Nine Elvis Presley titles mastered for iTunes; Elvis Week events

In the midst of "Elvis Week" festivities currently underway in Memphis, several titles in the Elvis Presley catalog have been mastered specifically for iTunes, ensuring the delivery of the music to listeners with increased audio fidelity, more closely replicating what the artists, recording engineers, and producers intended.

These titles are available at http://www.iTunes.com/elvis. This roll-out coincides with Presley being honored as Artist Of The Month for August by Legacy Recordings. The annual "Elvis Week" celebration in Memphis, Tenn. celebrates the life and legacy of the King of Rock 'n' Roll on the anniversary of his passing on August 16, 1977.

The Complete 50s Albums Collection brings together nine original albums from the 1950s including:

Elvis Presley (his RCA debut album, released 1956), Elvis (second album, 1956), Loving You (film sound­track, 1957), Elvis' Christmas Album (1957), Elvis' Golden Records (1958), King Creole (film sound­track, 1958), For LP Fans Only (1959), A Date With Elvis (1959), and 50,000,000 Elvis Fans Can't Be Wrong: Elvis' Gold Records, Volume 2 (1959).

Also included are this month's new Elvis At Stax collection (available as a three-volume set or a single Highlights selection) as well as the popular The Essential Elvis Presley collection.

This is the first time that Legacy Recordings and iTunes have collaborated on music releases coinciding with "Elvis Week." 

Remaining events for "Elvis Week" in Memphis are as follows...

8/15

Candlelight Vigil

8:30 p.m. Gates of Graceland. After an opening ceremony at the gates of Graceland, fans are invited to walk up the driveway to Elvis' gravesite and back down carrying a candle in quiet remembrance. Free admission. No tickets or reservations. Gates remain open until all who wish to participate in the procession have done so, which typically takes until the early morning hours of August 16, the anniversary date of Elvis' passing. Free secured parking at the Graceland visitor center complex after 6:00 p.m. 

8/16

George Klein's Elvis Memorial Service

Noon. Main Theatre Building, University of Memphis. Free admission. Annual event hosted by George Klein, longtime friend of Elvis. Speakers will include friends and family of Elvis and celebrity guests. For information, (901) 678-2565.

“Aloha from Hawaii” 40th Anniversary Enhanced Screening

7:30 p.m. Orpheum Theatre, 203 S. Main. The special enhanced screening of Elvis’ landmark 1973 television event. Elvis’ “Aloha from Hawaii,” originally aired in over 40 countries across Asia and Europe and seen by more than one billion people across the globe. It is regarded as the most watched broadcast by an individual entertainer in television history. During this special screening, experience “Aloha from Hawaii” with remastered video featured in high-definition and edited to create a special experience. Included will be rarely-seen footage and audio. As a special enhancement to the evening, enjoy a performance by former members of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet (Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland). The screening at the Orpheum will feature the video as seen at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu on January 14. Tickets are $35 at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, any Ticketmaster outlet or the Orpheum box office.

Aloha from Hawaii After-Party

10:00 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage, Graceland. After the “Aloha from Hawaii” screening, head back to Graceland for an Elvis Aloha After-Party featuring live Elvis music by Terry Mike Jeffrey and his band. They will be playing your favorite Elvis music as you dance late into the evening. Individual tickets are $30. Tickets will be available for purchase at Graceland Guest Services, or at the door of the event, pending availability.

8/17
Elvis Presley 5K Run Benefiting Livitup, Inc. 
8 a.m. starts and finishes at the Gates of Graceland. After the race, join Livitup, Inc. across from the mansion at Elvis Presley Park on Craft Road for a party under the tent. There will be food, music and fun! For more information, please call Kelly Luckett at 901-316-0377, email kluckett@livitupinc.org or visit elvispresleyrunandwalk.com.

Official Elvis Insiders Event  
10 a.m. Elvis Week Main Stage, Graceland. This year’s Elvis Insiders event will be a celebration of all that is Elvis with special segments that highlight various parts of Elvis’ life and career. Attendees will enjoy sneak peeks, behind-the-scenes looks, rarely-seen videos, feature segments filmed just for the event, special guests and much more. It will be a special “inside” look at both Elvis and his home, Graceland.

Special guests appearances to include former members of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet – Bill Baize and Donnie Sumner, who will talk about Elvis’ “Aloha from Hawaii” concert; and DJ Fontana, who will share memories/stories about the filming of the ’68 Special which celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, and Mylon Le Fevre, Grammy award winning gospel singer who met Elvis at a Memphis gospel convention and wrote "Without Him." Bill Baize, Donnie Sumner, Ed Hill, Larry Strickland and Mylon Le Fevre will be signing autographs following this event. Individual tickets are $25. Tickets will be available for purchase at Graceland Guest Services or at the door of the event, pending availability.

Elvis Celebration Concert featuring Terry Mike Jeffrey with Special Guest DJ Fontana and Millie Kirkham
3 p.m. Elvis Week Main Stage, Graceland. Join us for a celebration of Elvis music during a special afternoon concert event. The show will feature Terry Mike Jeffrey and band performing some of their favorite Elvis tunes, joined by Elvis’ original drummer DJ Fontana and background vocalist Millie Kirkham. Additional guest to be announced soon. A great way to end Elvis Week 2013. Autographs with performers to follow event. Individual tickets are $35. Tickets will be available for purchase at Graceland Guest Services or at the door of the event, pending availability.

Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Final Round 
7:00 p.m. Cannon Center for the Performing Arts, 255 N. Main. Enjoy a phenomenal show as the top 10 Elvis tribute artists from the August 14 Semifinal Round compete for the title. The group is narrowed down from ten to five before the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist of 2013 is named. The show will also feature a performance by 2012 Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist winner Ben Portsmouth. 

A one day ticket to the Final Round only is also available for $49. Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000, any Ticketmaster outlet or at the Cannon Center box office.