Elvis is coming to town.
It’s actually Elvis tribute artist Steve Elliott, from the Fraser Valley, who is performing April 13 at Martin Exeter Hall with his gospel concert, His Hand in Mine.
“It’s the concert that Elvis never really got to give,” Elliott says, adding the King of Rock ‘n Roll actually had his roots in southern gospel.
“Back in the early days, his mom took him to the Baptist church, and that’s where he was exposed to gospel music. By the age of 10, he knew all the songs.”
Elvis’ signature leg shake and arm movements, he notes, also came from the Baptist church preachers who were very emotional in their sermons.
Elliott says he considers his gospel show as the one that portrays the real side of Elvis, and he’s had success on the road with it for five years. He has also been doing the show for eight years in Langley, at Christmas time, and it’s always been a sell-out, he adds.
Of all the songs Elvis recorded, he says, only the gospel recordings won Grammy Awards.
“It was his roots. You sing these songs for people, and it touches them.”
Don’t be looking for Elliott to bounce out in a jumpsuit when he performs in 100 Mile House. For the gospel show, it will be strictly clean-cut church attire, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be a lot of hip shaking going on. It’s part of the act, and he encourages the audience to get involved.
His stop in 100 Mile House will be followed by shows in Surrey, on Vancouver Island, and all over northern British Columbia. He’s currently performing in Los Cabos, Mexico.
His successful career began in 2004 when he won an Elvis tribute contest in Penticton and now he finds himself booked every weekend of the year.
Tickets for his show are priced at $20 and can be purchased in advance at Donex, Didi’s, 108 Mile Supermarket, or at the door.
Only 300 will be sold, and part of the proceeds will be donated to the 100 Mile House Food Bank Society.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7.
