Oh my gosh loooooook!!!! :wub:
http://www.centredaily.com/business/story/347974.html
Elvis' Close Colleagues Jerry Schilling and Joe Guercio Enter into Multi-Year Agreements with the Elvis Cruise
2008 Sailing from Port of New Orleans
ST. LOUIS — The Elvis Cruise, LLC (the "Cruise"), the only Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) licensed cruise dedicated to the life, times and music of Elvis Presley, has announced that it has signed agreements with Jerry Schilling to act as the Host and Producer of The Elvis Cruise and with Joe Guercio to serve as the Cruises' Musical Director.
Schilling and Guercio bring decades of professional and personal experience with Elvis Presley to the Cruise's unique program. In his role as the Cruise's Host, Schilling, a friend of Elvis for years, is dedicated to making this Elvis experience as authentic and as rich as possible. Guercio, who also was an Elvis close friend and collaborator, will be providing cruisers with the very best in musical production.
"Both Schilling and Guercio were primarily responsible for the various production elements required to make the Cruise a true celebration of Elvis' music and a tribute to his legacy," says Michael McKay, Executive Producer of the Cruise.
After meeting Elvis at a local pick up football game in 1954 at the age of 12, Schilling and Elvis became good friends. In 1964 he went to work for Elvis as the youngest member of The Memphis Mafia. Since then, Jerry has spent the last 45 years in the entertainment industry managing such acts as The Beach Boys, Jerry Lee Lewis and Lisa Presley. Some of his TV and film projects include the A&E Biography's on Brian Wilson and Sam Phillips, and co-producing the ABC prime-time television series "ELVIS, the Early Years." Most recently he has released his memoir "Me and A Guy Named Elvis" My Lifelong Friendship with Elvis Presley. Schilling is still involved in developing projects dedicated to experiencing the life and music of Elvis, such as The Elvis Cruise.
"Many people have tried to recreate Elvis, but lost the richness of his soul. So it is exciting to be a part of an experience that has brought that richness and has sought solely to create an entertaining and authentic Elvis experience," said Schilling. He adds, "I believe Elvis would be proud of what we are doing."
Best known and admired for his work with Elvis Presley, Guercio has had a prolific career. He was musical director and conductor for Elvis' concert shows from the summer of 1970 to the summer of 1977, when Elvis made his last concert appearance. His other works include: being musical director for the International Hotel in Las Vegas, Diana Ross, Jim Nabors, Florence Henderson, Diahann Carroll, Gladys Knight, Ann-Margret and Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme; being medley arranger for Barbra Streisand's 1972 hit Sweet Inspiration/Where You Lead; and accompanying blues legend B.B. King to Rome to meet Pope John Paul II and perform in the Vatican's fifth Christmas concert. Guercio's work with Natalie Cole to reunite her on stage in duet with her late father, Nat King Cole, pre-dated her famous early 1990's duet recordings and videos with Mr. Cole.
In addition to being the Musical Director of The Elvis Cruise, Guercio has recently produced The Tanya Tucker Christmas Show.
"Jerry Schilling and Joe Guercio have a genuine personal connection and a history with Elvis Presley. They have put their hearts, souls and wealth of experience into making this program entertaining, authentic and special," said McKay. "This cruise is the ultimate experience for anyone who admires the work of Elvis, and wishes to mingle and be entertained by the best performers in the music industry."
The Elvis Cruise, which will embark August 28, 2009, from New Orleans, includes four nights and two afternoons of live onboard entertainment, with each night dedicated to one of the truly spectacular phases of Elvis' life and career, one afternoon in the Cozumel port of call and many opportunities to interact closely with Elvis' original cast musical artists.
For more details about the cruise, please visit
www.theelviscruise.com, or call 1-800-704-3034.
About The Elvis Cruise
The Elvis Cruise is the only EPE approved and licensed cruise in the world. It is dedicated to the life, times and music of Elvis Presley. The inaugural sailing of The Elvis Cruise was in August, 2007. It is a full ship charter in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line aboard the MS Fantasy.