I’m counting on you; I’m counting on you dear, from the dawn of each day. - Elvis Presley 1956
Accountant Debbie Seland, owner of QTax in Williams Lake, has always loved Elvis Presley.
“My grandkids got to know his songs because when I was looking after them I’d be bopping around to Elvis tunes,” she said. “A couple of my grandkids will still upload Elvis tunes to their contraptions and listen to them.”
An accountant for 38 years, Seland has Elvis collectables and memorabilia in her office covering one whole wall.
“It started with some of his records and a couple of movies; my kids and grandkids brought back a license plate and a mug from Disneyland and almost everything else is from my clients,” she explained.
Over the years she has been given close to 20 records, collector plates, movies, Elvis Pez dispensers and figurines, unwrapped Elvis CDs, a 1976 tribute to Elvis in 1956 calendar, clothing, an original studio autographed photograph of Elvis and more.
The gifts are because people are grateful for her tax work on their behalf.
“There is a story behind every one,” she continued. “They make people realize that I’m sitting behind this desk, but I’m still a person. A hobby really connects people, opens doors and removes boundaries.”
She said that Elvis has universal appeal over generations.
“His music fits into rock genres today, and he had a great voice,” she added. “It must be so great to be a songwriter and have Elvis sing your song: his music is ageless.”
The first Elvis movie she ever saw, he died in it.
“I was so upset. His movies were mostly just fun,” she noted. “He had some pretty famous people in his movies, including Ann Margaret.
“I liked the movie King Creole — it was serious and kind of dark and showed he could really act, and was about more than showmanship.”
People who heard Elvis live said he really connected to an audience, according to Seland.
“It’s like we were all on stage with him,” she stated. “He had appeal for all ages, and both men and women connected to him.
“He had such a great variety of music for a wide range of tastes: country, gospel, Hawaiian and rock and roll,” she said.
“He will be remembered for generations to come.”