jueves, 18 de junio de 2015

21st December of 1957. Ryman Auditorium, Nashville 2



Elvis and Hank Snow.
Hank Snow introduced Elvis on October 2, 1954 when he appeared on Hank's portion of the Grand Ole Opry. Colonel Tom Parker was Hank Snow's manager and the two were partners in Hank Snow Enterprises and Jamboree Attractions.Elvis briefly sang Hank's "I'm Gonna Bid My Blues Goodbye' on the MDQ session, and 'I'm Movin On' in 1969.
Jimmy Rodgers Snow,(Hank's Snow son), who was also an entertainer, was with Elvis and other performers in 1955 on Jamboree tours. Jimmy came backstage to say hello.
Elvis invited Jimmy to visit him at Graceland, which Jimmy did flying to Memphis on New Year's Day 1958.
Dressing room of some kind. Hugh Jarrett, tenor Gordon Stoker, Elvis, second tenor Neal Matthews and baritone Hoyt Hawkins. Colonel Parker is sitting to left of this image
Johnny Cash and Elvis , which looks to be taken just after the photo above as Hugh Jarrett dosn't seemed to have moved and can be seen to the right of this photo.
Brenda Lee aged 13 and Elvis .
From Brenda Lee's website it states "Brenda's first Grand Old Opry Performance was in December 1957 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, Tennessee. She met Elvis Presley for the first time. One of Brenda's fondest memories is of appearing on the show with Elvis."
This must be a reference to meeting Elvis backstage.It has been mentioned that Elvis said hello to the audience on this night,but with the script being tight for time,maybe that was done in the commercial break?
Lamar Fike describes it "He stood backstage for a while,and then he walked out front and somebody introduced him to the audience.But that was it" 

Brenda Lee describes the meeting -

I was back in Nashville for my debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry. Elvis Presley was visiting backstage, and the two of us danced together in the wings..

You can bet the cold December air in Nashville's Ryman Auditorium was thick with anticipation that night. Elvis was the hottest thing in the entertainment world and ruled the charts with such smouldering hits as "All Shook Up," "Hound Dog" and "Teddy Bear." I don't care how many other people were there - I swear to you that I was the most excited person in that hall. I looked my best in a crisp gingham dress, a pair of scuffed slip-on flats and a starched white pinafore, but I only had eyes for the King of Rock 'n' Roll. WhenI looked up at him, I grinned from ear to ear.

Elvis had just received his draft notice and was in Nashville to see his manager, Col. Parker. I sang "Bill Bailey, Won't you Please Come Home" for my Opry Debut. But I remember Elvis more vividly than my performance. When he danced with me backstage, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. His hair was dyed jet black, he was wearing dramatic - looking mascara, and when he smiled that curled-lip smile, I thought he was the sexiest thing I'd ever seen.
Faron Young, Mrs Faron Young, Elvis. 

21st December of 1957. Ryman Auditorium, Nashville 1




Gordon Stoker came over to the Colonel's area of Madison to pick up the Jordanaires' Christmas bonus's,amounting to four thousand dollars. Apparently Elvis asked if Gordon was going to the Grand ole opry that night,"If I had some kind of clothes,I'd go with you guys" and Elvis then picked up a Tuxedo outfit from Mallernee's outfitters in Nashville,which Gordon arranged.

Elvis and his group then made their way to the Grand Ole Opry where he didn't perform on stage that saturday evening,but did hang around backstage and meets lots of old friends.

Location:Ryman Auditorium, Nashville.
Date 21st December 1957.
Time: 8.30pm - 9.00pm
Network: NBC radio
Sponsers:Prince Albert Grand
The 950th Grand Ole Opry Christmas show

Line up
Marty Robbins "Jingle Bells"
Rod Brasfield
Brenda Lee "Christy Christmas"
Prince Albert Tobacco commercial
Marty Robbins "Blue Christmas"
Chet Atkins medley "Joy to the world" "Hark the herald angels sing" "Deck The Halls".
Minnie Pearl
Prince Albert Tobacco commercial
Brenda Lee "White Christmas"
Del Wood "Here Comes Santa Claus"
Marty Robbins "Silent Night"
All Photos (most likely) taken by Elmer Williams
The Wilburn Brothers , Teddy Wilburn, Elvis, Doyle Wilburn

Nashville booking Agent Hubert Long , Elvis , Colonel Parker, Faron Young
Ferlin Huskey, Elvis, Faron Young, Hawkshaw Hawkins,Tom Perryman.
Whitey Ford (Duke of Paducah), Elvis, Colonel Parker
These images all look to be in the same place backstage, with the 'Premium Nabisco' promotional materials in the background to the right,and the large sign (ending in xty) behind,which can also be seen below.
Gorden Terry, Elvis, Ray Price.

at the end of 1957.


 
So here we are at the end of 1957.

Elvis picks up his draft notice on December the 20th and is pictured at Graceland.The christmas tree is in the background and It looks to be dark outside. Later that evening ,Friday 20th December 1957, Elvis drove a rented truck for the 200 mile trip from Memphis to Nashville, with Cliff Cleaves and Lamar Fike , Billy Smith,following in the Lincoln.
Saturday 21st December 1957,1215 Gallatin Road South Madison,Tennessee 37115
Elvis give's the Colonel Parker his christmas Present,a BMW red Isetta sports car.
"It is snug" observed Colonel Parker.
The nashville press were on hand to gets Elvis's thoughts on Military service. Elvis tried on some military clothes provided by a photographer - George Barker , from 'The Tennessean'
"The uncomfortable feel of GI tweeds draws a grimace from Elvis Presley as he tries on, just for fun, a set of fatigues given to him by a photographer as a Christmas present. Presley came to Nashville to distribute some presents of his own. Photo taken 12/21/1957.
Image
"I guess I'll be wearing this stuff for real,soon" Elvis remarked to reporters.