Christmas Greetings - Here Is Love

The photo is of the snow covered Nativity Scene on the front lawn of Graceland, Memphis, Tennessee, taken in 2002. Elvis would have this put in place every year for passers by to see, as a reminder of what Christmas is all about; the birth of Jesus, when love came down to earth.

Perhaps another name for Christmas could be “Here is Love” the title of a lovely hymn I have just discovered, which puts Christmas into perspective

Here Is Love

Here is love wide as the ocean

Loving kindness as a flood

When the Prince of Life, our ransom

Shed for us His precious blood

Who His love will not remember?

Who can cease to sing His praise?

He can never be forgotten

Throughout Heaven’s eternal days
~~

On the mount of crucifixion

Fountains opened deep and wide

Through the floodgates of God’s mercy

Flowed a vast and gracious tide

Grace and love like mighty rivers

Poured incessant from above

And Heaven’s peace and perfect justice

Kissed a guilty world in love

Written by William Rees (1802– 1883)

May you experience the wonderful love of the Lord Jesus, now and always

God bless you

Madeleine Wilson and the team at Elvis Gospel

Elvis is Back for a 2010 European Tour

If you live in England, Scotland, Ireland or Holland then you may be able to get to Elvis Presley in Concert 2010

In his lifetime, Elvis' only concerts outside the United States were five shows in three Canadian cities in 1957. A world tour was an unrequited dream for Elvis and his fans. Since Elvis in Concert started touring in 1998, fans, new audiences and even the most cynical of critics have been delighted. Tours have included many American dates and outside the US, there have been several tours of Europe with sell-outs at London's famed Wembley Arena, and tours to Australia and Japan. In 1998, Elvis-The Concert was designated a Guiness World Record as the first live tour headlined by a performer who is no longer living.

The concept of the show is to present an authentic as possible Elvis Presley concert. The producers edited together a collection of Elvis' finest concert performances that exist on film and video and removed virtually all sound from the footage except for Elvis' vocal. The Elvis footage is projected on a large video screen. On stage a 16-piece orchestra and some of Elvis' original bandmates from the concert era of his career and other cast members perform live with the Elvis video. All music heard in the concert production is performed live except for Elvis' voice. On either side of the Elvis performance screen are screens that carry live action from the stage. From the first song it's magic. You're at a real Elvis concert.

Performers currently scheduled to participate include: Joe Guercio, Elvis' orchestra conductor for many of his Vegas performances; members of the original TCB Band; Elvis' backup singers The Imperials and The Sweet Inspirations. To learn more about them and the other original Elvis group members who have toured with this show, see Cast Bios. Also see Current Cast & Song Lineup.

Today, people are accustomed to seeing giant video screens used in live concerts to bring the star closer to the audience. Elvis' recorded voice and his on-screen presence are so powerful, the interaction with the live musicians and singers so seamless, the audience reaction so intense that, a few songs into the show, one can almost forget that Elvis isn't really there in person. Everything in terms of staging, set design, lighting, sound, and overall production is as if Elvis were alive and back out on the road.

Elvis concert footage for the show comes primarily from material shot for the MGM concert films Elvis, That's The Way It Is (1970) and Elvis on Tour (1972) and from the historic 1973 global television special Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii, via Satellite. This footage contains some of Elvis' finest performances from the big concert era of his career, the era that is celebrated by the Elvis Presley In Concert production. The other main criterion for selecting from these films is that they were originally recorded in multi-track. Thus, the producers are able to drop all sound from the footage, then return to the footage the isolated track that recorded only from Elvis' microphone in these exact concert performances. The 1970-1973 footage shows Elvis at the pinnacle of his superstardom, at the height of his powers as a concert performer, and in top form physically.

On August 16, 1997, marking the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the passing of Elvis Presley, Elvis Presley Enterprises presented Elvis in Concert '97 It featured a great gathering of many of the outstanding instrumentalists and vocalists who had worked on stage and in the recording studio with Elvis over the years. The late Elvis Presley, via video, starred in the show. His former band members and The Memphis Symphony Orchestra performed live. This production more or less became the prototype for Elvis-The Concert, a smaller-scaled production that has toured extensively since early 1998 and in 2006 was re-titled Elvis Presley In Concert. A major reunion concert on the scale of the 1997 show was called Elvis-The 25th Anniversary Concert, a sold-out smash at The Pyramid arena in Memphis on August 16, 2002. A similar major reunion production, Elvis: The 30th Anniversary Concert, was presented in Memphis on August 16, 2007.

