Post by Admin on Jul 29, 2012 9:04:55 GMT -5
Elvis performer gets shot at ultimate tribute
DOTHAN, Ala. --
Jerome Jackson is a self-described “picky” Elvis tribute artist.
His focus is firmly on the 1970s image of Elvis Presley. He’s particular about the jumpsuits he wears and the sound tracks he uses for his performances. One of his current jumpsuits is a replica of a jumpsuit called the Black Spanish Flower that Elvis wore during concerts – down to the red studs, embroidery and belt.
Jackson’s need for perfection doesn’t stop at the wardrobe.
He won’t perform the song “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” – even though it’s his favorite – because he can’t find a quality backing track for the number.
The Dothan native has been performing Elvis hits on and off for 37 years. Even as a teenager, he had a voice that lent itself to Elvis Presley’s songs from the late 1960s and the 1970s. He can’t quite reach the higher notes of Elvis’ early hits from the 1950s.
“For me, I started out as a fan,” Jackson said. “I am a huge fan and collector – still am. It’s an obsession with me, actually.”
Next month, Jackson will participate in an Elvis tribute artist’s dream when he competes in the Ultimate Elvis Artist Contest during Elvis Week in Memphis, Tenn. On Aug. 17, he’ll compete against 30 other tribute artists from around all over the United States as well as Canada, Australia and even Japan.
“This is the big one that everybody hopes for because it is endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, who in the past shunned the Elvis tribute artists or Elvis impersonators, whichever you prefer to call it,” Jackson said.
Elvis Presley Enterprises is the corporate entity that manages the assets of the Elvis Presley Trust, which includes tours of the late singer’s Memphis home, Graceland.
Jackson qualified for the contest by winning a regional competition a week ago during the annual Elvis Tampa Bay Festival in Florida. He even had fans cheering him on when three local members of the Jerome Jackson Official Fan Club followed him to Tampa.
“I was an avid Elvis fan,” fan club president Peggy Howell said. “Jerome is about the closest I’ve seen as far as presence and performance. He’s good. Just like Elvis.”
While Jackson began performing Elvis hits in his teens, he set it side several times as an adult. He began working in radio right out of high school and tried for his own music career in Nashville. But even when he quit doing Elvis, he’d get requests.
“As soon as I would shave my sideburns off, I’d get a call,” he said.
Jackson currently works for The Radio People and hopes to one day make Elvis his full-time occupation. He does private parties and reunions and is a regular performer at Cross Creek Junction south of Dothan. He also started doing dinner shows at restaurants like the Our Place Diner in Ozark and the Wagon Wheel in Brundidge.
He keeps a website, Elvisjerome.com, and has a Facebook page.
“Before I got into this, I just thought there were a few Elvis impersonators out there, not knowing there was so many,” Jackson said. “I knew there were some bad ones out there, but until you go to a contest, you’ll see the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s a hodge podge of different kinds of people. But there are some really good ones.”
Every performer has an approach. Some prefer Elvis’ early years, while many choose to emulate an older Elvis. Some stay in character off stage. And like Jackson, some are very particular about their accessories. Jumpsuits are easy to find but they can get expensive. Replicas can cost thousands of dollars. Jackson doesn’t normally wear the costumes or other Elvis accessories when he’s not performing.
In the end, it’s about paying tribute to the King of Rock of Roll.
“I’m a huge fan,” Jackson said. “I’m the biggest fan in the world. I consider myself the biggest fan. I am obsessed, I really am. It’s a sickness, I know.”
www2.dothaneagle.com/lifestyles/2012/jul/29/local-elvis-performer-gets-shot-ultimate-tribute-ar-4215611/
DOTHAN, Ala. --
Jerome Jackson is a self-described “picky” Elvis tribute artist.
His focus is firmly on the 1970s image of Elvis Presley. He’s particular about the jumpsuits he wears and the sound tracks he uses for his performances. One of his current jumpsuits is a replica of a jumpsuit called the Black Spanish Flower that Elvis wore during concerts – down to the red studs, embroidery and belt.
Jackson’s need for perfection doesn’t stop at the wardrobe.
He won’t perform the song “T-R-O-U-B-L-E” – even though it’s his favorite – because he can’t find a quality backing track for the number.
The Dothan native has been performing Elvis hits on and off for 37 years. Even as a teenager, he had a voice that lent itself to Elvis Presley’s songs from the late 1960s and the 1970s. He can’t quite reach the higher notes of Elvis’ early hits from the 1950s.
“For me, I started out as a fan,” Jackson said. “I am a huge fan and collector – still am. It’s an obsession with me, actually.”
Next month, Jackson will participate in an Elvis tribute artist’s dream when he competes in the Ultimate Elvis Artist Contest during Elvis Week in Memphis, Tenn. On Aug. 17, he’ll compete against 30 other tribute artists from around all over the United States as well as Canada, Australia and even Japan.
“This is the big one that everybody hopes for because it is endorsed by Elvis Presley Enterprises, who in the past shunned the Elvis tribute artists or Elvis impersonators, whichever you prefer to call it,” Jackson said.
Elvis Presley Enterprises is the corporate entity that manages the assets of the Elvis Presley Trust, which includes tours of the late singer’s Memphis home, Graceland.
Jackson qualified for the contest by winning a regional competition a week ago during the annual Elvis Tampa Bay Festival in Florida. He even had fans cheering him on when three local members of the Jerome Jackson Official Fan Club followed him to Tampa.
“I was an avid Elvis fan,” fan club president Peggy Howell said. “Jerome is about the closest I’ve seen as far as presence and performance. He’s good. Just like Elvis.”
While Jackson began performing Elvis hits in his teens, he set it side several times as an adult. He began working in radio right out of high school and tried for his own music career in Nashville. But even when he quit doing Elvis, he’d get requests.
“As soon as I would shave my sideburns off, I’d get a call,” he said.
Jackson currently works for The Radio People and hopes to one day make Elvis his full-time occupation. He does private parties and reunions and is a regular performer at Cross Creek Junction south of Dothan. He also started doing dinner shows at restaurants like the Our Place Diner in Ozark and the Wagon Wheel in Brundidge.
He keeps a website, Elvisjerome.com, and has a Facebook page.
“Before I got into this, I just thought there were a few Elvis impersonators out there, not knowing there was so many,” Jackson said. “I knew there were some bad ones out there, but until you go to a contest, you’ll see the good, the bad and the ugly. It’s a hodge podge of different kinds of people. But there are some really good ones.”
Every performer has an approach. Some prefer Elvis’ early years, while many choose to emulate an older Elvis. Some stay in character off stage. And like Jackson, some are very particular about their accessories. Jumpsuits are easy to find but they can get expensive. Replicas can cost thousands of dollars. Jackson doesn’t normally wear the costumes or other Elvis accessories when he’s not performing.
In the end, it’s about paying tribute to the King of Rock of Roll.
“I’m a huge fan,” Jackson said. “I’m the biggest fan in the world. I consider myself the biggest fan. I am obsessed, I really am. It’s a sickness, I know.”
www2.dothaneagle.com/lifestyles/2012/jul/29/local-elvis-performer-gets-shot-ultimate-tribute-ar-4215611/