June 9, 2000
Dear Elvis Friends,
Attached is a press release that is now making its way to the media worldwide. It is an announcement of a business relationship our company now has with the sons and daughter of the late singing star, Rick Nelson. Out of respect for our friendship with you and your club members, because of the great importance we place upon that friendship, and to make sure that any possible mis-reporting or condensed reporting by the media does not cause any confusion or upset amongst the Elvis fans, we wanted be sure you and your club members would see the full-length press release and have complete and accurate information.
Tracy, Gunnar, Matthew and Sam Nelson are the adult daughter and sons of Rick Nelson. They are the heirs to his estate. The Rick Nelson Estate has been somewhat inactive over the years and now his heirs are committed to perpetuating his legacy in a proactive manner. They sought our advice a while back and we quickly developed a close friendship. Then a formal business relationship evolved. The Nelsons asked that our licensing department officially represent them, acting as their agent in matters pertaining to product and project licensing, to assist them in matters pertaining to trademarks and other legalities, and to offer creative input to complement their own vast creative energy. As they are just starting out in this kind of work with their father's name, image, likeness and body of work, they felt our experience and capabilities were of unique value to them.
We have been approached time and time again over the years by the estates of deceased celebrities to perform a role such as the Nelsons are asking us to do. We have always declined. But, the Nelsons are a wonderful family, they are great friends, and the Rick Nelson legacy is fascinating. This does not necessarily signal any sort of expansion of our licensing division to include numerous celebrities other than Elvis. But, who knows what the future could hold? There are no plans for it no! w, but if we decide someday to set up some sort of subsidiary company to represent other stars, then it will be staffed accordingly. But, for now and for the foreseeable future, our only outside "client" is Rick Nelson. We take it as a high compliment that the Nelson's have so much faith in us as a company. We also see it as a great compliment to Elvis. If we're a leader in any field, it means Elvis is a leader in that field because we are his company. Please understand that our becoming the licensing agent for Rick Nelson does not mean that we are managing his estate. We are not. It does not mean that we will be mixing Rick Nelson in with Elvis in the merchandising, marketing, exhibits, etc. at Graceland. We are not. It does not mean that the Elvis work we do will be hampered in any way whatsoever. It will not. Elvis Presley and Rick Nelson are distinct and separate entities. Period. The focus of our existence as a company was, is and forever will be Elvis Presley. We want to be sure that you understand all this and we hope you will be supportive of our decision to work with the Nelsons.
We look forward to creating some opportunities for you to meet our friends, the Nelsons, as this work evolves. Like you and like their father, they are all Elvis fans. Like you, they are some of the nicest and most sincere people we have ever met.
Many thanks,
The Management Team of Graceland & Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.

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press re:release June 9th 2000 The Management Team of Graceland & Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc.