The Original Dancing With the Stars

My late Uncle Jack Kenner was the original dancing with the stars professional dancer. In the 1960's when Elvis was busy in Hollywood filming movies, Priscilla Presley found herself with a lot of free time on her hands.

To help combat her boredom, she sought out my Uncle Jack to teach her how to ball room dance. Jack was very well know in the Memphis area as a terrific dance coach. Because of her natural talent and previous ballet experience as a young girl, Priscilla became a terrific dancer.

That is why when I saw her on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars", I knew she would be great. I was so proud how she overcame her nerves and showed the world that beautiful dance does not see age.

It is a personal expression in each one of us. Elvis became famous for his dance moves too. Elvis' Jailhouse Rock dance segment from the movie is legendary and considered by most to be the first music video. That was more than 20 years before anyone ever heard of MTV.

But to the Christian community, he was vulgar and a dangerous influence to teenagers. The Catholic weekly paper, "America", published "Beware Elvis Presley," an article calling his hip-shaking, "nauseating stuff ... not only suggestive, but downright obscene."

He was hurt by those remarks and others because that was never his intent. Elvis even seemed confused by the criticism. "I don't see how they think [my performance] contributes to juvenile delinquency. If there's anything I've tried to do, I've tried to live a straight, clean life and not set any kind of a bad example. You cannot please everyone."

Regardless of what you believe about Elvis' dancing or any dance for that matter, you can't deny the influence it has had on our culture. Even little babies seem to find the beat when they hear good music.

To my Uncle Jack and Aunt Ruth (who was best friend's with Cybill Shepard's mother Patty), thank you for the great memory I have of you both and how fun you were. I remember your taking me and Buffie in your big Cadillac sedan to the country club for dinner. And I recall Ruth saying before we walked out the door, "Jack! You're not going to wear that sport coat are you?"

Some things never change.

Your Nashville Elvis,

Chuck Baril
http://www.nashvilleelvis.com/
http://www.nashvillebookingagency.com/