Join Billy Hubbard and his wife Sarah on this part 2 special episode with Singer Songwriter John Smith Presley, a man who has presented DNA and other convincing evidence to prove he is the son of Elvis Presley, and his attorney friend/band mate Tony Petty. John was born in 1961 and adopted and raised by an uncle and aunt of Elvis, Ira Dee and Etta Smith.

John is the subject of a film about his life currently in production which is where we caught up with him today.

Paul Cohen, a noted Hollywood investigator, has spent the last eight years collecting new and corroborating evidence John already possessed including verification of his birth certificate. The state of Texas had a systems glitch in 1961 the year John was born that caused the “D” in the word "Date" to show up as an “O.” This was the only year this occurred. Most importantly Paul has obtained DNA comparisons to several verified members of the Presley family, including a first cousin to Elvis, and they match.

John was subsequently adopted by an aunt and uncle of Elvis, Ira Dee and Etta Smith at about 18 months old. Along with John, Ira Dee and Etta also adopted his two older half sisters at the same time to provide a loving stable home for the children. Ira Dee and Etta had no children of their own. John’s birth mom Zona was a cousin to Elvis by marriage, not by blood.

The first book's working title "Let The Boy Sing" is from a message that was passed on to John's birth mother Zona, and some 30 years later Zona passed the message to John. Gladys Presley was illiterate and didn't write the message "Let the boy Sing" herself. Gladys had a maid named Hattie that wrote down what Gladys told her to write. Gladys passed away in 1958 several years before John was born. The message was intended for Elvis and the future mother of his child based on the feeling Gladys had about her future grandson. When Gladys asked Hattie to write this, the events of John's birth had not taken place. Hattie years later was sent to the house of Ira Dee and Etta Smith to help raise John, just as she helped raise Elvis for Gladys. Hear part 1 of John's story at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1300885/episodes/15646481

The latest book about John's life titled "The Second Coming Of Elvis" is scheduled to publish in 2026.

Podcast producer/cohost Billy Hubbard is a Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song. Billy is a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records 10/2023 on all major outlets! Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

Michelle Malone joins hosts Billy and Sarah Hubbard for a fun conversation about her 16th studio album, Southern Comfort! The record features a collective of all star special guests including Buddy Miller, Randal Bramblett, Will Kimbroug, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Rick Richards and Joey Huffman of the Georgia Satellites, and features five songs co-written with legendary songwriter Dean Dillon! Learn more about Michelle Malone at https://www.michellemalone.com

Podcast producer and host Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records in Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com and stream/purchase his music at https://orcd.co/billyhubbard

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass

Paul Kelly is one of the leading artists making music in Australia and given his remarkable legacy — consisting of some 29 albums and a career that extends back nearly four decades — he rightfully deserves his place on that pantheon. His new album, Fever Longing Still, marks his first new collection in six years, not counting the various compilations and collections that have helped to reinforce his status as a remarkable singer/songwriter worthy of international repute. Recorded in tandem with longtime collaborators — Peter Luscombe (drums), Bill McDonald (bass), Dan Kelly (guitar), Cameron Bruce (keys), and Ash Naylor (guitar) — it may come across as more of a band effort overall, but it continues to provide the sardonic wit that Kelly is so well known for. His songs are always profoundly engaging, and whether opting for a jaunty reprieve, arched enthusiasm, a mix of tenderness and tenacity to an equal degree.

The fact that the album title is lifted from a work by William Shakespeare, one of Kelly’s literary idols, testifies to the fact that his reputation for literacy, emotional expression and an everyman sensibility is what makes his music relatable and affecting. Consequently, when Mr. Kelly offers his insights to Lee and Billy courtesy of My Backstage Pass, it’s both revelatory and refreshing in every way. Learn more about Paul Kelly at https://www.paulkelly.com.au

Podcast producer and host Billy Hubbard is an Americana Singer/Songwriter and former Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning single. Billy is also a signed artist with Spectra Music Group and co-founder of the iconic venue "The Station" in East TN. Billy's album was released by Spectra Records in Oct 2023. Learn more about Billy at http://www.BillyHubbard.com

Host Lee Zimmerman is a freelance music writer whose articles have appeared in several leading music industry publications. Lee is a former promotions representative for ABC and Capital Records and director of communications for various CBS affiliated television stations. Lee recently authored the book "Thirty Years Behind The Glass" about legendary producer and engineer Jim Gaines.

Support the show

If you'd like to support My Backstage Pass you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass