About this Event
It's hard to tell John Smith's extraordinary story in a few words, so we recommend you also listen to Billy and Sarah's interview with John and author/screenwriter Rich Carlberg about his story at this link https://www.buzzsprout.com/1300885/15646481
In 1961 Elvis Presley attended the birth of his son, who was in turn adopted by an aunt and uncle which resulted in a most common name for another extraordinary life. The life and story of John Dennis Smith will be told in the upcoming movie “Let the Boy Sing” which is based on author/screenwriter Rich Carlburg's book.
John Dennis Smith was born in July of 1961 in Texas, where the law states the father must be present with his identification or have a court order to have his name on the birth certificate. At John's birth Elvis presented his identification, including his driver's license, social security card, and Army service card all of which were signed by Elvis. John has copies of his birth certificate and all three of Elvis' ID in his possession.
Paul Cohen, a noted Hollywood investigator, has spent the last eight years collecting new and corroborating evidence John already possessed including verification of his birth certificate. The state of Texas had a systems glitch in 1961 the year John was born that caused the “D” in the word "Date" to show up as an “O.” This was the only year this occurred. Most importantly Paul has obtained DNA comparisons to several verified members of the Presley family, including a first cousin to Elvis, and they match. John is one of the best kept family secrets. They know him and know who he is. When Elvis passed away, Vernon did not allow the American flag to be draped on his casket as he did not believe his son was in the casket. Instead he had the flag sent to John.
John was subsequently adopted by an aunt and uncle of Elvis, Ira Dee and Etta Smith, at about 18 months old. Along with John, Ira Dee and Etta also adopted his two older half sisters at the same time to provide a loving stable home for the children. Ira Dee and Etta had no children of their own. John’s birth mom Zona was a cousin to Elvis by marriage, not by blood. She was family to all of them and maintained periodic visits with the children as they grew. Zona stayed in and around the life of Elvis, and there are pictures of her with Elvis and Priscilla. The most notable is in the private suite of Elvis in Las Vegas in 1970 at the wedding of George Klein. At this time John was nine years old and John’s birth mom Zona was still in the picture, literally.
From the time John was four years old you could not keep him off a stage or off a microphone. If they weren’t available he made his own. Under the guidance and direction of Ira, John began singing in many of the same places in the south that Elvis did. Even winning some of the same competitions. Such as the Louisiana Hayride and the Grapevine Opry. One night Lawrence Welk brought his show to Shreveport. John Dennis ended up on stage accidently as a young teenager. He sang a song, received a standing ovation, went back to his seat with a smile, reveling in his largest crowd ever. Lawrence had security bring him backstage and offered John a job and asked him what he wanted. To be bigger than Elvis, was the answer. It was such a good performance,people in the local paper thought he was a plant and was really part of the show.
At a young age John displayed a gift for singing and playing, and has had brushes with fame and friendships with many popular artists. He has performed with John Denver, and had recording contracts with Adonda and RCA Records as he was being managed by a select group of people sent by Elvis. This resulted in recording contracts and tours, charting on country music radio hot 150 in 1996 with his song “Please let me Love You” that charted at #39 in the US, the top 20 overseas on country radio, and was inducted into the Cowboy Music Hall of Fame.
As John’s career progressed, William “HT” Tyner was sent by Elvis to watch over John. On several occasions John wanted to go public as the son of Elvis. John still has the letter from 1991 with HT’s response saying "As I discussed with your mother, it is not the time to expose your father and we have made a promise we will keep you safe. When time is right, we will stand behind you, then as we do now." The people that Elvis sent made a promise to keep John from the same fate his dad endured. It had a dual effect of also keeping John from chasing some of his own dreams.
We can go on for days about the amazing incidents in this amazing life. This is just a snapshot. A great singer/musician/songwriter, with the bloodline, generous heart, and charisma of Elvis. After many years of wandering and wondering, the story of John Dennis Smith Presley is ready for the telling. As Gladys Presley wrote to Zona when John was a baby. “If there is any question where he comes from, tell them to let the boy sing.”
The world is about to hear and see John's story in a major motion picture, as well as in a Netflix special that will be filming at The Station during his show. Come meet John and author/screenwriter Rich Carlburg of the upcoming Warner Brothers film project "Let The Boy Sing" and be one of the first to experience this breaking story!
Please choose "BUY ON MAP" to choose your seats on Eventbrite from our seating map!
FOOD OPTIONS (when weather permits) pre-show starting at 6:00pm, we will be grilling burgers outside on the deck with all the dressings! The suggested donation to cover cost and help keep this an option is $15 a plate, which includes sides. Ticket buyers will receive a cookout/weather update email and show reminder 2 days before the show asking you to reply with your RSVP if you'd like to join us for the pre-show cookout.
DOOR TIME: 6:00 PM ET (and grilling time when weather permits)
SHOWTIME: 7:30 PM - 9:30PM ET
WHAT TO BRING: Cash for artist merch, BYOB or drink of choice with small cooler is fine if you're over 21.
THE STATION'S ADDRESS: 4206 Miser Station Road, Louisville TN 37777.
FAQ's & MISC INFO
- Is it ok to BYOB or bring in small cooler? Yes if you're over 21 yrs old feel free to BYOB or drink of choice, and bringing in a small cooler that fits under your seat is fine. Just please drink responsibly and/or have a designated driver.
- Should we bring our own chairs? No, we have plenty of seating.
- What's the address? 4206 Miser Station Road, Louisville TN 37777.
- Do you have a restroom? Yes
- Is The Station a smoke free venue? Yes, smoking is only allowed outside, and far enough away to not bother guests.
- Can we bring the kids? Keep in mind some folks bring adult beverages, but The Station's certainly not a bar environment. but rather a listening room. We must respect folks paying to listen to the music, so we prefer kids be 12 yrs or older to attend our shows. That said we're reasonable folks so contact us if you need to request an under 12 exception.
- Are advance ticketed shows refundable? It's on a case by case basis, and often depends on the ticket vendor.
- Is The Station available to rent for private events? Yes! The Station is available to rent year round for weddings, birthday parties, and private events!
- For more info email [email protected] or text/call 850-688-3503.
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The Station is sponsored by
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Learn more about our own Billy Hubbard and sample his music at
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
The Station, 4206 Miser Station Road, Louisville, United States
USD 43.01