MEMPHIS, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Graceland® in Memphis, Tennessee has announced that Elvis Week™ 2018 will feature more events and performances than ever. Newly announced guests and events include marking the 50th Anniversary of the “’68 Comeback Special” with director and producer of the special, Steve Binder. The recently announced gospel album from RCA/Legacy Recordings, Elvis Presley - Where No One Stands Alone, will be heard for the first time at Graceland during a special listening party hosted by Lisa Marie Presley on August 11, and an unprecedented ten concerts will feature music from guests Darlene Love, members of The Imperials, members of The Stamps, Rockabilly and Outlaw Country artist Dale Watson and Elvis' friend and country star TG Sheppard and his wife, Kelly Lang.
A new wedding chapel called The Chapel in the Woods will be opened on August 13 and available August 14 for couples to get married or renew their vows, and two new exhibits will be unveiled at Elvis Presley’s Memphis ™. The new Lisa Marie: Growing Up Presley exhibit will open on August 10 when Lisa will cut the ribbon. It will include personal items from her childhood including her record player, roller skates and clothing, as well as items from her musical career. The exhibit explores Lisa the daughter, the mother, her charity work, her career, as well as how she continues to carry on her dad’s legacy at Graceland. As part of “Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum,” Where No One Stands Alone: The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley is an expansion which includes his three GRAMMYs, sheet music, original acetates, and much more, all related to Elvis’ love of gospel music. Also new to Elvis Presley’s Memphis is the just-opened Hillbilly Rock exhibit featuring country music and early rock ‘n’ roll artifacts from The Marty Stuart Collection.
On August 13, Darlene Love, one of Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee and lead singer for The Blossoms, who sang with Elvis in the "’68 Comeback Special," will rock the Graceland Soundstage in her first-ever appearance at Elvis Week. Darlene and her band will perform the hits that made rock ‘n’ roll history, such as “He’s a Rebel,” “The Boy I’m Going to Marry” and “Da Doo Ron Ron,” plus a special tribute to Elvis.
Elvis’ Imperials will join former members of The Stamps Quartet on August 14 for The Gospel Music of Elvis Presley Celebration Concert. Imperials Terry Blackwood, Darrell Toney and Lynn Royce Taylor and former Stamps Ed Hill, Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize and Larry Strickland will be on stage for a special night of gospel music.
Elvis co-stars Millie Perkins and Ginny Tiu will join Darlene Love and Michael Dante at Conversations on Elvis: Co-Stars on August 14. Perkins co-starred with Elvis in the 1961 film “Wild in the Country,” and later played Gladys Presley in the 1990 “Elvis” TV series. Tiu co-starred with Elvis in the 1962 film “Girls!Girls!Girls!”
On August 15, Conversations on Elvis: Gospel features those who spent many hours performing gospel music alongside Elvis, both on and off stage. Confirmed guests include host Andy Childs; Dr. Emily "Cissy" Houston, who was a member of The Sweet Inspirations; former members of The Stamps Quartet, Ed Hill, Donnie Sumner, Bill Baize and Larry Strickland; and Terry Blackwood, Jimmy Murray and Armond Morales, who performed with Elvis as part of The Imperials.
The concert the afternoon before the Candlelight Vigil will celebrate the iconic music of blues, soul and rock ‘n’ roll. Guests will perform their own hits and a variety of Elvis’ music. Performers include Rockabilly and Outlaw Country artist Dale Watson and others to be announced.
The Elvis Week cornerstone event, the Candlelight Vigil, will begin on August 15, at 8:30 p.m. Central Time at Graceland’s front gate. Elvis music sets the tone of the evening as fans walk up the driveway to the Meditation Garden. This event lasts throughout the night as thousands of participants gather on Elvis Presley Boulevard listening to music, remembering Elvis and enjoying the memorials that are created by fans along the street.
On August 16, fans and friends are invited to an open house at the new Chapel in the Woods between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and to enjoy wedding cake to celebrate the opening. The new chapel is located just south of The Guest House at Graceland™. For the last 18 years the original Chapel in the Woods was host to almost 2,000 weddings, dedications, and vow renewals. The all-new chapel features modern design and architecture and is officially open for reservations as soon as August 14, 2018.
Marking the 50th Anniversary of Elvis’ “’68 Comeback Special” on August 16, the day will start with Conversations on Elvis: ’68 Special. Special guests will include the “’68 Comeback Special” director/producer Steve Binder; musical director Billy Goldenberg; writer Allan Blye; guitarist Mike Deasy; and Tanya Lemani George, the belly dancer who performed during “Little Egypt."
