If the phrase “a perfect storm’ can apply to a vacation then we had it with our trip to French Broad Outpost Ranch—the perfect vacation.

I have always wanted to visit a dude ranch and never imagined it would be in the hills of Tennessee. Yet, there I was with best friend, Sally (Lovie) and her grand-daughters, Avery (10 yrs.) and Siena (6 yrs.). I love horses but have not ridden more than three times in my life even-though my son, Brian, raises quarter horses. What experience I have with riding is limited. I thought maybe a week of concentrated riding and good instruction would help. By Wednesday morning everything hurt and we were in bad shape. Muscles I didn’t know I had were making noises. Sally had injured her leg and hobbled around with a cane in one hand and ice pack in the other. We were a sight, but it did not slow us down, there was only one way to go – up- and we did! By the end of the week our muscles were working and Sal had shed the cane.

French Broad Ranch is sitting in the majestic French Broad River Valley with towering 3000 ft.  mountains on either side. One of our trail rides was a sunset trip to the top of the mountain for dinner – what a view of the valley. Owner, Shawn Gannon bought the 347 acres that borders the Great Smokey Mountains in 2001 where he built the ranch. His skill as a horseman and trainer were a marvel. With his wife, Joann, he has created an authentic and remote setting.

Our stay began Sunday evening after dinner. While rain gently settled on us, we learned about horses and the right and wrong way to ride them. Then we were questioned and paired with our horse for the week. Breakfast begins at 8:00 then, off to the pasture to get our horse, brush, and saddle for the ride. There are four trails varying in difficulty and degree of elevation. With two rides a day we covered them all with combination of some trails. The steepest being the dinner ride. For someone inexperienced as myself,  the 12 – 18” wide ridges were challenging, but I did them anyway. Trail rides were at least an hour, then we unsaddled our horse and took them on a cool down before walking them back to their pasture.

Trusting your horse is vital and after a few rides I became quite attached to mine. Rose was her name. She was a copper color Arabian with two white “socks” and a white diamond on her face. Beautiful animal. Each ride brought me a little closer to a comfort zone than when I arrived. By the fourth day, I was trying to figure out how to take Rose home and keep her in my backyard. I had become attached.

I cannot forget to mention the food. We had some excellent comfort food prepared by our cook, “Z” who is a master and had mealtime down to an art. Meals were at 8:00, 12:30 and 6:00. A fifteen minute bell was struck, then a five and for what was referred to as” ranch time”, ten minutes slow. With days filled with activities including; riding, rafting, tubing, games, square dancing, we hit the dining room like pigs to a trough.
The first day we were fortunately enough to have met a family from Hoochton, GA., who had two young daughters and our groups connected immediately. We laughed, worked, played and made plans to visit each other again.

As I mentioned, this is something I have wanted to do for a long time. There were a couple goals I set out to accomplish; one to be able to put my foot in a stirrup and easily mount a horse. It took about three days but finally, I was able to mount by myself. The other was being able to lift a heavy saddle onto my horse, that I accomplished quickly with a handy trick that Shawn taught us one the first day.

It seemed like I walked a million miles and back getting my horse from the field. All in all, we could not have had a more fulfilling experience and none of us was ready to leave. There is no doubt we will do it again.  And, oh yes, with all the calories of “comfort food” I still lost eight pounds. What more can you ask!

If you are part of the Elvis community, you understand how special the relationships are within that community. If you aren’t lucky enough to be a part of that world; then there’s really no way for me to explain the closeness and strong ties that run deep but I will try. This is a short story of my friend Carol Butler who passed away yesterday.

In 1981, I began what was to become a yearly trek to Memphis exhibiting my Elvis artwork. Friendships I made that first year and since are still an important part of my life.

For the past few years, I have experienced the loss of several long time Elvis friends.  This has made me think that perhaps I should “post” on Facebook that anyone who has been a longtime friend, might, want to rethink and perhaps “de-friend” me for their own health.

Carol Butler who came to Graceland eighteen years ago to serve as Director of Worldwide Licensing was the best choice of anyone who could have been place in the position. Today, not only did I lose a special friend but so did the Elvis Community.

My relationship with Carol started on a “rocky road” but that soon smoothed out as I watched her take hold of her job at EPE with a great respect and determination to do a good job for the company and for the fans. She understood the delicate relationship that existed between the two and worked hard to see that all parties were held in the highest regard. Several times she commented that she thought the fans hated her, but I knew better. Like me, they watched her TCB for Elvis only in his best interest and with that came a great respect from the fans for her and the job she did. She was a special lady and a good friend to us all.

Numerous times through the years, I heard her relate the story of our first meeting and how badly it went. Only on the job no more than a week and learning the ropes, Carol was told to hand out “cease and desist” letters to all vendors during her first Elvis Week. Upon returning to her office later that afternoon, she proudly exclaimed to Jack Soden how she performed her task and to whom she handed papers, my name was one of the vendors. She was horrified to find that giving me one of these letters was a mistake and resulted in an immediate meeting. Carol was so upset about the incident she never let me forget how badly she felt about it.

