Peter Guralnick on “The Colonel and the King” • Book Talk • 2025
Live at the Hall
•
1h 4m
Award-winning author Peter Guralnick discusses his book “The Colonel and the King: Tom Parker, Elvis Presley, and the Partnership that Rocked the World.” This program, moderated by the Museum’s Paul Kingsbury and presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association, was recorded on September 12, 2025, during AmericanaFest.
During this program, Guralnick offers a unique perspective on the personal and complex relationship between Elvis Presley and his manager, Colonel Tom Parker. He tells stories about his research into Parker—who came to the United States from the Netherlands, worked in a circus, and later managed Presley and Eddy Arnold—and shares insider knowledge about how Parker navigated the entertainment industry throughout the 1950s. Toward the end of the program, Guralnick answers audience questions.
In addition to “The Colonel and the King,” Guralnick has published two other Presley biographies, “Last Train to Memphis: The Rise of Elvis Presley” (1995) and “Careless Love: The Unmaking of Elvis Presley” (2000). He has also written several other books, as well as scripts for music documentaries, and is a Grammy winner and a member of the Blues Hall of Fame.
FOR MORE
Explore our public programming:
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/experiences/public-programming
Learn about the Museum's exhibitions:
https://www.countrymusichalloffame.org/experiences/calendar/exhibitions
FOLLOW THE MUSEUM
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/countrymusichof/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/countrymusichof/
Twitter: https://x.com/countrymusichof/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@countrymusichof
Up Next in Live at the Hall
-
Making Music in Muscle Shoals • Panel...
Marlin Greene, Linda Hall, Clayton Ivey, and Candi Staton sit down for a discussion about how R&B, soul, country, and rock music came together in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. This program was presented in support of the Museum’s exhibition “Muscle Shoals: Low Rhythm Rising,” sponsored by OneLouder, an...
-
Radical Joy: Reflecting on Two Decade...
Recording artist Rissi Palmer joins music journalist Jewly Hight to discuss Palmer’s two-decade journey in country and roots music. This live interview and performance, presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association during AmericanaFest 2025, was recorded on September 13, 2025.
Th...
-
Bell Bottom Country: Creating the Lai...
Lainey Wilson and two of her main creative collaborators, CeCe Dawson and Raina Gir—discuss how Wilson’s style and branding have evolved throughout her career. This program, moderated by the Museum’s Jon Freeman and presented in support of the exhibition Lainey Wilson: Tough as Nails, was recorde...
