I made this music player at MyFlashFetish .com.
I was born in Memphis, TN and moved to Florida in 1974. I build and remodel luxurious homes mostly on the intercoastal and waterways. I am single with a three year old daughter, and her name is Randall Rose (shes the best).
I am currently involved in designing and building a state of the art recording studio, which will be located in Boca Raton, FL. The recording studio will be fully equipped with state of the art recording equipment. The recording studio will also have a luxurious three bedroom, two bathroom apartment where artists from out of town can work around the clock at their leisure. I am very excited about this project and I am anticipating this to be completed sometime in mid 2008. I realize there is a need for such facilities after a project with Joey Gilmore, in the convenience of having our own record label and studio. It is our intentions to make history from various artists that come through the doors of our studio. More details to come at a later date. Gilwin Productions LLC and Gilwin Recording Studios.LLC
IN MEMORY OF MY FATHER
BERNARD GRENADIER
In 1966, Elvis hired my father to design and build a meditation area on the side of Graceland off the pool area. The meditation area was dedicated to the memory of Elvis’ mother, who had recently passed away. This would be a place that Elvis would go to to be alone in his thoughts about his mother and his twin brother, who was still born, without having to leave Graceland because he would attract numerous fans and admirers whenever he left the grounds.
My father also converted an approximately 16 to 18 ft. x 70 ft. patio area into a long room in which Elvis enjoyed racing slot cars with his close friends which were called the “Memphis Mafia.†This room had electric tracks on the floor which traveled the entire circumference of the room.
Since Elvis’ death, this room is now called the trophy room, which displays Elvis’ memorabilia, including cancelled checks, army fatigues and helmets, wardrobe and other items. It was truly a sight to see.
My father also gutted out Elvis’ master bedroom and bathroom and remodeled and furnished it. This area is now closed to the public for the privacy of Elvis and his family. But I remember like it was yesterday. I will, however, let you in a little secret: my father was way ahead of his time. He surprised Elvis and installed two (2) televisions built into the ceiling so Elvis could watch television while he was lying down in bed. At this time, there were only two (2) television stations. I don’t recall which two (2) were already in existence. When the third television station came on the air, a third television was added to the bedroom wall. The three (3) stations were ABC, CBS and NBC. There was no such thing as cable television at that time. Elvis never wanted to be without three (3) televisions and had all three (3) going at the same time. My mother said that he never wanted to miss anything on television.
My father also completed a stone wall with a water fall that did not work in the jungle room for Elvis. This was a gift from my father to Elvis. This project was begun by a contractor who did not perform to Elvis’ expectations, so my father completed the wall and water fall that did not work. This stone wall in the jungle room was completed by my father while Elvis was away. The final product pleased Elvis very much.
My father and Elvis became very close friends. At Elvis’ invitation, my sister, Lori, had her 8th or 9th birthday party at Graceland, in the jungle room. Elvis sang a song and autographed a picture for each of my sister’s friends.
During all of this construction, from 1966 to 1969, I spent three (3) summers at Graceland, on almost a daily basis. I loved going there with my cousin, Mark Lacker, to ride miniature motorized cars through the front yard of Graceland, horseback riding and playing in the room, which had a piano in the corner and chair. This room now houses all of Elvis’ gold and platinum records.
As a small child, I was afraid of horses. Elvis kept saying “the horse Ain't going to hurt you, man,†repeating this several times. Someone picked me up and handed me up to Elvis, who was sitting on a horse, placing me on the saddle in front of him. We rode around all of the back yard and every one was clapping at us.Ever since that day I love to ride. Being a young child, standing at the back door of his home and looking out over his back yard looking at the fence, it seemed that it went on forever. And standing at the foot of the stairs, looking up, I was in awe of what appeared to be a monumental effort to scale. But some 35 years later every thing looks so small to me.
I have not visited Graceland since my father finished the construction. I recently went to Memphis with my friend, Joey Gilmore, for the International Blues Contest, held on Beale Street. This competition started out with one hundred thirty (130) bands from around the world, which took place at various night clubs on Beale Street. This competition was narrowed down to the top ten (10) bands by the third night. I am happy to say that my friend, Joey Gilmore won the contest that year.
While we were in Memphis, we had some down time on Friday during the day, so we decided to visit Graceland in honor of my father. After viewing Graceland, we noticed a live show being aired across the street. I knew the face. I knew the voice. It was none other than George Kline. I recognized his voice immediately because when I was a child growing up in Memphis, and to the best of my recollection, he hosted a show on WHBQ radio station. Standing by my side were my friends, Joey Gilmore and Fernando Serna. The door opened and a man came out. He extended his hand and said “hi, I’m George Kline.†I extended my hand and said “hi, I’m Bob Grenadier.†A look came over his face. He paused and asked, “any relation to Bernie?†I said, “he’s my father.†We had a chat about old times. After walking through the parking lot, Joey stopped me and looked me straight in the eye and said, “Bobby, I’m honored. I will never forget this day as long as I live.†I am usually the one saying that to him, so I was even more honored.
While my father was remodeling Graceland, he was also involved in many other
projects for Al Bell / Stacks Recording Studio, Jerry Lee Lewis and Tony Joe White. These are only a few jobs I recall going to as a child.
As a child, my father would bring me along with him to places which included Stack Recording Studios, where I met so many people whose names meant nothing to me at the time. To name a few: Rufus Thomas, Little Milton, Isaac Hayes, Otis Clay and Johnny Taylor. From the time you entered Stack’s, you felt you were a part of the family.I recently ran into Otis Clay. He began talking about the good old days of Stax. Thank you for your time. It was great to share my time with you and honor my father’s name at Graceland.
Yours truly,
Bob Grenadier
Heres a view of the memorial gardens.
Memories Of The Life And Death Of Elvis Presley
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