Rare Elvis Presley and Hank Williams, Sr. Photos Displayed At The Great Escape, Oct. 15

RARE PRESLEY AND HANK WILLIAMS, SR, PHOTOS SHOWN AT THE GREAT ESCAPE OCTOBER 15    Rare photographs and artifacts from the careers of music icons Elvis Presley and Hank Williams will be on display to the public for the first time at The Great Escape’s West Nashville location on October 15th.    Great Escape owner, Gary Walker, announces the acquisition of a number of items from the estate of Bob Neal, Presley’s manager during his Sun Records years.  Photos to be displayed include an 8x10 depicting the historical “passing of the flame,” Sam Phillips’ sale of Presley’s contract to RCA Victor.  Both Bob Neal and the singer’s new manager, Col. Tom Parker, are among those pictured.    A 4x6 snapshot showcases an early touring vehicle used by Presley when he served as opening act for country star Hank Snow.  Emblazoned in large roughly-painted letters along the side of the two-toned Cadillac are the words “Elvis Presley.”  Original scripts for the 1990’s ABC television series entitled “Elvis,” are also among the memorabilia to be exhibited.    Walker, a 30-year veteran of the music industry before founding The Great Escape in 1977, will display items from his personal collection of Hank Williams memorabilia.  Williams’ MGM recordings from the late 1940s and early 1950s had a profound and life-changing impact on Walker and were largely responsible for his decision to pursue a career as a singer-songwriter.  A chance meeting with the singer’s sister, Irene Williams Smith, in 1990 blossomed into a close personal relationship with her for Walker and his wife, Peggy.  “Getting to know Hank a little better through the eyes of his adoring sister was an enlightening and fulfilling experience,” Walker stated.    After her passing in 1995, Walker was able to obtain some of Mrs. Smith’s family keepsakes, consisting primarily of photographs of her and her famous brother during their youth and teen years.  Walker is pleased to have the opportunity to share these mementos, believed to be one of a kind and non-existent elsewhere, with other Hank Williams enthusiasts.    A variety of other music and movie memorabilia items will be on display, including an original copy of Presley’s first release on Sun Records, “That’s All Right,” as well as an extremely rare Bullet Records 78 by Chester Atkins, signed photos, books, and record albums by celebrities such as Johnny Cash, Maybelle Carter, Britney Spears, Bill Monroe, Judge George B. Hayes. and others.  All items, except those from Walker’s collection of Hank Williams artifacts, will be for sale to customers.  Admission is free to the public, and hours for viewing are 10 am to 9 pm.

For additional information, contact The Great Escape, 5400 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN  37209 Phone:  615-385-2116; E-Mail:  contactus@thegreatescapeonline.com