Our Star Guests
Betty Harper
Known by many as simply the “Elvis Artist” Betty Harper is an American artist and illustrator. She is the official artist for Elvis Presley Enterprises and she has drawn over 20,000 images of Elvis Presley, her work adorns Elvis merchandise around the world including commissions from Elvis’ favourite clothier Lansky’s.
A self-confessed lover of faces, much of her pencil drawings and paintings focus on the expressions and emotions that a person’s face can show. According to her, “every face has a story to tell”, and she aims to tell these stories faithfully in all of her work. This is perhaps most obvious in her Elvis art which she has been producing more than fifty-five years.
In addition to her work on Elvis, Betty also worked for many years with RCA, she is responsible for the cover art of numerous musical artists. She has illustrated many books and also has a rich history of personal and commissioned pieces depicting entertainers such as Johnny Cash, Roy Rogers, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee and Jim Reeves to name a few.
Loretta Harper
Daughter of Artist Berry Harper, Loretta is equally as creative, her qualifications and experience has led her to roles as a textile archivist, designer and builder of bespoke garments and stage wear and set costume design.
Loretta has enjoyed over 30 years’ experience in Feature Films, Television, Music Videos and Commercial Production, she has restored many unique items of clothing such as the 1954 Nudie Suit that belonged to Faron Young and Johnny Cash’s western waistcoat. Loretta has worked with such greats as Loretta Lynn, Jack White, ZZ Top, and Ann Margaret.
Her current role as a Graceland Textile Archivist sees Loretta restoring and reviving many of Elvis’s iconic outfits, ranging from jumpsuits, to the leather 68 Comeback Special suit to the cord two piece Elvis wore at the opening scene of Aloha from Hawaii. If you have visited Elvis Presley Memphis entertainment and exhibit complex or the London Bridge Elvis exhibition, then you have certainly seen Loretta’s outstanding work
Larry Strickland
A brand new guest announcement for the 2024 Elvis Festival, we're pleased to announce that Larry Strickland will be joining us.
The first time that Larry has attended one of our Festivals, and we know that both he and our Elvis Family will love it!
Larry Strickland was the son of a preacher who loved Gospel Music. Attending his first gospel concert when he was 12 years old, he was hooked. Blessed with a deep voice that few possess, he started singing with gospel quartets traveling all over the state of North Carolina .
It wasn’t long before his voice was noticed by the legendary JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet. In 1974, Larry was asked to join the group and overnight, he went from singing in regional quartets in the south to touring and recording with Elvis Presley. Appearing at many live shows, and on recorded albums, Larry worked closely alongside Elvis .
Larry stayed with Elvis until his passing in 1977, and then continued to tour with the Stamps.
Throughout his amazing career, he has managed, produced and performed on some of the biggest stages in the world. His voice is heard on millions of records.
We're pleased to welcome Larry to the Elvis Festival this year.
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