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GLENN A. BAKER’S
MUSICAL AMERICA
TOUR
APRIL 2014
Join Glenn A. Baker for the Music Fan’s
Ultimate Tour of the USA including
Chicago, Cleveland, New York, Memphis,
Nashville and New Orleans

GLENN A. BAKER
Described by Rolling Stone magazine Music Editor David Fricke
as "Not just Australia's top pop scholar but a world class rock
journalist who writes with the enthusiasm of a true fan" and by
Phil Collins as "the most thorough and knowledgeable music
journalist in the world today", Glenn A. Baker is a three time
winner of the BBC's Rock Brain Of The Universe title, though
possessing a knowledge of music well beyond rock. An author
of 17 books (most recently ‘Best of Baker: Music’), Glenn is a
nationally syndicated radio and television presenter of long
standing, the specialist compiler and/or annotator of more than
500 highly acclaimed album anthologies, a hit songwriter and
a writer of features for more than 200 publications. He was the
Australian Editor of Billboard for more than 20 years and is the
owner of one of the most extensive music archives in the world.
He has been a music presenter on Good Morning Australia,
Mornings with Kerri-Anne, Today Show, Sunrise and Mornings
and has hosted Monday Night Legends and Up Close & Personal
specials on the Arts & Entertainment channel Ovation. Glenn was
once hailed by a former Australian Prime Minister as "A kind
of cultural photographer who can vividly conjure up images and
feelings of periods."
HIGHLIGHTS
e Attend a radio broadcast in Chicago, visit Chess
Studios and enjoy a special guided tour of some of
the world’s best blues clubs
e Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland
e See iconic music heritage locations in San Francisco
and New York
e Nashville - Country Music Hall of Fame, Studio B,
Private "Cash on Cash" performance
e Rockabilly Museum, Jackson Tennessee
e Memphis - Beale St, Elvis' Graceland home,
Sun Studio, Stax Museum of American Soul
e Clarkesdale - Delta Blues Museum and the Rock &
Blues Heritage Museum with a private performance.
The sacred blues ground of the Crossroads
e Tour the B.B.King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi
e Natchez - Monmouth Plantation tour
e Lafayette - Cajun House Party, the Festival
International of Louisiana
e New Orleans - Cajun Swamp cruise, Gator Farm
visit, city sightseeing, Steamboat Dinner Jazz cruise
Day 1. Apr 10 - San Francisco
Check in to our tour hotel today. This evening gather with
Glenn A. and your fellow travellers for our Welcome dinner.
Day 2. Apr 11 - San Francisco sightseeing
This morning join a walking tour of some of the city's iconic
music spots, visit places made famous by Janis Joplin, the
Jefferson Airplane and Grateful Dead and the night clubs
of the ‘beat generation’ of the 50’s.
Day 3. Apr 12 - San Francisco at leisure
A day at leisure to relax or sightsee at your own pace.
Perhaps you can check out the location of such indelible
hits as Dock of the Bay, San Franciscan Nights and
We Built This City, or make your way over to the cavernous
Amoeba Records just near the famous intersection of
Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park.
Day 4. Apr 13 - Fly San Francisco - Chicago
We head to the airport for our flight to Chicago (included in
tour price), where we transfer to the Essex Inn. We'll later
be met by a Blues performer who will sign autographs.
Day 5. Apr 14 - Chicago
Today we'll be invited to a radio broadcast which will
highlight musical history. Then we'll embark on a tour with
a local guide, combining the regular tourist attractions with
special blues attractions, such as the famous Chess Studio
at 2120 South Michigan, where Chuck Berry, Muddy
Waters, Bo Diddley and the Rolling Stones recorded.
Day 6. Apr 15 - Chicago at leisure
Today is free. Perhaps take the Architecture Foundation
River Cruise - highly recommended. Or spend more time in
the famed South Side and North Side blues clubs.
