Greg McDonald

A fresh biography of legendary entertainment manager Colonel Tom Parker, with a contrarian and corrective point of view.Colonel Tom Parker, often reviled in his time, led the strategy from the earliest days of Elvis's career. Together, they built the most legendary partnership in show business. For the first time, Colonel Parker's story is told by an insider, Greg McDonald, who worked under Parker for years. Never-before-heard stories of Parker's collaboration with Elvis reveal the man behind the legend and the strategies that made Elvis a commercial groundbreaker. Ingrained lore has it that Parker took advantage of "poor country boy" Elvis to sign the singer who became "The King". But Elvis and the Colonel shows that Elvis was not foolish when it came to business arrangements. This book is full of stories of innovations Parker made with his star client, including: --ingenious merchandising (eg, selling both "I love Elvis" and "I hate Elvis" buttons)--licensing and branding, from suits to toys, ashtrays to guitars--establishing The King as an artist-in-residence in Las Vegas--creating televised concert events, like Elvis' Christmas special Many of the practices Parker established are still deployed today by most major agencies. Parker's experience as a carny and an immigrant shaped his management style when he was at his peak, showing how he adapted big top practices to the big time. The heart of Elvis and the Colonel is the long, strong, warm and complex relationship between two iconic men.

Colonel Tom Parker, often reviled in his time, led the strategy from the earliest days of Elvis's career. Together, they built the most legendary partnership in show business. For the first time, Colonel Parker's story is told by an insider, Greg McDonald, who worked under Parker for years. Never-before-heard stories of Parker's collaboration with Elvis reveal the man behind the legend and the strategies that made Elvis a commercial groundbreaker. Ingrained lore has it that Parker took advantage of 'poor country boy' Elvis to sign the singer who became 'The King'. But Elvis and the Colonel shows that Elvis was not foolish when it came to business arrangements. This book is full of stories of innovations Parker made with his star client, including: --ingenious merchandising (eg, selling both 'I love Elvis' and 'I hate Elvis' buttons) --licensing and branding, from suits to toys, ashtrays to guitars --establishing The King as an artist-in-residence in Las Vegas --creating televised concert events, like Elvis' Christmas special Many of the practices Parker established are still deployed today by most major agencies. Parker's experience as a carny and an immigrant shaped his management style when he was at his peak, showing how he adapted big top practices to the big time. The heart of Elvis and the Colonel is the long, strong, warm and complex relationship between two iconic men.

This book is for Christian moms and dads who are in the middle of your journeys with your LGBTQ+ child. The Embracing the Journey Companion Study Guide is a resource to help you explore your family's unique story. It's the place where you can dive deep, either as part of a small group or on your own, into the lessons and truths that the Bible offers about how to love God and love your child.When authors Greg and Lynn McDonald found out that their only son was gay, his news shook their world to the core. Faithful Christians and devoted parents, they struggled with how to reconcile their love for their son and their love for God. They share what they learned in 21 principles, collected from their experience as well as the experiences and wisdom of thousands of Christian families who have walked this path before you, and who have discovered unexpected blessings and incredible hope along the way.Whether you're still reeling from a new revelation or you've been processing this for a while, this Companion Study Guide is a safe space for you to process the emotional and spiritual hurdles of parenting the LGBTQ+ child God has trusted you with.

A sympathetic, compassionate, and inspiring guide for parents--from the founders of one of the first Christian ministries for parents of LGBTQ children. Greg and Lynn McDonald had never interacted with members of the LGBTQ community until they discovered that their son was gay. Without resources or support, they had no idea how to come to terms with this discovery. At first they tried to "fix" him, to no avail. But even in the earliest days of their journey, the McDonalds clung to two absolutes: they would love God, and they would love their son. "An essential resource for Christian parents of LGBTQ kids," (Matthew Vines, Executive Director of The Reformation Project) this book follows the McDonald family's journey over the next twenty years, from a place of grief to a place of gratitude and acceptance that led the McDonalds to start one of the first Christian ministries for parents of LGBTQ children. Based on their experience from counseling and coaching hundreds of struggling Christian parents, they offer tools for understanding your own emotional patterns and spiritual challenges. They also help you experience a deeper relationship with God while handling difficult or unexpected situations that are out of your control. You will discover tested principles, patterns, and spiritual lessons that can change the way we all see our families, and help Christians at large think through Christ-like ways to respond to the LGBTQ community. Written in an unvarnished, honest, reassuring, and relatable voice, this is a practical guide for parents and a roadmap to learning to love God, the people He created, and the church, even when they seem to be at odds.