The Rest of the Story...

Ten years had past since Larry and Elvis met. And nearly six years since they'd seen each other. It was March of 2002. A lot of water had gone under the bridge. Larry had traveled all over the country telling his story, showing his two videos and singing his songs. Thousands of hearts had been touched. 

 Then it happened! Another chapter to an already unbelievable story began to take shape. Larry was home taking a breather from a road trip when a couple of men dropped by who had been feeding elk for the Idaho Fish and Game Department. They had seen an old bull elk on a mountain five miles from the Jones's home that they thought looked like Elvis. But how could that be? Elvis would have to be fifteen-years-old! You rarely hear of a bull elk living past ten or twelve. Especially in Idaho where, due to hunting, the average life expentancy of a bull elk is a little over 4 years. Out of curiosity, but not really believing that it could be Elvis, Larry went to take a look... 

 

Against all odds, Elvis was still kick'n! In their second video,"Elk Whisperer," which they did in 1999, the Jones's had commented that because they hadn't seen Elvis for three years he'd probably died or been killed, but were they wrong!

It was like the good old old days had been six years earlier. Larry and Elvis spent from March 12th until May 18th hanging around together on that mountain. It was a splendid reunion. Every day or so Larry would fill his back pack with hay and head out. Elvis appreciated every flake. He'd see Larry coming up the mountain and come running. As always, he preferred eating from Larry's hand. Inspiration for more songs came as they wandered around through the forest together. "Still Kick'n" became the title to another song and title to a third movie.

By the fall of 2002 Larry had a video trilogy: "Rocky Mountain King," "Elk Whisperer" and "Still Kick'n". Fans all over the country were elated that Elvis was still alive. The story had become legendary. Invitations to do programs and performances increased even more. Everyone wanted to see with their own eyes and hear with their own ears what had happened. Rumors of the amazing reunion preceded Larry wherever he went.

In 2005, Larry had his 3 VHS video movies transferred to a DVD Trilogy on one disk entitled: "The Legend of Elvis the Elk." The DVD includes bonus features of the Idaho Public Television piece featuring Larry and Elvis ... and a charming music video called "The Barrel Race," about his grand-daughter Maddy Grace Tucker riding Joker Jack in her very first rodeo event.

 

He was the King of Castle Mountain,

The legend lives on,

Hunters listening 'round embered fires,

 To him singing his rockin' song.

 

With the chill of fall in the air,

You can hear his rockin' tune,

Echoing through the spruce and pine,

The King will be here soon,

 

What he's singing about,

Is a legend of years gone by,

When a man fed him alfalfa hay,

And kept the king alive.

 

The king of Castle Mountain is gone,

But his legend lives on,

Hunters 'round embered fires,

Still listen to his rockin' song. . .