Patsy Andersen Productions

Walnut Ridge to honor area’s rockabilly history

Patsy Andersen — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:19:52 +0000

The Jonesboro Sun

WALNUT RIDGE Ark. (AP) — Johnny didn’t want to go on stage but to make his $20 he had to play.

Sonny Burgess and his band just opened for Johnny in front of a crowd at B & I’s King of Clubs. He told the burgeoning musician he had no choice. A king was waiting in the wings.

Johnny Cash went on stage that night and Elvis Presley soon followed. It’s been almost six decades but Burgess still remembers that night and he hopes to share that story and many others with tourists in northeast Arkansas.

Lawrence County officials broke ground Tuesday morning on the Guitar Walk a monument that will honor early rock ‘n’ roll legends such as Presley Cash Conway Twitty Jerry Lee Lewis and Burgess. About 70 people attended a ceremony where the Guitar Walk will be located just south of the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce Office on U.S. 67.

“Sonny Burgess and the Pacers opened for Johnny Cash that night” Guitar Walk committee member Charles Snapp said. “Hearing that story sent shivers down my spine … Johnny Cash was opening for Elvis Presley that same night and it was only 12 miles from here.”

Rockabilly legends Billy Lee Riley Roy Orbison Carl Perkins and Wanda Jackson will also be honored.

Rock ‘n’ roll was born during the early 1950s in cities like Memphis and New Orleans but it was cultivated in small towns honky-tonks and juke joints along U.S. 67 that stretches from Newport to Pocahontas.

During the last couple of years a movement has been under way to commemorate the area’s ties to its musical past.

The first step was erecting a memorial to The Beatles last September. In 1964 The Beatles made their lone stop in Arkansas as a group at the Walnut Ridge Airport.

A more ambitious project the Guitar Walk was then started Snapp said. The plaza will be 100 feet long and 40 feet wide.

It will be shaped like an Epiphone guitar similar to ones used by Paul McCartney and John Lennon. Although the two Beatles’ legends never played in Northeast Arkansas Lennon was once famously quoted saying “he never felt anything” until he heard Presley’s music Snapp said.

Life-sized silhouettes of the legends will ring the inside of the guitar strings will be cut into the concrete and even the enlarged frets will be made from brass Snapp said.

An audio tour a system similar to ones used by the U.S. Forestry Service and Arkansas Parks and Tourism will tell visitors unique stories about the singers and will be narrated by Burgess who was on hand Tuesday at the ground-breaking.

Burgess will tell personal stories outlining his experiences with rock ‘n’ roll immortals.

Presley Cash and others began playing at venues in Newport primarily the Silver Moon nightclub in the early 1950s.

Jackson County is one of the few wet counties in Northeast Arkansas so it became a magnet for residents in other counties who wanted to drink. The Bloody Bucket B & I’s King of Clubs Red’s Clover Charlie’s Place GB’s Jarvis’ Bamboo Club Porky’s Rooftop and the largest of them all the Silver Moon Club were among the clubs and honky-tonks established during the era.

In the early 1950s several of the clubs allowed organized gambling which made them even more profitable. Even before the rock ‘n’ roll wave swept the country stars such as famed jazz trumpeter Louis Armstrong performed at the Silver Moon.

Many performers branched out to other venues along the route in Walnut Ridge and Pocahontas. Elvis even once sang at the high school in Bono.

Concrete work will start next week and local officials hope to have it completed by September.

Building the plaza with an audio system will cost more than $70000 Snapp said. Donations are funding the project officials said.

The walk will be named Cavenuagh Park to honor a local Chevrolet dealership that was instrumental in securing a $23900 donation toward the walk Snapp said.

In addition to the plaza the committee has trademarked a unique U.S. 67 Rock-n-Roll Highway emblem that was also unveiled.

Local officials hope The Beatles monument and the Guitar Walk which are within walking distance of one another will spur tourism in the region.

