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april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 1/6/2011) It's the tour millions have taken.
But Thursday, for the first time, a big time Elvis fan from Chile, rescued miner Edison Pena, will make his way through the Graceland mansion.
"Everywhere the Chilean Miner goes he is gonna get first class VIP treatment. We know this is a dream come true for him to come to Elvis Presley's Graceland," says Elvis Presley Enterprises' Kevin Kern.
Edison Pena and 32 miners were trapped under ground for two months.
Pena, a huge Elvis fan, asked for some Elvis songs to get him and the others through the wait.
So when Pena was brought out, he got an invitation to Graceland.
"We are told he jumped up on the bed in excitement when he heard he had been extended an invitation to Graceland," says Kern.
Pena showed that excitement when he belted out an Elvis tune on The Late Show with David Letterman.
He will tour Graceland Friday and will also visit Sun Studios and Lansky's where Elvis shopped. They are giving him a thousand dollar shopping spree. He will also cut the cake during Elvis' birthday celebrations this weekend.
Graceland visitors say the mansion is sure to wow Pena.
"On yeah. He will be impressed. I live here and I am impressed. Someone from a different state and country are gonna be way impressed," says Graceland visitor Candice Ogle.
Pena will have a translator since he doesn't speak English, outside of singing Elvis songs.
But visitors say Graceland may leave him speechless.
"The record and suit room. That's the most impressive thing I saw and the TV. room. (Laugh)," says Graceland visitor Thomas Murry.
Edison arrives in town Thursday night.
He will stay through Sunday.
Pena won't have to pay for a thing.
Delta is covering his flight. The Peabody is providing his hotel and he is getting all kinds of other donations.
Elvis Presley's people are turning it up for the other "E.P."
- Chilean miner Edison Pena headed to Memphis
- Pena, an avid Elvis fan, will visit Graceland
- Businesses rolling out red carpet for the rescued miner
april.thompson@wreg.com
(Memphis 1/6/2011) It's the tour millions have taken.
But Thursday, for the first time, a big time Elvis fan from Chile, rescued miner Edison Pena, will make his way through the Graceland mansion.
"Everywhere the Chilean Miner goes he is gonna get first class VIP treatment. We know this is a dream come true for him to come to Elvis Presley's Graceland," says Elvis Presley Enterprises' Kevin Kern.
Edison Pena and 32 miners were trapped under ground for two months.
Pena, a huge Elvis fan, asked for some Elvis songs to get him and the others through the wait.
So when Pena was brought out, he got an invitation to Graceland.
"We are told he jumped up on the bed in excitement when he heard he had been extended an invitation to Graceland," says Kern.
Pena showed that excitement when he belted out an Elvis tune on The Late Show with David Letterman.
He will tour Graceland Friday and will also visit Sun Studios and Lansky's where Elvis shopped. They are giving him a thousand dollar shopping spree. He will also cut the cake during Elvis' birthday celebrations this weekend.
Graceland visitors say the mansion is sure to wow Pena.
"On yeah. He will be impressed. I live here and I am impressed. Someone from a different state and country are gonna be way impressed," says Graceland visitor Candice Ogle.
Pena will have a translator since he doesn't speak English, outside of singing Elvis songs.
But visitors say Graceland may leave him speechless.
"The record and suit room. That's the most impressive thing I saw and the TV. room. (Laugh)," says Graceland visitor Thomas Murry.
Edison arrives in town Thursday night.
He will stay through Sunday.
Pena won't have to pay for a thing.
Delta is covering his flight. The Peabody is providing his hotel and he is getting all kinds of other donations.
Elvis Presley's people are turning it up for the other "E.P."