Day 7. Apr 16 - Chicago - Cleveland
Board our motorcoach for the drive to Cleveland, Ohio.
Be richly entertained by GAB-selected music, vision and
anecdotes along the way.
Day 8. Apr 17 - Cleveland - Fly to New York
First is a visit to The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Alive with
the energy, passion and spirit of music, it features seven
floors of fascinating displays with iconic rock’n’roll
artefacts. Then transfer to the airport for the flight
(included in tour price) to New York, the Big Apple - home
of Atlantic Records, Shea Stadium, Paul Simon, the
Rascals, Neil Diamond, Carole King and the Ramones,
among a squillion other luminaries.
Day 9. Apr 18 - New York sightseeing
Let Glenn A. show you the sights of Greenwich Village and
the many famous ‘hang outs’ of musicians from Bob Dylan
and fellow folkies to Jimi Hendrix to Bruce Springsteen.
Visit The Bitter End - established in 1961, the oldest rock
& roll club in New York City. The intimate vibe makes this
historic venue almost as iconic as its headliners and it
continues to host acts every night.

Day 10. Apr 19 - New York sightseeing
Visit Times Square and see the Brill Building, near
Tin Pan Alley where so many classic songs have been
written. This building housed many music industry
offices and studios and has been described as the most
important generator of popular songs in the western
world; Glenn A. has some interesting facts to disclose
about it. We'll also visit the Apollo Theater in Harlem,
where soul and blues have seeped into the floorboards,
- the spot which launched or advanced careers including
Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holliday, James Brown, The Jackson
5, Aretha Franklin... and too many more to list here.
Day 11. Apr 20 - Fly New York - Nashville
We'll fly to Nashville (included in tour price), 'Music City',
where we're staying at the fabulous Gaylord Opryland
Hotel which features an impressive atrium with its own
river. Tonight we're off to the Nashville Palace Dinner
Theater for a dinner and country music show.
Day 12. Apr 21 - Nashville sightseeing
First is our tour of the Country Music Hall of Fame and
Studio B. Then a special experience - “Cash on Cash” -
a private performance and discussion with Johnny and
June’s son, John Carter Cash. He will entertain with
his own music as well as some made famous by his
legendary family and answer questions. The rest of the
day and night are free: perhaps go to the Grand Ole
Opry, the live radio show which has been running for over
80 years; or visit the Bluebird Café which is recognised
worldwide as a space where some of the most significant
songwriters of our time come to perform their own
music, often made famous by others, here in the country
music capital. Or just stroll down famous Music Row.
Day 13. Apr 22 - Nashville - Memphis
Depart onboard our coach for Memphis. En route we'll
stop for lunch (own expense) at the Old Country Store in
Casey Jones Village followed by a tour of the Rockabilly
Museum. Arrive Memphis mid afternoon and check in to
our hotel just 2 blocks from legendary Beale Street.
Day 14. Apr 23 - Memphis
Today we tour Graceland, the home of Elvis Presley. On
our tour we visit the infamous ‘Jungle Room’ along with
his trophy room which houses his collection of gold and
platinum records. Our tour also includes the car and
aircraft collections. We then move on to the museum of
Sun Studio at 706 Union Ave where Elvis was discovered
and where ‘Rocket 88’ the first true rock’n’roll record
was cut by Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm. Roy Orbison,
Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and Jerry Lee Lewis all
recorded in the studio which is now Heritage listed.
Our last visit of the day is the Stax Museum of American
Soul Music, a shrine to perhaps the most urgent sound
of the South. We may encounter one of the MGs.
Day 15. Apr 24 - Memphis - Greenwood
On our way to Greenwood, we'll stop in Clarksdale and
the Crossroads, where Robert Johnson is said to have
sold his soul to the devil in return for blues immortality,
and tour the Delta Blues Museum and the Rock & Blues
Heritage Museum. The owner will join the group here;
he plays and sings blues songs and we’ll hear the songs
morphed into Rock’n’ Roll...a fascinating experience.