“Walnut Ridge Arkansas is the only place in North America where Abbey Road meets the Rock-n-Roll Highway” Snapp said.

___

Information from: The Jonesboro Sun http://www.jonesborosun.com

Lisa Marie Presley: I Thought I’d Die at 42 Like My Dad

Patsy Andersen — Wed, 02 May 2012 18:16:55 +0000

The death of Elvis Presley in 1977 sent a shock wave through his millions of fans all over the world but none took the news as hard as his only child Lisa Marie Presley who was only 8-years-old at the time. Growing up under a microscope after that was difficult especially as she struggled with drug use questionable romances and a music career many saw as a joke. But she made it through (barely) and now has a husband she calls “The One” as well as four beautiful healthy children. So when she celebrated her 42^ndbirthday the last one her father ever saw for himself two years ago it was a bittersweet milestone. “It freaked me out” Presley tells Elle in its May issue. “It was my grandmother as well [who died at] the same age and I was like ‘What are my odds here?’” And when she thinks about the fact that her father was robbed of ever meeting her wonderful husband Michael Lockwood or his grandchildren “I get emotional.”

While Presley is quite content with her current state in life it wasn’t easy getting there. In order to find her prince she had to kiss a lot of frogs. After divorcing fellow Scientologist Danny Keough (the father of her older two children Riley 22 and Benjamin 19) in 1994 20 days later Elvis’ beloved daughter rebounded very publicly with Michael Jackson who at the time was fighting molestation charges. Although the cringe-worthy relationship was deemed a ploy for positive publicity for the King of Pop Presley swears it was the real deal — well at least for her. In fact she also reveals in the Elle interview that even after their 1996 divorce she and Jackson continued an on-off affair for four years. That’s when she met Nicolas Cage an admitted Elvis Presley superfan and embarked on a wild tabloid-friendly romance that was rife with fights and breakups (during one she flung her $65000 engagement ring into the ocean). Still the doomed pair married in 2002 … and divorced 108 days later.

The Most Iconic Celebrity Lips

After that Presley threw herself into her music and released her debut album To Whom It May Concern in 2003 and kicked off a tour in support of it. As fate would have it Lockwood was the musical director of her touring band and after a year-long flirtation the two finally made it official. In 2006 they said “I do” in Japan and welcomed twin girls Finley and Harper two years later. “I had to have gone through a lot of other things before I could appreciate him” Presley says of Lockwood with whom she moved from Los Angeles to England to raise their daughters. “I don’t think you can be happy without knowing unhappiness as well or else you don’t appreciate happiness.”

James Gooding/Elle Magazine

[Related Content: The Big Business of Rock Estates]

Although she’s happy on the inside Presley has always had a cold outer shell which she says is a total misconception. “I think people think I’m harder and more arrogant and cocky than I am because I know how to put on a front but it’s nothing like who I am inside” she says. “To be honest I’m really overly scarily sensitive and I feel way too much so I have to have something to hide under.”

The 50 Most Beautiful People in America

But in her older age having experienced all that she has Presley is finally finding a way to let go let loose and just embrace the good feelings. As she is set to release her third album Storm and Grace — a record she says her father would be proud of — the chips are all starting to fall into place. “It’s hard for me to be happy because I’m always worried about something going awry or what could happen to screw up” she tells Elle during a stop in Memphis before she sets off on a nationwide tour with her family in tow. “It’s hard for me to sit and look around going ‘Ah I’m really happy.’ … [But] the truth is that I am.”

Will You Age Well?

