The Book
Let The Boy Sing
Having been adopted at birth, John has always wondered about his biological parents. After meeting with his birth mother for the first time, she applauds his voice and singing career, saying he may even be better than his father. John’s world is about to be turned upside down,
Coming Soon
Let The Boy Sing- The Movie: The True Son of Elvis. Major motion picture to be released in 2025 the life story of John Smith Presley as told in the book let the boy sing
The Film
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Q & A
With John Smith Presley
--Being the son of a legend can carry its rewards but also certain obstacles for example do you feel like you’re competing with your father he certainly set a very high bar so how do you contend with that?
I was really kept away from that. I was surrounded by family, but did not know who my real father was until I was 27 years old. I was led to believe that another relative was my birth father. I only spoke with him a time or two. By the time I found out, Elvis was already gone, and I was planted in the country music genre, that I still love to this day.
--Why did it take so long for your identity to surface?
When I was born in 1961, a child out of wedlock wasn’t advertised, especially Elvis. He had an
image to maintain. Again, I wasn’t told until age 27, and it actually didn’t make that big of an impression on me. I was doing my own thing. There was also a concerted effort to keep me a secret and to protect me from the same fate as my father.
--When did you go out and start performing professionally?
At about six years old. I was winning singing contests at 8 or 9. I mistakenly walked onto the stage at a Lawrence Welk show at the Hirsh Coliseum in Shreveport Louisiana in 1978. I ended up singing a song, got a standing ovation and that night Lawrence called me backstage and offered me my first steady gig working for him. I was 15 and waited a few months until I was 16. From there I was off to Nashville a few years later.
--Did you ever have a chance to know your father?
I met Elvis a few times as a child. I knew he was somebody, but I was too young to realize who he really was. He was nice and kind. I enjoyed it. I was a kid. I didn’t really know.
--Is it hard to distinguish between Elvis as your father and Elvis as the international icon?
Not really for me. I didn’t really know his personally as either. I am still impressed with him and what he did. I do feel the responsibility to be the best me and performer I can. I know he was the same and would want that for me.
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