Then time for lunch (own expense) at Morgan Freeman's
place, 'Ground Zero', which is a replica of a southern
juke joint. Tonight in Greenwood, you can visit one of the
last remaining original juke joints - Po Monkey's.
Day 16. Apr 25 - Greenwood - Indianola - Natchez
This morning, local guide Sylvester Hoover will take us on
a special blues tour. Then to Indianola for a tour of the
B.B.King Museum and Delta Interpretive Centre. Arriving
late afternoon in Natchez we'll tour Monmouth Plantation
Home before checking in to our historic downtown hotel.
Day 17. Apr 26 - Natchez - Lafayette
We arrive in Lafayette late morning and stop at Mama
Redell’s Begnaud House for a Cajun House Party
demonstration. She brings in a Cajun/Zydeco band that
will perform especially for us and explain the history of
this music. She will also serve some Cajun food samples.
The afternoon and evening are free and can be spent
downtown enjoying the annual Festival International.
Day 18. Apr 27 - Lafayette - New Orleans
First is Avery Island for a tour of the Tabasco Factory.
Then to 'Bayou Delight' Restaurant - famous for its fried
chicken & catfish (lunch own expense). Next we'll board
the Cajun Man Swamp Cruise, operated by Ron ‘Black'
Guidry, a real character who will sing and talk to us. Our
next stop is the Greenwood Gator Farm where everyone
gets a chance to hold a baby alligator! We continue to
the New Orleans French Quarter, and there's the
opportunity for more music by exploring on your own.
Day 19. Apr 28 - New Orleans sightseeing
Our New Orleans guide will take us on a 3 hour City
Tour. The afternoon is free, then tonight we'll walk to
the river to board our Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise.
The sounds of Fats Domino, Ernie K. Doe, Lloyd Price,
Dr John, Professor Longhair, Allen Toussaint and the
Neville Brothers will be ringing in our ears.
Day 20. Apr 29 - Depart New Orleans or extend
Our tour ends this morning. Why not extend your stay in
the USA? We can help with all your travel arrangements.
Airfares From Australia
We have not included international airfares in the tour price
so you can take advantage of the best airfare available at
time of reservation. If you would like us to assist with your
flight bookings, contact us on 1300 884 891.

Tour Price per person in A$ (airfares from Australia not included)
Twin Share $8,390
Single supplement $1,800
Tour Includes
•Accommodation as listed in the itinerary
•Domestic USA flights - San Francisco/Chicago;
Cleveland/New York/Nashville
•Welcome dinner in San Francisco
•Steamboat Jazz dinner cruise in New Orleans
•Chicago - attend a radio broadcast,
visit Chess Studios, special blues clubs guided tour
•Entry to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland
•Sightseeing in San Francisco and New York City
•Visit to Graceland
•Stax Museum •Sun Studio
Important Information and Booking Conditions
Deposit
An non-refundable deposit of A$500 per person is
required within 14 days of reservation to secure
your place on this tour.
Final Payment
Because events can ‘sell out’ quickly, we are
required to advise passenger details well in
advance so as to secure the arrangements from
hotels, tour operators, coach companies, airlines
and event ticket sales offices. We seek your
understanding and co operation in this matter
and advise full payment is due 90 days prior to
departure. Bookings received after this date will
require payment in full within 7 days.
Payment by credit card
A fee will be charged on the value of the amount
being charged to your credit card and will be added
to the amount being paid. Fees: Mastercard &
Visa Card 2%; Diners Club & American Express
4%
Cancellation after full payment will incur
the following fees; Days prior to departure:
Up to 46 days: 25%; 45 - 31 days: 50%;
30 - 0 days: 100% of tour price.
Single travellers
We are unable to ‘pair up’ solo passengers who
seek to share a room. However if we know that
another solo passenger of the same gender is
interested in sharing, we offer to put you in touch
with each other prior to departure. If both agree
to twin share accommodation we require written
confirmation of that agreement from both parties.