(Thanks to www.elvis.com for this information)

TOUR DATES BELOW:

EuropTeanTou Schedule - February/March 2010
February 19	Sheffield, England	Sheffield Arena Tickets
February 20	Birmingham, England	LG Arena Tickets
February 24	Rotterdam, Holland	AHOY
February 26	Manchester, England	Manchester M.E.N Arena Tickets
February 27	London, England	Wembley Arena Tickets
February 28	London, England	O2 Arena Tickets
March 2	Belfast, Ireland	Odyssey Arena
March 3	Dublin, Ireland	The Point
March 5	Newcastle, England	Newcastle Arena Tickets
March 6	Glasgow, Scotland	SECC
March 7	Liverpool, England	Liverpool Echo Arena Tickets
Cast members are subject to change due to scheduling conflicts that may arise.

Christmas Greetings

The photo above shows Elvis Gospel Fan Club's Vice President, Peter Wilson in front of the Christmas lights in Graceland's backyard 2001.

One of the great messages of Christmas is

Peace on Earth

We are thrilled that a Christian Elvis Tribute Artist, Billy Nashad, is performing in Manger Square in Bethlehem, Israel over the Christmas holidays. This is what Billy says ‘‘Elvis wanted to perform in Bethlehem after an Arab Sheik told him that he could help bring peace to the area."

“Not many people know about this meeting but the concert was one of the things Elvis was determined to arrange. Sadly, he died before he could carry out his wish."

‘‘Now I feel that by doing these concerts I am fulfilling his dream."

We pray for great success with these shows, that they will indeed bring peace to that part of the earth. We look forward to a good report!

We pray for peace on earth this Christmas time and that all who read this will have a wonderful, joyful time, celebrating the birthday of Jesus, who is the light of the world and the lover of your soul.

God bless you

Peter and Madeleine Wilson

Remembering Elvis

How Sweet The Sound

As we remember the passing of Elvis and give thanks for his life and music, we can only wonder at the greatness and creativity of God and the importance of music in our lives.
This video, "The Black Notes Only of Amazing Grace" is awesome, and I guess had Elvis been able to experience it, we would have seen on his face an expression of wonderment and even seen tears in his eyes.

If you have not seen and heard this piece, we encourage you to click on the link below, sit back, turn up your volume and experience something wonderful and moving. Enjoy!

http://pjcockrell.wordpress.com/2007/11/22/amazing-grace-just-the-black-notes

Easter Greetings

Jesus is Risen - Hallelujah!

Have you ever wondered why some Christian crosses have Jesus on them and some are empty?
This reminds me that the Easter story is basically in two parts. The first is when Jesus the Son of God is crucified, (executed like a common criminal), as a sacrifice, so that we might be forgiven and showing Jesus on the cross is a reminder of this. The second is when Jesus rises from the dead so that we might have everlasting life. The empty cross signifies this. That is why I especially like this statue of Jesus in the Meditation Garden at Graceland, shown above. (It was initially the headstone of Elvis' mother, Gladys grave in Forest Hills Cemetery in Memphis). The statue shows Jesus very much alive with open arms welcoming us, but in the background is the cross to remind us of what He did for us.

May you rejoice this Easter time as you remember the wonderful everlasting life which Jesus won for you.
God bless you.

Valentine Greeting

This cross came into the present owners possession simply through a private sale from another collector. The cross has been authenticated by both David Stanley and Lamar Fike who both clearly remembering Elvis wearing the item.

Elvis's very own 'partner' cross was displayed in public for the very first time, on Valentine's Day 2004 at the Fingerprints of Elvis at Albert Dock, Liverpool. It was loaned to the Exhibition (now closed) by an anonymous collector who insured the piece for £1million.

When Elvis and Priscilla finally broke up they each kept their cross: a love token, which Elvis had designed and made to symbolise his everlasting love for her. It also accentuated his strong spiritual side. The cross was perhaps the closest material item to Elvis' heart ­ one of just two crosses he had made for Priscilla and himself. Even after their break-up Elvis always treasured his cross and kept it close by his side.

