Musician plays for Elvis at Graceland Christmas party

August 12, 2010

Memphis-based accordian-player Tony Barrasso has gone public with his memories of playing for Elvis in the mid-1960's.

He won the equivalent of 'American Idol,' in the sixties, playing 'Lady of Spain' on Ted Mack's 'The Original Amateur Hour' and gained a celebrity status. He won the grand prize of $1,500 in the final contest at Radio City Music Hall.

His own idol, Elvis Presley, then took a liking to Barrasso and asked him to come and play at Graceland.

"I got a call from a national agent that said Elvis' stepmother and father wanted to book me because Elvis had just gotten in town from Germany and was going to have a Christmas party for his friends and family," he said.

Barrasso was playing his accordion with his back to some winding stairs at that first Graceland party when he suddenly sensed Elvis was coming down the steps.

"I turned around. He was in a black Bolero tux, like a bullfighter tux. Black shiny boots. No shirt. A white silk ascot. A diamond stick pin that I promise would put your eyes out," he said. "On his left shoulder was a chimpanzee dressed exactly like him."