Eye on Elvis Week: Musicians get ready for 'Elvis 1969' concert
They called it a rehearsal but it was more of a reunion of musicians who had performed with Elvis.
Many of the musicians on stage at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts Thursday morning were singing and playing songs they'd done with Elvis back in 1969 during his popular appearances at the International Hotel in Las Vegas.
Rehearsing on the Cannon Center stage Thursday morning for the "Elvis 1969 -- A Celebration Concert" are (from left) Millie Kirkham, Portia Griffin, Myrna Smith, Sherman Andrus, Estelle Brown and Joe Moscheo.
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Friday night's "Elvis 1969 -- A Celebration Concert" is bringing together these musicians for a high-energy reminiscence that organizers say is virtually sold out.
The groups include The Sweet Inspirations, Elvis' Imperials, The TCB Band, plus vocalists Andy Childs and Terry Mike Jeffrey. Joe Guercio, Elvis' musical director from the 1970s, is taking on the same duties here.
Estelle Brown of The Sweet Inspirations remembers the camaraderie of the musicians during the 1969 concerts. "It was important to Elvis that we were all family," she said. "He didn't see color. I once said to him, 'Hey, boss,' and he said, 'I'm not your boss, I'm your brother!' "
Terry Blackwood of Elvis' Imperials said the feeling continues to this day. "It's fun for us because we're still friends." Blackwood said, "He was good to all of us and respected each of us. He encouraged us to do our thing and let us share."
This morning's rehearsal went smoothly, so much so that there were some friendly hi-jinks on stage among the players.
And there certainly wasn't a problem remembering the tunes.
Brown said, "It's second nature, it always comes back."
Blackwood agreed: "And it's still fresh."
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