6 minute read
THE LEGENDARY HOME OF THE KING
By Josh Belcher
Embarking on a journey from Maury County to the iconic Graceland in Memphis is like traversing a lyrical pilgrimage through time. With the harmonious symphony of country tunes in Middle Tennessee, it only makes sense to embrace the essence of Tennessee's rich musical heritage and travel west to the legendary home of the King of Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
On a Saturday adventure, my family and I traveled to Memphis to explore the King’s home, Graceland, for the first time. Our group was a mix of generations and we set off to discover the private sanctuary on 14 acres where one of the most recognized human beings in the world had lived. Since his untimely death on August 16, 1977, more than 23 million people have visited Graceland. It was declared a National Historic Landmark in 2016, and Elvis's Graceland is second only to the White House in Washington D.C. as the most visited house in the world.
Arriving in Memphis, the air brims with electric energy. Graceland stands proud, a majestic testament to the eternal reign of rock and roll. Exploring the opulent mansion, adorned with Presley's treasures, one can almost hear the echo of his timeless hits reverberating within its walls. Elvis purchased Graceland when he was only 22 years in 1957 paying $102,500 for the property which already came with its famous moniker. Purchased from Dr. Thomas Moore and his wife Ruth, who named the estate after Grace Toof, Ruth's aunt who gifted them the land to build the mansion on that had been part of the 500-acre Toof family farm. Graceland was originally built in 1939, and before Elvis and his parents moved in he put his mark on the property and had three custom music gates installed.
With the 2022 release of the biographical movie Elvis, which earned over $288 million worldwide at the box office, there has been a resurgence of interest in the life and times of Elvis Presley. During the tour at Graceland, I noticed young and old alike genuinely enjoying the impact Elvis had on the world during his 42 years on this Earth. Individuals were conversing in various languages and the younger generation walked around without cell phones in hand as they stared in wonder at Graceland. I couldn't help but marvel at this sight.
Although Elvis had passed away long before I was born, there I was with my wife Annie and our closest friends visiting Graceland. Joining us were Sam and Cammi Madewell, and their two young children, Bailey (8) and Mason (7), our honorary niece and nephew. So I asked them all a few questions about their Graceland experience:
What did you think about Graceland?
“I liked going down in the basement and seeing all the mirrors and the yellow and blue room,” said Mason. The TV Room is decorated in yellow and blue with a TCB Lightning Bolt displayed on the wall behind the couch. The three televisions, side by side, were inspired by President Lyndon Johnson's similar setup in the White House. Bailey chimed in, “I liked his personality; I liked the pool and would like to go swimming there!”
How do you think Elvis became so popular worldwide when he never performed outside the United States and is still popular today 46 years after his passing?
Sam explained, “I believe it to be because his music was one of the first to incorporate blues, soul, and country and he broke the international race barrier to bring a lot of people together. Modern music today branched from those three and [Elvis] was one of the curators. It’s his influence on modern music to this day.”
“Elvis is the true definition of a legend,” Cammi said, “and he left an amazing legacy not just for his family but for the world. You could tell by his essence he loved his family and for him, his dream was always to give a great life to his parents. That was evident in Graceland as he bought Graceland for his parents to live in. It wasn't about him it was for them. I think that's amazing!”
ELVIS PRESLEY'S FAVORITE PEANUT BUTTER & BANANA SANDWICH
Mary Jenkins prepared this original Graceland recipe for Elvis regularly. Jenkins was his personal chef for 14 years and even after Elvis died, she stayed on to cook for the family for 12 more years.
Ingredients
• 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 slices white bread, toasted
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 1/2 large ripe banana, sliced
Directions
1. Preheat a grill pan or griddle over medium heat and let the butter melt.
2. Toast the bread then spread peanut butter on each slice of bread. Place banana slices on top of one side of the spread peanut butter. Top with the remaining slice of bread.
3. Place the sandwich on the grill pan. Cook for approximately 2 to 3 minutes on each side to warm the peanut butter. Remove to cutting board, slice in half, and serve immediately.
What was your favorite part of Graceland?
“My favorite part was the house itself,” said Sam. “You could tell he loved to have people over and was very hospitable. The Jungle Room is really neat with the carved chairs and the Hawaiian [items]. I liked the fact he was Pro Second Amendment with that bluehandled 1911 on display was pretty!” Cammi added, “My favorite part was seeing all his jumpsuits, the way they have them displayed is eye-catching! I also appreciated his military service.”
My wife Annie stated, “His music is timeless; it connects people from the middle-aged to the teenagers to the elderly! I loved seeing all his outfits.”
Another interesting fact about Elvis was he was nominated for 14 Grammy Awards, winning all three in the Gospel Category. In 1967, he won the Best Sacred Performance with "How Great Thou Art." He took home the Best Inspirational Performance category in 1972 for "He Touched Me" and two years later he won that category again for a live version of "How Great Thou Art." As a man of Christian Faith, I find it fascinating that God utilized Elvis — the most famous human being on Earth at the time to spread his word to the masses.
Elvis Presley's Graceland is well worth the 3-hour trip from Columbia, Tennessee. The journey forever etches the soul of Tennessee into music history. Elvis sadly had a very short life, most of it was not his own. He was a person for the people. I truly believed he utilized every talent here on Earth he was blessed with giving everything he had on and off the stage.
JOSH BELCHER resides in Columbia, Tennessee, and is a Tennessee native. He is a musician, music lover, and historian. As an admirer of the human condition, he lives life to the fullest. Follow him at @instabelcher.
