Admitting he wasn’t an Elvis Presley fan earlier in his life, Adam Fitzpatrick said it was actually on a dare that his career as an Elvis tribute artist began. For about three or four years, Fitzpatrick, 29, who lives in Penticton, B.C.
Admitting he wasn’t an Elvis Presley fan earlier in his life, Adam Fitzpatrick said it was actually on a dare that his career as an Elvis tribute artist began.
For about three or four years, Fitzpatrick, 29, who lives in Penticton, B.C., watched his best friend’s father perform as the King at the Penticton Elvis Festival.
In 2007, Fitzpatrick said, his best friend declared he was going to perform at the festival the following year and Fitzpatrick egged him on.
"I kind of challenged him and said there’s no way you’re doing this. You don’t even get up for karaoke," Fitzpatrick said. "So I kind of gave him my word that day as, if you’ll do it then I’ll do it."
When his friend followed through and told Fitzpatrick he had joined the festival lineup, Fitzpatrick lived up to his end of the bargain.
"I kept my word and I did it and I ended up winning the amateur category that year," he said.
That was in 2008, and last year he captured first place at the festival in the professional category.
Since first donning the King’s jumpsuits and sideburns nearly six years ago Fitzpatrick has performed at Elvis tribute festivals and concerts across North America on his own and as part of the Louisiana Hayride, a travelling musical revue that frequently visits Olds.
He’ll return to town on Feb. 5 for what he promises will be a "massive show" called Elvis Evolution at the TransCanada Theatre, backed by an eight-piece band made up of The Cadillac Kings and The Uptown Hornz.
The show will also feature a tribute to Roy Orbison.
With so many Elvis tribute artists performing across the globe 37 years after his death, Fitzpatrick said what sets his homage to the King apart is his "authenticity" and ability to just be himself when interacting with his audience.
"I always work with the crowd really well. You have to be personable with the crowd. I think every guy brings his own special touch. I have a lot of fun at my shows."
And while his show includes aspects of Elvis’s entire career, Fitzpatrick said he has the most enjoyment performing as Elvis from the King’s later years.
"The crowd seems to come alive in the second set where I’m wearing the leathers for the ’68 comeback," he said. "That’s where the crowd really starts getting into it. Mostly the ladies, I guess."
As to why he believes Elvis’s music and persona can still draw sellout crowds in 2014, Fitzpatrick said the King’s legacy seems able to touch every generation.
"It’s music that all ages can connect to and can like. It’s going to be a long time before Elvis actually dies off."
The Feb. 5 performance begins at 8 p.m.
Tickets are $34.95 and are available at Casa de Flores at 5026 50 St.
Elvis, who died in 1977, would have turned 79 on Jan. 8.
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