Elvis Presley was first and foremost a gospel singer. He grew up in the deep south where gospel music was heard in every church. It was the soul of the south and was the precursor to rock & roll. Elvis won his Grammy awards for his gospel songs which were his roots.
Steve Elliott, known for his Elvis Elite show, is bringing Elvis to the Sooke Baptist Church, 7110 West Coast Road, on April 20 at 7:30 p.m.
“I performed at the Legion last year and it was a great sell-out,” Elliott. “It’s a different side of Elvis we’re taking to Sooke right now, we’re bringing the other side of Elvis.”
He said the older songs, sung by “Elvis,” have stories and bring back a lot of memories for people.
“There was a lot of emotion in those songs for him,” said Elliott. Elvis Presley loved gospel music and would play far into the night at Graceland and stated his voice was a gift from God.
Elliott will perform his solo show with backup tracks rather than other musicians.
Being Elvis has been a full time career for Elliott for the past eight years, every since he won the Canadian championship contest. He has travelled all across Canada and the U.S. and most recently to Mexico with Elvis Elite. Born and raised in Nanaimo, Elliott was always artistic, he draws cartoons for community newspapers and came upon singing as an after thought when he walked into a karaoke contest at a local mall. He won a set of Elvis CDs and the rest is history.
Gaye Patterson from the Baptist Church is excited about bringing Elvis to the church. They have had bluegrass, blues and folk music at the church but this concert is a first.
“I think it will be quite wonderful, it’s the first time for Elvis,” she said.
