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.”…

Elvis and The Blackwood family attended church together at the First Assembly of God in Memphis, TN when he was just a poor, dark haired boy in second-hand clothes. Elvis would visit the home of Roy and Susie Blackwood (the grandparents of Ron and R.W., Jr.) for a hot, home cooked meal. It was RW Blackwood, Sr. (Ron and R.W.’s father) who would let the future super-star into the back door of Blackwood Brothers’ concerts in Memphis when the Presley’s were too poor to pay the admission price. In the summer of 1954, Elvis would cry for hours, mourning the loss of his hero and friend, RW Blackwood, Sr., in a horrible plane crash.

The Blackwood family shares many fond memories of their unique friend. A discovery upon a recent trip to Graceland served as a reminder of the mutual respect and admiration Elvis held for their music. Located in a display of his favorite recordings was the 1974 Blackwood Singers album called “A Wonderful Feeling.”

R.W. Blackwood Jr. explains, “We always knew Elvis loved the music of our dad and the Blackwood Brothers, but to find our album…The Blackwood Singers, with the girls and more contemporary music not just in his collection, but ON TOP and on display…that just blew us away!”

“A Wonderful Feeling” and more of the Blackwood Singers and Blackwood Brothers recordings are available at the Black Bear Jamboree Theater where Ron, R.W., Donna and Shelley Blackwood perform Tuesday through Saturday in the area’s #1 morning show filled with the Southern Gospel Christian music. Blackwood Breakfast Variety Show is part of the Fee/Hedrick Family Entertainment Group of entertainment productions which also includes: The Comedy Barn Theater, Black Bear Jamboree, and The Miracle Theater which is coming in 2006.