LET THE TOUR BEGIN !

The only time I was in Fresno, Ca was when I did a concert April 25, 1973 and May 12, 1974.

Clovis / Fresno, California

The idea of Flat Elvis was  conceived in Las Vegas, Nevada by my friend Sandi Miller, and I was created in Clovis, California in March 2006,  by my longtime fan, Bev Caldwell.

My two girls put their heads together and here I am!

 Bev took me  to her work at PNM Company where I spent the day and met  her co -workers.  

I met Morgan who is a young 20 year old girl who has become one of my new fans since she met and became Bev’s assistant at work. Morgan did not know  much about me until she went to work for Bev. Morgan says that Bev talks about me all the time so she couldn't help becoming a fan herself.

After a day at Bev’s work and lunch with the girls I went to the gym with Bev. Now that was a sight to see! I kicked back on one of the exercise machines and kept the ladies company while they worked out!

It was fun listening to Bev try to explain to the ladies at the gym why I was there. They thought it was funny, but a good idea. Then they started talking about how much they all liked me.     

I have been hanging out with Bev's dog, Peaches, she is spoiled but loved.

I know that I will not be forgotten in this household

Out to Lunch

Carol is holding a couple of pictures of  
her and I taken over 36 years ago taken in 1970 at the Hilton in Las Vegas.

How well I remember that kiss in the picture she is holding. We had to do the kiss twice because Joe didn’t take the picture the first time, so I asked Carol if she minded if I kissed her again so Joe could take the picture. Carol did not seem to mind  that at all !!!! I do believe Carol's legs turned to jelly by the second kiss. That was one hell of a kiss if I say so myself!

Here is the kiss picture Carol is holding.

My journey in Clovis / Fresno, California is coming to an end. I will be leaving here to continue my Tour on Monday April 3, 2006. My next stops are Las Vegas, NV to spend some time with my longtime friend Sandi Miller, then on to Albuquerque, NM to visit Margaret Freisinger. I will also be going to Washington to visit Susan Graham and to New Jersey to visit Megan Murphy.

There are more than one of me created so that I can visit several places at one time.

April 2006 Travels with Susan

  Elvis arrives in Bellevue, WA

First thing one does when one arrives in Seattle is go for Starbucks.  I hear it's a ritual thing.  Susan ordered a single Grande non-fat latte and took out her laptop to show me what's happening on the EI board. Hey!  That's ME!  My boy! My boy!

WOW! this is special, Susan ordered  a latte for me too! That is mighty good stuff. Gotta have coffee.

Later that day Susan took me to her friend Kay's for a sleepover. ;-) My boy! My boy!  Check out this feast  Kay put together for breakfast -unfortunately no burnt bacon but we have Starbucks coffee. (and can you see the view??  If I were into moving out to the Pacific NW, this is the view I'd need to have from my house!)

Elvis arrives in Las Vegas NV
 

KNOCK, KNOCK! I'm here at Sandi's house, she didn't know I was coming.

 Sandi, where are you? Open the door, it is me Elvis! Am I gonna have  to stay out here all day?
She probably is out buying more film.

 OPEN THE DOOR!
 

After a good long wait at the door Sandi finally heard the doorbell and invited me inside! 

Well look who greeted me - my #1 furry fan (hope  he's not hungry!!)

One of my fans, Nancy from Belgium, sent a lovely package to Sandi containing Hagelslag (which Sandi REFUSES to share with me this time) some Zoute Drop (which I don't want her to share with me) and other goodies (which are in negotiations right now).  Here is a photo of Sandi not sharing with me!!!

Been a very long day so am going to have myself a nice bottle of  Mountain Valley Mineral Water and get 40 winks because it's going to be a busy week in Vegas coming up!


Goodnight all!

EASTER  AT  THE  SALADINO'S

LAS VEGAS, NV

Today was Easter Sunday and after having a wonderful Buffet Breakfast at Frank and Cathy Saladino's home I went outside to soak up some sun and relax a little by the pool. 

