February 14, 2008
Belmont Presents: Nashville Celebrates Elvis Sells Out at Ryman
Star-Studded Concert Honors Scaife Family, Raises Money for Belmont Music Business Students
A host of today’s biggest stars took the stage of the historic Ryman Auditorium alongside friends and bandmates of Elvis Presley’s Tuesday night for an evening of beloved music originally made famous by Elvis in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The sold-out Belmont University Presents Nashville Celebrates Elvis benefitted the Cecil Scaife Scholarship Endowment for the Music Business Program at Belmont University.
The evening, emceed by Elvis’ high school friend and host on Sirius Radio’s Elvis Radio channel, featured Pat Boone, David Briggs (former Elvis’ band member and the evening’s musical director), Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Wanda Jackson, Millie Kirkham, Ronnie McDowell, The Palmetto State Quartet, T.G. Sheppard, former members of the Stamps Quartet, B.J. Thomas, Ray Walker of the Jordanaires and Wynonna. Briggs, D.J. Fontana, Joe Guercio, Ann Ellington Wagner and Walker all shared memories and stories of their time with Elvis as friends and colleagues with Klein throughout the show. The night’s house band was made up of musicians who recorded and toured with Elvis: James Burton (guitar), Larry Paxton (bass), Norbert Putnam (bass), Steve Turner (drums), Harold Bradley (acoustic guitar), Danny Parks (acoustic guitar), Shane Keister (synthesizer) and Briggs (grand piano).
The proceeds from the evening benefitted the Cecil Scaife Scholarship Endowment for the Music Business Program at Belmont. Scaife, who worked with Elvis in the 1950’s and 1960’s, was one of the original pioneers of the music business program at Belmont in 1971 that has grown into the world-renowned Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. Belmont President Bob Fisher, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Mary Morgan Ketchel, daughter of U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, were on hand to honor the Scaife family and thank them for their support of Belmont and the Nashville music industry for more than 50 years. Ketchel presented a proclamation Congresswoman Blackburn submitted to the congressional record in honor of the family and their support of Belmont.
Belmont Unviversity Presents Nashville Celebrates Elvis was the first tribute to Elvis’ illustrious career in Nashville. Though most well known for his career and home in Memphis, Elvis recorded more than 275 songs in Nashville recording studios, including RCA Studio B, now operated by the Curb College. A few of Elvis’ most well-known hits recorded in Nashville include “Heartbreak Hotel” (his first Nashville recording), “Little Sister,” “It’s Now Or Never,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” and “How Great Thou Art.” The evening represented a perfect union of Elvis’ genius and lasting legacy on the Nashville music industry and a celebration of the present and future talent to come from Nashville.
The lineup of performers and songs included a wide variety of Elvis’ best known rock, gospel and country hits. The complete list includes:
• Pat Boone – “Heartbreak Hotel”, “In the Garden”
• Vince Gill – “Blue Suede Shoes”, “That’s Alright Momma”
• Amy Grant – “Love Me Tender”, “Devil in Disguise”
• Wanda Jackson – “Let’s Have a Party”, “Ain’t That Lovin’ You Baby”, “Money Honey”
• Wynonna Judd – “How Great Thou Art”, “Burning Love”
• Ronnie McDowell – “Sentimental Me”, “I Was the One”, “It’s Now Or Never”
• T.G. Sheppard – “Wonder of You”, “Don’t Be Cruel”
• The Stamps Quartet – “Sweet Sweet Spirit”, “He Touched Me”
• B.J. Thomas – “Are You Lonesome Tonight”, “I Just Can’t Help Believing”, “Suspicious Minds”
• Full Cast Finale – “I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You”
The total amount of money raised for the Cecil Scaife Scholarship Endowment for the Music Business Program will not be known until the end of the online auction currently under way at www.nashvillecelebrateselvis.com, that includes:
• Elvis memorabilia
• an autographed Hannah Montana script
• a dulcimer autographed by Dolly Parton
• two concert and meet-and-greet tickets with Reba McEntire
• autographed blue jeans from Faith Hill
• an autographed guitar from Wynonna Judd
• an autographed fiddle from Charlie Daniels
The auction will run for at least two weeks. All proceeds will benefit the Scaife Scholarship Endowment.
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Greg Pillon: 615.460.6645
Belmont University
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Nashville, Tennessee 37212
615.460.6000
About Belmont University
Named one of the top two “Schools to Watch” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report, Belmont University is a fast-growing community of more than 5,400 students who come from every state and 25 countries. Committed to being a leader among teaching universities, Belmont brings together the best of liberal arts and professional education in a Christian community of learning and service. The university’s purpose is to help students explore their passions and develop their talents to meet the world’s needs. With more than 75 areas of study, 20 master’s programs and three doctoral degrees, there is no limit to the ways Belmont University can expand an individual's horizon. For more information, visit www.belmont.edu.
For more information visit www.belmont.edu