Sending Carol artwork over the years for approval for use by the licensees, I always trusted her judgment.  I never questioned any comment or objection she might register toward a piece of art. If she did not like something for whatever reason, I immediately set out to improve the artwork because I trusted her insight.

It is those of us left behind who suffer; friends, family, for someone very special is gone from our daily life. Carol fought a courageous and vigorous battle with cancer. I know that was a difficult journey for her, but now that journey is done and she is suffering no more. For that I am thankful, she is at peace.

Thank you Carol for sharing your life with us.

My daughter, Loretta Harper, was additional costumer for the film, “42” about Baseball great Jackie Robinson which opened in theatres on April 15. The film was shot in five different locations of which two were Chattanooga, TN and Atlanta, GA.

Through the years, many of you have met and come to know Loretta. She was only nine when she went with me to Memphis to show my Elvis artwork, before there was an official Elvis Week, or as it was called in the beginning, “Elvis International Tribute Week”. She went with me every year until graduating high school and going to work, which took her from Nashville to Chicago, Montana, Houston, Austin, New Orleans and as of four years ago back home to Nashville. Now twice a year, when possible, she makes the trip to Memphis with me during EW and the birthday celebration. It is something she has always enjoyed, especially all the wonderful people she has come to know.

The third photo shown was taken in New Orleans during the filming of “12 Rounds”, she was Key-Set Costumer and is standing alongside, wrestler, John Cena on top of a car getting him ready for his next shot.

You can check out her work at www.Lorettaharper.com

For those who subscribe to THEELVISMAG, you have already received your April/May/June issue featuring Elvis & Glen Campbell on the cover. Of particular interest in this issue to me is the Donnie Sumner Interview. Donnie was a songwriter and backup singer for Elvis. He tells the story of leaving the Stamps and organizing his own group called The Tennessee Rangers. Later, Elvis hired the group and renamed them “VOICE”. The group consisted of Donnie, Sherill Neilsen and Tim Baty.

The latter of this trio is of particular interest to me. During the late 70s early 80s both Tim Baty and my family resided in Hendersonville, Tennessee. We attended church and bible studies together. Tim and I saw quite a lot of each other. Tim was an accomplished singer and I admired his talents as a musician. Elvis recorded one of Tim’s compositions titled; “Thinking About You”, a beautiful song. Tim had some wonderful memories of Elvis and a fondness and respect for the man himself.

Tim had a great face for an artist to draw and I did just that. Here are a few photos I took and the original pencil sketch of Tim. Also, a video I found on YouTube of Elvis performing “Thinking About You”.

Marty Robbins, September 26, 1925 – December 8, 1982. These are two photos taken of Marty at the Grand Ole Opry in May 1981. My parents were visiting and Mom had always been a big fan of Marty, especially his Hawaiian music, so I made arrangements for them to attend the Opry and go backstage. To their delight not only did they get backstage but also were allowed to sit on stage during the show, just to the side of the stage curtain. When Marty was on the Opry he always performed last and you never knew how long he would go. It was an exciting time for my parents who had always been country music lovers.

The portrait of Marty, called “Misty” was a winner in the Central South Art Exhibit in the 70s. It now resides as part of the permanent art collection of record aficionado Jerry Osborne.

A number of you have inquired about my other artwork so I have established a store at CAFEPRESS to make available NOTE CARDS and GREETING CARDS that feature Entertainers, Western Art and Photography, so check it out! The store will be adding new art and photos so visit often. Click the link to CAFEPRESS/BETTYHARPER.

Worldwide there are no fans like Elvis fans.  I experience this more and more as I continually meet new people from around the world.

Thanks to Steven Pitman for selecting my artwork to adorn his CD, “Elvis Piano”. Because of this collaboration and Steven’s generosity, I had the opportunity to take my Elvis art to Europe. Steven and The Official Elvis Presley Fan Club of Luxembourg extended a warm welcome to me and my work.  Our first show was September 22nd in Luxembourg then again on the 29th during, Elvis: The Multimedia Experience, in Fameck, France. We had a fabulous time with the Elvis fans in Europe. They were so gracious and hospitable. The fans have always been so supportive of my artwork and I can’t say enough how much I appreciate them.

Now, after going through more than 2500 pictures and reliving a wonderful trip, I would like to take you through a quick photo journal.  Between the exhibits in Luxembourg and in France, we covered a lot of miles; France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, (Sound of Music Tour) Netherlands, and Belgium. It was a world wind trip.

So, if you would like to get away for a few minutes, come join me on the roads of Europe. Enjoy!

My profession has allowed me the opportunities of some fun and exciting adventures!  Today, I find myself packing to travel to Munsback, Luxembourg for an art show that will coincide with a concert performance by Elvis Tribute Artist, Steven Pitman.  Earlier this  year, Steven approached me about using my artwork for his latest CD,“Elvis Piano”.  Not only is the music wonderful, he created a lovely booklet with my artwork.  (see below)

Since I”m making the trip to Europe for this special show,  I am taking the opportunity to enjoy some sightseeing and return to places I have not visited in forty years.

If you are in the area, please join us for an evening filled with music and art.

Légère Hotel
Setempber 19, 2012 @ 6pm
Munsback, Luxembourg
To learn more about Steven Pitman click here.

Steven Pitman video