MEMPHIS-BASED BLUES/ROCK AND ROLL PIANIST/GUITARIST JASON JAMES

On this episode of Once Upon A Time in Graceland, it's Memphis based rock & roll performance artist/and friend of legend, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jason James. Jason discusses how he ended up in Memphis, how it's shaped his musical career, and all the iconic artists he has gotten to meet, play and work with. With almost 30 years of music behind him, Jason has held residency at Jerry Lee Lewis's club on Beale Street in Memphis, Played on stage with Bo Diddley, and has performed Graceland over 50 times. 

Also discussed here, going inside Graceland for the first time, hanging with Jerry Lee Lewis, getting pulled over by Elvis, and 6 degrees to Jim Morison, the story of Elvis being handed a song by The Doors that he never recorded. Great interview and amazing performer. 

Jason will be making an appearance at the Elvis celebration in Boston March 18, 2020 called Once Upon A Time In Graceland at the Once Ballroom. If your local or feel like a road trip, it's an event no Elvis fan wants to miss.

MEMPHIS-BASED BLUES/ROCK AND ROLL PIANIST/GUITARIST JASON JAMES

Once Upon A Time In Graceland is a podcasted exploring the life, legacy, and mystique around Elvis Presley, the music and musical roots, and the importance of his relationships with Family, Friends, Fans, and himself. 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND: GRACELAND'S FIRST OFFICIAL ELVIS ARTIST: JOE PETRUCCIO

On this episode of Once Upon A Time in Graceland, we speak with Graceland's first official Elvis artist, Joe Petruccio.

Joe discusses his background and study of expressionist and pop culture art forms and how they have played a role in painting some of today's most iconic images of Elvis Presley. It takes a fan to express such gratitude for his legacy, and that is all Joe has ever been when it comes to Elvis. 

In this discussion we talk about the image, above the persona and music and it's influence of pop culture, as well as the life, work, and legacy of Elvis and why it still matters... 

The last ten years of Elvis's life, some call it a decline, were just as iconic as his rise to fame. In regards to tributing, The last days of Elvis comes with a heavy head for many Elvis fans, and those who get inside Graceland have experienced the glory, the presence, and  perhaps the loneliness. It's in between these shadows that we discuss where Joe's art comes from, and how we as spectators, identify with the image, persona, music, and most important, the man. 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND: GRACELAND'S FIRST OFFICIAL ELVIS ARTIST: JOE PETRUCCIO

To see more of Joe's work and bio, and to purchase these great works, visit: www.joeypaints.com
Get to Graceland if you haven't already and see Joe's work on display

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND... ...there lived a man from Memphis...

ONCE Upon a Time in #Graceland got some tickets left, so make sure you don't miss out and get em now...I'd sure hate to see some not get in! It's March 18th $15. 

TICKETS HERE: here:https://www.eventbrite.com/e/once-upon-a-time-in-graceland-tickets-90310295525?fbclid=IwAR0zw8RhdLpe8EGw_7N0EdWuRGRJeZkasiN4E0qus-aV2wqJ7etAwGgT6ms

Come out and be part of the #ElvisPresley celebration at @oncesomerville in Somerville MA, featuring The Edge Of Reality band bringing down he house with lost Elvis funk/soul/rock gems of the late 60s and early 70s featuring guest vocalists Gene Dante Lennox Zacharias Rodney Jr, and the charismatic Melted #Elvis, special appearance and performance from #Memphis pianist Jason James and the exotic surf rocking sounds of Tsunami of Sound

Great Music, Art, and a fully stacked Peanut Butter & Jelly bar...yeah we got bananas! 

Spread the word! The man is coming. 

LARRY GELLER: ELVIS PRESLEY'S HAIR STYLIST, SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, AND SOUL MATE

When it came to matters of the spirit and good looks, Elvis Presley's confidant and cherished hair stylist, Larry Geller, was there. He was responsible for the King's iconic hair styles, and moreover, became Elvis's spiritual advisor, jumping aboard Elvis's collective of friends, employees, associates, and family, known as the Memphis Mafia. Larry was also the last person to touch the sacred body of Elvis Presley.

Opening the first all Men's hair salon with famous Hollywood hair-stylist Jay Sebring, Larry's clientele comprised of the most handsome and iconic men in show business;  Frank Sinatra, Paul Newman, Sammy Davis Jr, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Sam Cooke, Glen Campbell, Tony Bennett, Jackie Gleason, Rock Hudson, Roy Orbison, Peter Sellers, and of course the one client that made Larry's career go gold in April of '64, Elvis Aaron Presley.

Put aside the iconic image of Elvis Presley, and what you have is a mortal man. A man with great
charisma, bold aspirations, personal struggles, vices, fears, and a determination to give love and happiness through the legacy that he manifested. He was the embodiment of the American Dream- success, fame, fortune, security and comfort; However, within the excesses that came from those highs, Elvis also symbolizes the disembodiment of the American dream- the fallacies that emerged from the riches and fame, and the pressures of holding up his legacy and the marvel he represented to his fans. 

In this conversation, Larry shares some of his most intimate and humble stories about his friendship with Elvis. He takes us into Elvis's psyche in those last 10 years of his life as he persevered to keep the image in tact, all the while searching for spiritual enlightenment, and rethinking his career, amidst marital issues, health concerns, and destructive vices. 

Also discussed is,  Elvis's thoughts on the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr and how the civil rights movement played out in his hometown, a meeting with James Brown, and why Elvis downplayed his title as the "King Of Rock and Roll

There aren't too many people still alive who knew Elvis on a personal level. Although Elvis and Larry's relation may have been concerning for some of the others in the Elvis entourage, Elvis confided in Larry to help him find himself and connect with a sense of spirit, to perhaps fill a void in Elvis's life. Larry Geller is keeping the legacy alive and understood, and more than anyone bringing us a little closer to Elvis Presley.

Elvis & Larry/ Oahu '77

Thankfully, this interview doesn't at all offer any tabloid related content or speculation. There are no questions about illegitimate children, Foul play, paranormal, family or explotive questions about Elvis's personal life or image -all the things Americans consider "news" these days. Gossip and Tabloid media culture can be coined as the pallbearers to the legend of Elvis Presley as still today Tabloid media implements itself as news, which has depreciated the value and dialogue of the American people

A big warm thanks to Boston-based hairstylist/guitarist of the band Loretta, Francesca Colvario , for asking the right questions and helping to make this interview matter.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN GRACELAND: ELVIS PRESLEY'S HAIR STYLIST, SPIRITUAL ADVISOR, AND SOUL MATE, LARRY GELLER

Official Graceland Artist: Joe Petruccio 

Once Upon A Time In Graceland is coming real soon. A different kind of  Elvis podcast transmitting live from Boston to the rest of the universe.