The EP Vault

💔 WHEN YOU’VE BEEN HURT: CHOOSING FORGIVENESS

“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger… be put away from you… forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
— Ephesians 4:31–32

Elvis Presley’s “Hurt” captures a feeling almost everyone understands: the pain of being wounded by someone you trusted.

I understand that feeling personally.

I’ve trusted people, helped people, supported people and given people my time and energy—only to experience disappointment and hurt when some of those relationships changed.

And I’ll admit, my first reaction hasn’t always been forgiveness.

Sometimes I’ve been angry. Sometimes I’ve replayed situations in my mind, wondering what I should have said or done differently. But I’ve learned something important:

Being hurt is something that happens to us. Bitterness is something that can begin growing inside us.

Forgiveness doesn’t mean pretending the hurt wasn’t real. It doesn’t mean what someone did was okay. And it doesn’t always mean reconciliation.

Sometimes you can forgive someone while also recognizing that they can no longer have the same access to your life. Forgiveness and boundaries can exist together.

I’ve also learned that I may never receive every apology I deserve. Someone may never admit they were wrong. They may never understand how deeply they hurt me.

But if my peace depends on their apology, I’m still giving them control over my peace.

Sometimes we have to reach the point where we simply say:

“God knows the truth. That’s enough.”

And forgiveness isn’t always a one-time decision. Sometimes you give something to God today and wake up hurting again tomorrow.

So you give it back to Him again.

And again.

Until one day you realize it doesn’t hurt quite as much anymore.

Hurt captures the heartbreak—but through Christ, hurt doesn’t have to be where our story ends.

I don’t want somebody else’s actions determining the person I become. I don’t want yesterday’s pain stealing today’s joy or tomorrow’s peace.

So I’m learning to forgive—not because everything that happened was okay, but because Christ forgave me, and I want to be free.

🙏 “Jesus, I’m giving You what happened. Help me release the anger, keep bitterness from my heart, and give me the strength to forgive.”

Remember:

Forgiveness isn’t saying, “What you did to me was okay.”

It’s saying, “What you did to me will not control who I become.” ❤️‍🩹

3 hours ago | [YT] | 6

The EP Vault

After careful consideration and in light of certain recent events, I have decided to step away from the Elvis A–Z Network.

I believe this is the best decision for me, both personally and professionally. Moving forward, my time and energy will be focused on The EP Vault, supporting Shawna’s channel, growing my business and continuing to develop the projects and communities we are building together.

I have no desire to participate in unnecessary drama or discuss private matters publicly. I am simply closing this chapter and directing my attention toward the work, relationships and opportunities that align with where I want to go next.

I sincerely wish everyone at the Elvis A–Z Network nothing but the best and continued success. I’m grateful to everyone who supports Shawna and me, and I look forward to what the future holds.

9 hours ago | [YT] | 17

The EP Vault

⚠️ WHEN FACTS GET IN THE WAY OF FAN WORSHIP

Someone came into another creator’s comment section, called me a “jack rabbit,” and demanded that an “awful lie” from my video be addressed.

The problem? It wasn’t a lie.

In Elvis Aaron Presley: Revelations from the Memphis Mafia, Jo Smith is quoted on page 722 describing the emotional distress she and Patsy Lacker experienced when Elvis repeatedly took their husbands away:

“We always thought the only relief we could get was if Elvis died. We thought, ‘Just die, and leave us alone.’”

Those are Jo Smith’s published words—not mine.

I never claimed Jo and Billy jointly wrote the book. Billy Smith participated in the oral history with Marty Lacker and Lamar Fike, while Jo was interviewed extensively for the chapter “Billy and Jo.”

The full context matters. Jo was young, isolated and emotionally overwhelmed. She described nervous breakdowns and suicidal thoughts during that period. Years later, on page 741, she said she would give anything to have Elvis back, that she loved him deeply and that his death broke her heart.

Both statements can be true. Human beings sometimes have terrible thoughts during moments of extreme pain and later express love, grief and regret.