No dip in the pool for me today, left the swim trunks at home !

             

Remembering Old Town Las Vegas

Last night I visited Old Town Vegas - sure has changed since my first trip out here in the 50's .  Many of the old casino's are now gone.  Ended the evening having a nice steak dinner at Binion's Steak house with Ian, Angie, Cathy, Frank, Nykole, Danny, and Sandi.  Check out this beautiful view!

Next stop the Hilton!

Ian & Angie at Binions
Las Vegas, NV

For the first few days I just hung around and relaxed, then I went to work with Nykole and made some new friends.

Good thing I made quick friends with Nykole's friend and co-worker Michelle Kobashi, she hooked me up with box seats to game 3 of the Laker's playoffs.

I have never been to a basketball game and I couldn't wait to see the Laker's play at Staples Center in L.A!

After settling in and having a cold beer, I decided to check out the action below before the game started. This is going to be fun!

While standing for the National Anthem I could not help but sing along. Everyone in the box really enjoyed my performance.

Holly Crap, Jack Nicholson is right below! Hi Jack you were great in "Shining"!



The Laker's went on to win game 3
 Go Laker's!!

Nykole and Danny took me to Orange County. We hung out with his pals Ian and Angie. Before leaving they took me to check out the local Ducati dealership, Proitalia Santa Barbara, (my pal Danny is a partner) so we stopped by. Too bad it was closed already, we will go back to check out the bikes another day when I can go for a test drive.

Off to the motorcycle races at the California Speedway in Fontana, CA.  I was happy to be hanging out with my Ducati pals and a cold beer.

Here I am with John Cupp, Tom Hicks and Danny Trotti.

Man I love those Ducati's!
After a exciting weekend I need another week to relax.

My friend Margaret was anxiously waiting for me  to revisit Albuquerque

(Get Your Kicks) on Route 66
by Bobby Troup

Elvis Arrives in New Jersey
Elvis visits Megan Murphy

Elvis In New York

 Megan Murphy takes Elvis to New York 

Paramount

On November 16, 1956 my first movie Love Me Tender premiered here at the Paramount Theater. It was nice to see the building where the giant cut out of me was unveiled back then.  It now is a Hard Rock Cafe with a 3 hour wait on the weekends.

Times Square

That's a cool looking jacket you've got there Orlinda

  I had lunch with Margaret and  Orlinda (an Elvis Insider member) at Applebee's today.

Washington

Wow, coming to the Space Needle brings back good memories of the Seattle World's Fair.  Sometimes I still feel the pain in my leg from the kick Kurt Russell gave me in that movie.  Susan say's it's beautiful like this all the time in Seattle, but I don't really remember it that way. hmmm.

Margaret took me on a trip to Chicago, IL. Boy am I having a good time, Im going all over the place and seeing things I have never seen before thanks to my fan.

We are off to the Sears Tower and then to a Chicago Cubs game!

Thank you Margaret for taking me on your trip, what great fun we had.

Rozanne took me to the Baker Hotel and told me a little of the history of Mineral Wells. 

        
The town of Mineral Wells' began as a resort because of the highly mineralized water found in the area.  By the late 19th century, promoters began selling the water as a cure-all for everything imaginable. The most famous of the wells was the Crazy Well - so named because the water was reported to have cured an allegedly insane woman.

Rozanne and I visited the North Side Coliseum in Fort Worth, TX.  I played here May 29, 1955, Jan 20, l956 and April 20, 1956.  Rozanne was at the April 20 show and she says there was so much screaming that night that she couldn’t hear the songs.  She reminded me I was wearing a lavender jacket. It’s been a long time baby!

Las Vegas

We are off for a fun weekend in Vegas.
Margaret and Susan went to Las Vegas to visit with Sandi and the girls took me everywhere. Those girls wore me out! I was getting really hungry and told the girls lets go to the store and get some food. WELL! Lookie what I found!



