Elvis Tribute Artist Eddie O’Rourke performing in Bayonne NJThe Music was recorded in Nashville in “real time”. This means the musicians played along with the original performances. These performances were then taken out in the final mix leaving only the new music backgrounds, Several of the players are original members of Elvis’ TCB band who have endorsed these tracks. While every program has many of the King’s songs, I try to create some variety by alternating between the traditional and the more up tempo concert arrangements of the same songs.
I’ve always cringed when called an Elvis impersonator.
I much prefer the title of “Elvis Tribute Artist”
Many of my costumes are tailored by the same people who made them for the King. My glasses were made by Dennis Roberts, who fashioned the styles for Elvis back in the 70’s, using the original molds. The concert belts are from the shop of Mike McGregor who lived at Graceland and produces saddles and other tack for E’s horses as well as making his belts. several of my belts were made and autographed by Mike himself. The large gold, onyx and diamond TCB ring that Elvis wore was made by Memphis jeweler Lowell Hayes. Mine was duplicated for me in Las Vegas by Barry Mote.
I have always cringed when called an Elvis impersonator. I much prefer the title of “Tribute Artist”. I am not trying to duplicate every vocal inflection of Elvis, but rather perform with a general Elvis feeling. My show has always concentrated on the singing. It’s the music done Elvis style that people come to experience – so I am short on talk and long on vocalizing.