So, what do we call them (call us)…Elvis impersonators, or tribute artists?
I remember the first Elvis cover act I ever saw at the Currency Club in the old Sheraton Park Central in Dallas. The guy’s name was Alan Meyer(?), not sure about the last name, he billed himself simply as “Alan”. He put on a great show and my friends and I tried to catch his act whenever he came through town. I would say he performed as a “tribute artist”, that is to say, he didn’t address the audience as if he was Elvis…but would talk about whatever song he was about to do and say, “Elvis recorded this one in 1956″,or whatever.
The other act I saw, maybe around 1983, was Johnny Harra. Johnny was one of the first Elvis impersonators and would take on the persona of Elvis and really try to recreate the concert experience and would say, “I did this song in my first movie”, etc…in other words an impersonator. He had the look, moves and a great voice and it added up to a realistic performance, for sure. By the way, I heard Johnny Harra will be performing at the Elvis Contest at El Ranchito in Oak Cliff next month…it will be great to hear him again.
Almost every “Elvis” act I see today is more of a tribute, as is my own. I’m just more comfortable performing in that style…plus I don’t think my speaking voice sounds all that much like Elvis’ speaking voice.
Either way, I think most of the audiences come for the music!
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