They say a picture is worth a thousand words and well, this one may well be proof of that and more. What you see below is a recent moment in time where our very own Shelley Layne Blackwood met with comedian and singer, Mark Lowry.

August 16th marks the 30th anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley and the Blackwoods have taken a moment to reflect upon the legend who they considered a friend. Their ties to the famed singer go back to earlier days when the then young boy would come over with his family for dinner and attend the same church services in Memphis. From that point on, the Blackwoods’ and Elvis’ paths would continue to intersect including on the lawn of Graceland for a game of football.

As a way of reaffirming their friendship to their childhood friend, the Blackwoods have pulled out their mementos and submitted these special memories to this site. Below you will find backstage pictures of Elvis with Ron Blackwood as well as a link to a very special piano that has recently resurfaced that was hand stripped and refinished by Ron for Elvis.

Ron Blackwood Backstage at the Las Vegas Hilton with Elvis:

Click here to see Elvis Presley’s Knabe and Company 1930 Grand Piano that was refinished by Ron Blackwood

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – Beginning September 1, 2006, the sounds of Gospel music is the Smoky Mountains will soar to new highs! The Award Winning Blackwoods welcome a new tenor singer to the legendary group, and though he may be new to The Blackwoods, this young vocal dynamo is no newcomer to the music business.

Gospel music connoisseurs agree that JOHN RULAPAUGH, age 27, of La Plata, Maryland is the greatest young tenor performing today. His powerful voice rivals the sounds of legendary singers of the past, perfectly complementing The Blackwoods’ emphasis on honoring the original Blackwood Brothers in every performance. That is precisely why Ron Blackwood, General Manager of the group, hired Rulapaugh. “Our heritage is who we are, and we are very driven to uphold all our Daddy (an original Blackwood Brother) lived and died for. There is no way around it. John brings it all to the table, he is a Christian husband, father, and businessman with integrity, and his singing is as good as it gets!”

John Rulapaugh will be leaving behind life on the road with a traditional male quartet to perform in the daily variety show The Blackwoods present in the Black Bear Jamboree Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. He has worked most recently with the Palmetto State Quartet, but also was featured as the tenor for the very popular Dove Brothers and the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Quartet. Rulapaugh says that though no change is easy, this one is well worth it: “ Life on the road is no way to raise a family. I am blessed with a gorgeous wife, Jennifer, and a beautiful baby girl, Jaydon, and they need me. You can’t get back lost time.” As for the change to performing daily in a popular variety show rather than the traditional quartet venues, “There is not better way to further my career and diversify my resume’ than to perform in the most well-known and widely acclaimed, legendary group in the Gospel music world today: The Blackwoods.”

Rulapaugh will be replacing Royce Taylor, a veteran, exceptionally talented vocalist himself. Taylor recently resigned from the group to pursue his dream and calling as both a preacher and a soloist.

The Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show features BOTH the Blackwood Quartet with Ron Blackwood, Baritone/MC; R.W. Blackwood, Jr., Lead; Paul Hyde, Bass; and John Rulapaugh, Tenor…AND the Blackwood Singers, featuring Donna Blackwood, Soprano; and Shelley Layne Blackwood, Alto (along with R.W. Blackwood, Jr., and Paul Hyde) singing 100% traditional Gospel, and Christian themed music. Accompanying The Blackwoods is America’s Premier Ventriloquist and Comedy Team: Bob and Marty Hamill. They keep the laughs rolling while the Blackwoods keep your hands clapping, and your heart warming! The huge, Smoky Mountain Breakfast served every day along with the show, starting at 8:30 am, simply rounds out an already perfect morning! Call 865-908-SHOW (7469) for reservations or show information.

PHOTO ATTACHED: Left to Right: Donna Blackwood, R.W. Blackwood, Jr., John Rulapaugh, Ron, Blackwood, Shelley Layne Blackwood, and Paul Hyde.

Legendary Team RONNIE MILSAP AND THE BLACKWOODS Plan a New Gospel Recording Project

PIGEON FORGE, TN- Country Legend Ronnie Milsap performed one hit after another for a sold out crowd at Country Tonight Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Friday night, August 26, 2005. The Blackwood Singers joined Milsap on stage as special guests during the Gospel music segment of his performance.

The enthusiastic crowd went wild as Milsap crooned the first notes of Red Foley’s “Peace in the Valley,” backed by the perfect harmony of The Blackwoods. The two legendary names roused the crowd with the energetic spiritual “Let Me Live in the Light of His Love.”…

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A Reminder from Graceland of the special bond between Elvis and The Blackwood Family

Pigeon Forge, TN – Elvis Presley certainly made his mark on America. As a matter of fact, he made an American mark on the world, but who influenced Elvis? Every book written about the life of “The King of Rock and Roll” truthfully states that Presley’s life was touched by a special, musical family: The Blackwoods.

Ron and R.W. Blackwood, Jr. of The Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show at the Black Bear Jamboree Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN can recall personal memories with Elvis.“I remember playing football with him. He was very competitive. Elvis said he liked me because I was rowdy and loud. As kids, we were a lot alike.” Ron Blackwood shares.

R.W. Blackwood Jr. remembers, “One day, Ron and I were out throwing a ball in the yard, and we heard motorcycles approaching the house. It was Elvis with Natalie Wood on the back of his motorcycle, and his entourage following. He wanted to show Natalie Wood that he knew The Blackwood Brothers! I’ll never forget that.”…

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