
My Backstage Pass
Join hosts Lee Zimmerman & Billy Hubbard as they take you backstage for conversations with singer songwriters, musicians, and music industry professionals! 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 "Americana Music - Voices, Visionaries & Pioneers of an Honest Sound" which is now available on Amazon and other outlets. Lee also played a key role in securing airplay for Jimmy Buffett’s first major hit, “Margaritaville” so you can blame him for the fact that it’s become something akin to a Parrot heads’ national anthem! During his time at Capital records Lee also worked with such legends as Paul McCartney, Bob Seger, the Steve Miller Band, and others. You can contact Lee at lezim@bellsouth.net.
Billy Hubbard is a Tennessee based Singer/Songwriter signed with Spectra Music Group and was a Regional Director of A&R for a company that published a Grammy winning song in 2013, as well as a music and podcast producer. Billy is also the venue developer and co-founder of the legendary venue "The Station" in East Tennessee. As an artist Billy is endorsed by Godin's Simon & Patrick Guitars and his YouTube channel has had over 3.5 million viewers. Billy's self titled album was released October 2023 by Spectra Music Group and now available on iTunes, Amazon, and all major outlets! You can find Billy Hubbard online at http://www.BillyHubbard.com
If you'd like to support the show you can make a donation to Billy & Lee's coffee fund at this link https://www.buymeacoffee.com/MyBackstagePass
My Backstage Pass intro/outro music credit: Billy Hubbard 'Waitin' On The Wind" (intro), and "Lonesome When I'm With You" (outro)
My Backstage Pass
Son of Elvis Part 1 - John Smith Presley Say's His DNA Proves He's The Son Of Elvis & Talks About His New Movie & Netflix Special
(Hear part 2 at this link https://www.buzzsprout.com/1300885/episodes/16246491 )
Join Billy Hubbard and his wife Sarah on this special episode with Author/Screenwriter Rich Carlburg and Singer Songwriter John Smith Presley, a man who has presented DNA and other convincing evidence to prove he is the son of Elvis Presley. John was born in 1961 and adopted and raised by an uncle and aunt of Elvis, Ira Dee and Etta Smith. (Note - Billy misspoke on the introduction saying John was raised by Gladys)
John is the subject of a film about his life currently in the works based on Rich Carlburg’s book Let The Boy Sing. John is also part of a new Netflix documentary 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 book 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. Read FAQ's and learn more about John's story at http://lettheboysing.co
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
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
My Backstage Pass is sponsored by The Alternate Root Magazine! Please subscribe to their newsletter, read the latest music reviews and check out their weekly Top Ten songs at this link http://www.thealternateroot.com