Graceland, Idaho Writer Of State Anthem Honors Elvis At Festival Of The Falls
Don Rodgers’ musical career may hinge on his ability to sing about Idaho.
But at Festival of the Falls here Saturday, gold glitter sparkled on the Spokane man’s hairy chest, sun glinted off his tinted glasses and it was Graceland or bust.
Musically, Rodgers may be best known for “Idaho, My State of Mind,” a song he wrote for Idaho’s Centennial to promote tourism. The song plays six times each day on the local cable television station.
But as a sculptor, Rodgers’ claim to fame is the official bronze bust of Elvis that greets visitors at the King’s Graceland mansion, which he co-sculpted with Felix deWeldon.
Saturday’s Post Falls celebration coincided with the 20th anniversary of Elvis’ death. In commemoration, Rodgers strayed from his usual gospel and mountain songs and played Elvis tunes. The tiny audience at Q’emiln Park didn’t mind.
“I usually have an attitude about people who try to impersonate Elvis, but he’s the first one I’ve come across that actually sounds like him,” said Patti Bishop of Coeur d’Alene. “When you were there in the ‘50s it has to be just so.”
Meg Elyard remembers peering through binoculars at the white-suited star in 1956 at Spokane’s Joe Albi Stadium alongside a group of swooning girlfriends. A member of the Post Falls Arts Council, Elyard helped book Rodgers for the festival’s third year, hoping the anniversary might attract more visitors.
“From the mountains and the valleys, the lakes and the streams. Sometimes you’ll swear you’re walking in a dream. Prettiest place you’re ever gonna see. God showed his hand when he formed this land,” Rodgers’ song goes.
“From the Coeur d’Alene Resort on up to Sandpoint. That Ponderay on down to Boise Town. No matter where you’re going. No matter where you’ve been. There’s nothing quite like the state you’re in.”
The license plate holder on Rodgers’ Jeep reads “Sculptors never fit the mold.” That’s true for Rodgers’ music, too, since he has actually never lived in Idaho.
He moved from West Virginia three years ago to Spokane and has been trying to trade his land for a few acres near Priest River ever since.
No matter. It seems Rodgers’ biggest fans also aren’t from Idaho - which may bear witness to the song’s effectiveness among tourists.
“We’re summer people in Coeur d’Alene,” said 72-year-old Marilyn White, who tapped and clapped and mouthed the words as Rodgers sang to a recorded soundtrack. Afterward, she told Rodgers they drove from Saratoga, Calif., to hear “Idaho, My State of Mind.”
“I’m driving everybody crazy with his videotape and his song,” said White, 72. “I’m always singing it. It’s so catchy.”
Rodgers will perform at Coeur d’Alene’s City Park on Labor Day weekend.
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo
MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: FESTIVAL The Festival of the Falls continues today, starting at 11 a.m. A country auction begins at 1 p.m., followed by Northern Cross Bluegrass at 3 p.m. and the Haran Irish Dangers from 5 to 6 p.m.