We’re Going to Graceland

The Mississippi Delta was shining

Like a National guitar

I am following the river

Down the highway

Through the cradle of the civil war

I’m going to Graceland

Graceland – Paul Simon

About half way between El Dorado and Graceland, we had a nice stop at Craig’s BBQ in Malvern, AR. Way off the beaten path but worth it for the delicious coconut cream pie from the Pie Shop across the street.

I admit I’m a huge Elvis fan…been to Graceland a couple of times and have had a plaster Elvis bust in my house since the 1980’s plus a couple of black velvet paintings in the garage. He represents Americana kitsch at its finest and the decor in Graceland is no exception. Douglas is not really a fan but likes his gospel and blues stuff. He recently finished reading a biography of Sam Phillip’s, Founder of Sun Records, and all the folks like Elvis, Ike Turner, Howling Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, etc got their starts at Sun Studios in Memphis.

The King had a well rounded musical repertoire which we listened to for hours on XM Elvis Radio being broadcast from Graceland as we headed towards Memphis from El Dorado. I’m in love- I’m all shook up…we are now on Elvis Time. Next week is also Elvis Week to commemorate his death on Aug. 16th. There’s an app for it. We’re going to listen to Elvis until we leave TN.

We camped for 2 nights at the Graceland RV park just across the street from Graceland and next to the new Elvis Experience complex which includes the mansion, car museum, airplanes, record memorabilia, 2 restaurants and every imaginable Elvis trinket for sale. Because we have a small van, we got to camp in the tent section which allowed room for us to pitch our new Clam shell Yoga shala!

I remember the year that Elvis died because I was a freshman in college and the first English paper I wrote was an examination of how he died. Even though the coroner’s report stated he died of a heart attack (while sitting on the toilet), he was really a victim of the opiate epidemic like Michael Jackson and Prince. For performers, sometimes the call of performing, serving by entertaining is so strong, that self-medication becomes easy. “The show must go on.” NOLA writer Chris Rose just wrote an article about his personal experience with this addiction. It is a good read: http://www.myneworleans.com/New-Orleans-Magazine/August-2018/Recoverys-Long-Road/

Elvis also used Nudie for many of his costumes. ( our prior post talks about Nudie being profiled at the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame. ) His most famous costume is this 10k gold lame suit.