They must have made Flat Fruit  just for me



Simon, I know what you're thinking.  You WISH you had a contestant like me!!


 

Here I am at Madame Toussauds Wax Museum with the girls.. Flat Elvis meeting Wax Elvis

I don't care what anyone says - I had the better costumes (and the body to wear them!)   So let go of me!!

You know, I used to come out to the desert between shows and shoot up cactus' for the fun of it.  I think I like playing "tourist" even better!  Here are photos of me taken at the Old West town in Bonnie Springs, Nevada



 Susan, Me, Margaret, some Western Actor, and Sandi in the old West.

I just had to pop over to the Hilton and see who is playing in my Showroom.  I see Barry Manilow is here.

THERE IS ALWAYS SOMETHING SPECIAL ABOUT LAS VEGAS!

  Went out to the Beautiful Red Rock Mountains in Vegas today...."This time Lord, You Gave Me A Mountain......."




So we meet again Thumper! You've got me in the palm of your hand


Geez - there's the Frontier!  I get flop sweat even now as I pass the only joint I ever bombed in.


Hey Hef nice to see ya buddy! How do ya like my fans?

When I first arrived they were all so happy to see me!! Mary's daighter's Kayla and Grace lynne gave me the biggest hugs I had gotten in a long time. Mary couldn't stop kissing me. Me and Mary stepped outside to catch a look at the beautiful view from her balcony and to catch a breath  with all the excitement of my arrival.    
        

Over the next few days I thought poor Kayla's face was going to freeze in a smile (which wouldn't be so bad she has a beautiful one) But she was always smiling and hugging me it was funniest thing ever.

Before we left the beach I took a long walk on the beach to reflect on the great time I had shared with a very devoted fan. It made me think about all my fans all over the world and how without them I wouldn't have ever realized my dreams and filled the world with the music I love to sing. Although I am sad to go and hate to see Mary cry I am anxious to see what my next journey will hold!!!

Party time in Georgia!

Im here in Rockford visiting
Leila Hauseman

From there we just drove around to look at the countryside, Liz is the
one who saw the lion and lamb. so we stopped to take photos.



On our way back to Oregon we stopped at McDonalds for lunch. These girls sure want to eat healthy!



On our way back, we stopped at Leila's home, she wanted me to meet
someone. Wonder who?

   
Wow! Does she have a big dog! Same one who broke her ankle! But she is really a good dog. Her name is Angel.

Dorothy had made a real neat purse for Leila, how nice of her. Leila really likes it and so do I.
 
             

Before we went back to the airport, the girls showed me  the oldest drive
in in Rockord, built in the 50's. Leila said she went here as a kid. Still have the same speakers! I loved it here..

        

It was time to leave, I had such a relaxing time with the girls! Thanks for showing me around.. Hope to return one day..

    

 

Here we are at my 144 Monovale house, the one I sold to Telly Savalas! Why don’t we hit the button and go on in? Nobody home! Let’s continue the tour!

This was my favorite California house, 1174 Hillcrest! I used to love
driving real fast up and down the long hill leading here! Sometimes, fans would gather at the gate for autographs and a chat.

It always made me feel good to see them and to know they still cared, so I always had  time for them. You can still see their names scratched into the bricks and on the side gate, the one my dear cook Alvena Roy would always use.

Once, Joan and Paul saw me driving up the hill late at night – after a
Las Vegas Hilton gig. I noticed they did a quick U-turn and chased after
me as I drove back to the house. I was really exhausted after all those
concerts and could only manage a friendly wave to them as I entered the house.

     

Wow! I’m back at 10550 Rocca Way! It looks like the old house here was demolished and has been replaced by a Tudor mansion! This is where I first met Joan on August 15th, 1967. She had a neat photo she had taken of my Daddy at Graceland that I autographed for her. I had such fun mimicking her English accent!

