I recently had the pleasure of meeting Bud, and ask him to fill us in on the details, of not only his latestest book, but also of several projects still in the works.
First tell us a little about your new book, Elvis: Behind the Image.
Elvis: Behind The Image is a totally unique photo experience that includes memories from the private journal entries of Sandi Miller to go along with her personally taken photos of Elvis. Of special interest are her never before seen photos of the inside of Elvis' many California homes. Sandi was a fan who became friends with Elvis, and was there for many private parties, quiet times at home and even rehearsals at RCA studios. She kept a private journal of her numerous encounters with Elvis, and as a result has MANY volumes of her memories, so every detail is as fresh as the day it happened. This adds much more depth than the typical Elvis photo book, and compliments the photos very nicely. Also included are some incredible photos from the Russ Howe collection King Candids .Russ has a way of finding and sharing the most obscure "killer" Elvis photos that the fans really love to see. Elvis: Behind The Image THE BOOK is a private journey into the personal life of the greatest entertainer the world has ever known.
How long did it take to write Elvis: Behind the Image?
It took about 6 months of full time work to write and compile the book.
You tell in your book how you were friends with J.D. Sumner. How did the two of you meet and become friends?
I was a J.D. & The Stamps fan before I even knew who Elvis was. When I was a child I grew up listening to their records. and I was raised on Southern Gospel music. I met J.D. for the first time in the 80's at one of his Gospel concerts. Over the years we developed a friendship. Whenever they were anywhere close to my home in North Florida, my family and I would spend days at a time with J.D. and the guys when they were on the road.
