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

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!

My latest Elvis Tribute Concert at the Pointe in Port Liberte’ came on the heels of our most recent snow storm. It’s always “iffy” as to how much of an audience I’ll have during these winter events. Even with reservations it’s hard to predict just how many people will show.

Well, I was pleasantly surprised and thank all my regular fans for the  attention and loyalty they so generously show me. I also gained some new fans this time around.What an enthusiastic crowd! All of my 2010 events are a kind of “Elvis Birthday Bash.” The 75th anniversary…UNREAL!  I even broke with tradition and did two encore numbers…THE WONDER OF YOU and SUSPICIOUS MINDS. Folks simply love the latter song and associate it so much with Elvis at his best. It’s gotten to the point where I’m prepared to insert it, last minute, into any of my shows. Got to please the crowd…got to excite them!

My thanks to Pointe owner, John Nicaretta for hosting my Elvis Tribute Show and to his staff for making me feel so at home.  If ever you’re in the North Jersey/Manhattan area, you have to mark this as a place to visit. The restaurant and night spot has unending windows that look out on the Hudson River, lower Manhattan skyline and The Statue of Liberty. They feature exquisite food, a choice wine list and they serve lunch dinner and Sunday brunch. Just a short ferry ride from Manhattan, The Pointe is located at 2 Chapel Avenue, Port Liberte’, Jersey City near Liberty State Park. You can reach them by phone at: 201 985 9854 or check out their website: thepointerestaurant.com.

In between gigs, you are often likely to find me dining at The Pointe. It has long been a favorite location for me and my family. Over the years, we’ve celebrated everyday get-togethers and special events at this wonderful place. That I get to entertain folks there, as an Elvis Tribute Artist, is just an added attraction to an already pleasant experience. BTW, my next concert there is scheduled for April 25th.  If you do make it to The Pointe and happen to see me, please come over and say hi! You can’t miss me…I’ll be the one with the SIDEBURNS!!