Drummer D.J. Fontana Interview • Nashville Cats
Interviews
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1h 6m
Drummer D.J. Fontana—who played with Elvis Presley from 1955 to 1968—traces his long career in music during this interview at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, from playing in the Louisiana Hayride house band and working at clubs in his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana, to joining guitarist Scotty Moore and bass player Bill Black backing Presley on his biggest hits including “Hound Dog” and “Jailhouse Rock.”
The drummer, whose work with Presley included not just recording but appearing in some of the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s biggest motion pictures, also shares memories that extend beyond his tenure with Presley (which came to a close with his appearance on the ’68 Comeback TV special in 1968).
Led by host Bill Lloyd and illustrated with vintage photographs, film footage, and recordings, the interview—part of the Museum’s ongoing Nashville Cats series—also digs into D.J. Fontana’s move to Nashville in the 1960s, and his experiences working with other A-team musicians on recordings by artists including Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, and former Beatles Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. Fontana also recalls working with Scotty Moore on the Grammy-nominated multi-artist project “All the King’s Men,” released in 1997, with contributors including Cheap Trick and Ronnie Wood.
FOR MORE
Find out more about the Museum’s public programming: https://countrymusichalloffame.org/plan-your-visit/exhibits-activities/public-programs/
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