Elvis Week: Ronnie McDowell Q&A

Published Aug. 11, 2009 at 11:45 p.m.

Since Elvis left the building for good in August 1977, tribute artist, painter, and songwriter Ronnie McDowell, a native of Fountain Head, Tennessee, has served up his version of the King's voice in 12 movies and one Twilight Zone episode. This month, McDowell adds a new credit to his resume: The Genuine Elvis: Photos and Untold Stories about the King, a book he co-authored with Edie Hand and Joe Meador. I caught up with McDowell yesterday, as he packed his bags for a series of booksignings, including stops at Graceland on Friday afternoon and at Bookstar on Saturday.

Flyer: How long did it take you to write your first hit record, "The King Is Gone?"

McDowell: At 2:22 in the afternoon on August 16, I was sitting in my Camaro and every station on the air was saying, "Elvis Presley has passed away." Fifteen miles down the road, I had the spoken part of the song written. That was my soul talking. I took it to the radio stations two days later on a big ol' acetate. I had eight acetates made for $2,800 and I wrote a hot check! I took the single to Nashville, and that night I was on the Grand Ole Opry.

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