A Tribute to Our Own "Elvis" -- Ted Prior

By now, many of you have read the articles , seen the news stories and shared in the loss and sadness of my very good friend, Ted Prior, or as we all knew him -- “Elvis.” I find this an interesting blog for me as it was a strange and eerie circumstance how we met, and a strange and eerie circumstance still in Ted's passing. First, I would just like to send out my thoughts and prayers to Ted's wife and his entire family as they deal with this loss.

I met Ted several years ago, and it wasn't long before we just felt like we knew each other our whole lives. I was entering a song in the “American Idol” songwriting competition, and I needed someone who could help me get it to the way it needed to be submitted.

I actually met Ted at a networking event and wound up talking with his manager, Neil. So when I was looking for help, I reached out to Neil who gave me Ted's cell number. Funny, when I called him, he told me he was two hours away. I thought that's where he lived, two hours away. In the next breath he asked, “Do you know where Galloway is?” I laughed and found out that Ted lived right around the corner from me.

We met the following evening and in four hours, Ted was able to play and record for me the entry to the competition. It was like we were friends for a long time. Although the song didn't make the final cuts, it was a bond that Ted and I shared that cemented our friendship forever. The people we met and the things we did with my new business and the “Elvis” gang, as Ted called us, was just amazing.

I will be co-hosting Ted's tribute event on June 5 at the Rams Head Inn from 2-6. Joining me will be radio personality Champ Hoffman, also a good friend of Ted's. I met Champ through Ted, and again, we wound up doing great things together for Ted's shows and events. I did voice-overs for him and he made me an official staff member. I helped him with his shows and he even wrote a song about “the gang” of us who worked on his shows with him . He even wrote a special and funny song for me. Wherever Ted went, he always carried tiny little stuffed animals in his pocket just in case he ran into any little kids – he would have something to give to them.

Two years ago, I lost my mom to brain cancer. I'm sure you have also seen what is going on in that world of mine. When we released the foundation, it was Ted who was there doing dollar dances with “Elvis” for us. When I did my showcase of my new business clients, it was Ted who was there with his amps and speakers and of course, with “Elvis.” Ted helped me with issues when I lost my mom, and then my dad and I know he had a special spot in his heart for my daughter and my boyfriend. There were many times we would try to do things together. Funny how my foundation has the logo of a HOT DOG as my dad worked for the original Nathan's family. Funny how in one of the news articles about Ted, there was a story JUST ABOVE TED'S on the Nathan's family and how Murray Handwerker, the son of Nathan Handwerker died on Saturday. Funny how my dear friend , Ted, helps me release my foundation for Brain Cancer Research and we lose him to that very thing. ...

Life is funny and it is short -- so tell someone you love them today. My good friend and associate, Ted Prior, will certainly be missed. He will be remembered in our hearts, in my heart forever.

Bringing you “Our little Blog Patch,” I'm Ava Holly and we'll catch you next time in the patch.