Country Star T.G. Sheppard On His Decades-Long Friendship With Elvis Presley

Once I was pitched the musician, T.G. Sheppard, I confess that I had no concept who he was. So far as the music a part of my beat, I cowl traditional rock, have interviewed the likes of Grace Slick, Ian Anderson, Roger Daltrey, Artwork Garfunkel, John Fogerty, Eric Burdon, Ginger Baker and Jack Bruce, to call a couple of. However, as I used to be then informed, Sheppard is a rustic man, a style just about overseas to me. He had a No. 1 hit on the nation charts in 1974, “Satan In The Bottle.” Okay, I believed, that’s fascinating. Then, when the general public relations particular person talked about Sheppard’s long-time friendship with, and mentoring by, Elvis Presley, my ears perked up.

After performing some analysis, I discovered Sheppard had not just one No. 1 hit, however greater than a dozen on the nation charts. He additionally co-sponsored a NASCAR race crew, labored A&R for file firms earlier than turning into a performer, has his personal radio gig (The T.G. Sheppard Present on SiriusXM’s Prime Nation, Channel 58) and ran away from residence at age 15. I used to be offered.

Sheppard and I received on the cellphone earlier this week for what was purported to be a 15-minute name. An hour later, we had been nonetheless yakking. Following are edited excerpts from that longer dialog. In Half 1 of our collection right here, we concentrate on Presley, given the topicality of Tom Hanks’ new Elvis movie.

Jim Conflict: Let’s talk about Elvis Presley first. How did you two meet?

T.G. Sheppard: On the age of 15, I ran away from residence, was sleeping within the alley-ways and consuming out of rubbish cans, actually homeless. One night time, I used to be at a skating rink the place my pal labored. I had skated without spending a dime and, after I walked exterior, the entire lights had been turned off. Two or three Cadillacs pull up, and Elvis will get out from behind the wheel of the lead automobile, walks proper as much as me and asks, “The place are you going?” I used to be in shock. For God’s sake, Elvis Presley begins speaking to a homeless 15- or 16-year-old child? I informed him I used to be leaving, because the rink was closing for the night time. “No method,” he says, “they’re open for me. We skate right here all night time, play a little bit recreation known as “Kill.” I’m a person brief on my crew. Will you’re taking his place?” Are you kidding me?

We go inside, and it was like soccer on skates, loopy. You could possibly get harm actually dangerous. We skated till 5 a.m. Elvis then requested if I used to be hungry, and, after all in these days, I used to be at all times ravenous. So we get within the automobile and head to Graceland, pull into the driveway, and once more I’m pondering, “Is that this actually taking place?” We had the well-known peanut butter and banana sandwich. Once I received prepared to go away, Elvis requested if I had a trip. I mentioned no, I walked or hitchhiked wherever I went. He mentioned he’d get any person to drop me wherever I needed to go, then informed me to offer him my cellphone quantity. I’m pondering, “Yeah, proper.” The following day I get a name from Charlie Hodge, who labored for Elvis. Elvis needed to go to the films that night time, and did I need to go?

Conflict: Are you ribbing me?

Sheppard: No, and that was the beginning of our friendship, which lasted 16 years. He even gave me my first tour bus as a present so I may get began [in the music business]. Elvis was one of the crucial down-to-Earth, humorous, sensible jokers I’ve ever met.

Conflict: Give me an instance of a sensible joke.

Sheppard: I used to be sitting in a Memphis theatre one night time watching Gene Hackman in “The French Connection,” considered one of Elvis’ favourite films. We watched it 3 times that night time, hours and hours. Rapidly, ice water comes on me from nowhere. I rotated, then Elvis pitched a cup of water in my face. He mentioned I used to be too quiet and requested if I used to be okay. I mentioned, “I’m now [laughs].” Folks at all times ask what I miss most about Elvis. I inform them it was his snort. He had probably the most unimaginable snort, deep in his soul. He had no ego, and was properly learn – a really sensible man. He was in a position to converse on most any stage.

Conflict: Have you ever seen the brand new Tom Hanks’ Elvis film?

Sheppard: Sure, I actually loved it. Matter of truth, I went a second time with associates. It’s fairly correct however I want they’d proven extra of Elvis’ humorous and non secular sides. Each of the primary actors, Tom Hanks and Austin Butler, did an ideal job, too. The story being informed from Col. Parker’s perspective was distinctive and totally different.

Conflict: In case you may say one thing to Elvis proper now, what wouldn’t it be?

Sheppard: Thanks for uplifting a younger child, serving to him get began, straightening him up. You realize, the entire years I used to be round him, I don’t consider I ever actually thanked him for being my pal. It altered my life. So I might merely say, “Thanks.”

Conflict: Talking of icons, did you ever meet The Beatles?

Sheppard: Sure, I did, briefly. They caught their heads into my workplace at Stax Information within the ‘60s. They’d dropped by Stax as a result of they had been massive followers of rhythm and blues, like Otis Redding, Booker T. and The M.G.’s, Steve Cropper, who co-wrote, “(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay.” I’ve the utmost respect for The Beatles, and am an enormous fan of Paul McCartney. What a gifted human being, the actual deal. I might give something simply to have a dialog with him, perhaps even interview him on my Sirius XM radio present.

Conflict: Me, too [laughs].