What is not acceptable is attacking me because a documented quotation challenges the version of history someone prefers. I identified the published source and reported what it contains. I did not invent Jo’s statement, alter it or personally endorse it.

You are welcome to disagree with the book. You are welcome to discuss the context. But before calling someone a liar and resorting to childish insults, perhaps open the book and verify the facts.

Research does not become a lie simply because the truth makes you uncomfortable.

10 hours ago | [YT] | 21

The EP Vault

🐒 DID YOU KNOW ELVIS HAD A PET CHIMPANZEE? 😂

Of all the characters who spent time around Graceland, one of the wildest may have been Scatter — Elvis Presley’s pet chimpanzee!

Elvis acquired Scatter in the early 1960s and quickly became attached to him. But Scatter wasn’t exactly the best-behaved resident of Graceland.

According to Elvis’s longtime friend Joe Esposito, Scatter had a habit of getting into trouble and even biting members of the Memphis Mafia. Apparently, nobody could convince him to return to his cage.

So Elvis decided he’d handle it himself.

Elvis confronted Scatter, basically told him he’d better stop biting people, and ordered him downstairs to his cage.

And amazingly…

Scatter listened! 😂

Joe recalled that the chimp folded his hands in front of him, walked downstairs and went right into his cage.

Elvis couldn’t hold it together anymore and fell on the floor laughing.

Scatter apparently lived quite the lifestyle, too. He was dressed in little suits and was even taken for rides in Elvis’s Rolls-Royce.

Only at Graceland could a mischievous chimpanzee become part of the entourage. 😂🐒👑

Could you imagine visiting Elvis and having Scatter come running through the house?!

📸 Elvis Presley and Scatter

16 hours ago | [YT] | 114

The EP Vault

✨ “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 5:16

Jesus reminds us that faith was never meant to remain hidden. The light He places within us should be visible in how we live, how we love and how we treat the people around us. Our actions should point beyond ourselves and lead others toward God.

Two songs recorded by Elvis Presley beautifully complement this message.

🎶 “If I Can Dream”

Elvis recorded If I Can Dream during a time of tremendous division, violence and uncertainty. Yet the song refuses to surrender to darkness. It looks toward a brighter world—one shaped by peace, understanding, unity and hope.

But a better world cannot remain merely a dream. Change begins when ordinary people choose to become sources of light in dark places. Every act of kindness, every word of encouragement and every decision to stand for what is right allows that light to shine a little brighter.

We may not be able to solve every problem, but we can choose not to contribute to the darkness. We can bring hope where others feel defeated, peace where there is conflict and compassion where people have been judged or forgotten.

🎶 “A Thing Called Love”

This song reminds us that love possesses a strength greater than anger, hatred or fear. Genuine love can soften hardened hearts, restore broken relationships and give someone the courage to continue.

That is the kind of love Jesus calls us to demonstrate—not love that exists only in our words, but love that becomes visible through our actions.

It appears when we help someone without expecting recognition. It shines when we forgive even though we have been hurt. It becomes visible when we welcome the lonely, encourage the discouraged, defend the mistreated and show kindness to those who may never be able to repay us.

Matthew 5:16 does not tell us to shine so that people will praise us. It tells us to live in such a way that others will see God working through us and give glory to Him.

Our world still needs the dream Elvis sang about, but dreams become reality only when they inspire action. Love must become more than a feeling. Faith must become more than something we profess. The light of Christ must be seen in the lives we live.

Today, ask yourself:

✨ Does my life bring hope or discouragement?
✨ Do my words create peace or division?
✨ Can others recognize the love of Christ in the way I treat them?
✨ Am I allowing God’s light to shine through me?

The world has enough darkness. Let us become people who carry hope, practice love and reflect the character of Jesus wherever we go.

