The July 4th Special (Or July 1st for Us Canadians…)

Helloo0O Ladies and Gentlemen!

Welcome back to Graceland Ontario where we’ll be discussing the principles that made Elvis Presley so successful and see how we can implement these into your life. Today we’re going to be talking about July 1^st, July 4^th and patriotism mixed with symbolism (trust me: all these big words will make sense shortly).

For Americans, July 4^th (and for Canadians, July 1^st) is one of their big holidays. In America, it’s Independence Day, the date where the U.S. as we know it today was born. July 1^st was Confederation/ Dominion Day when Canada took control of its own government from Great Britain. For both countries, it’s a day to remember.

And what happens every Fourth of July or First of July? Everyone relaxes, parties, has a good time (I was camping with friends in Northern Ontario near Sauble Beach this year) − and oftentimes they’re very patriotic about their country. They show symbols like the Star and Stripes (the Maple Leaf in Canada) and listen to ‘American’ (or ‘Canadian’) music. You know, those people who are synonymous with your country. Canada has a couple − Gordon Lightfoot, Stompin’ Tom being big but also Celine Dion, Shania Twain, these days, Justin Bieber − even Michael Buble! But the U.S… you guys have Elvis.

With the exception of perhaps Stompin’ Tom in Canada, nobody comes close to Elvis’s patriotism. He lived in a year round Fourth of July spirit (like John Wayne). Maybe you’re bigger on that stuff in the U.S. or something but WOW! did they have spirit.

Elvis was in his country’s army, he sang songs like “American Trilogy”, showcasing big American songs “Battle Hymn of the Republic”, "All My Trials" and “Dixie”. He even wrote a letter to President Richard Nixon to arrange to become a “Federal Agent-at-Large”! Now, we don’t know if he wrote simply to get the badge or if it was an attempt to help his country. But we do know how he was portrayed.

Elvis is America’s ambassador to the world, what one would think the perfect American to be − honest, humble, trustworthy, hard-working. And America realized this. Elvis was wearing an Eagle-emblazoned (the Eagle is a symbol of the U.S.) jumpsuit when he sang the first globally broadcasted concert − Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii! − in 1973. And on hearing about his death, President Jimmy Carter made a public announcement saying,

Elvis Presley's death deprives our country of a part of itself. He was unique and irreplaceable. More than 20 years ago, he burst upon the scene with an impact that was unprecedented and will probably never be equaled. His music and his personality, fusing the styles of white country and black rhythm and blues, permanently changed the face of American popular culture. His following was immense, and he was a symbol to people the world over of the vitality, rebelliousness, and good humor of his country.

I mean, what a national icon!

But how does this status affect his success?

By being linked to the U.S., as long as the U.S. is doing well, Elvis is doing well − in image at the least. He’s shown all over the place and played whenever the Fourth of July comes along. Like Bing Crosby with Christmas, he gains a new following every time there’s need to put on “American Trilogy” again. And because of his national identity, people who love their country because of military service or government service or whatever find a hero and friend in his music. Someone who represents them when 90% of modern music’s going on about how best to party and take drugs while enjoying life with a prostitute. Elvis believed in something big, something wonderful − his country. Sure, they’ve done wrong but his unshakeable believe gave him something to live for, a purpose. And so few people have that. It made him special.

So, what does this mean for you? Take pride in your country. But more so, show it to the world. People will dislike you for taking sides but, heck, they’d probably dislike you if you didn’t. When you take pride in your country, people link you to it and come to you when the Fourth of July (or First of July) comes along. They buy stuff from you because you’re the guy supporting the fun and partying instead of the other people who simply tolerate it for profit. It makes you authentic for believing in what you’re supporting, and people like authenticity. Meanwhile, you earn the respect of customers who know you live for something − your country − however bad the economy is, whatever problems occur in government. That’s not your country. Your country is where you live. And you stand by how awesome that is when others drift and don’t know what they want. Go figure why people’ll want to support you more than they would the drifters. Your belief makes you special and brave for taking a stand for your country, like it did Elvis, John Wayne or Stompin’ Tom, and you’ll be treated better for that.

Elvis’s Lessons:

Take pride in your country and the Fourth (or First) of July. Elvis got boosted big time to icon status because of his pride, leading to the Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii! concert − the first globally broadcast concert, a peak in his career and success. He took a stand for his country when others were drifters. When you take a stand, too, people respect you for believing in something and having a platform compared to others. You’re brave enough to support your country when others are too scared to. Meanwhile, people also go to you because you support your country and the partying in commemoration of it when others simply tolerate it for profit. They’ll sense your authenticity and belief and want to buy from you instead of the competition. It might take time but it will happen eventually. It did for Elvis and it can for you. Bet on it.

P.S. If you’re interested in seeing Elvis celebrating his country with “American Trilogy” at the Aloha from Hawaii! Rehearsal Concert, here’s a Youtube clip of him showing his country at its best.

P.P.S. Remember to leave a comment below or email me at alexghilson@gmail.com to continue the conversation. I'd be glad to hear what you have to say.