Sometime during filming, Marty Lacker returned to Memphis to join Alan Fortas on the ranch. This was just one of a number of personnel changes essentially precipitated by the "Clambake" crisis. Larry Geller, of course, had long since decamped, and Jerry Schilling had decided to strike out on his own. Red and Sonny West were no longer around, and the social circle was shrinking in conjunction with a plan to seek a new house that encouraged a more intimate family atmosphere. ​

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In a special arrangement above and beyond the terms of the regular RCA recording contract, Elvis and the Colonel received $25,000 for the "Clambake" album and $35,000 for the Colonel's new promotional scheme for the 1957 Christmas album. This promotion included a Christmas radio show broadcast on more than 2,400 stations, and the $60,000 appeared to be equally split between Elvis and the Colonel.