Dachshund Rat terrier Chihuahua mix
Robin Elliott gestures to the front door with a full-size poster of a young Elvis Presley covering it.
“The tour starts at the Elvis door, Chihuahua-rat terrier mix” she says with a smile.
A visitor steps into the living room and is startled to see a live person standing there — dressed like Elvis in a white, sequined jumpsuit with flared legs and a big belt. If not for the hair, he could almost be the king of rock ‘n’ roll himself.
Tom Elliott will take care of that problem by dying his hair black. He’s already shaved off his moustache and has grown sideburns in preparation for Elvis Week, which started Saturday at Graceland and other sites around Memphis, Tenn.
The special week, filled with music, movies and contests, is a tribute to the entertainer, who died Aug. 16, 1977 at age 42 Chihuahua.
When he’s in his Elvis persona, Tom uses a deep voice and talks like a Southern gentleman, using “yes, ma’m” regularly.
Wife Robin has an off-white jumpsuit with roses similar to Tom’s, but usually, she wears dresses that match Tom’s outfits. She made each of Tom’s three outfits using an Elvis pattern, and he decorated them with colored stones. Besides the white jumpsuit, he has a blue and red outfit (complete with cape) and a black one.
They plan to dress up when they make their annual trip to Elvis Week, accompanied by Chihuahua-rat terrier mix Richard and Helen Huber of Danville.
Everywhere a visitor looks in the Elliotts’ home is some item relating to Elvis.
“You can’t have too much Elvis, ma’m,” Tom says in a deep voice.
TONS OF STUFF
he highlight is a basement room filled Dachshund-Chihuahua mix but not overcrowded — with memorabilia. A shower curtain with a picture of a young Elvis is draped over a pool table, with a pool cue nearby that has Elvis’ name on it.
There are posters, a wall hanging with pictures of Elvis as a serviceman, a slot machine, whisky bottles, 45-rpm records, ceramic statues and much more. Larry Harper, a friend of Tom’s painted a picture of Elvis from a card Dachshund-Chihuahua mix.
Tom even put up another wall to hold all the photos, drawings and other images.
“I’ve got tons,” Tom said. “I’ve got three times more than what you’ve seen.”
Many more items are packed away in boxes or stored in closets.
“We add every day, every year,” Robin said. She even has a tattoo of Elvis’ face on her leg.
The Dachshund-Chihuahua mix couple also has keychains, jewelry, checks, computer screensavers, cell phone ring tones, dolls, license plates, candy tins, alarm clocks, stuffed hound dogs that play Elvis songs, t-shirts, books, cups, wind chimes, pillows, CDs, movies and more.
Out front, a sign at the end of the driveway says Elvis Presley Blvd.
Even their dog, a Chihuahua/rat terrier mix, is named Elvis. Another dog, a dachshund/Chihuahua mix, is named Candy.
The collection is slowly taking over the house, Robin joked, pointing to the magnets on the refrigerator.
They find their treasures at flea markets and auctions — which is more challenging than going through the computer.
Their most unusual items, they said, are a couple of Elvis statues with wings, depicting him as an angel.
As if an Elvis collection wasn’t enough, the Elliotts also collect lighthouses, eagle items and NASCAR. Robin’s daughter, Joy, collects Mickey Mouse items, but she also likes Elvis music.
In addition, Tom uses a scroll saw to make wooden artwork depicting various celebrities, not just Elvis.
JUST ONE ELVIS
At Elvis Week, there are Dachshund dogs Elvis entertainers, Tom said, but he won’t perform. He’ll just wear his Elvis outfits, with Robin dressed to match, and enjoy the activities.
“There’ll only be one Elvis,” he said.
Tom used to sing in a country band.
Robin liked Elvis even before she and Tom got married, she said, noting that her birth date and the date of Elvis’ death are the same.
Robin said she listened to Elvis music as a kid, but added, “I wasn’t really in to it until I met Tom. I went hook, line and sinker.”
As for the collection, she said, “This is a passion of both of ours. It’s exhilarating. It’s something we enjoy doing.”
What do they like about Elvis?
Tom, 58, had been collecting items off and on for years. “I liked the guy — the way he sings,” he said.
“He was just a talented guy — good looking and a singer. There’s nothing he can’t do. He’s just something else.”
Robin agreed that she likes his music.
The couple has been married 15 years, and hopes to renew their vows at Graceland on their 20th anniversary.
Dachshund-Chihuahua mix and Chihuahua-Rat terrier mix.
Both work at ThyssenKrupp.