Aspiring Alexandria Elvis Tribute Artist hopes to walk in Elvis' Blue Suede Shoes some day
The aspiring Elvis Tribute Artist dressed in a white Elvis jumpsuit complete with a cape turned heads when he walked into the auditorium of the Coughlin-Saunders Performing Arts Center, 1202 3rd St., in downtown Alexandria Thursday.
It was the first day of the three-day Louisiana Elvis Festival where Elvis Tribute Artists Bill Cherry, David Lee, Victor Trevino, Jeff Lewis and Louisiana’s Brandon Bennett, performed classic hits by the King of Rock n’ Roll in the show titled “Elvis in New Orleans.”
They are called Elvis Tribute Artists (ETAs) and not impersonators because they pay tribute to Elvis by “staying Elvis.” That means they sing, perform and speak the same way Elvis would have, show host “Tupelo” Tom Brown told the audience.
“It was my first time at the show last year and I met some of the tribute artists,” said Jeremiah Wilson, 14, whose goal is to become an ETA. “They named me an honorary Elvis tribute artist, so I'm hoping I can just become an Elvis tribute artist. It would be a huge honor and it'd be a great memory, I would say, in my life.”
Right now he is trying to get sponsorships for an Elvis Tribute Artists competition in Tupelo, Miss., Elvis’ birthplace, said his mother Piper Wilson.
When asked if he was a big Elvis fan, Jeremiah replied, “Yes, ma’am” in the same manner reminiscent of Elvis.
“I’m a very big fan. I started singing Elvis when I was about 10 or 11. I’ve been performing around the state,” he said, adding that he’s performed with local country singer Avery Michaels and his dad’s band.
The one song he likes to perform is “Blue Suede Shoes” and one he likes to listen to is “Kentucky Rain.”
Since he was dressed in a jumpsuit, it’s fair to say that Jeremiah likes the 1970s Elvis, but he also likes the 1950s-era Elvis.
“I like the ‘50s because of the music, but I love the ‘70s because of his style and his jumpsuits,” said Jeremiah. “But I would have to say between the ‘50s and ‘70s. The 60s weren't bad, especially with the ‘68 comeback. But I'd have to say either the ‘70s or the ‘50s. It's really close between those two.”
Janet Bray from Pineville said she has seen some ETAs in Nashville and found some of them to be pretty good.
His music and his personality are reasons why she is an Elvis fan. And she likes his Memphis home, Graceland.
She never got to see Elvis perform in concert.
“I’m not that old,” she said. But her parents were among those who saw Elvis perform at the Rapides Parish Coliseum in March 1977.
There is no doubt that Florida native Niki Seely is an Elvis fan. She wore a skirt printed with a picture of a young Elvis. She was in Alexandria for the Elvis festival.
She likes to attend these kinds of festivals because they carry on Elvis’ legacy. She doesn’t have a favorite tribute artist. She loves them all.
“I’m not choosy. I’m not particular about one or the other,” said Seely. “I love the music. I love the way they perform.”
She has been a lifelong Elvis fan from the time she was born.
“Because my mother was obsessed with it, so heard it growing up,” said Seely about the music. “That’s all she talked about at home was Elvis."
When Elvis died in 1977, Seely said after she got home from school,, she found her mother crying at the kitchen table.
“I thought somebody in our family had died,” she said. “Because she was so upset.”
Seely first saw Elvis perform in 1976 in Las Vegas and it’s his music that has kept her a fan all these years.
“And him. Elvis was just one of a kind. There will never be another like him,” she said.
She loves all his songs and has no favorite.
“I love them all. I can’t choose one over the other,” said Seely.
The Louisiana Elvis Festival continues Friday with two shows. "Elvis 72-77" starts at 2 p.m. and "Elvis The American Icon" at for 7:30 p.m. On Saturday, "Elvis the Story" will be at 2 p.m. and "Elvis: That's the Way it Was" at 7:30 p.m.
Other tribute artists include Dean Z, Ben Thompson, Cote Deonath and Alex Mitchell.
This article originally appeared on Alexandria Town Talk: Aspiring Elvis Tribute Artist hopes to walk in his Blue Suede Shoes
