Imagine picking up the phone to find a representative from VH1 TV on the other end of the line. Even more exciting, imagine being asked if they could feature your collection of Elvis memorabilia on their program. Well thats exactly what happen to J.K. Krien, also known as the "Trivia King" in the Elvis 2001.net. Thats J.K. in the picture with Wolfman Jack.

Of course being on TV made me more than just a little curious about J.K.'s collection. Here's what he told me in a recent discussion.

June: Describe your VH 1 experience with us.

JK: I got a call one day from a young lady telling me she had heard about my music collection and wanted to show it on a new VH1 show. She said the name would be "Rock Collectibles." It's slated to air in November. A local videographer came out and taped it . I was scared to death, and loved every minute of it. They wanted me to pick out three favorite items, That was not easy. I love it all. I showed the 1956 victrola, 1956 promo photo with autograph and a couple of sun records. Then they took shots of my entire collection . We then did it all over again with my other music items....autographs of John Lennon...Roy Orbison....Rick Nelson...Carl Perkins...Jerry Lee Lewis...Bobby Rydel ...Pat Boone and the list goes on. They called me a few days later and said they would let me know the airdate.

June: What motivated you to start your collection of Elvis memorabilia ?

J.K.: I had to really think about this question. I think because he was everything I'm not, popular... good looking....charismatic...successful.......great with the ladies....talented..... mysterious.....healthy....

June: You rate a big #1 in all the above categories J.K., just ask anyone in the Elvis Chat Club.

June: What was the very first item you acquired and where did you find it ?

J.K. : I was given some Elvis pins and LPs by my grandmother as my first collectibles. My grandmother just loved, MAMA LOVED THE ROSES. I think of her when ever I hear it. It always brings a tear.

June: How long have you been collecting Elvis memorabilia ?

J.K..: I started collecting Elvis memorabilia when I was about eight or nine, with my mother. I can't remember a time when Elvis was not in my life.

June: What do your wife and children think of your collection ?

J.K.: My wife Darcy tolerates my collecting. She likes Elvis but not in the obsessive way

that I do. Kelsie likes Elvis, but thinks the Beatles are better. Arron my youngest thinks Elvis is the greatest. (what a great kid)

June: How often do you add to your collection ?

J.K.: I add to my collection almost daily. There's always something on the way. I have to be careful because of my wife. I have things mailed and dropped off at the neighbors houses and at my families homes. When she is at work they bring the memorabilia to me. UPs trucks have delivered so much to me that they just bring it next door first. The local post office keeps my packages back until I or someone else asks for them. If she gets to the mail first and finds the card, saying you have a package, they tell her they made a mistake. It's good to have friends.

June: Describe some of the items in your collection.

J.K.: I collect anything that's Elvis. I try to collect memorabilia before his death in 1977. I just love the vintage 1956 stuff. I collect.....pins the older the better. Tour books, movie press books, movie lobby cards, movie stills and newspaper and movie ads. I have a great one-sheet collection. My favorites king Creole when it was re-released. I also have several movie trailers that promoted the movies. I collect vintage magazines. I look at the photos and think these are the first time these photos have been seen. COOL!!!. It's now 1999 and they have been copied so many times. Some of the 56 magazines have become quite valuable. I have so much, I can't remember it all.

On December 3, we'll continue with more exciting details and pictures of J.K.s awesome Elvis collection.

J.K. leads the Chat Club  so keep posted to his website for scheduled guests at "Chat Club", he's also in the chat room on most Wednesdays and Saturdays. Stop in and say hi.

And now more on the exciting world of memorabilia collecting, with J.K. Krein.

June: What do your friends think of your collection?

JK: One friend of mine is starting a Web sight so people can see my collection. He wants to call it ONE MANS OBSESSION!!! I wonder what he means???

June: What's the most valuable item or items you own, from a collectors point of view ?

JK: The most valuable. that's a hard question. My Sun records I really get a rush from. The values are changing all the time. I see auctions everyday, and can't believe what some people pay. My 1956 Elvis Presley mint, RCA VICTROLA is a great find and in working order. These are getting almost impossible to find. I'm glad I purchased it when I did, I couldn't afford it now. I've just added a double platinum RIAA record award to my collection. It was presented to an RCA executive. They're very expensive and very hard to find. I had this hidden for quite awhile before I told my wife about it. She saw it and said, "what is that ?" I said, "that old thing, I've had it for years."

June: What are your personal favorites ?

      JK: I love it all!!

June: How many records and CDs do you own ?

JK: I now have over 300 LPs. and 200 CD's, and thats not counting 45's and EPs.(EXTENDED PLAYS) I also collect radio shows and all the 45 and CD promos I can get my hands on. I also collect picture discs.

 June: Where are some of the places you purchase items for your collection ?

JK: I purchase from collectors I've known for years and people I can trust. Some on-line auctions, but you do have to be careful and know what you're buying. Do some history searching on it. There was a letter in a fan club I belong too. A person purchased something from an on-line auction. It was sold as original Elvis memorabilia and the word RARE was used along with a photo of the auction item. Any collector that did fact finding on this item would know that it was not original, by the photo and the information given. They were upset at the on-line auction, blaming them that it was not real. I blame the purchaser for not researching it. On most rare items, if its to good to be true its probably not. The information is out there! When I started collecting years ago, I got burned, but thats my fault, shame on me. I learned not to do it again.

JK: I just purchased two 1970 pennants that were sold at his concerts. They're very cool. I also purchased the straw hat (Styrofoam) that was worn by the people working at the show It has RCA and summer festival on it. There are two different kinds.