When we heard that Billy “Soul” Bonds would be coming to entertain at something called the “Players’ Ball” we thought, “this is how Christ would have wanted us to spend the anniversary of His resurrection.” Naw, it was the week before Easter, but it still brought some folks out of their caves.
Longtime Little Milton road manager Scrap Iron, blues singer Pat Brown, Captain Curtis Lee, local hustler E.C. White, and the old head who ran the Top Hat Club in Forrest City, Arkansas were all in the house.
If you don’t believe the theme meant shit, there’s something you should know. Trophies were awarded.
Bonds did his “Scat Cat” thing much to the delight of those gathered, and explained that he’d had new clothes customed for the Ball. “I asked my tailor to make me a pussy pink suit,” he explained. To think, I was this close to wearing my pussy pink suit. Anyhow, Bonds performed admirably, and gave way to Pat Brown for a couple numbers. If there’s a better blues-growling lady out there, I don’t know who she is. Brown’s always a treat. Though cavernous, the place has great sound, and we wouldn’t tout it if the vibes weren’t all positive.
Whitehaven Celebration Complex is across the street from Graceland and a block or so north. Since the heartbreaking, and unexplained closure of Hernando’s Hideaway, it’s the only live music venue within a reasonable distance of the King’s mansion.
The schedule is slightly irregular here since they book traveling entertainers rather than holding it down with a local group. But if you’re visiting Graceland and staying in a nearby hotel (I’m looking at you, Great Britain) it’s worth paying this place a call. There’s no such thing as a short safe walk on Elvis Presley Boulevard, so do drive, and enjoy the ample parking and security at the ‘Haven. The crowd, as is everywhere the grown folks play, is friendly, peaceful, and in it for the good times. They didn’t get to be grown folks by scrapping and shooting.