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!

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!!

I’m headed once again to the Philadelphia area, but first a side trip to Paulsboro, New Jersey. Not for a gig, but to pick up a pair of Witco, tiki stools for MY “Jungle Room.”

Witco is a style of rustic, carved  furniture popular in the sixties and seventies that has become highly collectible. It is also the furniture featured in Elvis’ fabled den at his home Graceland. The room was later dubbed “The Jungle Room” by the press. As the story goes; Elvis’ dad Vernon had been to a furniture store called Donald’s in Memphis. He came back home going on about the horrible looking pieces he had seen there.  Little did Vernon know, Elvis had already viewed the furniture and, in a short half hour, had selected a roomful of the stuff! Partly because it was different, but mostly ’cause it reminded Elvis of Hawaii.

On to Philly with my crew where we’ll be doing a brunch at the restaurant XIX. Whenever I’m in Philadelphia, I always stay at the private facility “Club Quarters” located near Rittenhouse Square. The hotel caters to business clientele and you can stay there only if your particular firm is a member. Check to see if your company is listed with them. This is the same building that is home to my favorite Philly restaurant Davio’s. Everyone who works for the restaurant, as well as Club Quarters, knows that I’m an Elvis Tribute Artist. We always get the royal treatment! Stay tuned for my next posting from the road.

Philadelphia Club Quarters Guest Service Managers: Marilda Begiri and Teresita Luz

This endless fascination with The King of Rock “n’ Roll has surely taken this Tribute Artist in a direction I never would have contemplated at the outset of my musical career.

The serious business of doing an Elvis Tribute.

I’m well aware of the jokes made about Elvis Impersonators and many are well deserving of the ill remarks. It’s unfortunate, but the media does little to dispel the negative image. More often than not, TV and printed articles take great fancy in depicting the absolute worst and comical of the genre. In an effort to avoid the stigma connected with the title, a growing number of the more professional Elvis Artists choose to call themselves anything but an “Impersonator.” There are hundreds of Elvis performers doing quality, respectful tribute shows. The fact that Elvis Presley Enterprises has embraced the concept with an official “Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest” is proof of that. Most Presley fans are very accepting of the Elvis Tribute Artist and make for an enthusiastic audience. I also find the less avid fans appreciating the nostalgia of these shows. The whole “Elvis Thing” seems to transcend the age barrier as well. My classic car events attract young and old alike and, post performance, I wind up doing photos with fans of every age.

Photos with the fans are an important part of every show.

Elvis had his personal demons…WE ALL DO! However, he was the consummate entertainer and his talent was gigantic. For this reason his aura looms larger than life and I proudly pay homage to that talent.

A duo with the "Birthday Boy" Mat Conroy.

Another private gig this past Saturday with my new friend Mat Conroy. A “Jersey Boy” celebrating his birthday in style with a party for sixty of his closest friends. I was in good company ’cause Mat loves Elvis. Mat loves to sing Elvis and joined me, in song, for Suspicious Minds and The Wonder of You.

The action took place in the well appointed Alexa Clubhouse which is part of the new City View development, adjacent to the Royal Caribbean dock at the Cape Liberty Cruise Port here in North Jersey. The affair was catered by my favorite local Asian restaurant Ten East and I got to do some photo ops with some of the gang from that eatery.

As part of my Elvis tribute I, almost always, make a surprise entrance to the strains of the “2001 Theme.” There was a twenty minute technical delay that left me waiting, in forty degree weather, outside the club. Aside from that and a problem with mic feedback, the evening went extremely well. I joked with the crowd and they were good natured and enthusiastic.

Mat proved to be a great singing partner and an even better host. Top it all off with dozens of photos with lots of attractive females and this Elvis Tribute Artist was a happy camper.

Here I am with one of those pretty girls!

Nashville, Tennessee is home to one of the most well known recording studios in the United States…RCA’s Studio B. Legends of the music world such as Elvis Presley, Floyd Cramer, Boots Randolph, Willie Nelson, The Everly Brothers, Jerry Lee Lewis, Chet Atkins and Eddy Arnold recorded there. Atkins also produced hundreds of hits with stars of the country and pop charts at Studio B.

On a session break outside Studio B.

The studio was built by Dan Maddox in 1957, at the request of guitarist Chet Atkins and Steve Sholes of RCA Victor Records. Chet said the plans for the studio were drawn on a table napkin by RCA’s chief recording engineer Bill Mittenburg. The building, located at 222 5th Avenue South, took four months to construct and opened in November of 1957. The studio is a single story building with offices in the front half. The area of the studio and control room has a second story which contains an echo chamber.