FINAL RECORDINGS OF WAYLON JENNINGS

Patsy Andersen — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 16:20:26 +0000

THE FINAL RECORDINGS OF WAYLON JENNINGS

TO BE RELEASED 10 YEARS AFTER

COUNTRY MUSIC ICON’S DEATH

GOIN’ DOWN ROCKIN’:

The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings

DUE SEPTEMBER 2012

ON SAGUARO ROAD RECORDS

Nashville TN (April 16 2012) — A new album from outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings will be released this September filled with recordings the icon made during the last few years before his death in 2002. Jennings spent hours in a recording studio with his longtime accompanist Robby Turner and together they laid down twelve tracks using just Waylon’s guitar and vocals and Turner’s bass. All songs were personally selected by the country star ones that resonated in a deeply personal way and reflected his state of mind his passions and important statements he wanted to make about his life. The duo planned out the future instrumentation that would be added to the tracks but Jennings was never able to complete them. 10 years after his passing Turner returned to the recordings finishing each song to honor Waylon’s vision of what would turn out to be his very last album. Bringing in musicians who had long worked with Waylon such as Reggie Young Richie Albright and tour mate Tony Joe White Turner painstakingly created the album that Waylon set out to make. “Waylon knows he’s surrounded by friends and all that hear this will feel as if they know Waylon in all his authenticity” explains his widow country singer Jessi Colter. With his family’s blessing Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings will be available on September 11 (Saguaro Road Records). No one has ever heard these performances before; they are Waylon’s last gift to his fans.

Saguaro Road Records’ Senior Vice President Retail Mike Jason explains “I remember when Waylon was revolutionizing country music and when we heard about these recordings I knew we had to have them. To me this is classic Waylon music every bit as good as his ‘70s classics but his singing bears a vulnerable and deeply personal touch. Waylon still has many fans but with these recordings I’m confident that we’ll introduce him to a new generation in the same way that Johnny Cash’s last recordings found him an entirely new audience.”

Jennings wrote 11 of the 12 songs that appear on the new album a testament to the personal nature of the recordings and they reveal an artist in the midst of a final creative peak. In addition to his own songs the album includes Tony Joe White’s “Goin’ Down Rockin’” (on which White himself is a guest). In all the album will feature eleven songs that have never been released before.

One of the all time greatest country music vocalists Jennings was also the founder of the Outlaw movement received two Grammy Awards and multiple Country Music Association and Academy of Country Music awards. 11 of his albums hit #1 on the country charts with 16 #1 singles. In all 54 of Jennings’ albums have charted and more than 100 singles cracked the country and pop charts. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.

Goin’ Down Rockin’: The Last Recordings of Waylon Jennings Tracklisting:

1. Goin’ Down Rockin’

2. Belle of The Ball

3. If My Harley Was Runnin’

4. I Do Believe

5. Friends In California

6. The Ways of the World

7. Shakin’ The Blues

8. Never Say Die

9. Wasting Time

10. Sad Songs & Waltzes

11. She Was no Good for Me

12. Wrong Road To Nashville

The Passing of Andrew Love

Patsy Andersen — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 23:12:05 +0000

“The Passing of Andrew Love April 12 2012…What can I say about my best friend Andrew Love? He was the best man I knew. He was a great husband and father. He was a fabulous musician and he left behind for us a wealth of recorded saxophone so we can continue to be amazed by him. How fortuitous of God to have put the two of us together. The first time I heard Andrew play was at the Manhattan Club with the Willie Mitchell band. I knew we would be perfect together. He had a big tone and I had a big tone. And I knew that they would blend in the the most natural beautiful way. We loved to laugh together. We laughed and traveled all over the world together making records with artists of all genres. Andrew and I knew we were blessed beyond most people. We got to do what we loved everyday and share our unique gifts. It all paid off this year with The Memphis Horns receiving the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

I will miss him.”

- Wayne Jackson of the Memphis Horns

2 Year Old Dancing to Jailhouse Rock

Patsy Andersen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 18:16:04 +0000

Martha Esposito Passing

Patsy Andersen — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 18:45:59 +0000

March 20 2012

Dear Family and Friends

I wanted to let you all know that Martha passed away last night around 8pm. She was surrounded by family and friends the chaplain had come by earlier in the day. I will let you all know about a service when I know.

