He has not left Jacksonville….

Mae Boren Hoyt was the co-author to the famous pop-artist, Elvis Presley’s first RCA Singles hit, “Heartbreak Hotel”.  It was in Jacksonville, Florida on the Westside, on Dellwood Avenue in 1955 that she and guitarist Tommy Durden put the tune together.  Durden had seen a sad situation concerning love and heartbreak and got with Mae. The two put together the song.

Through a turn of events, I was interested in finding the home where the song was written.  After a little research the house was found. On a stroll down Dellwood Avenue  on that day, it was as I expected, a small 1,288 Sq Ft home, 3 beds and 2 baths.  It sold February 28, 2022 for a whopping $298,812.  Because of the high price, I wondered if the buyer knew that Elvis had been in the building?

On You Tube, there are several interviews with Mae and other artists; one being Elvis.  It was obviously one of his first interviews, if not his first, and he told about his humble beginnings and thanked her for her support and willingness to “have his back”.

Mae Boren Axton was born February 9, 1914 in Texas.  She died August 4, 1997.  Her claim to fame was, while living in Jacksonville, she co-wrote Heartbreak Hotel with Tommy Durden .  The day after the writing, she pitched it to Elvis. He liked it and it was the song that brought the two of them into the limelight launching both of their careers.

Before meeting Elvis, Mae met and married John T. Axton, a Navy officer. They moved to Jacksonville, Florida where he was stationed in 1949.  Later, Axton became the first coach at Paxon High School and Mae, on occasion substituted as a teacher having her bachelors degree from University of Oklahoma.  Mae also taught at DuPont and Lee High Schools.  While she taught school, her focus was on music and writing.  Over the years she would work with:   Mel Tillis, Reba McEntire, Willie Nelson, Eddy Arnold, Tanya Tucker, Johnny Tillotson, and Blake Shelton.

The success of Elvis music and launching both of their careers, Mae named her music Company “Dellwood Music”, it is believed, after the street on which she lived.

Jimmy Tennant, also called Jimmy Velvet, a friend of hers and one  who lived in the same Jacksonville neighborhood met Elvis through Mae and had a life-long friendship with him.  He spent time on American Bandstand and managed other singers, even having his own popular singles, “We Belong Together” and “Its Almost Tomorrow”. There is also a long list of other songs he has performed.   In an interview with him, “Spa Guy” confirms a lot about Elvis and his time in Jacksonville, Florida and on Dellwood Avenue.

Elvis performed in Jacksonville August 10 and 11, 1956.  His last performance was May 30, 1977 at the Jacksonville Coliseum.  It was his 5th performance in Duval County and his last.

Elvis Presley died August 17, 1977.  While Elvis has left the building, he is still in the hearts and minds of many of Jacksonville who went to see his last performance. The Times Union reported over 10,000 fans went.  Were you there?

See you tomorrow,

Nan

Sources:  Jimmy Velvet, Spa Guy, Wikipedia, JHS, Jimmy Velvet,