Also on August 16, at The Guest House Theater at 3:00 p.m. – Niko Live in Concert. Italian singing star Niko will make his first appearance at Graceland. Niko has opened for Celine Dion, toured with Chicago and the Doobie Bros. and performed to a sold-out, standing ovation audience at Carnegie Hall in New York City. This is a not-to-be-missed concert event, featuring a live stage introduction by ’68 Special director/producer Steve Binder.
That evening, Elvis’ groundbreaking NBC television special will be celebrated at the ’68 Special 50th Anniversary Celebration. The event will feature an enhanced screening of the show with live music and special guest appearances.
A staple at Elvis Week also includes the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest events including the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Showcase August 9, the 2018 Ultimate ETA Contest Semifinals on August 10, a special show featuring past winners in ELVIS: The Greatest Hits Ultimate Tribute Artist Show on August 11 and the 2018 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Finals on August 12. Backing band for the shows will be the EAS Band.
Also returning this year on August 12 at The Guest House at Graceland Theater is The Auction at Graceland which will include artifacts from across the spectrum of collecting, including items owned by Elvis, gifted by Elvis, written by Elvis, used by Elvis and created to promote the king and his career. Every lot in this auction has been thoroughly researched and certified by Graceland Authenticated, the authority in Elvis and pop culture authentication. For more about The Auction at Graceland, visit GracelandAuctions.com.
On August 17, Conversations on Elvis: Elvis Connections will be held at the Graceland Soundstage and will feature those whose connections to Elvis varies from personal to professional. Special guests this year include: Ann Moses, who was editor at “Tiger Beat Magazine” from 1965 – 1972 and sat on the stage for Elvis’ “’68 Comeback Special,” toured Elvis’ and Colonel Parker’s offices, observed filming for “Change of Habit” and attended Elvis’ opening show in July 1969 in Vegas; Billy Blackwood, James Blackwood’s younger son, who toured with Voice, the opening act for the Elvis Presley in the 1970s; Donna Rhodes Morris, who sang harmony on the original Elvis recordings of Elvis’ “In The Ghetto,” “Kentucky Rain” and “Suspicious Minds”; Elvis' friend and country star TG Sheppard; and Mark Kogan, who worked with Concerts West to promote Elvis' concert tours.
The week will end on August 18 with a special afternoon performance by TG Sheppard and Kelly Lang in Concert at The Guest House Theater at The Guest House at Graceland and the special Elvis Live in Concert - with an All-Star Band in the Graceland Soundstage. The show will celebrate the King of Rock 'n' Roll's greatest hits with Elvis live in concert and on the big screen, in the tradition of Elvis’ legendary, live concert tours. A live, rock ‘n’ roll all-star band will accompany Elvis and bring this stage production to life at Graceland with former members of The Stamps Quartet and a very special guest appearance by legendary TCB band member Ronnie Tutt.
In addition to these events the week will feature parties, a special brunch with TCB band member Ronnie Tutt, fan club events, receptions, meet and greets with celebrities and artists, evening entertainment at The Guest House at Graceland and more. For a complete schedule of events visit the Elvis Week schedule page. Tickets are available at ElvisWeek.com or through Graceland Reservations by calling 800-238-2000 or 901-332-3322.
There is limited availability at The Guest House at Graceland resort hotel on select nights during Elvis Week. Visit GracelandGuesthouse.com for availability and room reservations.
About Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley’s Graceland, in Memphis, is music’s most important and beloved landmark, with hundreds of thousands of fans from around the world visiting the historic home each year. Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) manages the operations of Graceland and its related properties, including Elvis Presley's Memphis, Graceland's new entertainment and exhibition complex over 200,000 square feet in size; the AAA Four-Diamond Guest House at Graceland 450-room resort hotel; and the Graceland Archives, featuring thousands of artifacts from Elvis’ home and career. EPE also produces and licenses Elvis-themed live events, tours, and attractions worldwide. Graceland Holdings LLC, led by managing partner Joel Weinshanker, is the majority owner of EPE. Auction A Circle and Graceland Auctions TNGL#5967 is the entity that manages Auctions at Graceland. Graceland was named “Best Tennessee Attraction” for 2018 by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. In 2015, Graceland was named the world’s “Best Musical Attraction” and “Best Historic Southern Attraction” in the USA Today 10 Best Reader's Choice Awards and in 2013, voted the #1 “Iconic American Attraction” in the same poll. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.graceland.com
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