If I did not get a chance to reply to your emails I would like to that you all for sending your notes and calling during this rough time. Please continue to keep all of us in your prayers. Please feel free to forward this e-mail to anyone you would like.

Sincerely

Cindy (Esposito) Bahr- Joe’s daughter

If you would like to make a donationfor Martha’s medical bills.

Please donate to Martha’s Fund

A program of

The Talbert Family Foundation -

Donations are tax deductable

as allowed by law.

Click here to donate

There are two” Elvis” Events planned with fundraising for Martha’s medical bills.

March 31 2012 in Lexington Kentucky

August 14 2012 in Memphis Tenn

Further information to follow.

Riley Keogh Engaged

Patsy Andersen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:39:22 +0000

Picture: Riley Keough and Juno Temple leaving a beauty salon in Beverly Hills Los Angeles California ….

Riley Keough Engaged To Pettyfer

Elvis Presley’s granddaughter Riley Keough is to wed British actor Alex Pettyfer according to U.S. reports.

The couple met on the set of new male stripper movie Magic Mike and has been dating for just six months according to UsMagazine.com.

Model/actress Keough who is Lisa Marie Presley’s daughter was spotted sporting what appeared to be an engagement ring while dining with Pettyfer in Los Angeles on Monday (12Mar12).

The 21-year-old Brit’s ex-girlfriends include actresses Emma Roberts and Dianna Agron while Keough 22 enjoyed a long teenage romance with singer Ryan Cabrera.

Representatives for the stars had yet to respond to requests for a comment as WENN went to press.

Source: Contact Music

New Elvis Statue Planned for Tupelo

Patsy Andersen — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 19:33:20 +0000

New Elvis statue planned for Tupelo: The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club is pleased to partner with the Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB) to help bring the dream of honoring Elvis with a life-size statue to fruition.
CVB has committed $50000 to the project. The Tupelo Elvis Fan Club has committed to raise the remaining $25000 to bring the statue of this beautiful image of Elvis to the Fairpark District in August 2012.
The statue is modeled after the iconic Roger Marshutz photograph lovingly referred to by fans the world over as “The Hands”.
The statue will be located in relation to other things in the Fairpark District. The statue will be life-size and mounted on a four foot platform so fans may walk up to the statue and outstretch their hands as in the Marshutz photograph.
There will be a bricked area circling the statue. Bricks may be purchased and the donor’s name and message will be engraved into the brick. Together we can all make this a reality. Bricks plaques and benches range are all available to put your name on.
Click here for more info – and to get with your name around Elvis in Tupelo!
Go here for EIN interview with Roy Turner about Elvis and Tupelo
(News Source;RoyTurner/ElvisInfoNetwork)

Source:

Elvis Information Network / Updated: Mar 11 2012

Reflections of Whitney

Patsy Andersen — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 22:47:03 +0000

Cissy Houston Whitney Mother sang backup for Elvis with The Sweet Inspirations and Whitney’s Father John Houston also worked for Elvis. The guys remember Whitney running around the stage etc. about the tender age of 5 or so. I have been told that she was full of energy and sweetness; which seemed to prevail through her entire life.

Like Elvis Whitney left us much too soon but all of us at elvisfansunited.com offer our sympathy to her family and we will miss her beauty voice creativity and style. Whitney and Elvis together what a show! Please post your feelings about Whitney and her music and/or messages to Whitney’s family.

REFLECTIONS OF WHITNEY

VIDEO LINK

WHITNEY HOUSTON…

ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE PERFORMERS OF THE DECADE …

WITH PROFOUND RESPECT AND SADNESS OF HER PASSING BUT JOY AND LOVE FOR HER MUSIC WE PRESENT THIS SHOW TO HONOR HER AND TO REMEMBER THE JOY SHE BROUGHT WITH HER PERFORMANCES WORLDWIDE

We have represented Whitney Tributes for several years now and have done a great many shows featuring Whitney as part of our cast so although this show has been on our web site for a very long time bringing it to the forefront so soon after her passing is not what we planned on doing. But the demand has been such that it would be a shame to not let people know that we have a show honoring Miss Houston. The world is hungering for her and the fans are hungering for the music they love so much.

