FROM GRACELAND TO GRACELAND

I’ve been trying to write this review since my sister and I returned from a very emotional week, but the words just wouldn’t come. We journeyed from Graceland to Graceland, from Branson to Memphis, from Tony to Elvis, and what a journey it was!!

We began our week with a trip to Branson’s Graceland - Tony Roi’s House - our “home away from home!” What can I say about the man that hasn’t already been said?? I told him after one of those shows that I have run out of words – there just isn’t anything left to say – that’s how great he is!! We saw three Tony shows there before continuing our journey. We laughed, we cried, we screamed, we got kissed, we got hugged, we took pictures, we were thrilled and overwhelmed by Tony’s talents, his graciousness, and his humility, all over again, as we have been so many times before. We left Branson with joy in our hearts and souls – full of the Joy of Tony Roi, as my daughter described it in her last review!!

We had hoped to make it to Memphis in time to participate in the Candlelight Vigil for Elvis – circumstances prevented that, however, and we drove to Memphis on Wednesday, August 16th, the 29th anniversary of the death of the King. (How I remember the sorrow of that day.) We listened to Elvis music the whole five hours – it seemed to be the respectful thing to do. But of course, we listened to a little of Tony’s music, too, because he surely is the “closest thing to the King!”

This was the first “pilgrimage” for me. Sandi had been to Graceland a couple of times since Elvis left this world. We both had been there once over 30 years ago when Elvis was still alive. He was out of town, and we were permitted to go up to the front porch and take a few pictures and pick up some leaves from his trees. I still have them somewhere, though over the years I have lost track of them. I was a huge Elvis fan, but when he died, I pretty much stopped listening to his music. It made me too sad – that era was over – and I put him quietly and respectfully behind me. UNTIL WE DISCOVERED TONY ROI!! The day we found Tony a year and a half ago, all of that changed. I credit Tony with bringing me back to the King!!

We spent over 7 hours in and around Graceland. When I walked through that big front door and they began to play “Welcome To My World,” I could barely hold back the tears. We were surrounded by the spirit of Elvis – the presence in that house was overwhelmingly strong. I looked at my watch – it was around 3:40pm. The thought went through my mind that Elvis’ spirit couldn’t be here – he was at Music City Centre with Tony – guiding him through his show and filling everyone with memories – old and new. But it certainly felt, as we walked through the estate, like Elvis was there, walking along with us and bringing so many buried feelings to the surface. It took me back to when I was young, and it made me sad that those days are long behind me. But it made me grateful that I’m still alive to remember Elvis, and I can still enjoy Tony – hopefully for a long time to come!

Sometimes we tend to forget the monumental contributions Elvis made in the history of music. The number of gold and platinum records and other awards on display is astounding. Passing through those halls truly was taking a walk through the dwelling place of our greatest musical legend, and once again, it was very hard to keep the floodgates from bursting open.

There were flowers everywhere around Elvis’ gravesite. Flowers from all over the world. We knew that the Tony Roi Fan Club had sent flowers, and we looked at all the cards that we could reach, but to no avail. Some of them were behind a roped off area so we couldn’t get to them. But all of Tony’s fans were there in spirit, I’m sure, because Tony and Elvis are nearly synonymous – almost one in the same – in looks, in talent, in spirit. The reality hit me that without Elvis, there would be no Tony – at least not in the way we know him – and that is only one more thing that we have to thank Elvis for. Thank you, thank you very much!!

We took a drive around Memphis – we found the house on Audubon where Elvis lived before he purchased Graceland. We drove down Beale Street where he first heard the blues being sung. We went into Lansky’s, where he bought his clothing – we saw the theater where he watched movies with his friends, the amusement park where he played. We even went to the “Projects” and saw where he lived when he was young and his family was poor. But other than Graceland, the best part was Sun Studios, where it all started.

Talk about spirits!! Sun Studios was so full of them – Rufus Thomas, Howlin’ Wolf, The Prisonaires, Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash, and on and on it goes. But the most important spirit was, of course, Elvis – we stood on the very spot where it all began in 1954, where he recorded “That’s All Right,” where he first dared to rock. I was 12 years old. It seems like only yesterday. Once again, the presence of Elvis and all the others felt so eerily strong, as if they were reminding us to never forget what took place in those small rooms. And again, we were fighting back the tears. As John Lennon said, “Before Elvis, there was nothing.” And I kept thinking, “Because of Elvis, there is Tony!!”

Another reason we went to Memphis was to support Cody Slaughter. He was competing in the “Images of the King” contest – the world championship for Elvis Tribute Artists. What an honor it was for him. He was the youngest contestant, only 15, and he did an absolutely fantastic job. It would have been a miracle if he had won, so great was the talent that was there. Cody knew that, and he beamed from ear to ear, he was so excited about just being a part of it all. He is a fabulous young man, and he has a great future ahead of him. And somewhere up above, the man, himself, must be looking down and smiling in approval at this “young Elvis,” who honors him so beautifully with his tribute.

They came from all over the world – we sat there from 7:00pm until about 1:00am for four nights in a row. Across the stage they came – from America, from Belgium, from Canada, from England, Germany, Holland, Japan, Norway, the Philippines – every one of them there because of their love for the King and his music. There were 20 performances each night, and then 30 finalists. We watched and waited.

I tried to keep an open mind. Surely there must be at least ONE other Elvis Tribute Artist in this world who could make me feel the way that Tony Roi makes me feel!! I kept waiting for the magic – there were some outstanding performances – but the magic never happened. That electricity that surges through you when Tony Roi walks on stage – I am now totally convinced - that electricity belongs only to Tony!! It was a gift from Elvis.

The one who came the closest was Kjell, who traveled all the way from Norway, where our family’s ancestral roots are. I think because of this link, I really wanted him to have the magic!! However, after watching approximately 65 – give or take a few – men paying their tribute to Elvis, it has only confirmed what all of Tony’s fans already know - TONY OWNS THE MAGIC!! And the Spirit of Elvis truly lives at Music City Centre!! And there it will stay unless and until “Tony Roi has left the building!!”

So I’ve rambled on long enough – we’ve gone on the search for Elvis – we’ve paid our respects to the King – we’ve been from Branson to Memphis, from Graceland to Graceland, and now we know without a doubt that we will find Elvis – through Tony - whenever we enter Music City Centre. And we hope that they both stay there for a very long time. Thank you Elvis - Thank you Tony – Thank you, Thank you very much!!

Editor: Shirley Hendricks (Show Me Branson Sisters)

 

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