Graceland: An Elvis Presley Tribute

GARY MEYER
-LEAD GUITAR-
GARY MEYER is the Lead Guitarist of Graceland. Gary has been a lifelong Elvis fan, and has an entire room in his house dedicated to Elvis memorabilia. He has played lead guitar for The Shifters and the successful 1990’s punk rock band The Gamma Men. His influences include James Burton, Scotty Moore, Chris Spedding, Robert Gordon, Dave Edmunds, Generation X, The Ramones, and Suzi Quatro.

VIRGIL JOHNSON
-BASS GUITAR-
Virgil is theBass guitarist and backing vocalist for Graceland. He first picked up a bass sometime after high school graduation when a friend talked him into forming a band. He has since become a respected fixture in San Diego's vintage rock and country music scenes. A life long resident of the south bay, Virgil has been a member of The Rock Bottom Three, The Sure Thing, The Rocking Bull Frogs, The Legends, Back Track, The Ace High Band, The Big River Band, and Midnight Fire. He has appeared with Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley, Matthews, Wright & King, Al Bruno, Deke Dickerson and the Echophonics, and Big Sandy and the Fly Right Boys. The genres of music that Virgil has stepped into are Vintage Rock And Roll, Doo-Wop, British Invasion, Country, Bluegrass, & various Gospel forms.His influences are many. Like most musicians, Elvis played a big role. “I have loved his music for as long as I can remember.” Virgil’s favorite artist and musical inspiration is the late, great Roy Orbison. In addition to Roy, there are so many music heroes that Virgil could cite as influences. Such as; Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, all of the Doo-Wop vocal groups, Johnny Burnette, Del Shannon, Sam Cooke, The Beatles, The Dillards, and Ral Donner, just to name a few.

"MACHINE GUN" KELLEY
-DRUMS-
M.G.K. is the Drummer for GraceLand. At a young age of 8, M.G.K. began playing the drums in his school band. He received his first drum kit at the age of 18. M.G.K. took lessons from many musicians including San Diego Jazz icon Charles McPhearson. The genres of music that he hung around were Rock, Jazz, Punk and Blues. Over the years, M.G.K. has played all over California and Arizona. He has also toured the US twice in the 90's totaling 17 states. His uncle had a band in the 70's in which they covered Elvis’ songs. “I sat in on my toy guitar”, He says. M.G.K.'s biggest inspiration to play was his grandfather, Charles Cecil whom played in the Musicians Union throughout the 40's and 50's; playing in the Jazz and Big Band genres all over southern California.
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AARON MAGERS
-KEYBOARDIST-
Aaron is the Keyboardist for Graceland. Aaron was just seven when he started taking piano lessons in which he used this skill in church. He has spent most of his live playing southern-gospel. Over the years, Aaron has “key’d around” oldies-style music, honky-tonk, gospel jazz, Pentecostal and traditional hymns. Aaron discovered Elvis at a very young age. His father would play 45’s of Elvis singing “Peace In The Valley”, as well as other gospel and shaking tunes. Aaron’s biggest inspiration to be a musician came from an awesome pianist named Mike Cross Sr.