I'm Going to Graceland...

I can't quite remember when I fell in love with Elvis. I can't even remember the first song I heard by Elvis. It frustrates me that I can't remember when or how Elvis entered into my musical memory. But I do remember when I decided that I wanted to visit Graceland.

I was in high school. It was my senior year. I had recently started dating a young man named Greg Korbler. And tonight, I tried to find him on Facebook, because I thought if anyone would be pleased with my decision to make the pilgrimage to Graceland, it would be Greg. Greg loved Elvis. I mean, he really LOVED Elvis. I remember him singing "Can't Help Falling in Love" to me. I also remember when we broke up in a Wafflehouse in Charlotte, he played "Suspicious Minds" on the jukebox. While I haven't a clue where to find Greg these days, I do know one thing, he left behind an intense love for Elvis in me. And despite the over-the-top touristy feel of Graceland, I've always wanted to make the trip.

Many of you might also know that Ashley, one of my bestest friends, is moving to Wales in August for graduate school. And so, when I mentioned to her that I might road trip to Memphis to visit Graceland, we knew that it'd be a perfect trip to take together. Tomorrow morning, we leave Nashville to embark on this journey. We've got plans to visit Graceland, Beale Street, the Arcade Restaurant, the Civil Rights Museum, Sun, and Stax.

And I can't imagine a better way to celebrate one of our last few weeks together. Watch out Memphis, we are on our way.

As per usual, I've created a road trip mix...to guide us on our path. Here you go...I'm not sure all of them will upload to 8tracks, but you'll at least get to hear some of them. Here is the full listing...



It's Your Thing- Isley Brothers
Graceland- Paul Simon
Memphis- Chuck Berry
Don't Be Cruel- Elvis Presley
Music Makin' Mama from Memphis- Hank Snow
Honky Tonk Women- The Rolling Stones
(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay- Otis Redding
All the Way from Memphis- Mott the Hoople
Proud Mary- Ike Turner and Tina Turner
Stuck Inside of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again- Bob Dylan
I'm Going to Memphis- Johnny Cash
Sequestered in Memphis- The Hold Steady
Mighty Mississippi- David Dondero
Letter to Memphis- Pixies
Hold On I'm Coming- Sam and Dave
The Thrill Is Gone- BB King
Mean Woman Blues- Roy Orbison
634-5789- Wilson Pickett
Mr. Pitiful- Otis Redding
Mississippi- Bob Dylan
Tired of Being Alone- Al Green
(You're The) Devil In Disguise- Elvis Presley
Mystery Train- Elvis Presley

By the way, I haven't a clue why they call it 8tracks, seeing as how I just uploaded 17 tracks. And apparently, you can't upload more than 1 track by the same artist. But enjoy. I plan an update when I return. Wait for it.