Jesse "J.D." Pressley - The Overlooked Presley

  When we hear the surname "Presley", most people automatically think of the "King of Rock & Roll," Elvis Presley or his late daughter Lisa Marie Presley.  Both of them need no introduction.

But there was another member of the famed Presley fan that also dabbled in the entertainment business, at least for a short time.  That member of the Presley family was none other than Jesse D. "J.D." Pressley, Elvis' Grandfather.  And the different spelling of the last name is not a typographical error. Jesse spelled their name with a double "s" because of an old clerical error on Grandfather Presley's tax returns. Jesse just kept it. He would correct it later in life.

Jesse on the set of a TV show. Colorized by me.

Jesse was born on April 9, 1896, in Fulton, Mississippi. He married Minnie Mae Hood in 1913. They would go on to become the parents of several children including Elvis' father Vernon.

The dates vary per source, but around 1946 Jesse and Minnie divorced. Jesse relocated to Louisville, Kentucky in 1948 where he resided until his death in 1973. There, Jesse worked for the local Pepsi-Cola plant, although he was a carpenter by trade. He remarried, this time to Vera Kinnaird.

In 1958, surprisingly Jesse signed a recording contract with Legacy Records in Louisville, Kentucky. Jesse appeared on a Canadian television show called "Close Look" out of Toronto. Both Jesse and Vera were both interviewed on the show. During that interview Vera stated that Jesse had never sung in public until a friend with a tape recorder had persuaded him to make an audition record at Wiederhold's Recording Studio in Louisville.  It was after hearing that record that Gene Klingman of Legacy Records signed Jesse to a contract.

Klingman said that Jesse Presley sang "like a grandfather singing to his grandchildren", which is what the record company wanted. 

A few days later Jesse appeared on the TV show "I've Got A Secret" with Gene Kingman, president of Legacy Records, accompanying him on guitar.  On the show, Jesse sat in a rocking chair and sang two of what he called "cotton-pickin' songs."

Unlike his famous grandson, Jesse was no hip-swinger. At age 62, Jesse said "I'd break it if I did."   Nor did he play a guitar. In fact, he played no music at all.  And his only rocking is in an easy rocking chair. That was his only prop when singing.

Jesse went on to say that he didn't want to ride in on Elvis' name. "I'm trying to make my own way. He made his and if it's the Lord's will, I'll do it, too", Jesse said.  "I'm just going to be plain and common and do my best and put out some songs people like to hear."

Jesse was described as having a ruddy face from working outdoors most of his life. His hair was thin and turning gray. And his voice was described as being easy, with just enough twang to make it sound like the songs are from the cotton patch.  He was a man close to his home and his church.

Unfortunately, as quickly as his musical career started, it came to an end. In January 1959, Jesse said "I've gotten nothing out of my singing career. Guess I ought to give it up."

Jesse filed a $298.00 lawsuit against Legacy Records, claiming he did not get his share of the money he says was paid to Legacy for the three television shows he did.  Klingman, of Legacy Records, said the money was used to promote Jesse.  Klingman stated the firm hoped to put some of his records on the market but ran into financial difficulty. 

Jesse's musical career was over without his album or singles going public.  He would pass away in Louisville in 1973. He is buried alongside his wife Vera in Louisville Memorial Gardens West.

Five years after he passed, Legacy Records released "The Roots of  Elvis" containing the songs of Grandpa Jesse Presley. They were sold for $3.00 each or 2 for $5.00.

clipped from the Courier-Journal, Louisville, KY
July 14, 1978

Here, you can watch a few minutes of an interview with Jesse & Vera as well as two songs by Jesse - "Who's That Kickin' My Dog Around" and "The Billy Goat Song."

Here, you can listen to Jesse singing "Swingin' In The Orchard".

His music was exactly what it was described to be - a grandfather singing to his grandchildren. And it's unfortunate that his musical career was so short lived.