October 2008
The Slimes party with Elvis

Who would ever think that this group of kids that started playing music back in the 70’s would get their chance to dance and sing with Elvis in 2008! Well it happened on October 16 in the Graceland Chapel in Las Vegas.

To celebrate Jo and Grant’s 25th anniversary, the band and the kids made a visit to Vegas that has become a big part of the Slime Dog history. My multiple alarms went off at 2:40 am and I jumped out of bed to raise the troop. Within minutes we were cruising down the 404… our adventure had begun. The sign in and customs were a breeze and even Mike made it through with plenty of time to spare.

The flight was smooth and five hours later we landed at 9:00 am to a hot sunny day.  As our happy troop of eleven stepped out of the airport door, a giant bright red bus rolled up to the curb… our band bus was here… this 32 seater of crazy luxury complete with 2 brass poles was our early morning kick-off… after a few moments we were parked in front of a sleazy bar and getting our liquor supplies for the day.  As we bounced our way to the Mandalay Bay Hotel everyone laughed and screamed to the pole dancing techniques of Krispy, Sheryl and Alana.

As our big red limo left us at the grand lobby of this fine hotel, we waved a happy goodbye and headed to our rooms to get ready for our 5:15 meet with the King.

It was at 12:33 as we unpacked our crumpled pile of vintage 70s tuxes that had arrived in from Missouri, that we noticed we had no white shirts, so off Alana and me headed with a Vietnam attack-chopper pilot Vet of a cabbie to the other end of the strip to solve the shirt dilemma…as Jo and Laura searched the complex of facilities and found the right hair spa to get themselves looking just right for the King.

By 3:10 all of the boys were in full tacky glamour, except there was still no Fernando… so when we finally woke him out a cold sleep he somehow made the 2 mile trip between rooms and was dressed by 3:30, unshaven but looking mighty fine.

As the elevator doors open to the casino we swaggered through the tables like we owned the joint. JoJo in an incredible white fringe mini with mile high spike silver leather boots and matching gloves was the sexiest thing to hit Vegas since Anne Margaret in the 60s. Laura some how had grown from 11 to 18 in her smoking blue dress and big time hair. Alana was the in full bride gown and smiled from ear to ear. Eric in a Hugh Heffner jacket was the main man of the hour. Mike, Stevie, Fernando and me all in our classic wide lapels with ruffles had people wondering if there was a film crew near by.

As we strolled out the main doors to high fives and cheers we all broke into painful screams of laughter as we spied Krispy, Sheryl and Anne looking hot in matching blue dresses and white shades and spilling out for our Vegas photographer in front of our giant white limo.

After a few hundred photos we jumped into Limo #2 and dashed to the Vegas sign. From the amount of attention from passing motorists we think that Vegas doesn’t get to see much cool fashion setters like the Slime Dogs. Back into the ride we watched the history of the Slime Dogs dvd and 25 years of Jo & Grant on the many screens and laughed as watched ourselves mature… As the sun dipped below the Vegas skyline we rolled into the Graceland Chapel to meet Elvis…

The eleven of us along with Mike our shooter crammed into the small foyer of the white chapel, giggling and laughing. The door opened and we made our way inside his house… a small room that might seat 30, but in true Slime Dog fashion we all moved to the front of the stage… the lovely ladies stage right and men stage left. Elvis welcomed us and the video rolled… “My oh my it’s Anne Margaret” said Elvis as Jo, Laura and Alana strolled down the aisle… the ceremony was live!

Elvis was in charge as he sang and directed us through our vows… Jo of course took most of my lines and then it was official… we were remarried and our next 25 years had begun… it was at that point the place went crazier… all of the slime dogs and Elvis broke into a wild dance party to “Viva Las Vegas”… and all captured direct to DVD.

After the music stopped our 15 minutes with the King were over and it was photo time.

cheers
the slime dogs