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

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!

I recently performed my Elvis Christmas Brunch at “The Pointe” in Port Liberte’, Jersey City. I’ve been doing this particular set since the year 2000.

The festivities opened with the tune Here Comes Santa Claus…followed by that great Elvis classic Blue Christmas and, the up tempo, Santa Bring My Baby Back. Other holiday favorites included: White Christmas, that exciting blues  number, Santa Claus Is Back In Town, the poignant, I’ll Be Home For Christmas, Silver Bells, It Won’t Seem Like Christmas and I Hear The Bells. Also, a lot of non- Christmas Elvis tunes in between.

This was a brunch…early for me. I’m a night person and early performances have always put a bit of pressure on me. Singing in the first half of the day requires a little more work on my part. In an effort to loosen my voice, I found myself rehearsing around 8:30 that morning.

It’s one thing to listen to all those Christmas songs on the radio, but much more engaging to perform them. For a number of years now, performing my Elvis Show has been my special way of getting into the holiday spirit. Hopefully I brought some of that Christmas Cheer to the audience too! AND I DIDN’T HAVE TO IMPERSONATE  SANTA TO DO IT!!

Sunday, November 8th was this Elvis Tribute Artist’s return to The Pointe, 2 Chapel Avenue, Port Liberte’, Jersey City. My posse of fans from the firm of Ernst & Young were in attendance. We held the start of the show for my “fan club” from San Antonio, TX. Their limo got lost enroute from their hotel near the airport, but it was well worth the wait for such a party group.

Assisted by my New Jersey backup crew, DJ Express, I kicked off the show to the strains of “See See Rider” followed by that great Elvis classic “Burnin’ Love.” Next came “Something”, first recorded by The Beatles, “Blue Suede Shoes” written by rockabilly artist Carl Perkins. Further into the program the James Taylor hit “Steamroller Blues” and the Frank Sinatra standby “My Way” done Elvis-style. Well into the concert a bolero rendition of “What Now My Love” and, the ever popular, “Suspicious Minds.” I closed the night with another Elvis classic “Big Hunka Love.” Finally, lots of photos with lots of folks.,

Another stop at The Pointe on December 6th for an Elvis Christmas Brunch. I’ll return to the Hudson County area with my Elvis Winter Wonderland 2010…Sunday, February 28th  at “The Pointe.” In addition, lots of private gigs will keep me as busy as Santa’s Elves at this time of the year.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

EDDIE O’ROURKE RETURNS TO THE POINTE  2 CHAPEL AVE., PORT LIBERTE’, JERSEY CITY -  Sunday, April 25th, 6:00 PM with another edition of his 2010 “ELVIS BIRTHDAY BASH” Early reservations are suggested. For more info call: 201 985-9854

Dates for private events are not published. Please contact us for available bookings.

A few nights ago I ran into my actor friend, Joe Tornatore, who is here in Bayonne scouting out locations for his latest production “Spaghetti Park.” Joe’s main occupation these days is that of actor, director and producer, but in his long film career he has probably filled every position imaginable. Well…maybe with the exception of  actress!

Tornatore is one of those faces you recognize, but can’t always put a name to. A short list of his tv work includes: Mission Impossible, The Bill Cosby Show, Mod Squad, Cannon, The Rockford Files, MASH and T. J. Hooker. Highlights of his film work are: Cleopatra Jones, The Sting, Planet of the Apes, The Champ and Marciano. As a director/producer his efforts include: Zebra Force, Grotesque, Demon Keeper, Curse of the Crystal Eye, Game Room, and most recently Immortally Yours.  “Spaghetti Park” is scheduled to begin shooting in January of 2010 and is the latest in a long list of films that have been made here in New Jersey.

Most folks forget that the film industry began here in 1893. The first production studio, The Black Mariah, was constructed on the grounds of Thomas Edison’s laboratories in West Orange. Early silent film thrillers like “The Perils of Pauline” were shot on the palisades in Weehawken. Many of the large mansions that still exist on Boulevard East in Weehawken were once owned by the early stars of silent film. Bayonne has been the location for many tv shows and scores of works for the big screen. If you’re taking notes…let’s not forget the 2005  Tom Cruise blockbuster “War of the Worlds.” So all the best to my friend Joe Tornatore…you’ve come to the right place and you’re in good company!