Betty Harper @ Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis’ 80th Birthday Celebration

Place: Heartbreak Hotel, Betty Harper signing.
Date and Time: January  7^th, 8^th, & 9^th from 12:00 – 5:00 Please come by and say hello.

I did my first one woman exhibit in 1978, in downtown Memphis at the 1^st Tennessee Bank. It was in conjunction with the American Trilogy billboard, which I made to commemorate the loss of one of the city’s favorite sons. It wasn’t until 1981 that I returned to celebrate what would eventually become an annual event for me.

Many years have come and gone since the 1981 exhibit of my Elvis art at the Quality Inn on Brooks Road. Like many other establishments in the area, the Quality Inn is long gone. But not us, we fans keep returning year after year to Elvis’ home.

That first trip is only a memory, but now thirty-four years later I still travel west to exhibit and visit friends. For years I produced limited edition T-shirts that were sold exclusively during my times there. One year I also did a scarf and note cards. The cards were part of my show for a long time. I know that many of you have collected my shirts because I see some each year.

As I now prepare to again travel west to visit old friends and celebrate Elvis’ 80^th birthday, fond memories flood my mind of all the good times, good food and hours of laughter we have had thanks to Elvis.

This year I will again be at the Heartbreak Hotel, thanks to Mary Calorio and Anna Hamilton, on January  7^th, 8^th, & 9^th from 12:00 – 5:00 and I look forward to seeing everyone who can make the trip. We’ll sit, talk and share Elvis’ birthday cake. See you there.