In the fall of 1954 I was 14 and living in the very small town Stamford, Texas, where Elvis came to sing, accompanied by Scotty and Bill. Elvis had just recorded “That’s All Right, Mama” and Sun Records would produce four more in quick succession, as Elvis toured around in his pink Cadillac. The night he appeared in our high school auditorium (tickets $.25), he wore ivory shirt, slacks and shoes. I had never been to a “concert” before but I was totally crazy about him from the start. A couple of my friends and I rushed backstage and got his autograph. We stayed up late that night gushing about his music, smile, and unusual Adonis-like appearance. In the early morning we heard where the guys were eating breakfast, and we rushed over. He invited us to join them.

As Elvis toured Texas that year, we went too and always were invited backstage. I got to know what Elvis was like then and was even kissed by him. In between stops we had energy to burn and the local disc jockey suggested we start a fan club. Elvis gave us photos, signed cards, and read letters that came to me. I believe this was the first fan club.

When Elvis died, I got out my memorabilia and wrote this book, Tryin’ To Get To You, The Story of Elvis Presley, which was published in 1979 by Atheneum Publishers. The book was aimed at the young adult market then, but it is written for adults of any age. It is now restored to print by a special program of the Authors Guild. Can you find me in the cover photo standing to Elvis’ right? The other guitarist there is Faron Young, by the way.

This biography covers Elvis’ early roots more deeply than any other book: poor rural childhood, teenage insecurities in a big city high school and early successes in the South. Taking the reader behind-the-scenes of his short meteoric life span, it shows what Elvis’ personality was really like, far more than just a documentary.