’ing characters from television commercials.
Myself and some of my friends are sharing our Want, Wed, and Waste choices from this week’s list:
The Brawny Man, Green Giant, Mr. Clean,
(Yes, you read that correctly ;))
(and just in case your picturing the 70’s, porn star Brawny look:)
Click on book titles below to learn more and to be taken to a buy link
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Me (Alicia Dean). Author of DEATH NOTICE – A killer is using her obituary column to forecast his kills.
Want: Jolly Green Giant. Well, I love vegetables, he’s jolly, and he’s giant, so I’m sure he’d be a blast to hang out with…and tons of fun in the sack.
Wed:Mr. Clean – I’m sure he’d clean my house, and that makes him win for husband material, hands down. I can’t think of another reason why I would even need a husband, so he may be my ultimate fantasy man now that I think about it.
Waste: Brawny Man. He’s too outdoorsy, and I’m an inside kind of gal. I want to just chill inside, in my clean house, after I’ve had a romp with JGG (That’s my nickname for my lover, Jolly Green Giant).
I’ll take the Brawny man for the win…Errr, I mean the Want, Mr. Clean for the Wed (because, hey, he’ll clean my house!) and the …oh, shoot. Do I have to waste the Green Giant? Okay, we’ll use him for fertilizer in the garden. 😉
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Layla Chase is one of the contributing authors to Cowboy Heat, an erotic anthology of cowboy-themed short stories, released by Cleis Press. www.laylachase.com
Want—The Brawny Man—who doesn’t love a man in plaid flannel? I spent 3 years in Oregon and saw lots of plaid flannel shirts and even attended a lumberjack competition on July 4th and rain fell!
Wed—The Jolly Green Giant—I picked him as husband material because with all his contacts with the growers, he’d be a good provider.
Waste—Mr. Clean—shaved heads are just not my thing. I fail to see how this style is sexy at all.
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SILVER JAMES, author of THAT OL’ BLACK MAGIC (Werewolves, Fae, and Dragons, oh my! What’s Sade Marquis, a human FBI agent, to do? Solve the crime, of course.), BOOK LINK: ), Website: http://www.silverjames.com
Want: The Brawny Man. I mean, who doesn’t love a man in flannel with muscles? And he’s a lumberjack. He knows how to take care of his wood.
Wed: Mr. Clean. Hellooooo! The man does housework! What’s not to love? Plus, I think he’s way sexy. (PS, I happen to know his human model — a Norman fireman. *nods* Really!)
Waste: The Green Giant. Okay, size might matter but the dude is green! He clashes with my decor. And I’m not big on veggies.
Want: Mr. Clean- he’s muscular and has an attractive self-confidence. You can tell by the way he stands there with his arms crossed. But I HATE cleaning, so I wouldn’t keep him around long.
Wed: The Brawny Man- I always thought he was hot. Kind of in a Tom Selleck way. Plus, if we needed firewood, he’d be all over that.
Waste: The Jolly Green Giant- I’m not big on vegetables.
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Now we’d like to hear from you….which of these Hunky Ad Men would you Want, Wed, and Waste?
Author Alicia Dean 