ABSTRACT
Tom Parker Elvis Presley’s life long manager acquired the honorary title of “Colonel” as a gesture by a southern governor, but he carried the label with him until his death in 1997. Parker was born in Holland and immigrated to the United States as a young man, working in carnivals and eventually promoting country music shows. It was during his promotion work that he was introduced to Elvis and was asked by his parents to manage the 17-year-old singer.
