We'll be back... !!!

Joe

We'll be back... !!!

I am introducing Terry Blackwood to the fans in Las Vegas, and the fond memories of being on that very stage when we performed there as part of Elvis' show in the late 60's, and early 70's...It reminded me of a lot of stories, and things that happened while we played there each time for 58 shows is a row, without a night off! (as seen in the Movie TTWII). We were back there as part of the 'Las Vegas Elvis Fest', for the second year! We got to see our old friends, the Sweets, Joe Esposito, we met Steve Binder, who produced the '68 Special, Sammy Shore, D.J. Fontana, and we worked with Shawn Klush, winner of the first Ultimate Tribute Contest in Memphis.

All in all, it was a great concert, and it was certainly good to be back at the Hilton where it all began 42 years ago... Next week, I'm in Memphis for Elvis Week...I will have a report and some photos when I get back... stay tuned, and thanx for your loyalty!!

Joe Moscheo,ll

Elvis Presley's backing group will be appearing at Coventry Cathedral tomorrow. Elvis' Imperials have flown in from Nashville for two performances of 'Elvis in the Cathedral.' The first is at Llandaff Castle, tonight, with the second at Coventry Cathedral tomorrow, starting at 7pm. The Cardiff concert has sold out, but tickets are still available for Coventry.

Event organiser Carol Pugh said: "The concerts will be a beautiful blend of Elvis's favourite gospels and ballads. Elvis was influenced more bay gospel music than by any other from sitting on his mother's knee in church in Tupelo, Mississippi, where he was born, to attending gospel 'singings' in the huge churches and auditoriums of Memphis, Tennessee, where he lived from aged 13. Throughout his career Elvis always included gospel into his concerts and despite selling more records than any other solo artist in the world, the three Music Industry Grammy awards that he won were all for Gospel numbers."

Elvis' Imperials is one of the top gospel quartets in the USA and two of its current members, Joe Moscheo and Terry Blackwood, were with the Imperials when they backed Elvis on stage during his legendary Las Vegas performances between 1969 and 1972.
They also provided backing vocals for his Grammy-winning gospel album 'He Touched Me' and other studio and live concert recordings during that period.

Appearing with the group are the internationally renowned Morriston Orpheus Choir and vocalist Jenson Bloomer.

'ElvisImperials' spent the good part of December,'10 in Austria and Holland...it was very cold but beautiful, and the shows there gave our new singers a chance to meet some of the friends and fans we've made over the years...here is our latest group photo- l-r, Darrell Toney, Terry Blackwood, yours truly, Joe Moscheo, and our tenor, Royce Taylor. 

In Vienna we did 4 shows at the famous Metropol Theatre with Mr. Dennis Jale, his band and singers...it was sold out each night,... I think we will go back again in 2011...put it on your calendars...He really puts on a wonderful Christmas show...we really enjoyed working with him...first class all the way!  Thanx to DJ, his lovely wife, and his 'team'...You ALL were wonderful!!

Then on to Amsterdam Holland for a show in de Hague...right on the North Sea...it was bitter cold, and at one point we thought the concert would be canceled?? The weather was almost a blizzard, the airports were closed, and No one was driving...it really was NOT a good time to be doing a concert in Holland...too cold for these four U.S. Southern Boys!! But we did it, and the fans and friends came out to support us, and we had a wonderful time!  Thank you to Peter Haan and Freia for having us there, we appreciate your kindness, and your love of Elvis and Gospel Music!!

'Vienna City Centre, all lit up for Christmas,
it was spectacular'!!

 

I am happy to report that the 2010 EP Cruise was the biggest, best organized, and most fun of all 4 we've been on...Sixthman, the Cruise Company, and EPE made sure the fans and the artists were in for a 'special' trip...one they would NOT forget for a long time!!

Everything went according to the schedule, but the weather was NOT perfect...a little overcast, and the water a little choppy... (NONE of us were in charge of the weather!! )

On Board this year...the Memphis Boys, who brought a great Danish singer with them, BoBo Moreno...they were great!  The TCB Bandguys, Ronn, Glen, and James. Jerry Schilling, Joe Guercio, DJ Fontana ( I call him TC Montana, because, he was introduced one time by a guy who said..."and now Ladies and Gentlemen, here is my good friend TC Montana)  OMG!! Other singers, and our Friends, TMJeffrey and Andy Childs, plus many others who knew and worked with EP...it was awesome!!

There were some of the winners from the Ultimate ETA contest there too! All Elvis 24/7!!

We were in charge of the Sunday morning Gospel -Church Service, and we HAD church!! We declared the Cruise Boat, the 'Gospel Ship', because we had a new CD called the 'Gospel Ship'...and it sure turned out to be just that!! On that Friday we put the word out that we were assembling a choir, made up of the fans on board, so sign up NOW...the first 75 who sign up, will sing in the 'Graceland Tabernacle Choir' that Sunday morning, (they had to close it out in 20 minutes...with a long waiting list!!...everyone on board wanted to sing in the choir!!)

We started the service with 5 of our most requested songs, then introduced Andy Childs, we backed him on two songs, then we brought out our surprise guest...Bill Baize, he sang a solo, Preached for 10 minutes, and then asked us to come out, and we sang 'Sweet,Sweet Spirit' with him on Tenor...the whole ship loved it...then we brought out our Friend and winner of the first Ultimate contest, Shawn Klush, he sang EP's rendition of 'Stand By Me', and we backed him, we gathered around the piano,Terry Blackwood played the piano...Now it was time for the GTC (that's Graceland Tabernacle Choir to you all) They stood up from their seats down front of stage, and Joe Guercio conducted 'How Great Thou Art'...WOW!!  it was the hi-lite of the trip (everyone said so)  We then did 'Oh Happy Day'...and excused the audience while 'Gospel Ship' played loudly over the house sound system...What a great way to kick off our Sunday, as the ship went North to Jacksonville Fla.

The Cruise concluded that night with 3 shows called...the 'ALL STAR CAST'...we were ALL on Stage, and it was so much fun, I really don't know how they can top that one...but knowing the Sixthman Producers, and the Good folks at EPE, they'll think of something...I only hope we're invited back again next year??  Check out these photos...