The yellow gold cross, created in a baroque type style, is designed to hang from a chain. The cross has a delicate swirling pattern gathered around a simple crucifix held at its centre by a delicate, golden ball.

Enjoy your Valentine's Day, remembering that you are loved, always.

Report of Imperials Concert in Brighton

Congratulations to Andrew Hearn and his team from Essential Elvis (http://www.essentialelvis.com/) for organising such a great event at the old Market Hall in Hove near Brighton UK.

The headliners for the event, which took place on November 17th, were the Imperials; four wonderful singers, Sherman Andrus, Terry Blackwood, Joe Moscheo (all of whom knew and sang with Elvis) and “new boy” Gus Gaches. There were also other treats to enjoy.

The photo shows - back (left to right): Terry Blackwood, Doug Flett and Guy Fletcher (Elvis’ songwriters), Joe Moscheo and front: Gus Gaches and Sherman Andrus

To start the event they had gathered together some rare film footage of Elvis, which was very interesting. The Imperials were then introduced and immediately launched into a real rocking southern gospel song This Train, which rather took the audience by surprise as it isn’t one which Elvis was known to sing publicly.

There was then a very interesting question and answer section with Terry, Joe and Sherman sharing their memories of Elvis. Although Gus was not a member of the Imperials when they sang with Elvis, he has taken part in the Elvis the Concert tour, so in one sense has sung with Elvis!

There were two surprise guests, Guy Fletcher and Doug Flett, British song writers who had enjoyed big success with names like Cliff Richard and The Hollies, among others. Guy is a past chairman of the British Academy of Composers & Songwriters and now heads up MCS Music. Guy and Doug enjoyed considerable attention from Elvis when they were contracted as songwriters to Carln. Doug recalled:
"The first of our songs, Wonderful World, was pitched via Freddie Bienstock," Guy said. "We had already had two versions out in the UK - by Hamilton Jones & the Happy Band, and Cliff Richard (whose version came third in 'A Song For Europe'). Elvis needed some lyric changes, which we did and the song went into his last MGM movie and on to the 'Flaming Star' album. After they got to know about Doug and me, Elvis's office called and asked for more songs. We supplied seven and Elvis recorded two of them - The Fair's Movin' On ('Memphis To Vegas' album) and the biggest one of all, Just Pretend ('Elvis - That's The Way It Is album). Just Pretend is used in current Elvis 'live' shows and has appeared on hundreds of compilation albums. We've also heard that it's Lisa Marie Presley's favourite song by her dad!" They were "delighted" by the Elvis’ treatment of their songs. Joe Guercio, musical director, did the arrangements and became a firm friend of the duo. His favourite is also Just Pretend

Shayne Driscoll who works with Essential Elvis as Events Manager is a singer in his own right and often performs at events. He said that he does not usually sing gospel songs, but had a favourite that he had quickly rehearsed with the Imperials. He was clearly honoured to be able to have them “backing” him and gave a wonderful performance of Where No One Stands Alone which was also very much appreciated by us all.

The final part of the show was the Imperials giving rousing performances of gospel songs including How Great Thou Art, Sweet, Sweet Spirit, He Touched Me and Oh Happy Day. Each member of the quartet has a wonderful voice and stage presence, and they are amazing, both as soloists and in harmony. It was especially great to see and hear Sherman Andrus really let rip on Oh Happy Day.

What I really love about gospel songs is that although they address such serious issues as life, death, and eternity, they are the good news about eternal love and always seem to touch a part of our being which responds to the hope and joy expressed in the songs.

A Terry Blackwood says, “We just love to share the good news of Jesus Christ.”

The audience certainly responded to the good news, as each song was given rapturous applause and lots of hootin’ and hollerin’.

Because of the relatively small venue, those who wanted to had the opportunity to meet and greet the guys and several of our fan club members who were present did so. Special thanks go to Elvis Gospel Fan Club member, Catherine Hingston from Leicester for providing us with the photo.

Joe Moscheo was signing copies of this book The Gospel Side of Elvis – a great book which includes some lovely personal stories about Joe’s times with Elvis. Available via http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.amazon.co.uk/

The Imperials are planning on coming over to Europe for several dates in 2008, hopefully including UK. We’ll let you know when we know definite dates and venues.

Madeleine Wilson – Fan Club President