By: Elvis Presley Enterprises
Many Tunica fans don’t realize the close connection Elvis had with Las Vegas, but Vegas was the place Elvis got his stage stardom. We know at Graceland, Tunica is our Vegas! We also know Tunica has “a lot more action” to keep you entertained during your trip, so whether you are visiting Memphis with a day trip to Tunica, or staying in Tunica and coming to see us at Graceland, here are three new things we are looking forward to you seeing in 2011!
Last month, a new interactive 1956 timeline opened in the Graceland Trophy building. The timeline celebrates Elvis Presley in the year 1956, when he skyrocketed to superstardom. You may recall, this was a year of firsts in his life. Just 21-years-old, Elvis enjoyed his first RCA single and national hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” his first album, “Elvis Presley,” his first movie, “Love Me Tender,” and his first television appearances in 1956. Talk about a whirlwind year!
Opening in March are two other exhibits at Graceland – Elvis in the News and The Roots of Elvis exhibit. The Roots of Elvis, which will be part of the Graceland VIP tour, will tell the story of Elvis’ early years and the influences that shaped him as a person and music legend. Elvis in the News will focus on Elvis’ incredible impact on the media. Did you know that more people watched the 1973 “Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii” TV broadcast than those who saw the first moon landing? Find incredible facts like this in the Elvis in the News exhibit, which will be in the Sincerely Elvis museum!
Memphis is where Elvis called home as a teenager and adult, but his musical journey began in Mississippi, and 2011 is a great time to visit the Magnolia State. Tupelo is the site of Elvis’ birthplace and fans can visit his childhood home and the church he visited as a boy. On the way to Tupelo, stay a night or two in Tunica. It’s just 25 miles away from Graceland. In 1962, Elvis had a hit called “Good Luck Charm.” Could it be a sign? Perhaps.