If you wish to pursue this offer please mention it to
your travel agent so you can be placed on a list at
the time of paying deposit. If an opportunity does
not arise then the single supplement will apply.
Travel Insurance
It is a requirement that all passengers participating
in these tours effect appropriate travel insurance at
the time of booking, please ask us for information.
Your travel insurance policy must include coverage
for cancellation fee. Proof of insurance cover is
required to be submitted to Elite Special Event
Tours thirty (30) days prior to departure.
Documentation
Elite Special Event Tours has taken every
precaution to ensure that information and details
provided about each tour, and the tour itinerary
is correct and accurate. A considerable amount
of pre planning and site inspections has been
undertaken by Elite Special Event Tours to ensure
that details mentioned in the itineraries meet our
high standards. Every effort is made to ensure
that details are correct at the time of distribution,
however no responsibility or liability is accepted for
any errors, omissions, or alterations contained in
either documentation or the itinerary.
Price changes
Currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, changes in
airfares, and/or tour costs can happen without
notice. It is our intention that any such changes
will be advised in advance, however Elite Special
Event Tours is not responsible for any increases
applied by any of our contracted tour operators,
airlines, or hotels, nor for any currency fluctuations.
In the event of significant movements in currency
exchange rates it may be necessary to apply
from time to time a currency surcharge.
Hotels & Flights
Hotels listed in the itinerary are correct at time of
publication but are subject to change prior to the
tour departure. Flight times are subject to change
without notice.
Amendment fees
Amendments made at the time of reservation incur
no charge. Amendments made after payment of
deposit may incur a fee of $50 plus any charges
•Entry to the Country Music Hall of Fame
•Tour of Studio B •Private "Cash on Cash" performance
•Rockabilly Museum, Jackson Tennessee
•Clarkesdale Delta Blues Museum and the Rock & Blues
Heritage Museum with a private performance
•Tour the B.B.King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi
•Natchez Monmouth Plantation tour, Natchez
•Lafayette Cajun House Party, attend the
Festival International of Louisiana
•New Orleans Cajun Swamp cruise, Gator Farm visit,
City tour
•All transfers and travel by air-conditioned coaches
•Elite Special Event Tours travel wallet
Not included: International airfares, meals other than listed in
itinerary, tips, drinks, personal items.
For details of all our tours call us or visit our website
Tel: 1300 884 891 www.eliteset.com.au
applied by any associated operator.
Termination
No refunds will be applicable to any termination
of any reservations or tours due to unforeseen
circumstances once commencement of the tour’s
departure. Any such claims may be submitted to
your insurance provider.
Minimum group size
This tour is costed on a minimum group size of
15 passengers. Should the group number fall
below this Elite Special Event Tours reserves
the right to make any appropriate adjustments,
including cancellation. In the event of cancellation
by Elite Special Event Tours, a full refund of all
monies paid will apply.
Responsibilities
Airline tickets, bookings, & passports must be in
the same name. It is the responsibility of all
passengers to ensure that they hold a current
passport that is valid until you have returned to
Australia and any visas or documentation
necessary, including any recommended
vaccinations. It is the responsibility of any
passenger to take whatever precaution is
necessary to avoid any occurrence of Deep Vein
Thrombosis. Elite Special Event Tours does not
accept any liability for injury, damage, loss, delay,
additional expenses or inconvenience caused
either directly or indirectly by force majeure or
other events which are beyond our control, or
which are not preventable by reasonable due
diligence on the part of Elite Special Event Tours.
Elite Special Event Tours has exercised due care
with its selection of reputable travel operators
such as airlines, car companies, hotels, coach
companies, tour operators and/or other suppliers.
Some of these operators limit & exclude liability in
respect of death, personal injury, delay & loss or
damage to baggage.
Tip Top Travel Services Pty Ltd. Licence No: 2TA 4428