D.J. Fontana

I recently had the pleasure of talking to DJ about his incredible musical journey and his times spent with Elvis.

D.J. and Scotty Moore recently made a CD together called "All the Kings Men." They received the Nashville Music Award for the best Independent Album of the year award and a Grammy.

A few of the TV shows D.J.s been on are: the Dorsey Brothers, Milton Berle, Steve Allen, Ed Sullivan, Frank Sinatra, the Elvis Tribute, the '68 Comeback Special, recently such shows as Conan O'Brien and Nashville Now.

DJ has played drums with the cream of the crop: Paul McCartney, Charlie Pride, Jim Reeves, Gene Vincent, Ernest Tuibb, Ringo Starr, Mel Tillis, Carl Perkins, Dolly Parton, Webb Pierce, Goldie Hawn, Roy Robison, Lefty Frizell, Waylon Jennings, Cheap Trick, Johnny Cash, Patti Page, Keith Richards, and Jerry Lee Lewis. And that's just part of the list.

When did you first start playing around with drums?
I was probably around 14. My cousin had a set of drums when I was in high school so I started playing them when I was at his house. No one else could afford them. We played along with big bands, like Stan Kent, that's all there was back then.

How old were you when you got your first set of drums?
I was around 16. I bought my first set of drums for around $200. I loaned them to a friend one night who left them in a club and the club burned down along with my drums. I never loaned them out again.

Where did you meet Elvis?
I was a staff drummer on the Louisiana Hayride. I met Elvis in 1954 when he came on the show.

What were your initial thoughts about Elvis when you first heard about him?
Yes his gyrating was a little unusual and some wondered who this guy was that was gyrating around like a crazy fool, but his talent was unbelievable.

Describe the first time you met him and what he was really like?
When he walked into a room the whole place lit up. It was always like that. He didn't even have to sing, he just had a way of lighting up a room.

Name one of the first things that stand out in your mind when you think about him.
He was always polite, no matter where he was. He always said yes sir, no sir. He never had a cross word to say about anyone. If he didn't like something he'd just pretend he did, but he was always polite.

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