Collective Soul Channels Elvis' Spirit in New Album Recorded at Graceland

The band's latest double album "Here to Eternity" was recorded at Presley's California estate.

Jan. 27, 2026 at 8:55pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Collective Soul's latest double album "Here to Eternity" was recorded on-site at Elvis Presley's Graceland estate in Palm Springs, California. The album project was a dream come true for founding member Ed Roland, a lifelong Elvis fan, who was able to record the album in the very rooms and spaces where Presley himself had recorded his final gospel albums. The band absorbed Presley's spirit throughout the recording process, with Roland even singing in the specific spots where the King himself would perform.

Why it matters

Collective Soul's connection to Elvis Presley's legacy and the unique opportunity to record at Graceland adds a special significance to the band's latest album release. As one of the most iconic musical artists of all time, Presley's influence continues to be felt, and Collective Soul's homage to the King of Rock and Roll resonates with music fans.

The details

Collective Soul recorded the 20 songs that make up "Here to Eternity" over the course of about a month at Graceland. With just three weeks remaining on their lease of the estate, founding member Ed Roland decided to expand the project into a double album, drawing inspiration from influential albums he grew up listening to like Elton John's "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" and the Rolling Stones' "Exile on Main Street". The band recorded the initial 12 songs in just four days, then took a break before returning to lay down 10 more tracks in five additional days.

  • Collective Soul recorded the album in January 2023.
  • The band had the Graceland estate leased for about a month.
  • Presley spent his last Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday, and recorded his final three gospel records at the Palm Springs estate the year before his passing.

The players

Ed Roland

The founding member of Collective Soul and a lifelong Elvis Presley fan who was able to record the band's latest album at Graceland.

Dean Roland

Ed Roland's brother and the guitarist in Collective Soul.

Will Turpin

The long-time bassist for Collective Soul.

Johnny Rabb

The drummer who joined Collective Soul in 2012.

Jesse Triplett

The band's third guitarist, joining in 2014.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The year before Elvis passed, he spent his last Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthday and did his last three gospel records there. RCA (Records) had set it up—soundproofing the Big Room, and Elvis was able to record live. That's how we record.”

— Ed Roland, Founding Member, Collective Soul

“I had met the guys who bought it on the courthouse steps because (Presley's wife) Priscilla and (daughter) Lisa Marie wanted nothing to do with it, so it was dormant. So we had to stage it by bringing furniture in and things like that. We set the control room up in Lisa Marie's room. Our producer/engineer was in Priscilla's room, and I got to sleep in Elvis' bedroom. I'm the only man that can say that.”

— Ed Roland, Founding Member, Collective Soul

“There was a place where Elvis would sing, so I would sing there. And he'd usually sing out by the pool, so I would do my vocals out by the pool. And it's just part of knowing that nobody had been there since he died. The night Lisa Marie passed, we had set the control up in her bedroom, and the ceiling fell down, so it was kind of a spooky vibe. We just absorbed it. We couldn't believe we were there, to be honest with you. The excitement is definitely there.”

— Ed Roland, Founding Member, Collective Soul

What’s next

Collective Soul will be performing songs from the new "Here to Eternity" album during their upcoming show at the Graton Resort & Casino in Rohnert Park, California on January 31, 2026.

The takeaway

Collective Soul's unique opportunity to record their latest album at Elvis Presley's iconic Graceland estate has imbued the new music with a special connection to the King of Rock and Roll's enduring legacy. The band's reverence for Presley's spirit and the creative energy they absorbed at the historic location has resulted in a deeply personal and meaningful double album release.