Elvis Tribute Artist Eddie O'Rourke presents A Tribute to The King

For some time now the brunt of my work as an Elvis Tribute Artist has taken place in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut areas. Less frequently I perform in cities like Baltimore, Philadelphia, and occasionally, Nashville, Memphis and Naples, FL. In all my travels over the last few years, people were always asking if I was on Facebook.  After much prompting from friends and fans, I finally arrived at Facebook a few months ago and much to my surprise discovered a huge community of Elvis loyalists on the site.

I’ve been performing my Elvis Tribute for many years and have long been aware of the vast amounts of fans, young and old, who are devoted to the memory of the King. However, this movement on Facebook is staggering in its numbers. Fans and Elvis Tribute Artists alike have joined forces in an effort to secure Elvis as the once and forever King of Rock ‘n’ Roll. There’s even a petition circulating to establish an Elvis Presley Humanitarian Award. For the true followers of Elvis, this is the place to be.

The daily exchange of fan comments, info on festivals and other Presley related shows, books available and books soon to be, tribute artists and impersonators actively performing, videos, Elvis pages and a mountain of  Elvis trivia available are simply mind-blowing!

I thank the many FB friends and fans I’ve acquired from the U.S., the U K, Australia, Germany, Poland, Denmark, Italy and The Philippines. I look forward to those still to come. It’s nice to be a part of it all and I hope I bring as much to the party as I receive from it!

All my tribute shows this year are a celebration of the 75th anniversary of Elvis’ birth. He truly was a pivotal point in contemporary American music and clearly marked a “before” and “after.” As an Elvis Tribute Artist, I enjoy the chance to remind folks of his impact and just how popular his music remains.

My latest show, at The Pointe, Port Liberte’, Jersey City, New Jersey, continued  the celebration. Sunday evening, April 25th was my most recent Tribute to the King. The trendy night spot on the Hudson River was packed to the rafters with Presley fans and I made my entrance to overwhelming applause. My jumpsuit of choice was a copy of Elvis’ Aloha costume and I hit my mark with a rendition of  THAT’S ALRIGHT MAMA. This was a very hyper crowd and I experienced more than a few females coming up to dance and sing along with me. I really love when the audience is so into the performance that they’re moved to do the words with me. This particular tribute was filled with lots of the energetic, high-powered Elvis tunes I so enjoy doing; THE WONDER OF YOU, SWEET CAROLINE, ALL SHOOK UP, LET IT BE ME and IF I CAN DREAM, to list a few. A solid hour of nothing but Elvis! I closed with an up tempo delivery of PROUD MARY followed with the traditional outro…CAN’T HELP FALLING IN LOVE. A few last concert scarves, eagle cape in the air and the drums thundering us to a close.

As is usual for me, post performance, I made my way around the room to chat and take photos with the crowd… which included a group of fans from San Antonio. I especially get a kick out of the after-show event. It’s always interesting to get an immediate feedback from the folks. It surely helps to know the tunes that really grab the audience the most.

Coming up fast and hard…my ELVIS SUMMER FESTIVAL!! A huge “BIRTHDAY BASH” this year. I’ll be certain to keep you updated.

Reprint from an article in the Bayonne Evening Star Telegram/ March 26th, 2010

Elvis Presley Enterprises is in the midst of a year long celebration of the 75th Anniversary of Elvis’ birth. The festivities began, on The King’s birthday, January 8th,  at his home Graceland in Tennessee. Tribute Week at his hometown, Memphis has taken place mid August every year since his passing in 1977. Record numbers of fans are expected for a continuation of the 75th Birthday Event this year.

Here in The Garden State New Jersey’s premier Elvis Tribute Artist Eddie O’Rourke recently met with Mary Divock, Executive Director for the Bayonne Town Center. The meeting was to map out the specifics of an “Elvis Birthday Bash” and other exciting plans for this year’s classic car shows which run June through September. Eddie’s Elvis Summer Festival has been a popular feature of the car shows for many years. In addition to the entertainer’s August Elvis Concert, Divock and O’Rourke are joining forces for a “Fabulous Fifties” costume competition. “We’re inviting young and old to dress up in their favorite fifties look. Leather jackets, poodle skirts and pony tails, any Elvis style or other era personalities like “Lucy” or “The Honeymooners” O’Rourke told us. “There will also be an Elvis coloring contest for the kids, balloons, prizes and give-aways. A real party atmosphere.” Divock added.

Eddie owns Edfor Music…A city fixture for many years. O’Rourke has been an important feature of the classic car shows for the past decade. A member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame O’Rourke has toured the USA, Mexico and Canada with major industry names that include: RCA’s Norman Luboff Choir, rocker Jerry Lee Lewis, blues and pop artist Charlie Rich, Chet Atkins and Les Paul, Jr.

Eddie’s next Hudson County appearance will be Sunday, April 25th, 6 p.m. at The Pointe, 2 Chapel Ave., Port Liberte’, Jersey City. “Elvis” will be accompanied by DJ Express who will provide music before and after O’Rourke’s concert. For reservations you can call the Pointe at: 201 985 9854.

Eddie O'Rourke's "Elvis Birthday Bash 2010."

January 8th marked the 75th anniversary of  the birth of Elvis Presley. In Memphis at his home Graceland, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley kicked off a year long birthday celebration.

Sunday, April 25th Eddie O’Rourke, New Jersey’s premier Elvis Tribute Artist, continues the festivities with an “ELVIS BIRTHDAY BASH” at The Pointe, 2 Chapel Avenue, Port Liberte’, Jersey City. The musical celebration will feature many of The King’s greatest hits. O’Rourke. who  carries the title of “Music Ambassador of Goodwill”, will be assisted by DJ Express who will provide continuous music before and after Eddie’s concert. Cameras are welcome and “Elvis” will be in the building and available for photos after his performance. There is no cover charge and showtime is scheduled for 6:00 PM. Pointe owner, John Nicaretta, suggests early reservations as The Elvis Shows are often sold-out. Call: 201 985 9854.

Elvis...The celebration continues!