The King at The Factory: Nashville Elvis Fest returns to Franklin

Elvis has not left this building. 

In fact, the iconic “King,” who never really left the public eye even after death, has been increasingly in the spotlight recently after the success of the “Elvis” movie this year. 

Now, Elvis is again being celebrated at The Factory at Franklin amid recognition of the movie — which was nominated for Best Picture at the 95h Academy Awards — at the 7th annual Celebration of the Music and Legacy of Elvis Presley. 

The event, scheduled for March 30-April 2, celebrates the legacy of Elvis. The festival includes 10 shows and three late-night parties at SpringHill Suites by Marriott Cool Springs. 

This year’s highlights include a 55th anniversary recreation of the iconic “’68 Comeback Special” as both Elvis and The Factory are in the midst of a resurgence.

Other parts of the festival will include a career retrospective called “Elvis Through the Years” and a 50th anniversary recreation of “Aloha from Hawaii.” 

The multi-day event was created by two lifelong Elvis fans: Tom Brown and Brian Mayes, both of Nashville. In a 2017 Tennessean interview, they revealed one of their inspirations for creating the event.

“One night (Brian) said, 'You know, there are Elvis festivals all over the world, in Japan, Australia, Europe and obviously Memphis… And so many (special guests) that go to all of these festivals are flying out of the Nashville airport," Brown said.

More:How 'Elvis' movie gave these Nashville artists a 'deep, authentic' connection to their best work

Champion Elvis ‘tribute artists’  

Nashville's Elvis Festival features 30 of the “best Elvis tribute artists from all over the world,” according to festival organizers. 

The descriptor Elvis Tribute Artist, or ETA, provides separation from the “Elvis impersonator" term.

“Instead of being defined by the fat guy in the jumpsuit at the office party, Elvis Presley Enterprises realized that they needed to get a handle on it,” Brown said.

Headliners scheduled to appear include: 

• Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist world champions Ben Thompson and Bill Cherry 
• Reigning Nashville Elvis Festival champion Michael Chambliss
• Award-winning Elvis tribute artists Michael Cullipher, Alex Mitchell and Jeff Lewis. 
• Confirmed special guests are Elvis’ friend and bodyguard Sam Thompson; and gospel musician Terry Blackwood who performed with Elvis for years. 

More:The Factory in Franklin: Could revival and arts create new entertainment district?

Also part of the event is the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest preliminary round, with the winner moving on to Graceland's Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest Semifinal and Finals in Memphis during Elvis Week each August. 

The Nashville Elvis Festival is hosted by Brown, a radio host on a station in Elvis’ birthplace city, Tupelo, Miss.

Brown is also the former vice president of original production for Turner Classic Movies. Elvis fans will recognize Brown as a longtime host of Elvis events nationwide, including select Graceland events and the "Gates of Graceland" web series.

Previous special and surprise guests have included Wynonna Judd, TV and radio personality Wink Martindale, local country star Brenda Lee, and Elvis’ best friend Jerry Schilling, who was portrayed in the “Elvis” movie.

For festival passes, individual show tickets, or more information, go online to NashvilleElvisFestival.com.

The Factory at Franklin; 230 Franklin Road, Franklin

More:'Elvis' movie shows the icon's contributions to music and to uniting America | Opinion