In the late 50″s and through the 60’s, Elvis did a substantial amount of recording work at Studio B. Chet Atkins was producer at those dates and also played guitar on many of Elvis’ early hits. Chet quickly learned that Elvis preferred to begin recording later in the evening and on through the next morning. Consequently, Atkins got into the habit of being on hand to over-see the start of those midnight runs and left to go home and sleep while Elvis and the other musicians were creative into the wee hours.

Studio B gained fame in the 1960’s for being in the vanguard for what many refer to as “The Nashville Sound.” A style promoted by Chet Atkins and a handful of Music City musicians and characterized by the use of lavish string sections and vocal backgrounds. The style became very popular and helped to open country music to a whole new audience of up-town listeners. It also established Nashville as an international recording mecca.

Recording session in 'The House That Chet Built."

I had the pleasure of recording at Studio B on a few occasions. Mostly demo records for songwriters and as a guitarist in sessions for commercial release from time to time. It was not uncommon on such dates to jam a little as set-up was in progress. So there I sat, on one of those sessions, playing all my best Chet Atkins finger-picking riffs. As I came to the close of the piece, I got a tap on my shoulder and a voice drawled “gee…you sound just like Chet!” I swung around on my stool, preparing to greet my new fan…only to discover that I was face to face with “Mr. Guitar” Chet Atkins in the flesh. As I did my best to recover from my chance meeting with a childhood idol, Chet proceeded to tell me about a recent meeting of his own. Seems he’d been on the road and was filling some spare time at a local music store. A guitar caught his fancy and he sat down to play a few licks. A young, budding guitarist came along and stopped to give a listen. When Chet finished playing, the kid declared “you’re pretty good…, but you’re no Chet Atkins!” Chet, not having the heart to introduce himself, simply accepted the critique and went on his way. Fact is, you can’t talk about RCA’s Studio B and The Nashville Sound without recognizing the dominant force that Chet’s playing and management were in shaping Music City as we know it today.

In 1977 the studio became available to The Country Music Hall of Fame for tours. In 1992 Studio B was donated to The Country Hall of Fame by the estate of Dan Maddox. The facility is currently co-operated by The Country Music Hall of Fame and Belmont University. Tours are still conducted daily.

I have to admit that, as an Elvis Tribute Artist I view the 75th anniversary of Elvis Presley’s birth, on Friday, January 8th, with mixed emotions. In the same way it is difficult to imagine Marilyn Monroe, John Kennedy or John Lennon as a senior citizen…Elvis is forever frozen in our minds as young and vibrant.

Despite the physical and emotional difficulties in his final years; fans choose to remember The King in the 50’s, 60’s and conquering Vegas in the early 70’s. On the one hand, fans were robbed of the possibilities of what might have been. On the other hand, for guys like me, an entirely new career doing tribute shows became an overnight reality. I can’t speak for other ETAs and the myriad reasons they have for becoming a Tribute Artist. I can tell you that I never take to the stage, in that jumpsuit, without remembering that at least some of the attention I receive is borrowed glory. I’m always cognizant of the fact that I’m helping to fill a void left by his passing. The memories I evoke are the main reason I have an audience. Other personalities have taken the same first name, but let’s face it…there’s ONLY ONE ELVIS!

The attention is not all mine!

Some of the birthday related tie-ins include: RCA/Legacy’s four disc “Elvis 75-Good Rockin’ Tonight” which includes one hundred of Elvis’ greatest hits. Also, there is Elvis: The Complete Masters, containing over seven hundred songs offered by The Franklin Mint. “Viva Elvis” by Cirque du Soleil  debuted in Las Vegas in December of ‘09. Birthday Headquarters however will certainly be his home Graceland in Memphis. Friday at Graceland Plaza, just across from the iconic mansion, Priscilla and Lisa Marie Presley will kick off a year-long celebration of The King’s 75th Birthday. Also, a week of events, hosted by the estate, will include: a day tour of Tupelo, Elvis’ childhood hometown, panel talks with close friends and associates, a gospel concert of Elvis songs and a performance of Elvis tunes by The Memphis Symphony Orchestra. On Saturday, January 9th Beale Street will offer an Elvis Birthday Bash. A night of drink specials, live music and partying at clubs up and down the famed Memphis street.

The idea of an elderly Elvis runs contrary to our very image of The King. Elvis, having created a whole new category of performer, had no competition. He was bigger than all his combined contemporaries and was left to reinvent himself from one decade to the next. In a way, Elvis was his own first ELVIS TRIBUTE ARTIST!