Keep dreaming of a better world.
Keep loving the people God places in your path.
Keep shining—not for your own recognition, but for His glory. ✨

1 day ago | [YT] | 17

The EP Vault

ELVIS BROUGHT THIS GUN AS A GIFT FOR PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON DURING HIS DECEMBER 1970 VISIT TO THE WHITE HOUSE. THE GUN, IN ITS ORIGINAL PRESENTATION CASE, IS ON DISPLAY AT THE RICHARD NIXON PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM. GIFT OF ELVIS PRESLEY TO PRESIDENT RICHARD NIXON, D.1970.2883.1.A-H,.2.A-B

1 day ago | [YT] | 46

The EP Vault

If you missed Shawna’s interview with Larry Geller you need to watch it!

1 day ago | [YT] | 9

The EP Vault

⚡ WHAT’S HAPPENING TO VERNON PRESLEY’S HOME?

I’ve recently become concerned about the condition of 1266 Dolan Drive in Memphis, the longtime home associated with Elvis Presley’s father, Vernon Presley.

This isn’t simply a house that Elvis fans have said belonged to Vernon.

I’ve been digging through the actual Shelby County property records, and we found the original 1964 deed.

On March 16, 1964, Ray Schutt Enterprises, Inc. conveyed the property—Lot 1078, Section G of John B. Goodwin’s Graceland Subdivision—to Vernon Presley and his wife, Davada M. Presley.

The Presleys also executed a $21,500 mortgage secured by the property in 1964.

In other words, we can document Vernon’s connection to this property through the original county records.

Today, however, there are serious concerns about the condition of the house. I’ve been told that portions of the interior may be deteriorating significantly, and I’m concerned about what could eventually happen to an important piece of Presley history if that deterioration continues.

I want to be very clear: this is NOT an invitation to trespass on the property, bother the owner, or harass anyone. Please respect that this remains private property.

Instead, I think it’s time we start asking a question:

Can Vernon Presley’s historic home be preserved before it’s too late?

I’m currently researching the complete history of 1266 Dolan, its current condition, ownership history, and whether there are any realistic preservation options available.

I’m also working on a deep-dive video where I’ll show you some of the original property records I’ve uncovered and tell the story of this often-overlooked piece of Presley history.

If you have documented historical information, photographs, firsthand knowledge, or reliable information about the current condition of 1266 Dolan, please reach out to me privately.

Let’s find out what’s happening before another piece of Elvis history disappears.

More to come. ⚡

#ElvisPresley #VernonPresley #Graceland #ElvisHistory #Memphis

2 days ago | [YT] | 100

The EP Vault

Check it out yall

3 days ago | [YT] | 10

The EP Vault

❤️ A Quick Note About Our Candlelight Vigil Livestream

We wanted to address something about our livestream during the Candlelight Vigil.

First and foremost, we love Elvis. That is the entire reason we were there, and it’s the reason we wanted to share the evening with everyone who couldn’t be in Memphis.

Because of copyright restrictions, we could not play much of the music being broadcast during the Vigil. That left periods of time when we needed to mute the official audio, so rather than sit silently, we had a normal Elvis conversation—just like we do on our other livestreams.

And yes, that conversation included opinions.

We talked about Priscilla. We talked about the proposed Elvis hologram and our concerns about it. We discussed people and decisions surrounding Elvis that we don’t necessarily agree with, and at times we were critical. We aren’t going to pretend otherwise.

But none of that came from a place of disrespect toward Elvis or the Candlelight Vigil.

Loving Elvis doesn’t mean that we have to agree with every person who was part of his life, every decision made in his name, or every project created around his legacy. In fact, sometimes our strong opinions come from how much we care about Elvis, his history, and how his legacy is represented.

We also understand that some people feel the night of the Vigil wasn’t the appropriate time for those conversations, and we respect that opinion, even if that wasn’t how we intended the discussion.

Our livestream was never meant to replace the Vigil itself. It was a group of Elvis fans spending the evening together, watching what we could, talking during the portions we couldn’t broadcast, sharing opinions, laughing, remembering, and ultimately celebrating someone who brought all of us together.

Elvis was—and always will be—the reason we’re here. ❤️

Thank you to everyone who spent the evening with us.

TCB ⚡

3 days ago | [YT] | 9