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.

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