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From the Archives: Elvis & Tommy Jett

Collins Parker's picture

 31 years after his death, Elvis still makes headlines.

This year, we get the unveiling in Memphis of a special, limited edition Mattel Doll set depicting Elvis and Priscilla's wedding. 

The Elvis & Priscilla Dolls

They'll sell for about 65 dollars for the set, but one fan at Graceland this week has already plunked down six thousand for the first ones.

Now I've got an Elvis tribute of my own.

 It's January of 1978 (just months after his death the previous August).

Legendary "Hey Now" D-J Tommy Jett has just written a tribute song for his birthday.

He got a local Elvis impersonator to sing it, recorded it in Nashville and released it to radio stations.

This is the interview our Dale Pandelis did with Tommy about the record.

Yes, kids, there once was a thing called a "45".. a piece of vinyl that D-J's played on the radio!

Tommy Jett's Elvis Tribute Song

Of course, Tommy is a broadcasting legend all on his own.

He was the top rated A-M Rock and Roll D-J in town for years.

His career took him to WFLI, WDOD, WDXB AND WGSC.  These days you can catch him laying it down on the "Tommy Jett Goodtime Classic Country Show" Friday nights on 98.1 FM.

 Last April, Tommy came by News 12 This Morning to promote his annual musicians reunion.

And while he was here, our Harrison Pirtle sat him down to look at the tape from 1978.

So consider this a DVD extra... Tommy Jett's commentary 31 years later on the song, his look and Elvis.  Enjoy.

 Tommy says he still has the song.  So call him on his show this Friday and see if he'll play it for you.

And for more Tommy Jett memories, check out his website.

He's also D-Jing a Labor Day Weekend Sock Hop on Sunday August 31 at the Walker County Civic Center.

Let me conclude by stealing one of his lines.

"Shoot for the moon, even if you miss, you will be among the stars, and remember, T.J. Loves You!"


 And one sidebar to the story.  I've posted several stories of WDEF reporter Dale Pandelis, From the Archives.

Well last week, she dropped us a line to tell us what she's been doing since leaving Chattanooga.

Check out her comment at the bottom of this story.


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