      


A little dinner party was arranged for us at Mirabelle on Sunset, not
far from my homes in Beverly Hills and Bel Air – with my dear friends
Patti and Myrna. Sweet Myrna Smith is still singing with the Sweet
Inspirations whenever she can, and loves to perform all over the world,
still taking care of business for me.

 My precious “little sister” Patti Parry is still cuttin’ up hair in Beverly Hills – like she did for me so many times. I had her flown out to Hawaii to “rescue” my hair when I did the Aloha show – and she did a fine job!

Now, I have to relax for a while, as I understand I will soon be taking
off for Memphis and Tupelo, and who knows where else, even before then!!!

    


The gang:
Flat Elvis
Sandi Pichon, Slidell, LA
Joanne Venuti, Culver City, CA
Patti Parry, Elvis' "Little Sister"
Myrna Smith, Sweet Inspirations

May 2006

Hello Everyone,
Well I arrived at Cathi & Tony's home in Canton Massachusetts in the middle of a rain storm. I guess the rains have been coming down for over a week!  It turns out they were flooded in their basement too but I was able to stay dry through it all.
Their home is covered with my face looking at me from all over the place. They had boxes and boxes of things stacked all over the living room for our trip up to Maine. 

        
Cathi said these were some of the donated items for their auction for the kids. I was pretty impressed but I hope that I don't get lost and there is enough room for me in the car! Man they have a lot to pack!
        

I helped out Cathi with the auction on Saturday night. There were Soooo many great things there and the club raised over $3,500 to buy teddy bears to give to kids in hospitals and abuse centers and for the Trauma Center in Memphis.

   
It was a nice surprise to see some old friends up in Maine. Two of the kids of my good buddy Bill Black, Nancy & Louis! Man I have not seen them since they were little kids! 
They told some stories about Bill, Scotty, DJ and myself that I have not heard in a loooong time. Bill would be very proud of his kids as they are good people.
         
 After the weekend events we got to take in some sites too.  Here we are up at the highest point in Point Sebago which over looks the White Mountains. Sure is pretty up here! That Nancy can get silly though!

Elways,  
Cathi

May 2006
Visiting Rosie

  Westerville, Ohio

Meeting more Elvis fans

May 2006, I arrived at Insider Rosie's in Columbus, Ohio where on June 25, 1974 I sang for my fans at the St. John's Arena. Insider Jeanie soon joined us and we set off to meet up with Insiders Orlinda and Sandy (Sandog) at the US Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio. I also preformed a concert at the University of Dayton in 1976. 

    

We met up and had lunch in the museum cafe, where  the girls kept
asking people to take our picture. They talked non stop about me and  my home Graceland and how much they love visiting there. They even had on shirts with "MY"picture on the front. Imagine that. 

Then we let the cafe and went to tour the museum. Some of the displays remind me of the time I spent in the military. I was hoping to see the Memphis Belle but she is in repairs, and won't be displayed for awhile.

     

  
 Orlinda and I went into a jet simulator and pretended that I was the pilot. Man that left me "All Shook Up", it felt like we were really flying. Maybe Orlinda will post pictures of me in the Pilot seat when she gets back home.

I wanted to get a pair of these cool looking old goggles but they weren't for sale.......  and I also wanted to go inside one of the airplanes on display that had the cockpit open but that wasn't allowed either. I told the girls if President Nixon was still commander in Chief there wouldn't be a problem.
   
Orlinda did give me a boost up to one of the wheels so I could get a closer look. 
 
Said a sad farewell to Orlinda and Sandy and promised to try to meet up again sometime. 

On the way back to Columbus we ate in a restaurant called Cracker Barrel and the girls were surprised and thrilled to find they sold t-shirts and CD holders with my name and picture on them. 

I am visiting Pam Dyson

      

  NOTE: I had a great time with Pam and now I must move on and continue on with my tour.

Nykole and Danny Trotti
Santa Barbara, CA

Ginette Lefebvre
Montreal, Quebec
                  Canada