DO YOU REMEMBER THIS SONG?  “TOO MUCH?”

THE SONG WAS RECORDED BY ELVIS PRESLEY AND RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1956…..  It quickly became a number one hit across the nation, but after today, I am convinced that the song was written about my book tour!  Why, you ask?  Because today was simply incredible!  We began the day by meeting Miss Ashley, a lovely young lady who worked at Starbucks.  She was kind enough to give us the phone number of a relative who knew THE KING.  (In case we wanted to ask a few questions!)  Our first stop in town was at the Tupelo Hardware Co., where Elvis bought his first guitar!   The young lad paid cash!  No strings attached!  (Actually, there were six strings, but who’s counting?)

Next stop, the Elvis Presley birthplace.  The gift shop was happy to feature my first mystery novel, THE PRESLEY PLOT, and we got a private tour of the facility!  Patty and I got to see some amazing sites, not available to the general public.  What a treat!  After a book signing/speaking engagement, we sold two cases of books!  We actually sold every book we had, and we also donated some copies to the “building fund.”  (They are building a new museum next year.)  The highlight of our tour was a special visit to Elvis Presley’s birthplace and private chapel.  OMG, was that interesting!  Wait until you hear the delightful “ghost stories” about the King’s house!  Fascinating stuff to be sure.

After a marvelous lunch (crab cakes and crawfish!) we drove out to the Priceville Cemetery, where Elvis Presley’s twin brother is buried.  Talk about spooky places!  Patty and I walked all around the grounds, but we couldn’t locate the grave of Jesse Garon Presley, the little lad who died at birth.  (Elvis Presley’s twin brother!)  When the sun began to set, it became incredibly scary, so we left.  (Remember the part in my book about the Choctaw Bonepickers??)  Some of the graves dated back to the Civil War, and there was absolutely nobody out there but us chickens.  (Thus we “hightailed it” back to the car before we wuz grabbed by a ‘taint!)  Yeah, I’ve got some photos to prove how crazy we are!

After signing some more autographs in the hotel lobby, we were taken to a fancy dinner by some dudes from the Chamber of Commerce.  They took us to the semi-famous Tupelo Grill, where we feasted upon the VERY BEST FISH we have ever tasted.  (Fresh gulf coast grouper, lightly fried in cornmeal, and topped with a bourbon-pecan sauce that was simply amazing.)  Good Lord, I am actually thinking about moving to Tupelo!

Tomorrow we leave for Birmingham, Alabama, and then it’s on to Atlanta, Georgia.  The magnolia trees are in full bloom, so you can imagine how pretty and fragrant the world seems to us.  (Patty is now introducing me as “Rhett” and I am telling folks that her name is “Scarlett.”  Unfortunately, her last name is “Fever!”)

Well, y’all take care, and cum back and see us sumtime….   Until then, hush my puppies and grind them grits….   Love to all,

Col. Beauregard Yanoff and Miss Primrose Patty, C.S.A.