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

July 1st, 2011 marked the release date for the new hardcover book NEXT GENERATION KINGS by Joseph Clough and Teresa Winston. Based on the popularity of their first book ALL THE KING’S MEN they are quickly making a name for themselves in the Elvis World. Their creations are helping to lift the status of the multitudes of professional Elvis Tribute Artists around the world. More and more the industry finds many Elvis performers preferring the title Elvis Tribute Artist (ETA ) as opposed to Impersonator. ETAs take great pride in letting you know they are paying tribute to and not attempting to impersonate “the greatest entertainer of the 20th Century. “To the average person the distinction between “impersonator” and “tribute artist” might seem scant, but it’s as different as day and night for the professionals. NEXT GENERATION KINGS introduces the public to the young, up-and-coming ETAs; honors those performers that have blazed the path for many years in the book’s Hall of Fame; and, pays respect to the fallen Elvis Entertainers in the Valley of the Kings section.

The turning point for the change in attitude toward ETAs can be traced back several years ago when Elvis Presley Enterprises (EPE) finally sanctioned and sponsored the first Ultimate Elvis Competition. The finals for the contest take place every August, during Elvis Week, in the King’s hometown Memphis, TN. Granted, there are some die-hard fans of the King who feel the Tribute Artists detract from the attention Elvis alone deserves. Fact is, the majority of fans welcome the opportunity to take part in live shows that celebrate the life and times for the King of Rock n’ Roll! In all the years since Elvis’ passing, the ETAs have been keeping his flame burning brightly and current through their live performances. The Ultimate Elvis Contest is one of the most popular events in Memphis during Tribute Week. Authors, Clough and Winston were savvy enough to recognize this new acceptance of the Elvis Tribute Artists and through their beautifully crafted books are lifting the profession to new heights.

A third book about ETAs is on the drawing board. The Clough Group, which includes co-authors: Joseph Clough, Teresa Winston, Kirk Francois and Eddie O’Rourke are planning THE BROTHERHOOD of ELVIS, a book that will detail the comradeship within the ETA family. It is scheduled for release in July of 2012 and a book signing in August of 2012 during Elvis Week in Memphis.

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>>>>  NEXT GENERATION KINGS  ”ETA HALL of FAME” EDDIE O’ROURKE  <<<<

“I am extremely grateful for my inclusion in Next Generation Kings’ “Hall of Fame.” The honor is doubled by the fact that I have never taken part in an ETA competition. Long before my Elvis Tribute life, I had a wide and varied career in the music business. That early introduction to the business relied on earning a living entertaining rather than competing. And so, to receive this recognition along with those who regularly compete is very special to me.”- Eddie O’Rourke

Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe both came to public prominence back in the middle of the 20th Century. They burst into mainstream consciousness during that period following World War II. So why after more than sixty years are we still fascinated by the lives of these two individuals when others have long since fallen by the wayside.

Both Elvis and Marilyn came from meager beginnings; Elvis born in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi and Marilyn who spent the majority of her childhood in foster homes. They each struggled through poverty with dreams of a better life.  Neither were suited to an academic lifestyle, but both possessed innate talent and the raw makings of charismatic personalities. Their careers had their beginnings in the post-war years when Americans were experiencing prosperity and a renewed positive outlook as they ventured into the second half of the century. Each respectively became part of the vanguard that personified the movement representing  youthful aspirations at that time. Their good looks and charm won them countless fans the world over. Those fans emulated their idols look and style that forever changed the world.

Elvis and Marilyn both died prematurely yet in the decades since their passing multitudes remain captivated by Norma Jean and Elvis Aaron.  Here we are all these years later with the more senior members of society remembering their first hand experiences with Elvis and Marilyn and those much younger feeling they missed out on something epic.  All however longing for whatever it first was that these two talented icons of a simpler time brought to us…and trying , in this complex digital world, to recapture a bit of the energy and good feelings they represent!

As a professional Elvis Tribute Artist, I’d like to acknowledge the March 30th passing of entertainer Johnny Harra. While The King of Rock was still alive, Johnny was one of the earliest performers to devote an entire stage act as a tribute to him.  The fact that he just happened to resemble Elvis certainly didn’t hurt the illusion.

Johnny began his admiration for The King of Rock at the age of eleven, doing his Elvis impersonation for family and friends. By the 1970s he was performing his tribute in local Texas nightclubs.  He and his band were  booked for several shows at a Dallas/Fort Worth Holiday Inn, the day that Elvis died. The press he received from that gig subsequently lead to his appearance a few weeks later, before a crowd of 20,000, at The Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. Later in 1977 Johnny signed a three year, six million dollar contract with The Silverbird Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.  In his later years, Johnny struggled with arthritis and diabetes. After a period of time in semi-retirement, he returned to the stage just before the 25th anniversary of Elvis’ passing. In his long career as an Elvis Impersonator/Tribute Artist, Johnny Harra was featured in many newspaper and magazine articles, appeared on national TV, was featured in the movie “This Is Elvis” and took his “Profiles of Presley Show around the world.  At the hight of his popularity, Johnny was an inspiration to those of us who aspired to a career as an Elvis Tribute Artist. The tribute was to The King of Rock n’ Roll…Johnny showed us how to do it with class!

MORE PICS!…The picture taking during and after my programs goes on continuously. The post show photos with fans often take up more time than the actual performance, but I’ve always considered them part of  the entertainment. I’m more than pleased to pose for as many photos as time permits. The day after most concerts, I find myself sifting through dozens of pics for the handful that capture a bit of that particular moment in time. I’m aware that folks like to see themselves in my website blog and attempt to post all the fan photos that look good. So here are a few more shots from the April 3rd show at The Pointe in Port Liberte’…