GENUINE ELVIS IS A GENUINE HIT

Book signing and performance September 4 at Country Music Hall of Fame, 2-4 PM

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

by Martha Bolton (click for more stories by Martha Bolton)

When Edie Hand says she has a new book coming out, people start lining up. And that's just what they did at Graceland recently for the signing of her latest book, Genuine Elvis, co-authored with artist/entertainer Ronnie McDowell and talent manager/music producer, Joe Meador.

Genuine Elvis sold more than 1,000 copies at the signing at Graceland that day. Needless to say, the book is off to a great start!

On Friday, September 4, from 2-4 pm, the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee will host another signing for Genuine Elvis. The public is invited. Edie Hand's other new release, Women of True Grit will also be featured.

"Genuine Elvis is our first book together," says Joe Meador. "It was a combination of love and respect for Elvis that made this such a wonderful project."

Edie agrees.

"When Ronnie asked me to consider writing a book for Elvis fans that would accompany his fabulous paintings of The King, I couldn't wait to get started. But I didn't want to write just another Elvis book. I wanted this one to be a fresh, behind the scenes look at my cousin, Elvis.
I wanted to share previously unpublished stories and to give readers a look at the genuine Elvis that I knew. I came up with the title Genuine Elvis, and that's exactly what this book is--a genuine, loving look at an incredible entertainer and human being."

Ronnie McDowell, the man who was personally chosen by Priscilla Presley to be the "voice of Elvis," (it is Ronnie's voice that you hear on most of the movies about Elvis made after his death, and also during the Elvis series on television),.provides all the artwork in the book. Some of these paintings have never before been published.

"We're excited about being able to bring these stories and Ronnie's art to the public," Edie says. "We have stories from our family reunions where Elvis would be just 'one of the family,' as well as stories from Louise Smith who also knew Elvis long before he was 'Elvis.' This is the first time that Louise has shared many of her stories."

The book also includes a story from Charlie Watts who owns a CD of a 1956 interview with Elvis, Vernon and Gladys which took place behind the stage at the Tupelo Fair.

Ronnie and Joe, as well as Edie, also share their own personal Elvis stories in the book. Joe, who has been Ronnie McDowell's manager for twenty years, said, "There is a story in the book that involves two hairs, and that is all I can tell you without giving the story away."

Joe adds, "I have always been a fan of Elvis, and I know there have been several books written about him showing all his problems in life. I really wanted to shed some light on what a really normal, good guy he was; a guy who always wanted to help those less fortunate."

That's the Elvis you're going to find in the pages of Genuine Elvis, and that's who you're going to see in Ronnie's beautiful paintings.

So if you're in the Nashville area this Friday, get in line for your own copy of Genuine Elvis. Or pick up a copy at your local bookstore. You'll be glad you did!

The book will be available internationally, and will continue to be featured at Graceland, as well as Wal-Mart, Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, www.ediehand.com, www.pelicanpublishing.com, and www.ronniemcdowellprints.com It will also be sold at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, one of Elvis' favorite hotels.

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