ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS” SPECIAL TO LAUNCH THIS AUGUST ON DVD AND BLU-RAY, FOR SALE EXCLUSIVELY AT WAL-MART AND AIRING ON CMT
07/07/08
Includes rarely seen footage of Elvis performing in Las Vegas, revealing interviews with those closest to him, and special performances from some of today’s top recording stars singing Elvis’ Vegas classics.
MEMPHIS, TN – July 7, 2008 – In just a few weeks, the groundbreaking television event that tells the story of how Elvis Presley, the King of Rock-and-Roll, reinvented Las Vegas -- and how it reinvented him - will take the nation by storm. Thirty-one years after Elvis Presley’s passing, the special release of ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS with never before seen bonus material, will be made available exclusively through Wal-Mart stores and Sam’s Club, beginning August 12, 2008 on both DVD and hi-definition Blu-ray for $10. Purchases also will be available online through Walmart.com and Samsclub.com. Fans who want to be among the first to own their own copy can pre-order the DVD through Walmart.com starting today.
Hosted by Emmy award winning broadcast journalist Elizabeth Vargas, the DVD special, produced in cooperation with Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc., will incorporate rarely seen footage of Elvis performing in Las Vegas, revealing interviews with those closest to him, and special performances from some of today’s top recording stars singing Elvis’ Vegas classics.
ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS features performances or interviews with:
50 Cent Faith Hill Miranda Lambert Lisa Marie Presley
Beyonce Chris Isaak The Little Willies Priscilla Presley
Brandi Carlile Dwayne Johnson David Lynch Jerry Schilling
Mark Cohn Tom Jones Paul McCartney Patti Scialfa
Chris Daughtry Toby Keith Willie Nelson, Nancy Sinatra
Celine Dion with Joe Perry Jon Bon Jovi and Rob Thomas
Joe Esposito George Klein Richie Sambora Three 6 Mafia
In this stunning music documentary packed full of music performances, fans can see Elvis’ triumphs in Las Vegas and his artistic legacy that continues to live on through contemporary artists of today. Among the legendary performers that pay tribute to the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll in this DVD are Toby Keith and Joe Perry performing “Mystery Train;” Faith Hill with the gospel classic “Peace in the Valley;” Chris Isaak and Brandi Carlile combine with “Love Me Tender,” Three 6 Mafia with “In the Ghetto,” Chris Daughtry singing “Suspicious Minds;” and Celine Dion delivering “Can’t Help Falling In Love.” The DVD also contains never before seen bonus material not included in the original television special.
To celebrate this DVD event, an exclusive launch party for ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS will take place on the grounds of Graceland on the evening of August 11, 2008 during “Elvis Week” in Memphis, Tennessee. The kick off party will feature previews of “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” in addition to appearances by Jerry Schilling and George Klein who were members of Elvis’ entourage known as the Memphis Mafia and who appear in the special as interview guests.
CMT will premiere the two hour television event, ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS, on Monday, August 11th at 8PM ET. CMT viewers can also enter an online sweepstakes at CMT.com through July 27th, 2008 for a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to Memphis during Elvis Week for a once in a lifetime tour of Graceland mansion, backstage access during the “Elvis: Viva Las Vegas” launch party and a special meet and greet with George Klein and Jerry Schilling along with CMT’s Lance Smith.
For more information about ELVIS: VIVA LAS VEGAS and to see photos or a preview trailer for the DVD, visit www.elvis.com/viva .
CMT, a unit of Viacom's MTV Networks (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the leading television and digital authority on country music and entertainment, reaching more than 87 million homes in the U.S. CMT and its website, www.CMT.com, offer an unparalleled mix of music, news, live concerts and series and is the top resource for country music on demand. The network's digital platforms include the 24-hour music channel, CMT Pure Country, CMT Mobile and CMT VOD.
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. (EPE) is based in Memphis, with additional offices in Los Angeles. In addition to Graceland and its related attractions in Memphis, including the Heartbreak Hotel, EPE is aggressively involved in a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, and television, film, video and Internet projects. For more information on EPE and Graceland, visit www.elvis.com . EPE is a subsidiary of CKX, Inc. (www.ckx.com), a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ Global Market® under the ticker symbol CKXE.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and Sam’s Club locations in the United States. The company operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. Wal-Mart serves more than 176 million customers weekly in 14 markets. The company’s securities are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartstores.com. Online merchandise sales are available at www.walmart.com.
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PRESS CONTACTS:
CMT
Cindy McLean cindy.mclean@cmt.com 615-335-8404
Wal-Mart
Melissa O’Brien 800-331-0085
Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.
Kevin Kern kkern@elvis.com 800-238-2010
