A Chance to Talk about Elvis…

For Immediate Release

A Chance to Talk about Elvis
with those who knew him at the Collingwood Elvis Festival

Collingwood, ON – The 18th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival, July 26-29, will host special guests who worked with Elvis.. many of whom became close friends with the legend. The Festival gives fans a chance to speak one on one with the likes of Elvis’ childhood friend, Jerry Schilling, his friend and bodyguard, Sam  Thompson, Lowell Hays, Elvis’ official jeweler, and Cynthia Pepper, who co-starred with Elvis in the movie, “Kissin Cousins”.
JERRY SCHILLING….Jerry at the age of 12 played touch football with a 19-year-old Elvis Presley just days after the singer’s first record had been played on the radio in Memphis. That began a 23-year friendship between Schilling and Presley, during which Schilling worked with Elvis, travelled with him, lived with him, and became one of his most trusted confidantes. Schilling went on to become a tour manager for Billy Joel, and a personal manager for the Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Wilson, and the Sweet Inspirations.

SAM THOMPSON….Sam traveled with Elvis on road tours from 1973 until 1976 as Elvis’ friend and companion.
In July 1976, Sam went to work full time for Elvis, as his personal bodyguard and tour advance man, providing security at Graceland, and on all the road tours, including hotel and airport security. Sam was originally introduced to Elvis by his sister, and Elvis’ longtime girlfriend, Linda Thompson.

CYNTHIA PEPPER….Cynthia says that the highlight of her career and one that changed her life forever was getting the part of “Midge Riley” co-starring with Elvis in the MGM movie “Kissin’ Cousins”. “He was wonderful and more.” Cynthia considers herself very lucky to have worked with and to have become a friend of Elvis Presley.

LOWELL HAYS…Lowelll grew up in Memphis with Elvis, but did not meet him until 1969. They went to movies and football games together and that December, on Christmas Eve he became Elvis’ official jeweler.
Elvis invited Lowell on tours with him but he had to bring along his jewellery case. Among the signature pieces he created for Elvis were the TCB ring, the Aloha ring, the Maltese Cross and the Lion necklace.

With more than 40 individual events and activities, totaling more than 200 hours of entertainment, the 18th Annual Collingwood Elvis Festival promises  festival-goers four jam-packed days of Vegas-style shows, Tribute Artist competitions, outdoor concerts, family activities, collectibles, a carnival, and a classic car parade. Join friends, family, and fans in the heart of Collingwood’s historic downtown, 1-½ hours north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

The Collingwood Elvis Festival is presented in partnership with the Town of Collingwood, Collingwood Downtown, Collingwood Chamber of Commerce, Blue Mountain Resort, OLG, Molson Coors, and the Government of Ontario.

All ticket prices are subject to HST and service fees upon ordering.
Order your tickets today by calling toll free 1-866-444-1162, Ext. 3279
or purchase online at www.collingwoodelvisfestival.com.

About Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE), a division of CORE Media Group, Inc., is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects.
For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com.

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For more information contact: media@collingwoodelvisfestival.com