VIDEO LINK

Like others before her she is gone too soon but her music and memory lives on with REFLECTIONS OF WHITNEY

LIVE BAND

DANCERS

BACKGROUND VOCALISTS

THIS IS THE REAL DEAL…..

A TRIBUTE LIKE NO OTHER HONORING MISS HOUSTON’S REMARKABLE CAREER AND INCREDIBLE VOICE

Billy Strange Passes Away – February 22, 2012

Patsy Andersen — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 04:02:36 +0000

Billy Strange
September 29 1930 – February 22 2012

Billy Strange co-wrote w/Mac Davis “Little Less Conversation”

Also wrote Memories & theme to Charro.

His lst wife was Joan O’Brien of “It Happened At The Worlds Fair”

Billy also arranged and played on albums for Nancy Sinatra Dean Martin F. Sinatra.

Their son Rusty worked for John Conlee when he lived in Nashville.

Taken from Wikipedia:

Early life

Billy Strange was born in Long Beach California in 1930.

Recordings and songwriting

Strange teamed up with Mac Davis to write several hit songs for Elvis Presley including “A Little Less Conversation” the theme from Charro! and “Memories”. Strange also composed the musical soundtrack for two of Elvis’ films Live a Little Love a Little and The Trouble with Girls. He also wrote “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker.

Strange recorded many cover versions of James Bond movie themes for GNP Crescendo Records and provided the instrumental backing and arrangement for Nancy Sinatra’s non soundtrack version of “You Only Live Twice” as well as Nancy and Frank’s “Somethin’ Stupid”. He has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame for his pioneering contribution to the genre.^[1] Billy Strange was inducted into the Musicians Hall Of Fame & Museum.

Strange played guitar on numerous Beach Boys hits including “Sloop John B” and the groundbreaking Pet Sounds album. He has also played guitar for Nancy Sinatra Jan & Dean The Ventures Willie Nelson The Everly Brothers Wanda Jackson Randy Newman and Nat King Cole among others. One of his most famous performances is on Nancy Sinatra’s version of Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).

Strange arranged and conducted all of Nancy Sinatra’s Reprise albums as well as Nancy & Lee’s 1972 RCA Records release Nancy & Lee Again and their 2003 album Nancy & Lee 3. He also arranged the 1981 Nancy Sinatra & Mel Tillis album Mel & Nancy. He has arranged and conducted forFrank Sinatra Dean Martin Sammy Davis Jr. Duane Eddy and Elvis Presley. One of his most famous arrangements was “These Boots are made for Walkin’” for Nancy Sinatra. Strange also performed the vocals for Steve McQueen in Baby the Rain Must Fall.

Strange wrote such hits for Presley as “A Little Less Conversation” and “Memories”. “A Little Less Conversation (Junkie XL Remix)” which he wrote with Scott Davis was on the soundtrack of both the DreamWorks animated feature films Shark Tale (2004) and Megamind (2010).

He sang his own composition “The Ballad of Bunny and Claude” in the Merrie Melodies Bunny And Claude (We Rob Carrot Patches)(1968) and The Great Carrot-Train Robbery (1969).

Personal life

Strange was married to singer and actress Joan O’Brien from 1954-1955. They had a son: Russell Glen Strange who was born October 4 1955.

He was also married to Betty Jo Conrad from 1960-1978. They had a daughter together: Kelly Kimberly Strange born on November 11 1964 and a stepson from Betty’s previous marriage: Jerry Joseph Mitchell who was born October 23 1954. He was married and loved by his wife Jeanne Black (singer) in his last years.

Billy Strange died on February 22 2012 at the age of 81.